Hooray! Everyone is happy!
All smiles at the 2007 SIA Cup Barrier Draw 17 May 2007
By Jo Adams - Singapore Turf Club
There were no hard luck stories at the barrier draw for the Group 1 $3 Million Singapore Airlines International Cup to be run on Sunday – instead some rather happy connections who were delighted at their particular gates.
Head lad for Kandidate Desmond Reape could not help but punch the air with delight when the Clive Brittain trained runner drew the number one marble.
“We’ve never had a draw so good! He normally jumps well so we’ll be hoping he does the same on Sunday and that he comes out running.” said Reape.
“He’s led many times and he’s also come from off the pace, but he predominantly runs from the front, so I’m very happy with his draw.”
From the inside to the far outside and it was local contender Royal Admiral who drew 13, but while some may consider this number as unlucky, trainer Laurie Laxon certainly didn’t.
“Well if the rain continues to fall the outside is going to be where you want to be, so it certainly doesn’t worry me.”
Laxon will also saddle up Crusoe who drew beautifully in gate 3 and Big Easy who drew gate 12.
“Well Big Easy generally gets back so from 12 he’ll be able to slot in nicely and Crusoe couldn’t have drawn better.
“From the inside gate he’ll be able to sit just in behind the speed with cover and Andrew (Calder) will give him every possible chance.”
The two Japanese contenders drew next to each with Shadown Gate in 10 and defending champion Cosmo Bulk in 9.
“We were hoping for a smaller number but 10 is still a good position. “ said Yukihiro Kato, trainer of Shadow Gate.
“We don’t really care where he is drawn as he has very good speed.”
Track rider Kenji Enami, who has rarely left Cosmo Bulk's side since arriving, was very happy with his draw.
“I’m happy with 9. The only thing is the short distance from the start to the first turn which may make it difficult for us, but he has enough speed to cross if he needs to.”
French-based trainer Richard Gibson was pleased not only with the draw (11) but with the way Doctor Dino is going as they head into Sunday’s event.
“He had a good year last year when he won three on the trot including a Group 3. This year we have kept him a little fresh and he ran a very good third to Dylan Thomas who I believe is the best mile and a quarter horse in Europe this year.
“That race was just three weeks ago, so really we haven’t needed to do a great deal with him, rather the opposite as he appreciated a little breather. He sits off the pace in his run so the draw is fine. Hopefully there will be a strong pace to suit him.”
South African representative Oracle West drew well in 5 with assistant trainer Steven Jell saying; “He did well in Dubai and he was probably at his peak then, so if we can get him there like that on Sunday we’ll be right in it.”
“We’ve changed his work a little to help sharpen him up and he seems to be working well and enjoying it. The draw is fine as he can be as close to the pace as he needs to be.”
New Zealand conditioner Wayne Hillis who was as ‘happy as a dog with two tails’ following Dezigna's work on Wednesday kept up the smiles when the galloper drew gate 2.
“Well you couldn’t be happier with that! He’ll settle in behind the speed with cover and with a bit of luck the pace will be on and that will help him to come home.
“His jockey (Vinny Colgan) knows the horse extremely well and I’ll be able to just leave it up to him on Sunday.”
South African trainer Patrick Shaw has not only been overseeing the preparation of Mike de Kock’s Oracle West, but also his own two contenders Setembro Chove and War Horn who drew 7 and 8 respectively.
“They’ll be a bit of speed on so I’m happy with their gates,” said Shaw. “The jockeys (Robbie Fradd and Barend Vorster) will be able to se how much pace there is once they jump. It’ll be up to them to ensure they aren’t too far from the leaders once they all get sorted out and into stride.”
Last year the locals were well represented when Steven Burridge’s King And King ran a gallant second to Cosmoa Bulk and from barrier 6 he should have every chance again to put his best hoof forward.
“It (barrier 6) just makes things a lot easier for us,” said Burridge. “At least we can ride him the way we want this time – steady and midfield hopefully. Last year we were drawn wide and we were committed to ride him from behind.”
Last but not least and Singaporean trainer Desmond Koh saw his recently imported French galloper Ruwai draw 4.
“I’m happy with the draw,” said Koh. “He’s got some pretty speedy horses inside him. So I hope we’ll be able to sit off the speed. From that we can just hope he is able to do his best.”
COME HOME SAFE, ALL OF YOU.
