Classy South African stayer Lizarre returns to racing on Friday night as he launches another Singapore Gold Cup campaign in a bid to go one better in November.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The Jet Master six-year-old was being shouted the winner in the Group 1 race over 2200m last November when he hit the lead at the 300m, but old stager El Dorado came swooping down to lift the time-honoured trophy for a record-equalling third time.
Backed down to $13 favouritism at his return to racing on New Year’s Day, the EMMA Stable-owned gelding was however again beaten into second spot, this time by Flying Fulton in the Group 3 New Year Cup (1900m) on Polytrack.
It was to be his last appearance this year as trouble soon struck when he did his tendon. Trainer Patrick Shaw would not take any chances with the former Mike de Kock-trained galloper who was not at his first setback as he had already suffered a fractured hip which stymied his Dubai plans last year.
After complete box-rest followed by a slow build-up back to race-fitness, Lizarre is ready to resume from his nine-month layoff in the $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on Friday.
Shaw is under no illusions the two-time Kranji winner (1700m and 2200m) has the job cut out over such a sharp trip, but expects that first run under the belt to bring him on.
“After such a lengthy spell, I thought I’d race him over a sprint for an easy run back,” said the Singapore champion trainer.
“If all goes well, I would then set him for his next target, the Kranji Mile.”
To be run on October 7, the $500,000 Group 1 event over 1600m constitutes the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown Series, and will be followed by the $500,000 Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) on October 21 and the ultimate prize, the $1.35 million Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup on November 11.
Shaw is pinning high hopes on Lizarre, who has certainly lived up to his big wraps (three wins from 12 South African starts as well as a run in the famous Vodacom Durban July in 2010 when eighth to Bold Silvano) with a sound record of two wins (1700m and 2200m) and four seconds from only six runs at Kranji.
“Obviously, the Gold Cup remains his main goal, but as he’s had a tendon injury, I’d like to see how he goes first,” said Shaw who also has another Gold Cup hopeful in Maurice Utrillo.
“He’s been back in work in the last three months and has done mainly pacework. He trialled twice but I just gave him an easy time then.
“But it will be different this Friday. The aim of this race is to get him fitter by injecting some speed in him.
“Saimee (Jumaat) has been working on him and naturally he got the ride on him. I need to have back-up jockeys and Saimee has always done well for us.”
By coincidence, on the same night, Shaw is saddling another comeback kid who was sidelined for exactly the same ailment as Lizarre, and for about the same length of time – Greenstone.
The US-bred gelding backed up from his promising debut second last November with a slashing win in a 1200m event for Restricted Maidens two weeks later, but went missing in action thereafter. Greenstone, a three-year-old by Agnes Gold, will race in the $65,000 Novice race over 1200m for the Saratoga Stable, who has in the meantime cut a swathe with other exciting US-breds like Emerald Hill and Flash Gift, both prepared by rival trainer John O’Hara.
“He had a similar injury to Lizarre – tendon, around more or less the same time. It is uncanny both are resuming on the same day,” said Shaw.
“He might need the run, but I wanted to give him an outing and see how he goes. I’ve always thought quite highly of him and I hope he did not lose his ability.”
From his clutch of runners over this weekend, Shaw will also keep a close eye on his KrisFlyer International Sprint hero Ato on Sunday. Not seen since his win in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) last June, back-to-back from his KrisFlyer triumph in May, the five-year-old entire by Royal Academy will line up in Sunday’s $200,000 Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m).
Ato, who has now recorded eight wins for stakes earnings in excess of $1.4 million for the Newbury Racing Stable, is also heading towards the Kranji Mile for what could be a potent two-pronged attack for Shaw.
“He’s had a nice freshen and looks well. He trialled well and his gallop on Tuesday was also very good,” said Shaw.
“We’ll see how it all pans out on Sunday, but his main mission is the Kranji Mile. Depending on how he runs, then I may consider the Raffles Cup later on.”
