Big-race jockey Glen Boss is not scared to use colourful terms when talking up his horses.
The Australian Hall of Fame jockey has described the evolution of the unbeaten Countofmontecristo, his ride in the Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m), as a horse who has grown into a "beast".
Boss, who rode the gelding at his early barrier trials, teamed up with the son of Echoes Of Heaven at only the last two of his three wins. He would have probably established a perfect record if not for a suspension incurred at the time he made his racing debut on January 13.
Mohd Zaki was booked by owner Joe Singh to keep the saddle warm for Boss, and the Singaporean jockey, who is adept at frontrunning tactics, did not let the opportunity go begging with a perfect all-the-way win.
Whether Countofmontecristo can run in all three Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge ie the remaining two Legs, the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m on April 14 and the Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 14 remains to be seen.
Boss for one just could not wait to get on the "beast" this Sunday.
"He's flying. They have turned him from a horse into a beast," said the triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.
"He has kept improving with every run and you could see it at his last win."
After an impressive debut when he simply broke the hearts of his Restricted Maiden rivals in a Polytrack race over 1200m on January 13, Countofmontecristo's next win – his first under Boss's guidance – in a Novice race over 1200m on turf was a lot more toned down. He led again, but looked vulnerable when Sir Isaac (Michael Rodd) came breathing down his neck at the 300m along the rails.
With the likes of Nova Missile and Deimos in his way at his third start in a Graduation race over 1200m on turf two weeks later, the confidence was flagging a touch, especially when barrier No 11 came up, but fans rallied to send him as the $11 favourite in the end and he duly scored with a scintillating performance.
The much hyped two-horse race between him and Deimos did take place when the pair skipped clear from the rest, but the score was settled more quickly than thought. Countofmontecristo extended better to put a two-length space on Deimos (Rodd), who will again figure among one of his opponents on Sunday.
"He's got quite an engine and he easily beat Deimos at his last start," said Boss.
"(Trainer) Michael Clements has done a great job to keep him ticking over. He had some easy work this morning and I couldn't be happier with that last piece of work.
"It's the race we have aimed for him and we'll know how good a three-year-old he really is on Sunday." -STC
The Australian Hall of Fame jockey has described the evolution of the unbeaten Countofmontecristo, his ride in the Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m), as a horse who has grown into a "beast".
Boss, who rode the gelding at his early barrier trials, teamed up with the son of Echoes Of Heaven at only the last two of his three wins. He would have probably established a perfect record if not for a suspension incurred at the time he made his racing debut on January 13.
Mohd Zaki was booked by owner Joe Singh to keep the saddle warm for Boss, and the Singaporean jockey, who is adept at frontrunning tactics, did not let the opportunity go begging with a perfect all-the-way win.
Whether Countofmontecristo can run in all three Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge ie the remaining two Legs, the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m on April 14 and the Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 14 remains to be seen.
Boss for one just could not wait to get on the "beast" this Sunday.
"He's flying. They have turned him from a horse into a beast," said the triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey.
"He has kept improving with every run and you could see it at his last win."
After an impressive debut when he simply broke the hearts of his Restricted Maiden rivals in a Polytrack race over 1200m on January 13, Countofmontecristo's next win – his first under Boss's guidance – in a Novice race over 1200m on turf was a lot more toned down. He led again, but looked vulnerable when Sir Isaac (Michael Rodd) came breathing down his neck at the 300m along the rails.
With the likes of Nova Missile and Deimos in his way at his third start in a Graduation race over 1200m on turf two weeks later, the confidence was flagging a touch, especially when barrier No 11 came up, but fans rallied to send him as the $11 favourite in the end and he duly scored with a scintillating performance.
The much hyped two-horse race between him and Deimos did take place when the pair skipped clear from the rest, but the score was settled more quickly than thought. Countofmontecristo extended better to put a two-length space on Deimos (Rodd), who will again figure among one of his opponents on Sunday.
"He's got quite an engine and he easily beat Deimos at his last start," said Boss.
"(Trainer) Michael Clements has done a great job to keep him ticking over. He had some easy work this morning and I couldn't be happier with that last piece of work.
"It's the race we have aimed for him and we'll know how good a three-year-old he really is on Sunday." -STC