Trainer Shane Baertschiger had always intended having two runners in the Group 1 $1.15 million Emirates Singapore Derby over 2000m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
However he didn’t expect it to be the two that will be lining-up for the second-year trainer.
Baertschiger had thought El Milagro and Accelarometer would be the two representatives from his stable prior to the opening two Legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge – the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup over 1400m and the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl, 1600m.
However Accelarometer fell by the wayside. Sent up from Perth specifically for the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, Accelarometer returned from the first two Legs of the series with an irregular heart rhythm and Derby plans were scrapped.
El Milagro, the second highest rated Derby contender, earned his start with a 1.1 length third behind Super Easy in the Patron’s Bowl on June 30 while One Rar became a Derby contender with an improved showing at his latest start on June 16 when second over 1600m behind South Gate.
With One Rar’s regular companion John Powell having committed to the ride on Lord Brompton, the gelding will be ridden by Matthew Kellady while Danny Beasley sticks with El Milagro in Sunday’s race.
While yet to race beyond 1800m in Singapore, One Rar does have a placing over 2100m back in Australia on heavy ground and Baertschiger is hoping for a drop of rain before Sunday.
“It was only after his last start that I had thoughts about running him in the Derby,” said Baertschiger.
“When you have a look at the race, with the exception of Better Life, it’s not the strongest Derby field that we’ve had.
“The one thing with this horse is that he stays well. Before he came up here he was placed over 2100m on a wet track.
“When he first came up here he looked promising but then he lost his way there for a while but his last run was good and the extra ground will also suit him.
“And if it happened to rain before Sunday, then that wouldn’t do his chances any harm either.”While Baertschiger is happy to have two starters in Sunday’s Derby he is hoping for a good barrier draw on Thursday morning for El Milagro who has finished second and third in the opening two legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.
Baertschiger said the son of Red Dazzler was a lot more relaxed in his work on Wednesday morning, his final serious hit-out before Sunday’s Derby.
“He worked really well this morning,” said Baertschiger. “He was a lot more relaxed on the track than what he normally is.
“I think the two weeks between the two races has really helped him as he didn’t freshen up too much.
“The way he has been of late I think he should be able to run the 2000m, but the barrier draw is really important for him.
“We’ll be hoping for a good draw and then give him as soft a run as possible to give him every chance of running out the trip.”
