A recent revival of sorts seems to have whetted Felarof’s appetite for bigger and better things, but trainer Steven Burridge revealed it was more circumstantial than by design.
Once an honest but unspectacular Class 4 sort, Felarof underlined that transformation at his last two starts which he both won, albeit the first one on protest. It was the second win on March 4 when he was up in grade in a Class 3 race over 1400m that really made many sit up and take notice, including the handicapper.
In two runs, his rating has taken a hike from 60 to 70. Two weeks on and the son of Tale Of The Cat is again shooting for the stars: Open Benchmark 83 race over 1600m taking on the table-toppers in that grade - Time Odyssey, Titanium, Mighty Warrior, In Fact among others.
While some may see the four-year-old as punching above his weight, Burridge was not feeling any pressure.
“It’s a tough field but I was left with no other options when they cancelled the Class 3 race over 1600m,” said the Australian handler.
“He has drawn out in 11 which won’t make things any easier for him, but he’s won three out of six starts back from a wind op, and he’s in good form.
“I wasn’t even thinking of the Derby (third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge). If he goes well, I suppose we could start looking at it.”
With a resume that read one win at Echuca in country Victoria, Felarof was not quite seen as top bracket material when he came to Singapore for the Lucky Stable. His first runs at Kranji seemed to back up that impression.
“He won a good race with JP (John Powell) and then went backwards. When you put pressure on him, he didn’t quite pick up,” said Burridge.
“The wind problems were obviously bothering him. How long that will last who knows, as they only did a tie-back, it can slip back.
“In the meantime, he’s in great shape and we’ll make hay while the sun shines.”
One other person who has enjoyed the ride thus far is his new partner, Danny Beasley, who did not fail to give credit to a former champion jockey for the winning run.
“I’ve sat on him only twice and he’s won both. I guess I got on at the right time,” said the Australian jockey.
“I don’t ride him in trackwork, and here I have to thank Saimee (Jumaat) who knows the horse back to front. He’s the one who told me not to push the horse when you ask him, just let him go through his gears and it’s paid off.
“He’s such a nice relaxed horse who just picks his way into a race. For some reason, he didn’t quite bring his form from Australia here, but after the wind op, he feels rejuvenated, he has thrived so much.
“He hasn’t put a foot wrong and is a much better horse than he was previously. And now he’s again going to another level.
“It’s not just ratings-wise that he’s going up, but also quality-wise. These are so much better horses, but I think he should be up to them.”
