French jockey Olivier Placais admitted to not thinking the world of Robin Hood when he first got a leg-up on him three months ago, but he is now a converted fan.
Placais has scored back-to-back wins on the Nom Du Jeu five-year-old at his last two runs, but it was actually at their second association that he first had an inkling his form was on the upswing going with the way they flashed home from last at triple-digit odds to run fifth in a Class 4 race over 1200m on June 26.
The Alwin Tan-trained galloper franked that impression two weeks later with a second place to the talented Magstock in a Kranji Stakes D (1600m). Placais has not got it wrong since, first securing the gelding's maiden win in a similar event before doubling up in a slightly stronger BM67 race over the mile again.
"That's one horse who has really turned the corner," said Placais.
"He was nothing special when I first rode him but he has improved a lot since and I'm not surprised he's won two in a row for me.
"He's maintained a solid form and he showed it in his barrier trial last Thursday. It was a close trial and he was right in the mix (third to Blue Diamond) without me having to do too much.
"I worked him this morning (Tuesday) and he's kept improving. There were a few tweakings to do as he's not raced for six weeks, he was a little stiff at first, but he's come right.
"It's a Kranji Stakes C race he is running in this time (Friday) and the field is quite tough, but he is proven over the mile, and I'm very happy with the way he has worked and I think he should run well."
The six-time Swiss champion jockey, who returned to Singapore in June after a four-year absence, said that Robin Hood is one of the rare models of consistency he has been riding at this new Kranji stint.
"I can't complain with the way things have gone for me this time around. It was a little quiet for a while but things have picked up nicely in the last couple of months," said Placais.
"The quality of rides may not be top-notch, but you have to make do with that they throw at you. Besides if you look at my 11 winners thus far, only Robin Hood and Amistad were in the market – the rest are all outsiders, I should be called the 'outsider king'!" -STC
Placais has scored back-to-back wins on the Nom Du Jeu five-year-old at his last two runs, but it was actually at their second association that he first had an inkling his form was on the upswing going with the way they flashed home from last at triple-digit odds to run fifth in a Class 4 race over 1200m on June 26.
The Alwin Tan-trained galloper franked that impression two weeks later with a second place to the talented Magstock in a Kranji Stakes D (1600m). Placais has not got it wrong since, first securing the gelding's maiden win in a similar event before doubling up in a slightly stronger BM67 race over the mile again.
"That's one horse who has really turned the corner," said Placais.
"He was nothing special when I first rode him but he has improved a lot since and I'm not surprised he's won two in a row for me.
"He's maintained a solid form and he showed it in his barrier trial last Thursday. It was a close trial and he was right in the mix (third to Blue Diamond) without me having to do too much.
"I worked him this morning (Tuesday) and he's kept improving. There were a few tweakings to do as he's not raced for six weeks, he was a little stiff at first, but he's come right.
"It's a Kranji Stakes C race he is running in this time (Friday) and the field is quite tough, but he is proven over the mile, and I'm very happy with the way he has worked and I think he should run well."
The six-time Swiss champion jockey, who returned to Singapore in June after a four-year absence, said that Robin Hood is one of the rare models of consistency he has been riding at this new Kranji stint.
"I can't complain with the way things have gone for me this time around. It was a little quiet for a while but things have picked up nicely in the last couple of months," said Placais.
"The quality of rides may not be top-notch, but you have to make do with that they throw at you. Besides if you look at my 11 winners thus far, only Robin Hood and Amistad were in the market – the rest are all outsiders, I should be called the 'outsider king'!" -STC