After having had to pass numerous barrier tests, Pioneer Seven has finally made good, but will this Friday, face another test, probably his toughest by far, in his bid for a sixth win.
Once a noted barrier rogue and a hard puller, Pioneer Seven has mended his ways thanks to several reschooling sessions at the starting gates. Trainer Mok Zhan Lun and jockey Manoel Nunes were quickly repaid for their patience. Four of his five wins (all on Polytrack) have come at his last six starts, with Nunes the pilot on each occasion.
His last-start win in a Kranji Stakes A race over 1100m was his finest. Jumping reasonably well from marble one, the four-year-old son of Flying Pegasus kicked up along the rails to enjoy an uncontested lead, running off their feet brilliant sorts like Huka Falls, Valevole, Rapido Star and Touch Of Gold from a long way out.
Now that the penny has dropped, it was time to raise the bar. Only problem was there is only one Group race on the Singapore racing calendar that is up his alley – the $200,000 Merlion Trophy (1200m), the only sprint feature run on Polytrack at Kranji.
The Group 3 race, which is also the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, has therefore long been circled in red by Mok, whose trophy cabinet is still waiting to be filled after four years at Kranji.
The former Forex banker is hoping for a good draw for his speedy charge, but said the Weight-for-Age conditions of the race may be against him.
“I’m hoping for anything from 1 to 3, but there are many fast customers in the race, like Goal Keeper, Mr Big and Huka Falls,” said Mok.
“If they go mad in front, that may play into the hands of the finishers like Cavallo or El Padrino. I’m just hoping he doesn’t have to be restrained as he’s got a soft mouth – no point fighting him as he’ll then start throwing his head up.
“It’s hard to predict how the speed will pan out, and I’m sure the other trainers will also be second-guessing how fast my horse will jump. It can turn into a tactical race.
“I think the 1200m may be a tad long for him as well. 1100m would have been better.
“Anyway, this is his first big test at Group level. He’s fit and well, but the set weights will put him at a disadvantage against the better-rated horses.”
Nunes, who is coming back from a two-day ban incurred for careless riding aboard March 2 winner Adrenaline, agreed with Mok that Pioneer Seven faced a tall order given the handicapping conditions.
“I wished it was a handicap race, but we’ll have to make do,” said the Brazilian jockey who returned to Macau over the past weekend to see his family during the enforced holiday.
“I would have also preferred a 1000m or 1100m race. Some people say he can go over 1400m, but I think he is just a pure sprinter.
“Even though he has learned to settle better, he still pulls, and that is why he cannot be a 1400m horse.
“It’s a tough field he’s running in with so many horses rated 100 and above and he is on level weights (57.5kg) with them.”
Mok could not fault Pioneer Seven’s form since his last win, though, and is hoping a good run will put him in good stead for bigger riches.
“We’ll see how he runs and how he measures up against those quality horses. I will then be able to decide if he goes on to the other two Legs, even if I wished the Lion City Cup was run on Polytrack!” he said wistfully.
The last two Legs, the $200,000 Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on April 4 and the finale, the $500,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m), Singapore’s richest domestic sprint run on April 27, are both run on turf.
Win or lose on Friday, Mok has already received a ringing endorsement of his good job with the difficult horse from the owner Chionh Teck Swee.
“Mr Chionh used to have horses with (ex-Kranji trainer) John Meagher. He has up to now had only Pioneer Seven with me, but just sent me two horses he bought as yearlings,” said Mok.
“One of them is by Flying Pegasus as well. It’s nice of him to support me with more horses.”
