Trainer Leslie Khoo believes race experience and one win under the belt give promising two-year-old Genius a clear edge over his opponents in the $75,000 Open Two-Year-Old race (1100m) on Sunday.
With a win in one Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe (Inglis Melbourne Juvenile Stakes over 1200m) and a second behind juvenile star Super One in the last Leg, the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m), Genius’s resume certainly stands out from his 10 rivals.
Ticking one more box in his favour was his recent winning barrier trial with race-rider Barend Vorster in the saddle.
“He has the advantage of experience and he has won before, whereas his rivals haven’t,” said Khoo.
“He had a good barrier trial the other day. He jumped well and won with Vorster. To me, his fitness is at 100%.”
Khoo does, however, voice some concerns over the speed of the race.“I am a bit worried if the distance will be too short for him as he’s a horse that tends to come from the back and doesn’t seem to have much early pace,” said Khoo.
“That’s why I asked Vorster to ride him just off the speed and then see how it goes as Vorster knows the horse quite well.”
Vorster does agree with Khoo that Genius has the fitness and experience edge, but if there were to be one chink in his armour, it is his lack of early speed.
“He trialled very well on Tuesday. He didn’t have a hot trial, just a nice comfortable trial,” said the South African jockey.
“I am pleased with the way he ran and how he has come on after the last run.
“Overall, his form is stronger than the rest, but I have some concerns with the distance and the fact he’s back on Polytrack. The 1100m is quite short, and the pace tends to be slightly quicker.
“Sometimes he doesn’t jump 100% on terms but he has got better since his last run. He’s slightly more mature now and his speed has slightly improved.”
Based on these observations, Khoo has every reason to believe the son of Onemorenomore has the makings of a middle-distance horse but he is not in a hurry to test that theory just yet.
“He is still a baby and he’s still quite green. So I will need a couple more runs before knowing his true ability but I have a feeling he’s a miler,” said Khoo.
“I plan to run him in a 1400m race but just not at the moment or the near future.
“I will see how he runs in his next few races before making any decision. His main goal remains the (Group 3) Juvenile Championship (over 1200m on July 26).”
