Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka got a special buzz after he claimed the race named after his Singapore Gold Cup hero when Musketeer outstayed his rivals to land the $150,000 El Dorado Classic (2200m) on Sunday.
The Japanese handler claimed the time-honoured handicap race over 2200m three times with El Dorado (2008, 2009 and 2011). Even after the valiant stayer by Stay Gold retired last year, Takaoka was still able to keep his stronghold on the race with champion mare Better Life, who has also been retired from racing after her Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) win last July.
With the winner of the El Dorado Classic, a Gold Cup trial previously known as the Mandai Classic Stakes before 2012, gaining an automatic ticket for the $1.35 million Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup on November 17, Musketeer’s slogging win will now ensure Takaoka has a fifth crack at a race which he has become almost synonymous with in the last five years.
“I’ve been thinking about the Gold Cup for this horse for a while, but I wanted to see how he goes today,” said Takaoka.
“His ratings (71) is a bit low, but it doesn't matter as he will automatically go to the Gold Cup now.
“On his pedigree, I knew he could run the trip, but I think the rain that fell earlier also helped him.
“He’s a good horse, but he has a bit of a temperament and can be inconsistent at times. He’s not in the same class as El Dorado or Better Life, but he can stay and deserves his chance.”
Ridden by Alan Munro, Musketeer ($24) followed in the slipstream of pacesetter Goodpack (Mohd Zaki) from the start before being angled out for his run at the top of the straight. The race looked in his keeping until the fresh horse on the scene, Tropaios (Danny Beasley), popped up down the middle.
Unsighted at the rear for most of the way, the French import railed through for a dream run from the backstraight to issue a stout challenge at the 300m. He leveled up with Musketeer and even put his head in front, but under Munro’s urgings, Musketeer found a second wind as he kicked again to win by half-a-length from Tropaios.
Favourite Orakei Korako (Corey Brown) ran third another 1 ¾ lengths away after shaping up as a serious threat upon straightening. The winning time was 2min 14.47secs, only 0.26 second outside the record on the Long Course held by Cannon Hill, who incidentally finished last in the El Dorado Classic.
Munro said the strong pace of the race suited Musketeer to a tee, but sat on the fence when it came to deciding if he would stick with him in the Gold Cup, as he also rides Super Ninetyseven for Michael Freedman later in the Group 1 Raffles Cup.
“Obviously I ride a lot for Taky, but we shall see how Super Ninetyseven goes later,” said Munro who was aboard Better Life at her Gold Cup triumph last year (Super Ninestyseven eventually won the Raffles Cup – see other report).
“This horse (Musketeer) had a lot of potential last year, but he is a lot more mature now. That is why he can now go over more distance.
“He’s a good horse with potential and that was the perfect race for him. The cruising speed of the race suited him today - that is his strength.
"When Danny’s horse came up, I thought we’d get beat, but they probably ran out of petrol in the last bit.”
After scoring earlier with longshot Ladies First, Takaoka wrapped up the day with a rare winning treble when ever-reliable galloper Keep Away made away with the $125,000 Lim’s Classic 2005 Stakes (1200m) in the next race. The win also gave jockey Manoel Nunes a hat-trick of wins after he saluted earlier aboard Spinning Success and Jappanella.
