Jimmy Back to Rea-self

The Singapore Turf Club reports:

The leading pair of trainer Mark Walker and jockey Manoel Nunes could not hide their delight after Jimmy Rea dismantled his rivals in a barrier trial on Tuesday morning.

Six weeks ago, the two current table-toppers were at a complete loss to explain the exciting galloper's comeback flop when his trademark turn of foot went missing, as he ran on only moderately to run fifth to Fraajilistic in a Benchmark 89 race over 1200m.

The lack of fitness edge could not be the only conviction even if the Thewayyouare four-year-old had not raced since his barnstorming second to Affleck in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) in May.

Jimmy Rea turned in a breathtaking performance at his barrier trial on Tuesday.

Walker and Nunes were entitled to expect a lot more from the $9 favourite than such an unplaced run (albeit less than one length off the winner), only his second in nine starts that had yielded five wins and two placings.

Two days later, Walker, however, found some answers, though he could not be entirely sure if he was not just putting two and two together. Jimmy Rea came down with a fever.

Whether it was the final piece to the puzzle is a moot point, but Walker was just happy to see the Kevin Hickman-owned gelding respond well to treatment with the best reward being his pulsating barrier trial win. Initially hard held by Nunes, Jimmy Rea pulled his way to the front four wide around the home turn before skipping clear to leave his rivals in his dust.

“His last run was below-par to say the least, but two days later, he was quite sick. He had a spiked temperature, which probably explained why he raced like that,” said Walker.

“He was then given a quiet time and put on a treatment of antibiotics, and thankfully, he is now fully recovered. He trialled very well this morning, but I have to see how he pulls up from the trial to see where we are at with him.”

The New Zealander said while he had not locked a date for Jimmy Rea's next run, his main mission remained the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on November 13.

“His main goal is the EW Barker, but I will have to give him another run leading up to that,” he said.

“I'm not sure yet which race it will be. I will have to look at the programme.”

Not usually one to talk up his horses, Nunes, who has partnered Jimmy Rea at all his nine outings bar one in the Group 3 CECF Singapore Prestige Classic (1400m) when he actually pulled the right rein by winning aboard Kiwi Karma, was simply blown away by Tuesday's hit-out.

“He trialled super!” said the Brazilian.

“There was not much speed in the trial and he was four to five deep, but cantering all the way. I just let him come along and he was very impressive to the line.

“The last run was disappointing, but I think he's back to his best now.”