It was not the breathtaking comeback most had expected, but despite beating one home, War Affair still pleased connections with his first barrier trial after a three-month break on Tuesday.
After giving a big start to all his seven rivals, who included top guns such as Mr Big, Trudeau and Red Beard, the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe winner started to make ground from the 400m, but instead of showing his trademark accelerating burst, he was just allowed to coast to the line by first-time partner Danny Beasley to finish seventh about three lengths from the winner Trudeau.
While such a no-frills gallop might have dulled all the hype around a high-profile horse like War Affair, especially after his sensational stable transfer last November, informed observers knew a few cobwebs still needed to be blown away.
Last year’s juvenile champion has not raced since his gallant second as a three-year-old against much older and tougher rivals in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) last October. Caught wide and forced to take the race by the scruff of the neck at the top of the straight, the son of O’Reilly only faltered late when grabbed by Super Ninetyseven close home.
That was to be his last run that campaign, and, as it would stunningly transpire later on, his farewell run for trainer Mark Walker who had saddled him up to a smashing record of six runs from eight starts for more than $600,000 in prizemoney for the Warplan Racing Stable.
Now under the care of Kranji’s current flavour of the month in the training ranks, Alwin Tan, War Affair has seen his workload pick up since returning from his well-deserved break, leading up to his Tuesday’s first public contest.
Tan looked reasonably satisfied with that first serious hit-out, more so when he had been attending to some oral issues.
“That was his first trial since his break, and also his first trial for me,” said Tan.
“The intention was to give him a quiet trial. He had a sore mouth which was caused by ulcers and together with our dentist, we’ve been trying to fix it.
“I think that could be the reason why he was laying in in the home straight in his races before. I got Danny to ride him as I needed a jockey who can use the whip in the left hand.
“But he didn’t have to in the end. Danny said he went straight.”
Tan is considering giving War Affair another barrier trial before aiming his comeback at a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on turf in March.
“He’s only about 70 to 80% fit, but I’m happy he’s eating well and has put on weight. He probably needs another trial before he reaches race fitness,” said Tan who currently heads the Singapore trainer’s premiership on eight wins.
“The Merlion Trophy (1200m) is still a race I’m looking at, but the Polytrack, which he’s never raced on is a concern.
“I think the Kranji Stakes A race would suit him better and depending on how he goes, then I can decide if the Merlion Trophy is still on.
“Ultimately, his main goal is the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge. He’s the best horse I’ve ever trained and I hope we’ll see the best of him again.”
Agreeing that an easier race would be a softer option instead of taking on an unknown quantity (Polytrack) and Group 3 company first-up, Beasley was above all grateful for the opportunity to throw his leg over such a “champion”- but fell short of putting him yet into rarefied air.
“I’m sure glad I’m riding him instead of chasing him in a race,” said the Australian jockey, who has many times seen his rump in races when he was then partnered by now Hong Kong-based Joao Moreira.
“I’ve been riding him in his work and you can just feel he’s different from the others. The best horse I’ve ridden is Grand Armee, and I’m not saying he’s like Grand Armee, but only Group 1 horses like him have that high cruising speed.
“You don’t feel them quickening, but suddenly they just lower and lengthen. He’s such a genuine horse.”
In the light of future improvement to come, Beasley described Tuesday’s hitout as “perfect”.
“This will bring him along in his prep. Alwin already told me not to knock him about as the whole point of this trial was to switch him on,” said Beasley.
“When I first saw him this morning, I thought he had put on a bit of condition, but I must say he ran terrific.
“Alwin said the hanging-in part was a concern, but he was absolutely perfect, which is a great testament to the work done by the dentist.
“He didn’t lay in at all and was just remote control. I let him sleep at the back and let him pick up some lengths down the back as I didn’t want them to get too far away.
“He will definitely train on from today and we’ll then have a better idea where he is at.”
