French jockey Olivier Placais knows he is only warming up the saddle for suspended jockey Daniel Moor aboard Nowyousee on Sunday, but is well intent on making the most of that fleeting time on the promising sprinter.
He may not have ridden the O’Reilly four-year-old in a race, but having seen all his four wins, he would have a pretty good idea what he will be throwing his leg over in the S$100,000 Kranji Stakes B Division 1 race over 1100m on Polytrack.
At the Lee Freedman-trained sprinter’s last win in a Class 3 race over 1100m on September 9, Placais finished fourth aboard Safeer more than five lengths astern.
“This horse is a machine. I’m only replacing Dan, and I’m grateful to Lee and the owner, Jeffrey (Soh) of Titanium Stable for putting me on him for that race,” said Placais.
“I’ve seen his races before and he’s a proven Polytrack sprinter. With the good barrier in two, it’ll be easier for him, but I think he’ll still settle behind the lead.
“I galloped him on Saturday and he’s in top shape. He’s got a very good chance.”
Nowyousee is noted for his natural gate speed, but with speed squib Sebas and bold frontrunner Marine Treasure in the mix, even if they have drawn poorly, he will probably take a drop on them.
But when he makes his bid in the straight, he will probably have to contend with other swoopers like Sir Isaac and Autumn Rush.
While Placais is the sub for Moor on Nowyousee, it’s the reverse for Little Big Man in the S$80,000 Class 3 race over the mile in the next event. Placais has formed a prolific association with the Freedman-trained Showcasing six-year-old, having steered him to his last three wins, but sat out the last start due to suspension.
Fellow Frenchman Marc Lerner took the ride and they finished ninth to Murrayfield in a Kranji Stakes C race over 1400m on September 23.
Placais is keen to hop back on the Falcon Racing Stable-owned gelding, making him one of his better chances of the weekend.
“I rode Little Big Man this morning and he was very well,” he said.
“I can’t understand why he ran badly at his last start. I thought he had a good chance.
“This time it’s the mile, and not 1400m like at his last starts. I don’t think it will be a problem for him.
“He should run a nice race.” -STC