By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
Trainer Michael Clements would be delighted should either Trumpy or Elite Incredible run well enough this Saturday to get a berth in the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) next month.
Besides Trumpy and Elite Incredible, the 2020 Singapore champion trainer has also nominated Top Knight, Big Hearted, Heartening Flyer and Tangible in the first round of nominations in the $1 million feature race.
Currently rated at 77 points each, both Trumpy and Elite Incredible can on paper make the cut, but a win in the $70,000 Class 3 race over the mile would be an extra boost.
Clements also saddles Vittoria Perfetta in that race but he is not in the running for the Kranji Mile.
“Trumpy is a winning chance,” said Clements of the Lizard Island six-year-old.
“He won a lot on dirt tracks in Argentina, so I tried him on the Polytrack two weeks ago (sixth to Leatherhead in a Class 3 race on April 9).
“But ultimately, the dirt and Polytrack are still different surfaces, and he’s not suited to the Polytrack here. He’s better on turf.
“He looks bright and is in good shape. (Oscar) Chavez will ride him again.
“Elite Incredible appears to run erratic races. His form is in-and-out. When things don’t go his way, he runs sub-standard races.
“But he’s in the right grade, and the distance and course suit him.
“He’s more effective over a bit further, but this (1600m) is not a problem for him either.
“He galloped on Monday and Tuesday morning under (Jake) Bayliss, who will ride him this Saturday. He’s pleased with the horse.
“They have to win this race to get their ratings up. If one of them wins, that can help them get a run in the Kranji Mile.”
The six-year-old son of Valid Stripes is back in trip this time after finishing three lengths behind stablemate Tangible in a Class 3 race over the 2000m last month.
Elite Incredible has run in multiple Group races in the past, including the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) two years ago against Trumpy and Vittoria Perfetta.
Back then, Elite Incredible and Trumpy were under the care of ex-Kranji handler Cliff Brown. Stablemate Big Hearted won the Gold Cup while Trumpy, Elite Incredible and Vittoria Perfetta ran fourth, fifth and 10th respectively.
A six-year-old gelding by Zoustar, Vittoria Perfetta had been running mostly in Class 3 races thereafter, before scoring a slashing win when back in grade in a Class 4 race over the 1700m three weeks ago.
“He’s been effective in Class 3 races even if he won in a lower-graded race at his last start,” said Clements, who reclaimed the top spot on the premiership on 19 winners after a hat-trick of wins with Celavi, Spirit Of Big Bang and Kassab last Sunday.
“He’s up in Class 3 again, back on the turf, and his fitness and trackwork are great.
“Saifudin (Ismail) will ride him. He can be competitive.
“Vittoria Perfetta and Elite Incredible are on-pace runners, Trumpy gets back, so any barrier between one to eight is fine, just not too wide.”
Both Trumpy and Elite Incredible will carry 58kgs each while Vittoria Perfetta will have 56kgs on his back in the field of 12 this Saturday.
