Caspar Fownes paid a flying visit to Kranji this morning, Friday 15 May, to oversee Military Attack and Lucky Nine in their final turf gallops ahead of Sunday’s Singapore International Racing Festival.
The duo warmed up along the back-side Polytrack strip before stepping onto the grass. Military Attack was the first to open up down the home stretch and the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) contender swept by the watching international media in pleasing fashion. Lucky Nine swooshed past moments later and the veteran sprinter, aiming for a third straight win in the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m), then returned to the back-side Polytrack to warm down.
“We just wanted a sharp last quarter with Lucky, which he did - he was flying. Military Attack went evens the last half mile and he looked good too,”´said Fownes, who left for Hong Kong immediately after trackwork and will fly back to Singapore following racing at Sha Tin on Saturday.
“I'm happy with both of them, they seem to be over the niggling issues that have held them back recently and I am expecting a pretty big showing.”
Military Attack won the SIA Cup in 2013 and was the beaten favourite when third last year. The seven-year-old was in grand form in the first part of the season but niggling issues have prevented him from showing his best form in recent months. He will break from gate three on Sunday.
“That draw is just perfect for Military Attack and we are expecting a big race from him. We really struggled with him in the lead-up to his last start (APQEII Cup) but now he is fine,” said Fownes.
Lucky Nine was imperious when winning the KrisFlyer International Sprint in both 2013 and 2014 but Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter has been well below par in his last two starts.
“Lucky Nine has had valid excuses, the last few starts, but we have no excuses this time around. He has to be in the first three, he will get his chance from the draw (gate two),” said Fownes.
Aerovelocity had an easy canter on the Polytrack. Trainer Paul O’Sullivan then unsaddled the dual G1-winning sprinter who was led to the Kranji parade ring. The often string-willed six-year-old behaved himself impeccably as he was guided around by two handlers before returning to his stable.
“He can be a handful but he’s like a kid’s pony when he gets on the track; he goes along like an old hurdler,” said O’Sullivan.
“He’s a tough horse but he’s had a long season and this would be his last hurrah for the season, so we just hope he can carry his form on for one more run. He’s had only six runs in the season and we’ve spaced his races, with the idea of tagging on an international race at the end of the season. It’s worked out pretty well so we just hope he can top it off here in Singapore.”
Fellow KrisFlyer International Sprint hope Rich Tapestry had a routine canter on the Polytrack under work rider Vincent Sit and looked to be in good heart as he exited the track. Meanwhile, the John Moore-trained Dan Excel, last year’s SIA Cup victor, went two laps at a steady tempo.
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Photo 1:
Singapore Airlines International Cup contender Military Attack gallops on Kranji��s turf track this morning.
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Photo 2:
KrisFlyer International Sprint��s defending champion Lucky Nine exercises on Kranji��s turf track.
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