Mr Spielberg
Singapore Turf Club
Back-in-form stayer Mr Spielberg gave a stark reminder of his ability when he dashed away to an emphatic win on Sunday.
The Pentire four-year-old has been a shadow of his former promising self since the last of his four wins more than a year ago. At the time, trainer Laurie Laxon had no hesitation in labeling him a Gold Cup hope.
Unfortunately, things went pear-shaped soon after, with Laxon being none the wiser about the sudden downturn.
Mr Spielberg was brought back to training this year after yet another disappointing prep, and even though he ran out of the placings, Laxon had reasons to hope the old Mr Spielberg was back. In two runs over 1400m, trips obviously too short for him, he charged home late to finish closer to the placegetters.
The step-up to the mile in Sunday's $100,000 Super Easy 2013 Stakes, an Open Benchmark 89 race, has turned into the perfect platform for Mr Spielberg's revival – and revived hope towards the goal Laxon had all along earmarked for him, the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 10.
"He's a good stayer and showed promise early. I don't really know what went wrong with him though he did have some heart fibrillation issues, but he's back," said Laxon.
"The Derby was always his goal. He needs to earn enough points to make it and I think after today's win (chief handicapper) Mike Wanklin will give him two to three points."
Settling at the rear by first-time partner Glen Boss, Mr Spielberg slowly inched his way forward to be within a striking position by the home turn.
Boss said he already had a good hunch Mr Spielberg had his mojo back from a barrier trial.
"I had to chance to ride him in a barrier trial and he worked really well," said the leading Australian jockey.
"I was told he was a promising horse who unfortunately lost his way a bit, and also had a heart fibrillation issue.
"But he was really good today. He really kicked to the line and I couldn't pull him up."
Mr Spielberg has now brought his handy record to five wins from 18 starts for stakes earnings past the $210,000 mark for the Oscar Racing Stable. He was purchased at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale by Laxon for $85,000 from the draft of Blandford Lodge.
The Pentire four-year-old has been a shadow of his former promising self since the last of his four wins more than a year ago. At the time, trainer Laurie Laxon had no hesitation in labeling him a Gold Cup hope.
Unfortunately, things went pear-shaped soon after, with Laxon being none the wiser about the sudden downturn.
Mr Spielberg was brought back to training this year after yet another disappointing prep, and even though he ran out of the placings, Laxon had reasons to hope the old Mr Spielberg was back. In two runs over 1400m, trips obviously too short for him, he charged home late to finish closer to the placegetters.
The step-up to the mile in Sunday's $100,000 Super Easy 2013 Stakes, an Open Benchmark 89 race, has turned into the perfect platform for Mr Spielberg's revival – and revived hope towards the goal Laxon had all along earmarked for him, the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 10.
"He's a good stayer and showed promise early. I don't really know what went wrong with him though he did have some heart fibrillation issues, but he's back," said Laxon.
"The Derby was always his goal. He needs to earn enough points to make it and I think after today's win (chief handicapper) Mike Wanklin will give him two to three points."
Settling at the rear by first-time partner Glen Boss, Mr Spielberg slowly inched his way forward to be within a striking position by the home turn.
Boss said he already had a good hunch Mr Spielberg had his mojo back from a barrier trial.
"I had to chance to ride him in a barrier trial and he worked really well," said the leading Australian jockey.
"I was told he was a promising horse who unfortunately lost his way a bit, and also had a heart fibrillation issue.
"But he was really good today. He really kicked to the line and I couldn't pull him up."
Mr Spielberg has now brought his handy record to five wins from 18 starts for stakes earnings past the $210,000 mark for the Oscar Racing Stable. He was purchased at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale by Laxon for $85,000 from the draft of Blandford Lodge.