The ties that bind will probably matter more than anything else when Ironside makes his Singapore debut on Friday – until more serious racing engagements come up further down the road.
Ironside is trained by Donna Logan and is owned by an old New Zealand friend of the former Ruakaka handler’s, Lars Pearson.
The Jimmy Choux four-year-old was also prepared by friends and neighbours of hers, fellow Ruakaka trainers, Kenny and Lisa Rae (in partnership with Krystal Williams).
To have Ironside here at Kranji among her budding team of 30-odd horses meant a lot to the Kiwi lady.
“The owner Lars Pearson has been a good friend of ours for many, many years, and the horse was also trained by good friends of ours, Kenny and Lisa Rae,” said Logan.
“Lars was keen to have an interest in Singapore racing and he thought why not test the waters with Ironside.
“This horse had a good record in New Zealand. He is well credentialled and he could be our Derby horse next year.”
Ironside came to Singapore with a record of one win, one second and one third in nine starts in New Zealand. After winning his maiden race in a 1600m race in Avondale in February, he was stepped up in grade and had his last New Zealand start in a Group 2 race, the Valachi Downs Championship (2100m) at Pukekohe in which he finished a creditable sixth to Azaboy (trained by Richard Collett, Alysha’s father) on a heavy track.
There is much water to go under the bridge until next year’s Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) in July, but Logan was happy with what she has seen of her new tenant so far.
“He was very fresh at his first barrier trial here. He had blinkers on and led,” said Logan in reference to the barrier trial on September 6 when Ironside took up the bunny role and was the winner everywhere until 100m out when swamped late to run fourth to Centurion.
“We took the blinkers off at the second trial (September 27) and he settled in behind and ran much better. He hit the line strongly to run second (to Stunning Cat).
“He seems to have acclimatised well considering that in New Zealand, he used to be in big paddocks all day while he is in a box here.
“It’s a 1000m first-up which will probably be a little too sharp, but let’s hope he still runs well.”
Logan has handed the reins to Erasmus Aslam for that debut run in the $60,000 Class 4 Premier race over 1000m at the standalone Friday meeting.
