Trainer Donna Logan is looking forward to combining with one of the most high-profile female owners at Kranji – fellow Kiwi Kylie Bax – to win the Lucky Last, a $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on Sunday.
Luxury Brand – a four-year-old by Charm Spirit – is the horse in question and the well-named (out of Miss Gucci) gelding has both race and trial forms to steer punters in the right direction.
A three-time winner from 10 in starts, Luxury Brand goes into Sunday’s race after a very good Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge campaign, which saw him finished third in both the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on April 8 and the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on May 6.
He had a crack at the Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 20 but it proved to be a bridge too far after he ran seventh to Coin Toss. Yet, his 2023 campaign had been rather fruitful with a Class 4 win (1200m) on February 25, coupled with his two Group placings from only four runs.
On race form and being back in Class 4 again, Luxury Brand could jump as favourite. Also, his latest trial where he finished second to Sacred Gift in trial no 3 on July 18 suggested that the New Zealand bred has thrived after the 3YO series.
Logan’s main concern was to knock in another win for Luxury Brand as he goes through the grades while she has one eye on bigger races in his four-year-old season.
“We will definitely be looking at the (Singapore) Four-Year-Old series (next year),” said Logan, who came back after a well-earned break in Europe that included the races at Royal Ascot.
“He (Luxury Brand) probably found the mile of the Guineas too far, but you have to remember he only had nine starts before that run. He showed that he can match motors with the best in his age group in the (3YO) Sprint and the (3YO) Classic, so he will be aiming for that in the (4YO) series.
“But back in Class 4 over 1200m on Sunday seems ideal. Given the form from the 3YO series has more than held up, he should go very well.”
In fact, some of the major players in the Singapore 3YO series raced with success last Sunday. A first runner-up in all three legs of the 3YO series, Bestseller scored in Class 4 company (1200m) and Pacific Warrior, who ran third in the Singapore Guineas, won in Class 4 company (1400m).
On that same day, both Singapore 3YO Sprint winner January and Knippenberg, who finished fourth in the 3YO Sprint, finished second over 1200m in a Class 3 and Class 4 race respectively, so the form line more than stood up to open age scrutiny.
With that recent strong trial and regular jockey Yusoff Fadzli onboard, Luxury Brand looked hard to beat.
“I thought his trial was excellent,” continued Logan, who also saddles Aftermath in the same race.
“It was a very comfortable trial and showed he has enjoyed the freshen-up after the Guineas and is ready to show his best.
“I think he can win and it would be nice for Kylie (of Bax Racing Stable), who is a brilliant owner to have. But it is a strong race with Lim’s Straight going for a hat-trick of wins in Class 4 and Flying Nemo is also a nice type.
“And don’t forget Aftermath (x Spirit Of Boom). He ran second to Lim’s Straight (in a Class 4 race over 1200m on July 2) and gets a nice pull in the weights (four kilos), so he should be competitive.”
Elsewhere on the 12-race meeting, Logan has a few solid each-way hopes, but she thought that Fadaboy is a serious chance in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1000m and Reignite could surprise in the $70,000 Class 3 race over the same trip.
“I like him (Fadaboy),” said Logan of the Deep Field four-year-old.
“I definitely rate him as a top three chance in this field. He carried 48kgs when he won at his last start and will only carry half-a-kilo more on Sunday with (apprentice jockey) Jamil (Sarwi) staying on.
“Gate one helps our chances, but you’d have to respect Lim’s Denali and Bransom, who both won at their last starts too.
“In the Class 3 sprint, I thought Reignite (x Sebring) did super first-up to run second to Pacific Emperor (in a Class 3 race over 1200m on June 24) and that form has held up well with Pacific Emperor winning at his next start in a Class 2 race (last Sunday).
“It’s a very tough race on Sunday – Akhtar, Red Ocean and Major King are all smart – and he’s (Reignite) trying 1000m for the first time, but we have drawn well (in barrier two) and if he gets a nice pull into the race, he’s a chance.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
