Expectations were high when former Perth galloper Accelarometer arrived at Kranji with the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge in connections sights.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
However the gelding didn’t run up to those expectations with two “down-the-track” performances that left connections scratching their heads.
The McFlirt galloper made his debut in Singapore finishing tenth behind Speedy Cat in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup over 1400m on June 9 before finishing 12th behind Super Easy in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl over 1600m on June 30.
On both occasions Accelarometer returned with a heart irregularity which explained those below-par performances after arriving from Perth with good form behind him.
Accelarometer returns to racing at Kranji on Friday night in the final race of the night – a $75,000 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes over 1100m on the Polytrack.
Trainer Shane Baertschiger said he believes the gelding has put those heart problems behind him but at the same time thinks Accelarometer will probably find the 1100m too short.
“He had a couple of weeks off after his last run when he again pulled up with a heart irregularity,” said Baertschiger.
“We did a lot of tests and we think we know what the cause of the problem was. He’s been treated by the vets for it and hopefully the problem has been solved.
“He’s galloped well in the last couple of weeks and has been showing no signs of it following his work.
“He had to do a special gallop on Tuesday morning and had an ECG afterwards and he’s been cleared to run on Friday.”
Baertschiger said he wasn’t going to get too far ahead of himself and hopes the gelding pulls-up in good order after Friday night’s race.
“He’s probably going to find the 1100m too short but it looked a nice race to get him going again,” said Baertschiger. “Being 1100m they should run a long a bit and he won’t over-race.
“There’s a 1400m race in a couple of weeks that looks a good option for him second-up.
“We’ve got no long term plans for him at the moment. We’d just like to win a race with him and get some money back for the owners.
“If his form warranted it further down the track then we may look at some of the better races later in the year, but that is still a fair way down the track.
“Let’s see how he comes through Friday night first and work from there.”
Prior to coming to Singapore, Accelarometer had won four of his eight starts in Perth including two victories, at his last two starts, at Perth’s main track Ascot.
