Ex-pat kiwi trainer Bruce Marsh, who is enduring one of his toughest seasons in his 11 years at Kranji, will be looking for some cheers from his Group 3 Committee's Prize (1600m) duo of Bourbon Goldman and Cheetah On Fire on Sunday.
The pair last raced together in the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy (1800m) on August 7 with neither doing much to write home about. Cheetah On Fire ran eighth, one spot ahead of Bourbon Goldman, but only around four lengths off the winner Quechua.
Marsh did not take his eyes off Bourbon Goldman during his barrier trial on Tuesday. The Gallant Guru seven-year-old ran a good second, only half-a-length astern of Fastnet Dragon.
"That was a nice trial from 'Old Whisky' (his endearing nickname for Bourbon Goldman)," said Marsh.
"He is a lazy trackworker and I felt he needed that last hit-out before Sunday's race.
"It's a tough race but Cheetah is also in good shape and I expect both to run well."
Winning celebrations have been few and far between for Marsh this year. To give an idea on how tough the going has been, only two winners came his way in August, 11-year-old Daad's The Way, and Laser Storm who had to share the win with Super Winner on August 28.
But there was no reason to panic yet, as his current score of 12 winners is only four short of last year's at this time, and the amiable trainer is the sort who looks ahead, not behind.
"I don't have that many new horses coming through, but there are a few and we can only hope they deliver for us," said Marsh.
"It's been a very quiet year for us, but we'll just keep chipping away." -STC
The pair last raced together in the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy (1800m) on August 7 with neither doing much to write home about. Cheetah On Fire ran eighth, one spot ahead of Bourbon Goldman, but only around four lengths off the winner Quechua.
Marsh did not take his eyes off Bourbon Goldman during his barrier trial on Tuesday. The Gallant Guru seven-year-old ran a good second, only half-a-length astern of Fastnet Dragon.
"That was a nice trial from 'Old Whisky' (his endearing nickname for Bourbon Goldman)," said Marsh.
"He is a lazy trackworker and I felt he needed that last hit-out before Sunday's race.
"It's a tough race but Cheetah is also in good shape and I expect both to run well."
Winning celebrations have been few and far between for Marsh this year. To give an idea on how tough the going has been, only two winners came his way in August, 11-year-old Daad's The Way, and Laser Storm who had to share the win with Super Winner on August 28.
But there was no reason to panic yet, as his current score of 12 winners is only four short of last year's at this time, and the amiable trainer is the sort who looks ahead, not behind.
"I don't have that many new horses coming through, but there are a few and we can only hope they deliver for us," said Marsh.
"It's been a very quiet year for us, but we'll just keep chipping away." -STC