Luck may have played a part in Mr Malek’s two wins over the 1200m trips this year, but jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim will be banking on the classy miler’s new-found vigour to outsprint the rest in the $300,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on Sunday.
Better known as Harry, the Malaysian hoop has ridden Mr Malek 11 times from 31 starts since the days he showed promise as a three-year-old when under ex-Kranji trainer Lee Freedman.
In Mr Malek’s 10 wins thus far, Harry was also his winningest partner with six wins aboard, which included his recent back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on June 3 and a Class 1 race (1200m) on July 8, where he beat Kharisma and The August by a head and a neck respectively.
Both wins over a trip not made to suit had connections’ hearts in their mouths, but Harry knew the seven-year-old son of Swiss Ace well enough to know the best time to produce him on the tracks.
Also, he reckoned that the Steven Burridge-trained gelding had turned the corner after beating neck cancer late last year and is now raring to go at trackwork.
“Credit to Steven because he came back in great form after the cancer surgery; it’s like he was ‘reborn’, said the two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey.
“I know him inside out. He felt much better than before, wants to go in the morning during trackwork and he enjoys them. Hopefully, that’s a good sign.
“We did slow work yesterday morning and galloped this morning. He felt well.
“He had two trials after his last win and it was a good trial just to get his fitness up last Thursday (ran third to Lim’s Kosciuszko on August 17). He’s not a Polytrack horse, so we were quite happy with him and he pulled up well.
“He is in good shape and I’m happy with how well things are going for him. I hope we can keep him sound.”
Some of Mr Malek’s opponents in the third Leg of the STC Super Sprint series this Sunday include last year’s Lion City Cup winner Lim’s Kosciuszko, who trialled superb last Thursday and is first-up from his fifth Group victory in the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) in May, Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) winner Golden Monkey and Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) winner Super Salute in the field of 11.
Harry pointed out the dangers of meeting on-pace runner Lim’s Kosciuszko at level weights of 57.5kgs in the iconic sprint feature, but he was hopeful that a fast tempo can help the big-hearted Mr Malek get there in time again.
“This is a tough race. Lim’s Kosciuszko is the best horse and we wouldn’t want to let him get away too far. There’s also a couple of other nice horses like Golden Monkey and Super Salute,” he said.
“1200 might be too sharp, but it all depends on the pace. He doesn’t have much speed early on, so he likes to sit back and finish off. If the pace is on early, he can finish on top of them.
“His best trip now could be 1600m to 1800m, but the way he won twice over six furlongs showed that he was very sharp. I hope he continues to stay nice and sharp.
“From the way he’s going at the moment, he felt really good. I think he’s genuine enough to run a good race.
“I know he would give his 110% every time. I just want to give him a good ride.”
The 2021 Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) winner has drawn barrier seven at his third bid for glory in the Lion City Cup. Mr Malek ran second to former Kranji galloper Inferno in October 2020 before finishing sixth to Lim’s Kosciuszko at his second Lion City Cup attempt last year.
Burridge, for one, would love to believe in the saying of “third time’s the charm” for the Oscar Racing Stable-owned gelding.
“It’s quite an even field but it’s not a walk in the park. He’d get back a bit so we would need a bit of luck,” said the veteran Australian conditioner.
“The 1200m is probably too short for him but there’s nothing else he could run in. We have to give it a go because he’s in that Class.
“Luck went his way the last time he won (on July 8). There was a lot of interference on the inside, so there were some unlucky runs in that race, but he was on the outside.
“Lim’s Kosciuszko is the one to beat for sure. He trialled very good and looked good. He should win on paper but if Mr Malek gets there quick enough, it’s hard to say.
“I’m hoping (for a win) but we’re also looking towards other races later on, like the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m).”
Held on September 23, the Raffles Cup is the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series, followed by the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on October 14 while the third and final Leg will be the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on November 11.
By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
