Winless in New Zealand and Australia, Top Field only broke the duck at his 19th start here two months ago but is now gunning for his fourth straight win in the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1600m on Saturday.
Time was running out for the five-year-old son of Real Impact to show he had something to offer for patient connections after 16 unplaced starts in Singapore, although he too failed to make an impression in five starts in New Zealand and four starts in Australia previously.
But with two much-improved runs over the mile at two starts in July for trainer Jason Ong, Top Field now looks extremely well placed in the upcoming Class 5 race (1600m).
It was a remarkable effort considering where he came from, but the serendipitous effect of his poor early runs was the fact his rating dropped to a career low of 26 points on 8 July, thereby allowing him to have another crack in Class 5 company on the back of a winning streak.
It was something that Ong did not plan for or foresaw it coming.
“We didn’t plan that poor run of form early days for sure,” said Ong, who also saddles Missile Rain (x Bullbars) in the same race.
“But he had some issues, mainly his feet when he came to me, so he had a few things to overcome and struggled. My farrier, Jessen (Dennison), got his feet sorted and that gave me the opportunity to try a few gear changes, which helped as he was very keen early.
“So all credit to Jessen, as once his (Top Field) feet were right, he was a happier horse and we could train and race him properly.
“He carries the top weight (59kgs) and winning four-in-a-row is very tough, but he is working well and gets on very well with (jockey) Bruno (Queiroz), so he should go close.
“I’d like to thank the owners (Happy Baby Stable) for being so patient with this horse. They never rushed me, so I had time to find out how to win with him.”
Like Top Field, Nature Chief can also make it two-from-two in the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1200m on Saturday.
The four-year-old son of Time Test impressed after he beat stablemate Win Eights on debut in Open Maiden company over 1000m 10 days ago and looks every chance in the bottom grade.
“I think if he handles the turf, he should go close,” said Ong, who leads the current trainers’ premiership on 47 wins.
“(Jockey) TH (Teck Huat) Koh said he was asking for more ground after his win as he had to get going early but wound up late, so 1200m on the Long Course will definitely suit.
“He’s not a big horse (459kgs on debut) so the top weight (59kgs) may test him, but he is a nice type, is progressing well and I’m looking forward to this race as if he does handle the turf, it would give us options going forward.”
Ong – who has a big team of 18 horses nominated for Saturday – will also saddle Dragon Master in the same race and thinks the three-year-old son of Pride Of Dubai will break his maiden status sooner than later.
“I liked the way he (Dragon Master) had been running,” said Ong.
“He is a straightforward type of horse and has placed second at both starts for me (after transferring from trainer Leslie Khoo).
“(Jockey) (Manoel) Nunes stays on and he is ready to win. There is not much between my two runners.”
Elsewhere on the card, the Singaporean conditioner has two horses – Great Warrior and Roda Robot – nominated in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1600m and suggested both should race well.
“Great Warrior has only just been transferred (from trainer Michael Clements) to my stable and is having his first run for me,” said Ong of the Irish-bred three-year-old by Sioux Nation.
“I’ll learn more about him after the run but he arrived in good order, is working well and Nunes knows him well enough. I have watched his previous runs and I think he should be very competitive.
“I was also happy with Roda Robot at his last start (finished fifth to Prioritize in Class 4 company over 2000m last Saturday). There was no pace in that race, so he had to lead.
“I think he is better suited taking a sit, so the drop back to 1600m will suit as there should be more pace early.
“(Jockey) Amirul (Ismadi) will claim one-kilo on him so he will only carry 50kgs. I think the horse is stronger now and he (Amirul) rides work for me now, so knows the horse well.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
