Trainer Cliff Brown feels that if there was a horse in his yard who deserved to ditch his bridesmaid’s tag in a feature race, it had to be Deep Pockets.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Except for his unplaced run in last September's Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) where he was not expected to play more than a bit part over a trip not made to suit, the honest New Zealand-bred stayer has never lost any admirers at all his “black type” assignments.
Deep Pockets’ first big test came in last year’s Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge where he ran an eye-catching fourth to Ato in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) before backing up three weeks later in the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) to beat all but runaway winner Chase Me.
Spurred by such a cracking start at the elite level, the Auric Stable-owned galloper soon became a frequent top-flight runner, turning in blinders such as his second place in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) or his third place when favourite in the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m), but somehow, that first Group silverware was still a glaring gap on his resume.
Brown is not giving up, though, and while the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on April 26 has been pencilled in as Deep Pockets’ next Holy Grail, this Sunday’s $150,000 Group 3 Marsiling Classic Stakes would fit the bill just as well.
After two luckless prep runs (1400m and 1600m) at his new campaign since resuming from last November’s Gold Cup run, Deep Pockets, who has not visited the winner's circle since June 2012, will be stepping up in distance to the more suitable 1800m journey to face a small but competitive eight-horse field featuring the likes of Flying Fulton, Lizarre, last Sunday’s winner Ready To Strike and his last-start nemesis Black Ice.
“This horse deserves to win a good race. He’s been a consistent horse for us, but hasn’t had much luck in the running lately,” said Brown.
“He likes to get back in the field, which can be tricky if you don’t get a clear run. He was absolutely hammered at his last two starts, and in the Gold Cup as well.
“I hope things can go his way this Sunday. He’s really come along very well since his first-up run and the blinkers seem to have switched him on too.
“The only thing I’m not sure about is the Polytrack. He’s never won on it and didn’t handle it all that well before, but I’m hoping he goes all right on Sunday.”
Deep Pockets’ five wins (1400m to 1800m) have all been recorded on turf and his best showing at his four starts (from a total of 28 starts) on the alternative surface was a fourth placing in Class 4 company in August 2011.
Three-time Singapore champion jockey Joao Moreira, who has partnered the Lucky Owners five-year-old at his last five rides without success, will not get a chance to break his duck this Sunday as he is currently serving a two-day ban, and will be replaced by John Powell, who happens to have ridden Deep Pockets at his first win in February 2011.
Brown struck a rich vein of form last weekend with four wins headed by promising sprinter Foxtrot Hotel, the last pin of a brilliant winning treble on Friday night. While the English import has already tucked in three wins from 10 Kranji starts under his belt since he flew to Singapore in December 2011, his travel mate Try The Chance will only make his racing debut for the same owner, Richard Pegum, this Sunday.
“Richard came to Singapore once. We met over lunch and he told me he would send me a couple of horses one day,” said Brown.
“I went to England two years ago and it’s bloodstock agent Alistair Donald who picked up those two horses for me. I liked what I saw and got them for Richard.”
Though the pair are both by Irish stallion Majestic Missile, Brown said they were anything but two peas in a pod.
“They may be by the same sire, but they’re two completely different horses. Foxtrot Hotel is a pure six-furlong horse while I think Try The Chance can get out to 1600m.” he said.
“Try The Chance has been here a long time because he injured a tendon. He’s all right now, but he’ll probably need three or four runs before he reaches his best.”
Try The Chance boasts three wins between 1200m and 1400m from seven starts in England for former England striker Mick Channon, but has not raced for 18 months.
