Big Hearted is first-up after eight months in the $100,000 Class 1 race (1400m) this Saturday but should he tick the box, trainer James Peters will have him lined up for the fifth time in the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on 5 October.
The now eight-year-old won the iconic handicap feature race at his first attempt back in 2020 when he was trained by ex-Kranji trainer Michael Clements and ridden by jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong, who was still an apprentice jockey then.
The son of Hallowed Crown was unplaced at the last three editions, with his best effort a sixth to Lim's Lightning in 2021. Big Hearted had only one start in a Class 2 race (1600m) on 20 January this year which he won, but Peters had to back him off after a knee chip surgery.
Two barrier trials prior to Saturday's race will have Big Hearted fit enough for a suitable first-up affair, but it will be a test of character if the eight-time winner can show enough to warrant a start in the Gold Cup in two weeks' time.
Yet the good news, according to Peters and all things considered, a dream farewell run in the Grand Singapore Gold Cup is on the cards.
"It's not the ideal Gold Cup preparation but he is a last-start winner," quipped Peters.
"He had an injury setback after that win and then a long layoff as he was recovering from having a chip removed from his fetlock.
"But he is very well in himself and we would always have another crack at the Gold Cup if all things went well, and they have.
"He's not a gross horse, so he never carried any (body) weight, which helped get him fit with a couple of trials under his belt.
"He looked comfortable at his first trial (finished fourth in trial no 1 on 29 August) and it was just good to see him back healthy and happy.
"I thought his work late at his second trial (finished fourth in trial no 1 on 12 September) was promising and this race on Saturday will be a good hit-out for the Gold Cup considering the timeframe we had to work with."
Excluding Big Hearted, three others including Makin, Pacific Vampire and Big Union in the field are nominated for the Grand Singapore Gold Cup. Peters reckoned it will be a true run race with the speedy Pacific Vampire in.
"It will be interesting, won't it?" said Peters of the seven-furlong scamper.
"(Trainer) Jason's (Ong) horse (Pacific Vampire) goes super quick and I'm not sure who would go with him early on Saturday.
"We want Big Hearted to work home strongly and give (jockey) Carlos Henrique a good feel as he will get better over longer.
"I wouldn't mind some rain on Saturday as he is a better horse on a wet track. Again, if we do get rain in two weeks' time (on 5 October), that would be ideal too.
"He's always competitive over 2000m, especially with no weight on. I know he won in 2020, but I've only had him for one Gold Cup (finished ninth to Lim's Kosciuszko last year) and that run was better than it looked.
"He ran home well and was only beaten about four-and-a-half lengths. (Jockey) Krisna (Thangamani) rode him that day and he might be on again as we'll only have 50kgs in the Gold Cup, though not yet confirmed.
"Let's hope he (Big Hearted) gets to the Gold Cup as he has the runs on the board in this race."
Peters will also be hoping Nimbus Cloud (x Cotai Glory) can show his staying credentials in the $50,000 Class 4 race (1800m) as connections have plans for a 2000m race on the final day on his agenda.
"This trip will suit him," said the UK handler, who also saddles Onemorefortheroad (x Proisir) in the same race.
"I actually nominated him for the Gold Cup, but we let that slide as he needed a win or two before now to get into the consideration.
"He can show his best over 1800m on Saturday and there is a nice Class 4 race over 2000m on Gold Cup day that he can run in as well.
"He will appreciate being back on the turf, so hopefully he and Krisna can get a good result.
"Onemorefortheroad has done a great job for me as he's won three straight, so anything more is a bonus.
"He placed (third) in this grade at his last start (18 August) and gets on very well with (jockey) Bruno (Queiroz), so you can expect a solid run again."
