Trainer Desmond Koh is not taking any chances with promising mare Empress Wu as he opts for a riding change in a bid to maximise her chance of extending her good run this Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The four-year-old daughter of Street Sense shouldered 58kg and 56kg at her last two wins in a row when ridden by senior jockey Jose Verenzuela, but with the rise in class to a Kranji Stakes C race over 1400m, Koh thought a claimer would come in handy this time, especially vis-à-vis last-start runner-up Gold Rutile on August 11.
Koh has a huge opinion of Empress Wu, who already boasts a flattering record of three wins and one second from four starts, but the compelling sight of the Hideyuki Takaoka-trained Gold Rutile, mowing his mare down to fall short by only a short head in the fillies-and-mares 1200m race, told him she may need some help this time, given the Japanese-bred mare is 2.5kg better off and gets an additional 200m to exact revenge on Sunday.
The Singaporean conditioner has logically decided to hand Empress Wu to his two-kilo claiming apprentice Tengku Rehaizat, who is actually not unfamiliar with her for having partnered her at her first two runs, securing one win on debut and one second at her next start.
“She has pulled up well after her win and has been working well, but Gold Rutile nearly claimed her on that day and the thing is she’ll (Gold Rutile) be better off at the weights this time,” said Koh.
“That is why I’ve decided to put Tengku on this Sunday. Hopefully the two-kilo claim (brings her weight down to 56kg to leave Gold Rutile on a one-pound edge only) will be enough to square things off.
“They are also running over 1400m, which you may think will suit Gold Rutile better, but my filly’s won over that trip before and I actually think she’ll be better over more ground.
“It’s just that she was first-up from a two-month spell on that day. She was entitled to get a bit tired in the end and I think she’ll trim a lot fitter this time.
“She is facing some other good horses like Bale Star and Full Toss, but Tengku knows her well and it’s all in his hands now.”
The reigning Singapore champion apprentice jockey has actually seen his leading rookie mantle slip out of his hands this year, overshadowed by the dominance of boom apprentice A’Isisuhairi Kasim, who leads by a massive margin on 48 wins against Rehaizat’s 21 wins.
“I still ride with the same confidence and when the boss gives me a good ride, I always give it my best shot,” said Rehaizat.
“There are still four months left in the season. I will chip away, but it’ll be tough as Harry is so far ahead.
“Empress Wu is a good mare and I hope I can keep her winning run going.”
