After missing the winning debut of two of his horses, US businessman Adam Levinson has this time made sure he will be well and truly on hand at Kranji on Friday.
There is always the cruel chance Vanderbilt, his Australian import who posted an impressive victory first-up on September 11 (a symbolic day for Americans indeed), does not double up in the $80,000 Class 3 speed dash over 1000m, but if the Dreamscape four-year-old keeps the perfect run going, Levinson, who has booked a box for 80 guests, will at least have no regret he missed the party for the third time.
Racing under the Stars & Stripes banner, Levinson, who is actually based in Singapore, has yet to enjoy the unique privilege of leading in a winner as, just like for Vanderbilt, he was overseas when Risky Rockefeller, his very first horse to race in Singapore, won on debut on National Day.
“It’s exciting to finally see Vanderbilt racing on Friday night, especially after missing the first two winners as I was out of Singapore,” said Levinson. “The horse has done well since his win and we are confident of another good showing.
“It’s been a bonus for us that Vanderbilt won on the Polytrack but we really look forward to him racing on the turf track at his next race.
“Tomorrow night’s race looks to be highly competitive and there is an Argentinian sprinter having his first start. He has won six races including a Group 2 race, so it’s going to be tough but we will do our best.”
Inspired to race horses in Singapore after meeting Racing Guide boss Steve Levar, Levinson, the CEO of an asset management company, has so far given his horses’ names an all-American theme. Vanderbilt and Risky Rockefeller are both named after famous American businessmen.
Trainer Steven Burridge, who also has a third Levinson horse, Air Force One, who is yet to race, however, cautioned that Vanderbilt faces a tougher task this time around.
“It’s a strong race, and over 1000m, it’s a bit of a question mark,” said Burridge, mindful of the fact Vanderbilt’s first win came in an easier Class 4 race over the same distance.
“He has come on since his win, but he’s up against a quality field this time. He can win if he runs the same way he did at his debut, and that would then mean he’s very smart.
“The owner will be here and it would be great if the horse wins with him around this time.”
Known as Bugatty in Australia where he was prepared by Team Hawkes, Vanderbilt scored two wins over 1000m back home, including at the last of his nine starts, which was at Moonee Valley on March 20 this year when ridden by Dwayne Dunn.
To be again partnered by Corey Brown, Vanderbilt will drop in weight from 58.5kg to 53.5kg, but will take on more serious customers like Kam’s Comet, Sebas and the much-hyped Argentinian Group 2 winner The Nutcracker, the horse Levinson was referring to.
On Sunday, Burridge saddles another one of his exciting prospects in Moritz Eclipse, unbeaten in two starts. The Darci Brahma three-year-old has drawn two in the $75,000 Graduation race over 1400m and is likely to start as one of the favourites.
“He’s well weighted (51kgs) and I expect him to run well,” said Burridge who has logically kept the New Zealand-bred gelding’s winning partner A’Isisuhairi Kasim on.
“Win or lose, I may send him for a break after that, I don’t know. He’s a top horse, but I feel he’s just on the verge of coming to the end of his prep.”
Meanwhile, the Australian handler could not hide his satisfaction at his big-race stalwart Wild Geese again popping up for another awesome run when least expected. The English-bred six-year-old by Exceed And Excel ran third to Stepitup in last Sunday’s Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile.
After such a run, Burridge would be mad not to keep the 2014 Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner (incidentally his last win) and regular Singapore Airlines International Cup (now defunct) contender on track for the remaining two Legs of the Singapore Triple Crown series, which he has competed in in the two previous years without much success.
Burridge has set the Dr Tan Kai Chah-owned gelding towards both the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) on October 25 and the ultimate target, the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) on November 15, though he will not be on hand for the latter, having swayed towards an event which he would not have missed for anything in the world.
“Wild Geese is a beauty, isn’t he, and he sure deserves a crack at the Raffles Cup and the Gold Cup. Unfortunately I won’t be here for the Gold Cup as it clashes with a reunion of former Australian jockeys back home on the same day,” said Burridge who has clocked more than 1,000 wins as a jockey in Melbourne and Macau, the highlights being the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate aboard Mighty Avalanche in 1984 and, not known to many, steering a very young Super Impose to his very first win.
“It was a tough decision, but I couldn’t have given that a miss. It’s the first time they’re doing this and it would be a great opportunity to catch up with all my old mates again.”
