Theo Kieser
Trainer Theo Kieser scoffs at the title "King of the Kids" but is nonetheless excited to see how his first two-year-old Ace King (NZ) (Swiss Ace) fares this Sunday.
The South African mentor has never had big teams or big names under his care, but when the Singapore juvenile season rolls around, his name is often brought up, and justifiably so.
Since Kaiser claimed two Legs of the inaugural Singapore Golden Horseshoe series in 2011, Kieser's reputation as a dab hand with babies has snowballed. Zeus Thunder, Griffin and Yin Jie (2012) and Rappor (2013) have added four more wins to give him the highest roll of honour in the series after Michael Freedman (eight wins).
With Freedman now gone (left for Australia at the end of last year), Kieser gets his chance to take over the mantle, especially with a nursery bursting at the seams with as many as nine "babies".
Two thirds of them are raced by one of Kieser's most dynamic new owners, the Titanium Racing Stable, starting with the first one to be wheeled out this Sunday, Ace King in the $90,000 Kranji Nursery Stakes (1000m).
The son of Swiss Ace has shown early signs of ability at his two barrier trials, winning one and running a head-second in the other, but Kieser would rather wait for his first real test before expressing an opinion.
"He's a very athletic forward type of horse and has done everything right so far," said Kieser.
"But it also all depends on how he handles the pressure on raceday. They're all two-year-olds and they have no racing experience at all.
"Like all babies, he's still learning but Elione Chaves seems to like the horse and hopefully, they get some luck on Sunday."
The Brazilian jockey rode Ace King at both barrier trials and other than a slightly tardy habit at the gates, he could not knock him.
"He's a nice little horse, still very green, but seems to have some speed," said Chaves.
"He was actually a little slow out of the gates but he quickly recovered and was able to lead. If he draws a good barrier, he should be a chance."
With the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series spread over six Legs until July, four of which are sponsored by Magic Millions, IRT, William Inglis & Son and Aushorse Marketing, Kieser has worked out a timeline which should see him make his presence felt throughout.
"I've got quite a few two-year-olds this year, but Ace King was ready to run a lot earlier," he said.
The second Leg of the Series also over 1000m, the Singapore Silver Horseshoe will be run on Labour Day on May 1 while the grand final, the $325,000 Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) will be run on July 8.
The South African mentor has never had big teams or big names under his care, but when the Singapore juvenile season rolls around, his name is often brought up, and justifiably so.
Since Kaiser claimed two Legs of the inaugural Singapore Golden Horseshoe series in 2011, Kieser's reputation as a dab hand with babies has snowballed. Zeus Thunder, Griffin and Yin Jie (2012) and Rappor (2013) have added four more wins to give him the highest roll of honour in the series after Michael Freedman (eight wins).
With Freedman now gone (left for Australia at the end of last year), Kieser gets his chance to take over the mantle, especially with a nursery bursting at the seams with as many as nine "babies".
Two thirds of them are raced by one of Kieser's most dynamic new owners, the Titanium Racing Stable, starting with the first one to be wheeled out this Sunday, Ace King in the $90,000 Kranji Nursery Stakes (1000m).
The son of Swiss Ace has shown early signs of ability at his two barrier trials, winning one and running a head-second in the other, but Kieser would rather wait for his first real test before expressing an opinion.
"He's a very athletic forward type of horse and has done everything right so far," said Kieser.
"But it also all depends on how he handles the pressure on raceday. They're all two-year-olds and they have no racing experience at all.
"Like all babies, he's still learning but Elione Chaves seems to like the horse and hopefully, they get some luck on Sunday."
The Brazilian jockey rode Ace King at both barrier trials and other than a slightly tardy habit at the gates, he could not knock him.
"He's a nice little horse, still very green, but seems to have some speed," said Chaves.
"He was actually a little slow out of the gates but he quickly recovered and was able to lead. If he draws a good barrier, he should be a chance."
With the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series spread over six Legs until July, four of which are sponsored by Magic Millions, IRT, William Inglis & Son and Aushorse Marketing, Kieser has worked out a timeline which should see him make his presence felt throughout.
"I've got quite a few two-year-olds this year, but Ace King was ready to run a lot earlier," he said.
The second Leg of the Series also over 1000m, the Singapore Silver Horseshoe will be run on Labour Day on May 1 while the grand final, the $325,000 Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) will be run on July 8.
- Singapore Turf Club