Trainer Michael Clements decided that the recently-gelded Pachelbel’s Canon deserved a shot at the upcoming $300,000 Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) after assessing his barrier trial on Tuesday.
First-time partner Barend Vorster’s post-trial feedback was encouraging enough for the Zimbabwean-born conditioner to nominate the Argentinian-bred in the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, even after running last on debut in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on April 5, but Clements said he had excuses.
“He had a disappointing first run in Singapore probably because of his long break (23 weeks) and he was still a colt then,” said Clements.
“He was too heavy, not interested in the race and his breathing was thick during that race. So I gelded him.
“Now, he has shed some weight and he’s breathing better and hopefully he’ll be interested in the race and will be more efficient after he’s been gelded.
“I was waiting for today’s trial to know if he would get a run. If Barend said he was not ready, I would have scratched him, but he told me he was pleased with him and the horse responded well and he’s ready to race.
“I would say his fitness is 85% at the moment, and it will get better with more runs. He has got the class but it will be like a warm-up race for him to help him improve.”
Clements has also entered Knight Wager who is resuming after a spell of seven weeks. Ironically, he feels that Knight Wager goes into the race with the opposite set of problems as Pachelbel’s Canon. Fitness-wise, the son of Casino Prince is at his peak, but he may not have the same touch of class as Pachelbel’s Canon.
“He’s in top condition I would say but the standard of the other horses on rating is a bit too strong for him,” said Clements.
“The track and distance suits him though it will be his first time over such a long distance but he finished second in a 1400(m) before. So I don’t think distance will be a problem.
“I gave him a freshen-up over seven weeks and I am really happy with his training, condition and his gallops.”
Knight Wager will be partnered by Michael Rodd, who boasts a 100% record with him – two rides for two wins. The Australian hoop has worked with the bay gelding for the past few weeks and was very satisfied with his performance.
“I have been galloping him for the past few mornings and his hit-out today was good,” said Rodd.
“He is coming back from a break but he doesn’t need a lot of work as he is not a big horse and he is quite clean-winded.”
Both trainer and rider, however, agree that the horse to beat would be Singapore Horse of the Year War Affair.
“He has got a very good turn of foot and he is a very high-class horse,” said Clements.
Rodd is just as sceptical they can spring an upset, but the in-form rider will as usual head out to get the best result.
“I doubt War Affair will lose unless he’s unlucky and happens to get boxed in which is highly unlikely because he’s such a big horse,” he said.
“But still, I will try my best to win some prizemoney.”
