By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
Engine Start may have been disqualified at his last start in a maiden race three weeks ago, but he now fronts up for another crack in the $20,000 Maiden race over 1600m on the Polytrack.
It happened under bizarre circumstances in the maiden race over the mile on August 21 when the saddle shifted under apprentice jockey Hakim Kamaruddin on Engine Start at the 600m, resulting in the falling of the lead bag.
The horse – who was sent out as the $9 favourite – did all he could and ‘won’ going away by a little over 1 ½ lengths, but rules are rules (Hakim weighed in 5.2kgs light) and connections had to look on while Wan Legacy (who races on Saturday in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1800m) was promoted to the winner.
A bitter pill to swallow for all concerned in the Engine Start camp but for his trainer, Jason Ong, it is what it is.
“Obviously I was quite disappointed as we thought he was a very strong chance going to that race and ran accordingly,” said a pensive Ong from trackwork on Thursday.
“It’s never happened to me before – or anyone else for a long time – but the stewards did not blame us as we took all precautions.
“But it showed us that the mile is ideal for him and he gets another chance this Saturday.”
On paper, the four-year-old son of Highly Recommended meets a similar field – Missile Rain finished third in the same race – although Ong suggests this race is a little more ‘top heavy’ and the Polytrack surface is also a query.
“We have similar expectations as the last time but Absolute Radiance and Legacy Reign does add depth to this race,” continued Ong.
“And this is his (Engine Start) first start on the Polytrack. Hakim will ride him from behind, so he will need to handle the kickback and that’s an unknown.
“But given the way he went over the mile (at his) last start, I think he can win.
“The owners (The Sisterhood Stable) have been great – been buying young stock and enjoying racing – so let’s hope he can get a good result for them.”
Ong also has a big say in the other maiden event on Saturday – the $75,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m – with his debutant, Super Convince.
“He’s a very straightforward horse,” said Ong of the three-year-old of former Singapore juvenile champion, Super One.
“I got him at the Inglis Ready2Race sale last year and sent him to New Zealand to take our time with him as we always had a good opinion of him.
“(Jockey) Vlad (Duric) has trialled him twice and was very happy with him but given the handicaps (52.5 kgs), Hakim will ride him on Saturday.
“He’s very laidback, so hopefully he switches on for race day and while we think he will improve with racing, he should go well.
“His owner, Mr Tan (TTS Stable) has been with my stable since I started – a strong supporter – so it’s always good to have a nice horse for him.”
Elsewhere on the 11-race all-weather surface meeting, Ong thinks What You like will be very competitive in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1200m and could add to his 2022 tally.
“He’s a seasoned horse – a lot of wear and tear – but he has found form and we expect him to be competitive in an open race,” he said of the nine-year-old.
“He ran third with Vlad last start in the wet and Danny (Beasley) will ride him Saturday with 56kgs and he will run on as usual.”
Of his season thus far – 27 winners at a strike rate of 10.11% that has the Singaporean trainer sitting fifth on the competitive trainers’ log – Ong was pleased but with a caveat.
“Of course I’m happy from a personal point of view,” said the Marcus Oldham College graduate.
“But every day is a learning day – I’m only in my third season as a senior trainer – so this motivates me to keep training winners for owners that support me.
“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it (premiership fight) much but it does give me confidence that the stable is doing the right things and top five would be a great achievement.”
