When the Singapore-owned Xiong Feng won the Karaka Million in January to make it three wins from as many runs, some started rubbing their hands in anticipation he could be one of the drawcards at this year's Singapore Golden Horseshoe series.
But the two-year-old chestnut bought last year at Karaka for NZ$30,000 by trainer Mok Zhan Lun for Singaporean owner Tan Eng Koon and his three partners never fronted up at Kranji. The Singapore juvenile series was never quite on his to-do list, but an eventual career move to his owners' land was still on the cards.
Mok revealed that the son of Iffraaj was currently spelling in New Zealand at his trainer Stephen McKee and Eddie Chippendale's property, and if he ever continued his career at Kranji, it would be as a three-year-old.
Xiong Feng went for a well-earned break after the Listed Karaka Million only to return in the Group 1 Sistema Diamond Stakes on March 12, but the favourite ran a shocking last, more than 42 lengths off the winner Heroic Valour, a Te Akau Racing-owned unbeaten Fastnet Rock colt.
It was reported that Xiong Feng fell prey to shinsoreness, but Mok was not fully aware the reason behind the break.
"The owners wanted to keep him in training in New Zealand after the Karaka Million. I'm not sure what happened after that, but he's now spelling," said Mok who did fly to New Zealand to watch Xiong Feng's Karaka Million triumph at Ellerslie.
"But I told the owners to bring him back to me after he turns three."
That has not stopped Mok from being represented at this year's series. Absent in the first three Legs, the Singaporean trainer saddles a duo of newcomers in Angel Of Mine and Energizer in the fourth Leg, this Friday's $90,000 IRT Juvenile Stakes (1200m) – the first Leg to be run on turf.
The straight shooter said they were no Xiong Feng's - at least not in terms of precociousness.
Angel Of Mine, a son of Congrats, the same sire of two-Leg winner Jupiter Gold, and Energizer, who is by Bullbars, have not quite set Kranji alight at their work or barrier trials.
Angel Of Mine ran last at all his four trials bar one while Energizer did run third at his ORT (official race trial) before also running last at his second a month ago.
"Both are still green and not ready. I'll just let them gain some experience first," said Mok.
"Between the two, Angel Of Mine has no idea what racing is all about while Energizer, whom I call 'Battery', needs both a longer time and more distance."
Trainer Michael Clements' apprentice jockey Sazali Ramli will ride Angel Of Mine, like he did at his last two trials, while Energizer has been handed to experienced jockey Alan Munro.
While their ability remains a big question mark to Mok at this stage, he knows who may have the easier run.
They will jump at the opposite ends of the field, with Angel Of Mine from the inside and Energizer from the outermost alley in 14, but Mok shrugged off the contrasting fortunes at the barrier draws.
"Neither showed any gate speed at their trials. Barrier No 1 will suit Angel Of Mine, I guess," he said.
"It makes no difference, really. I just hope they have a good first racing experience and come through well.
"They are more three-year-olds."
Energizer was sold to Mok for NZ$30,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2015 Select Yearling Sale. By coincidence, two lots earlier, a Showcasing gelding went for NZ$60,000, and will bump into Energizer for the first time since they crossed paths at the sale ring.
It is Shane Baertschiger's new two-year-old Caorunn, who has already won three races in New Zealand, including a Group 3 race and will also make his Kranji debut in the IRT Juvenile Stakes. He has already more than recouped his price tag with stakes earnings in excess of NZ$100,000. -STC
But the two-year-old chestnut bought last year at Karaka for NZ$30,000 by trainer Mok Zhan Lun for Singaporean owner Tan Eng Koon and his three partners never fronted up at Kranji. The Singapore juvenile series was never quite on his to-do list, but an eventual career move to his owners' land was still on the cards.
Mok revealed that the son of Iffraaj was currently spelling in New Zealand at his trainer Stephen McKee and Eddie Chippendale's property, and if he ever continued his career at Kranji, it would be as a three-year-old.
Xiong Feng went for a well-earned break after the Listed Karaka Million only to return in the Group 1 Sistema Diamond Stakes on March 12, but the favourite ran a shocking last, more than 42 lengths off the winner Heroic Valour, a Te Akau Racing-owned unbeaten Fastnet Rock colt.
It was reported that Xiong Feng fell prey to shinsoreness, but Mok was not fully aware the reason behind the break.
"The owners wanted to keep him in training in New Zealand after the Karaka Million. I'm not sure what happened after that, but he's now spelling," said Mok who did fly to New Zealand to watch Xiong Feng's Karaka Million triumph at Ellerslie.
"But I told the owners to bring him back to me after he turns three."
That has not stopped Mok from being represented at this year's series. Absent in the first three Legs, the Singaporean trainer saddles a duo of newcomers in Angel Of Mine and Energizer in the fourth Leg, this Friday's $90,000 IRT Juvenile Stakes (1200m) – the first Leg to be run on turf.
The straight shooter said they were no Xiong Feng's - at least not in terms of precociousness.
Angel Of Mine, a son of Congrats, the same sire of two-Leg winner Jupiter Gold, and Energizer, who is by Bullbars, have not quite set Kranji alight at their work or barrier trials.
Angel Of Mine ran last at all his four trials bar one while Energizer did run third at his ORT (official race trial) before also running last at his second a month ago.
"Both are still green and not ready. I'll just let them gain some experience first," said Mok.
"Between the two, Angel Of Mine has no idea what racing is all about while Energizer, whom I call 'Battery', needs both a longer time and more distance."
Trainer Michael Clements' apprentice jockey Sazali Ramli will ride Angel Of Mine, like he did at his last two trials, while Energizer has been handed to experienced jockey Alan Munro.
While their ability remains a big question mark to Mok at this stage, he knows who may have the easier run.
They will jump at the opposite ends of the field, with Angel Of Mine from the inside and Energizer from the outermost alley in 14, but Mok shrugged off the contrasting fortunes at the barrier draws.
"Neither showed any gate speed at their trials. Barrier No 1 will suit Angel Of Mine, I guess," he said.
"It makes no difference, really. I just hope they have a good first racing experience and come through well.
"They are more three-year-olds."
Energizer was sold to Mok for NZ$30,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2015 Select Yearling Sale. By coincidence, two lots earlier, a Showcasing gelding went for NZ$60,000, and will bump into Energizer for the first time since they crossed paths at the sale ring.
It is Shane Baertschiger's new two-year-old Caorunn, who has already won three races in New Zealand, including a Group 3 race and will also make his Kranji debut in the IRT Juvenile Stakes. He has already more than recouped his price tag with stakes earnings in excess of NZ$100,000. -STC