Australian jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor reckoned a favourable barrier will be the key to Golden Monkey’s chances of winning in the $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on Saturday.
The six-year-old son of Star Turn will jump from barrier four in the elite 12-horse field, which could be significant given his long-time nemesis Lim's Kosciuszko and Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) winner Lim's Saltoro have drawn wide in gates nine and 11 respectively.
Another on-pace runner,Mr Black Back , has also drawn wide in 12, hence the speed map would set up favourably for Golden Monkey, in which a good early tempo would be appreciated.
The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained gelding had to settle further back than what was ideal from barrier nine in the Raffles Cup three weeks ago and the widest gate seven in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on 28 July, Wilson-Taylor was pleased after the barrier draws on Wednesday.
"I think he gets his chance from gate four," said the Queensland-based hoop, who has won the Group 1 Tattersall's Tiara atop Palaisipan in Australia and the Group 2 Wellington Guineas aboard Grail Seeker in New Zealand.
"I watched his last couple of runs at Group 1 level and (jockey) Chad (Schofield) had no option but to go back from the wide gates as that's his (Golden Monkey) style of racing.
"But you can't give horses like Lim's Kosciuszko that big a start and think you can catch them late.
"So when I saw we had gate four and the two Lim's horses (Lim's Kosciuszko and Lim's Saltoro) had drawn wide, I thought my horse could sit a bit closer without being used up early.
"Ideally, I can sit on one of their backs, probably Lim's Kosciuszko on the speed map, and I can utilize his (Golden Monkey) turn of foot to have every chance of beating them.
"I think circumstances had been against him (Golden Monkey ) in some of the big races and he's certainly good enough to win on Saturday if things go our way."
A win in the QEII Cup would be a fairytale result for Wilson-Taylor who is not only riding Golden Monkey for the first time, but also at his first meeting outside of Australia and New Zealand.
"I'm really looking forward to finally riding in Singapore," said the 24-year-old jockey, who was previously invited to ride the Jason Ong-trained Great Warrior in the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on 21 July but did not make the trip after the gelding pulled out of the feature race.
"I knew a lot about Golden Monkey and when I got the call from (part-owner of Golden Monkey and the principal of Jig Bloodstock) Josh (McLoughlan), I jumped at the chance.
"Obviously he's (Golden Monkey) among the top two or three horses in Singapore, so it's a real thrill to be on a serious winning hope in a Group 1 (race).
"I've been lucky enough to have (ex-Kranji jockey) Robbie Fradd (of Rocket Man fame) as a mentor back home. It's even luckier that Robbie will be here on Saturday and hopefully, I can walk the track with him before the races and get some last-minute advice.
"(Trainer) Dan (Daniel) Meagher has also given me a good ride over the same trip on Lim's Everest (in the $30,000 Quechua 2017 Stakes, a Class 5 race over 1800m), which will give me a good sighter on how the track would play out.
"I fly (to Singapore) on Friday and will have a good chat with Tim before the final instructions on the day. The form for these horses in the QEII (Cup) is there for all to see and we know who we have to beat."
Fitzsimmons, who has yet to meet Wilson-Taylor in person, was more than happy to be legging up the fellow Australian on Golden Monkey for the first time.
"He (Wilson-Taylor) has good credentials," said the 2022 Singapore champion trainer.
"And he comes highly recommended by (ex-Kranji jockey) Michael Rodd, who is a very good judge. He (Wilson-Taylor) can get horses to relax and that will suit Golden Monkey.
"From gate four, he won't have to drag Golden Monkey back, which will be in our favour. But in saying that, he can't be ridden upside down, so he will ride him where he can switch him off with three or four horses behind him.
"We know we have to find a length to beat Dan's horses (Lim's Kosciuszko and Lim's Saltoro) but can't fault him (Golden Monkey) as he's always in the mix."
Apart from a final word to Wilson-Taylor before the big race, Fitzsimmons will also have three other jockeys to "look after". Jockeys Ryan Curatolo, Bruno Queiroz and apprentice jockey Jerlyn Seow will ride Dream Alliance, Raising Sixty-One and King Of Sixty-One respectively.
"It's nice to have four runners," he said.
"Dream Alliance (x Into Mischief), in particular, looks suited here. He got too far back in the Raffles Cup (finished sixth) but his (race) sectionals were outstanding. I would have liked a better barrier (eight) but I think they will go quicker this time and the step up to 1800m is in his favour too.
"You can forget Raising Sixty-One's (x Belardo) last run (lost the jockey at the start of the Raffles Cup) and he has trialled well since (won trial no 3 on 29 August in 1 min 1.38secs).
"We have thrown King Of Sixty-One (x Gutaifan) in the deep end at Weight-For-Age (conditions). He's more of a Singapore Gold Cup horse with less weight, but he will most likely lead on Saturday and you can't fault his honesty."
The Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) will be held on Kranji's final race meeting on 5 October.
