Corey Brown has a good feeling about his two high-profile rides Quechua and Magnum (NZ) (Per Incanto) this Sunday.
The Australian jockey clearly rates the two gallopers among two of the best he has partnered in Singapore. Between the gun pair, Quechua is the one who needs less introduction, having provided Brown with his career highlights at Kranji, namely the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) and the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m), among others.
Magnum may be less accomplished, but the one-time Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge pre-series favourite remains an exciting prospect this term in. He did not win any of the three Legs, but lost no marks with three placings.
Brown, however, noticed one common trait that joined the two in their lead-ups to their races on Sunday – sharpness.
"Magnum was supposed to have made his comeback around three weeks ago but he missed that race. Luckily, it was nothing major," said Brown.
"He has since had another trial, and to me, that was the best he's ever trialled. He's normally quite lazy and relaxed, but he was not heavy at all on that day; he worked to the line very well.
"I was surprised how much brighter he was. He was on the bridle and didn't need a kick and a slap, he just galloped of his own accord."
Brown was referring to the Per Incanto four-year-old's barrier trial last Tuesday, one week after his intended comeback in a $80,000 Class 3 race over 1200m since his meritorious third to Debt Collector in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) in May. He will now run in a similar race on Sunday.
Dropped back to take the trail in third in the small five-horse barrier trial, Magnum was never out of second gear until the top of the straight where a slight squeeze saw him slide closer, but still under a tight hold, to run a half-length third to Fastnet Dragon.
On hand to see his charge gallop, trainer James Peters was glad the Waterford Stable-owned gelding has put that slight setback behind him.
"It was just a little issue with his blood. It was not 100% and we didn't want to take any risk with him and that's why he didn't run," said the in-form English handler.
"He has come back well and I was very happy with his trial last week. Whatever he does this Sunday, he will improve on." -STC
The Australian jockey clearly rates the two gallopers among two of the best he has partnered in Singapore. Between the gun pair, Quechua is the one who needs less introduction, having provided Brown with his career highlights at Kranji, namely the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) and the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m), among others.
Magnum may be less accomplished, but the one-time Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge pre-series favourite remains an exciting prospect this term in. He did not win any of the three Legs, but lost no marks with three placings.
Brown, however, noticed one common trait that joined the two in their lead-ups to their races on Sunday – sharpness.
"Magnum was supposed to have made his comeback around three weeks ago but he missed that race. Luckily, it was nothing major," said Brown.
"He has since had another trial, and to me, that was the best he's ever trialled. He's normally quite lazy and relaxed, but he was not heavy at all on that day; he worked to the line very well.
"I was surprised how much brighter he was. He was on the bridle and didn't need a kick and a slap, he just galloped of his own accord."
Brown was referring to the Per Incanto four-year-old's barrier trial last Tuesday, one week after his intended comeback in a $80,000 Class 3 race over 1200m since his meritorious third to Debt Collector in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) in May. He will now run in a similar race on Sunday.
Dropped back to take the trail in third in the small five-horse barrier trial, Magnum was never out of second gear until the top of the straight where a slight squeeze saw him slide closer, but still under a tight hold, to run a half-length third to Fastnet Dragon.
On hand to see his charge gallop, trainer James Peters was glad the Waterford Stable-owned gelding has put that slight setback behind him.
"It was just a little issue with his blood. It was not 100% and we didn't want to take any risk with him and that's why he didn't run," said the in-form English handler.
"He has come back well and I was very happy with his trial last week. Whatever he does this Sunday, he will improve on." -STC