Smart Polytrack sprinter Nova Swiss will be reunited with the only jockey not to have lost on him in this Friday's Benchmark 97 race over 1100m, Manoel Nunes.
The Swiss Ace three-year-old won five in a row since his Kranji debut on September 23, all on Polytrack and all with the three-time Singapore champion jockey astride.
For some reason, Nunes was replaced by Olivier Placais at his sixth start, in the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m). The Frenchman gave Nova Swiss as good a ride as can be, but they were upstaged by stablemate Infantry, who ironically had Nunes up.
Nooresh Juglall then rode Nova Swiss at his next start which was his first outing on turf, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 26. After holding a forward spot in the running but wide without cover, Nova Swiss did not have the same kick in the straight, eventually fading to run sixth to Countofmontecristo.
"I'm very pleased and happy to be back on Nova Swiss. He's a good horse that I know very well," said Nunes.
"He was disappointing on the grass at his last run and I think going back on Polytrack will be better for him.
"The 1100m is his right trip, and I just hope the race will go the right way for him.
"(Trainer) Alwin (Tan) has probably not had enough time to prepare him for this race, but hopefully, he goes well.
"I galloped him this morning with another horse, and last Saturday he had a strong easy canter. It feels like his condition has dropped a little, but he's a horse who doesn't show much in trackwork, anyway.
"So, I'm still hopeful he can bring his A-game on Friday."
Tan is hoping the decision to revert Nova Stable's stable banner back to the alternative track will yield a definite answer as to his last start's below-par run.
"I was quite disappointed with his last run. I think he didn't handle the turf, but the field was also quite strong," said Tan.
"I know it was his first time over turf but I was still expecting a better run. He's pulled up well so quickly that I've decided to run him back on Polytrack this Friday.
"Hopefully, he puts in a better run. It's quite a different field this time, he's not run against some of those like Olympic Anthem and Castor, but I hope he can measure up."
Tan would only say it was the owners' decision to bring Nunes back. To him, Nova Swiss is a straightforward type of horse who should not prove too hard to ride for any jockey.
"The owners wanted Nunes back. He knows the horse well and it's good to see him back on top of Nova Swiss," said Tan.
Tan has also nominated the other smart Nova Stable horse in the same race, Nova Strike. The Red Giant four-year-old also flopped at his last start when finishing down the course in the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint (1200m) won by Lim's Cruiser on the same day Nova Swiss was beaten in the 3YO race. -STC
The Swiss Ace three-year-old won five in a row since his Kranji debut on September 23, all on Polytrack and all with the three-time Singapore champion jockey astride.
For some reason, Nunes was replaced by Olivier Placais at his sixth start, in the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m). The Frenchman gave Nova Swiss as good a ride as can be, but they were upstaged by stablemate Infantry, who ironically had Nunes up.
Nooresh Juglall then rode Nova Swiss at his next start which was his first outing on turf, the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 26. After holding a forward spot in the running but wide without cover, Nova Swiss did not have the same kick in the straight, eventually fading to run sixth to Countofmontecristo.
"I'm very pleased and happy to be back on Nova Swiss. He's a good horse that I know very well," said Nunes.
"He was disappointing on the grass at his last run and I think going back on Polytrack will be better for him.
"The 1100m is his right trip, and I just hope the race will go the right way for him.
"(Trainer) Alwin (Tan) has probably not had enough time to prepare him for this race, but hopefully, he goes well.
"I galloped him this morning with another horse, and last Saturday he had a strong easy canter. It feels like his condition has dropped a little, but he's a horse who doesn't show much in trackwork, anyway.
"So, I'm still hopeful he can bring his A-game on Friday."
Tan is hoping the decision to revert Nova Stable's stable banner back to the alternative track will yield a definite answer as to his last start's below-par run.
"I was quite disappointed with his last run. I think he didn't handle the turf, but the field was also quite strong," said Tan.
"I know it was his first time over turf but I was still expecting a better run. He's pulled up well so quickly that I've decided to run him back on Polytrack this Friday.
"Hopefully, he puts in a better run. It's quite a different field this time, he's not run against some of those like Olympic Anthem and Castor, but I hope he can measure up."
Tan would only say it was the owners' decision to bring Nunes back. To him, Nova Swiss is a straightforward type of horse who should not prove too hard to ride for any jockey.
"The owners wanted Nunes back. He knows the horse well and it's good to see him back on top of Nova Swiss," said Tan.
Tan has also nominated the other smart Nova Stable horse in the same race, Nova Strike. The Red Giant four-year-old also flopped at his last start when finishing down the course in the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint (1200m) won by Lim's Cruiser on the same day Nova Swiss was beaten in the 3YO race. -STC