Infantry
Singapore Turf Club
Manoel Nunes is standing firm in Infantry’s (NZ) corner, but said his confidence will grow exponentially after Sunday’s running of the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, the $300,000 Stewards’ Cup (1400m).
The Alwin Tan-trained son of Tavistock began his three-year-old career as a sprinter but was soon groomed over longer trips – and with success.
His gallant last-start win in the Group 3 JBBA Moonbeam Vase over 1800m was the proof if needed Tan was spot-on about the Thai-owned gelding’s real aptitudes distance-wise.
While some think he is quite versatile – after all he also won the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the Merlion Trophy (1200m) three runs back, Nunes is adamant he will showcase his true potential in the last two Legs of the Singapore – the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on June 18 and the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 9.
“He’s in very good form, but I think the 1400m is a bit sharp for him now that he’s older,” said the Brazilian three-time Singapore champion jockey.
“Lim’s Cruiser and Alibi (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will have an advantage over him over that distance. It’s the right trip for them.
“Just like Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park), Infantry is looking for further. He galloped alone on Wednesday and he went very well.”
Nunes praised Tan and his team for the way they have nursed Infantry back to his best after a taxing Korean trip last September, landing three wins from five starts including two at Group level.
“Alwin and the boys have done a great job to bring back to the top of his game, at the right time for the Four-Year-Old series,” he said.
“After he came back from Korea, he had a nice break and had two good runs (win and third), had another break and won the Merlion Trophy fresh-up.
“He then ran in an Open Handicap where he gave weight to his rivals. He still ran a great race (fourth) off a slow tempo, but he then won the Moonbeam Vase so impressively.
“Alwin has kept him fresh since as he’s going over 1400m, and he really looks well in his coat, he looks fantastic. A lot will depend on luck on Sunday.
“It will be very interesting and very exciting to see who will come out tops. Lim’s Cruiser is a very good horse, and so are Debt Collector and Alibi.
“I think Infantry will be better in the Patron’s Bowl where we will also have Elite Excalibur joining us. He’s also a very good horse; he skipped the Stewards’ Cup but I think he will be very dangerous over the mile and even in the Derby.”
“Infantry may not have reached that level yet, but he’s had a very good solid prep and I have every reason to believe he will be a strong Derby contender.
“But I hope he still runs a good race this Sunday.” -STC
The Alwin Tan-trained son of Tavistock began his three-year-old career as a sprinter but was soon groomed over longer trips – and with success.
His gallant last-start win in the Group 3 JBBA Moonbeam Vase over 1800m was the proof if needed Tan was spot-on about the Thai-owned gelding’s real aptitudes distance-wise.
While some think he is quite versatile – after all he also won the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the Merlion Trophy (1200m) three runs back, Nunes is adamant he will showcase his true potential in the last two Legs of the Singapore – the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on June 18 and the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) on July 9.
“He’s in very good form, but I think the 1400m is a bit sharp for him now that he’s older,” said the Brazilian three-time Singapore champion jockey.
“Lim’s Cruiser and Alibi (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will have an advantage over him over that distance. It’s the right trip for them.
“Just like Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park), Infantry is looking for further. He galloped alone on Wednesday and he went very well.”
Nunes praised Tan and his team for the way they have nursed Infantry back to his best after a taxing Korean trip last September, landing three wins from five starts including two at Group level.
“Alwin and the boys have done a great job to bring back to the top of his game, at the right time for the Four-Year-Old series,” he said.
“After he came back from Korea, he had a nice break and had two good runs (win and third), had another break and won the Merlion Trophy fresh-up.
“He then ran in an Open Handicap where he gave weight to his rivals. He still ran a great race (fourth) off a slow tempo, but he then won the Moonbeam Vase so impressively.
“Alwin has kept him fresh since as he’s going over 1400m, and he really looks well in his coat, he looks fantastic. A lot will depend on luck on Sunday.
“It will be very interesting and very exciting to see who will come out tops. Lim’s Cruiser is a very good horse, and so are Debt Collector and Alibi.
“I think Infantry will be better in the Patron’s Bowl where we will also have Elite Excalibur joining us. He’s also a very good horse; he skipped the Stewards’ Cup but I think he will be very dangerous over the mile and even in the Derby.”
“Infantry may not have reached that level yet, but he’s had a very good solid prep and I have every reason to believe he will be a strong Derby contender.
“But I hope he still runs a good race this Sunday.” -STC