Nooresh Juglall is looking forward to riding another feature winner for Thai owners Falcon Racing Stable this Sunday, but said The General has a hard act to follow in Big Brother.
The Mauritian jockey took out the last Group event on the Singapore racing calendar, the Group 3 Fortune Bowl (1600m) with Big Brother for trainer Ricardo Le Grange on January 29.
Juglall could not be happier with the Mutakddim five-year-old’s condition ahead of his first Group test, but not quite the other conditions – those of the race. The $350,000 Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) is a level-weight race which to him does not suit The General, even if it is run over the surface on which he recorded all his six wins - Polytrack.
“The General is working very well. I galloped him on Track 6 over 1000m on Monday and he did a great job,” he said.
“My only concern is he is out of weight at level weights. I would have been happier if the race was a handicap race.
“Half the job is done when they jump from the inside, but it’s a tough race with a lot of good horses. He still has a lot to do.”
Of The General’s six wins, all recorded in Polytrack sprint races, half was supplied by Juglall and the other by Barend Vorster. Le Grange’s other stable jockey has picked Royal Ruler in the Merlion Trophy.
“Barend normally rides Royal Ruler and I’ve been the one riding The General of late. So, it’s worked out good,” said Juglall.
“At level weights, anything can happen, but my horse has never been better and he should be in with a shout.
“It’s a tough race even if it’s not the strongest field, but he also has a lot of things in his favour. He has drawn 1, 1200m is his pet trip and he loves the Polytrack.
“With a bit of luck in the running, hopefully, I can win another Group race for the Thai owners, who have been very supportive of me for a while now.”
Juglall keeps fingers crossed for the big one on Sunday, while he has some scattered chances over the weekend. On Friday, Rafaello in the $125,000 Open Stakes over the mile stands out among his six rides, but he is again dwarfed by Singapore champion galloper Debt Collector. Besides The General, Juglall singled out last-start winner Mighty Kenny in the $80,000 Tuxedo Moon 2011 Stakes, a Kranji Stakes C race over 1700m as his other leading hope on Sunday, but they are also bumping into tougher acts to topple.
“Mighty Kenny is my other good chance for Sunday. He has been working well since his last win (Class 4 race over 1600m on February 3),” said Juglall.
“But unfortunately, he’s going to run against Gilt Complex, who is in very great form, and looks hard to beat.
“And on Friday, Rafaello stands a pretty good chance, but he’s again running against Debt Collector. It looks tough for him again, but he is very consistent and you can be sure he will try his heart out.”
