Class performer Mr Big relished the step up in journey with an impressive victory in the Group 3 $200,000 Jumbo Jet Trophy over 1400m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Ridden by Corey Brown, Mr Big scored by two-and-a-quarter lengths from What Now (Joao Moreira) with Nandowra (Alan Munro) rattling home for third prize, a neck further back.
In 22 previous start in Singapore, in which he had scored on nine occasions with 11 minor placings, Mr Big had never raced beyond 1200m, but the way he handled his first attempt at 1400m there is no suggestion as to why the five-year-old could not attempt a longer journey.
Trainer Michael Freedman said he would now contemplate an attempt at the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile over 1600m on October 6.Mr Big was one of the first to begin and Brown had no hesitation in taking the gelding to the front where he was able to back the pace off in the early stages.
He led the way from Natural Nice (Lisa Allpress) and City Lad (Jose Verenzuela) on settling down with the latter trapped a little wide.
Brown allowed Mr Big to balance up into the home straight before pressing the button and shortly after passing the 300m he got the better of City Lad.
What Now which had been buried back in a midfield position on the fence, had worked off the fence just prior to the turn and into clear galloping room early in the straight and if there was to be any chink in the armour of Mr Big running out a strong 1400m, then What Now looked the one to most likely pounce on it.
But there was no chink and Mr Big kept going strongly all the way to line.
After heading to Dubai in March, Mr Big had four starts back in Singapore of which three had been over 1200m and one over 1000m including a disappointing eighth in the KrisFlyer International Sprint on May 19, while at his last two starts he was forced to give big weights away to the opposition.
The weight-for-age conditions certainly suited Mr Big on Sunday and it left Freedman wondering whether he should have tried the gelding over 1400m at an earlier stage of his career.
“Maybe we should have tried him over 1400m a bit earlier,” said Freedman. “There had been some genuine reasons for his last couple of defeats, but today he showed us he was right back to his best.
“Corey gave him a lovely ride today and when he got a couple of nice cheap early sections I was confident he would be hard to beat.
“When that other horse (City Lad) went up to him that really wasn’t a concern as he loves being in a battle and it made him concentrate.
“He’s been one of the stalwarts of the stable and real favourite among the staff so it’s great to see him back in winning form.”
Freedman said there had been nothing physically wrong with Mr Big and providing he comes through this race well he will give him the opportunity of running in the Kranji Mile.
“He’s been in great physical order throughout his career and winning this race certainly opens up a few more options for us,” said Freedman.
“Going on that win today I don’t think the Kranji Mile would be out of the question for him.”
Brown was having his fourth ride aboard Mr Big and while Sunday’s success was his first aboard the gelding he said the galloper had been a good horse to him.
The victory was also his first since returning from France for a stint through until the end of the year.
“Let’s hope this is the good start I needed,” said Brown who has now ridden 23 winners this year of which 22 came in his first stint which kicked off in April through until Emirates Singapore Derby weekend in July.
“This horse was good to me when I was here earlier in the year without winning and I wouldn’t be surprised if he would get a mile judging on that win today.
“He hadn’t really been sprinting at 1200m of late, but today he showed me a good turn of foot and was going as good at the finish as he was at the 200m.
“I’m happy for Michael and the connections to finally win a race on this bloke and hopefully it won’t be the last.”
A five-year-old by Elusive Quality from Basamaat, Mr Big is raced by the O & T Stable and has been a feature race winner in Singapore at two, three, four and now five years of age.
