Tannhauser seems to be on the right path as far as attempts to teach him to settle better goes.
The talented son of Tavistock made a meal of his last race, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on March 9 when he was seen reefing and tearing while coursing out three deep. The $7 hotpot eventually weakened out to run sixth to Super Fortune, but still a respectable distance of about five lengths astern.
Trainer Michael Clements has since tried to tweak the Jubilant Racing Stable-owned four-year-old’s training. Such overracing tendencies had to be curbed if he was to head towards the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.
In Thursday’s barrier trial, Tannhauser was seen taking a drop for regular partner Vlad Duric. He did seem to cooperate but was still inclined to charge through when leader Royal Ruler (Barend Vorster) threw out the anchors midrace.
Tannhauser eventually settled better into his strides, and when a gap came up at the 200m, he sprinted through nicely to take the trial by a neck from Solo Sun (Wong Chin Chuen), a newcomer from trainer Desmond Koh’s yard.
Assistant-trainer Michael White thought it was the perfect hit-out ahead of his comeback race next week in a Class 2 race over 1200m on turf on May 6.
“We’ve changed his training programme since his last start. We’ve given him more steady work to teach him to relax,” said White.
“How well he’s taken it, we’ll soon know next week in the Class 2 race over 1200m. But he trialled up really good today.
“Vlad never rides him in between races but he rode him today, and he said they didn’t go hard early, but he hit the line strongly in the end.”
White said the whole business of cooling his jets was also geared towards a Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge perspective. Kicking off with the Stewards’ Cup (1400m) on June 10, the series then heads towards the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) on June 24 and the Emirates Singapore Derby (1800m) on July 15.
Tannhauser has never ventured beyond 1200m in eight starts for five wins between 1000m and 1200m, with only the last one over 1200m coming on turf, the surface the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge is run on.
“We are trying to get to 1400m first. There is no question in my mind he can get 1400m, unless he goes legless,” said White.
“He will go for the Stewards’ Cup, but after that, we’ll take it one step at a time.”
Another leading four-year-old contender the Clements yard is banking on is last year’s Singapore champion three-year-old, Countofmontecristo, who captured the first two Legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge that season.
A brilliant first-up second to Aramco in the first Leg of the Singapore Sprint Series, the JBBA Rocket Man Sprint (1200m) on April 1, the seven-time winner is expected to strip fitter and shape up as a leading chance in Friday’s second Leg, the $500,000 Merlion Trophy (1200m), especially with the return to Weight-for-Age conditions.
In the JBBA Rocket Man Sprint, a handicap race, the son of Echoes Of Heaven shouldered the steadier of 59kgs, giving weight all round while they are all level on 57.5kgs this time, save for the only mare in the field, Fortune Winner who carries 56kgs.
Polytrack should be a cinch as well given the versatile galloper owned by Joe Singh boasts a two-from-two record on the alternative track.
“We couldn’t be happier with Countofmontecristo. He’s had a faultless prep and he’s in very good form,” said White.
“Obviously, he’ll be better suited by the weight-for-age conditions. He’s drawn a reasonable barrier in five while two of the main dangers, Lim’s Cruiser and Alibi (stablemate) have drawn on the outside.
“He should have every chance from there. There is a lot to like about him coming into this race.” -STC