Singapore Derby Draw Reactions

The Singapore Turf Club updated the reactions of connections following the draw for the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby tomorrow.  There are two horses purchased by David Ellis contesting the prestigious event - Sebrose (trained by Mark Walker) who drew nicely at three and favourite War Affair (reigning Horse of the Year) who fared worse in the draw with 14 ...

Barrier draws are seen more as a prelude to how the speedmap of a race will unfold, but nonetheless, they never fail to provoke its usual share of reactions from connections and observers alike - and the $1.15 million Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) Post Position Draw ceremony held on Wednesday was no different.

Perhaps the biggest collective gasp of the one-hour long event was heard when Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge clean sweep bidder War Affair (already captured the first two Legs) pulled out the second worst gate in 14.

It is unlikely the horror gate will change his pre-race favourite status, but it was certainly a lifeline to many of his 14 rivals who had more or less resigned themselves to fighting for second place, even if trainer Alwin Tan's representative and jockey Alan Munro still found a positive spin to the drawback.

Suddenly, there was a sense the hotpot could be toppled. Local trainer Leslie Khoo, who is still chasing a first “black type” win in Singapore, let alone a Derby, for one, was all smiles when one of the lovely Emirates air stewardesses in attendance posted Fastnet Dragon's silks under the No 1 alley. Trainer Patrick Shaw who saddles the biggest team with three runners, Quechua, In Fact and Cooptado, was glad with the cards he was dealt even if they were mixed as they suited his runners' individual racing pattern.

In a sharp contrast of moods, trainer Stephen Gray was, on the other hand, cutting a rather forlorn figure after his on-pace contender Twickenham drew 13, which the New Zealander did not seem too keen to associate with the word “lucky” in the current context.

All in all, it was a mixed bag of reactions, but the numbers are now set in stone and trainers and riders are already busy working out tactics. As the oft-quoted saying goes, a race is not won on paper but on the track, and the 20^th winner of the Emirates Singapore Derby will only be unveiled roughly two minutes after the 4.15pm post time on Sunday.

FASTNET DRAGON - Barrier No 1

“Hopefully barrier No 1 also means No 1 across the line,” said trainer Leslie Khoo, obviously buoyed by his lucky hand.

“It's a good draw as he races handy and should be able to get a good spot from there. It also makes things easier for the jockey (Hugh Bowman).”

COOPTADO, IN FACT and QUECHUA - Barriers No 2, 11 and 12

“Two is perfect for Cooptado as he is an on-pace runner,” said trainer Patrick Shaw, who boasts one solitary win in the Derby with Our Falstaff in 2006.

“He has come on well since his SIA Cup run. I still think the Derby has come up too soon, but we don't have a choice.  For In Fact, Nooresh (Juglall) will have to look right on his inside and see how the pace is set and decide from there. He is a horse who can settle midfield and from that draw (11), that's where I think he will be.

“It will be pretty much the same for Quechua. It will be up to Corey (Brown) to watch the horses on his inside and see what's happening.”

Juglall, who drew 11 for In Fact, looked satisfied with the number he was handed.

“The draw looks good for him as we were actually hoping for an outside draw,” said the Mauritian jockey.

“The horse is in good form and has always been pretty consistent in his races. I just hopes he gets a good run.”

SEBROSE - Barrier No 3

“It is a good draw and we are really delighted,” said Julia, wife of Sebrose's trainer Mark Walker.

“No 3 with champion jockey (Manoel) Nunes on board, he (Sebrose) should stand a chance. Obviously, War Affair is a horse that's out of the box but I think the rest also have a good chance, just like Sebrose, who is a good horse and he definitely deserves a place in the field.”

Julia Walker looks delighted with Sebrose's barrier No 3.

ORDER OF THE SUN - Barrier No 4

“He drew very well and I'm very happy with it,” said trainer Desmond Koh, whose biggest win to-date remains the 2012 Singapore Derby with Chase Me.

“The horse just got here three months ago and the prep job to get him into the Derby was a little bit rushed. I wished I could have had some more time to prepare him but when the day comes you just have to accept it and try your best.

“One consolation will be that the horse has been running well and improving in his last two races. We will just let him settle somewhere where he's happy.”

RIDE OF VALKYRIES and KNIGHT WAGER - Barriers No 5 and 15

“It's a great draw. Ideally, we wanted to settle her just behind the pace, in fifth or sixth position in the race and from this gate, I think we should be able to do that,” said trainer Michael Clements.

“As for Knight Wager, it's quite wide but since the horse comes from behind, I am not too worried about the draw. We just have to slot him behind some horses with cover and go from there.

“Of course we would have preferred to get a better gate but I'm not too overly concerned.”

Michael Clements giving his feedback to Singapore Turf Club presenter Matthew Jones.

BLUE SWEDE - Barrier No 6

“This was the perfect draw for him,” said trainer Shane Baertschiger. “If he had drawn the inside he would have been stuck on the rails.

“War Affair is still the one to beat but if all goes well, he has a chance to finish on the board.”

He may not look it but trainer Shane Baertschiger is pleased with his draw.

IDEAL GUIDE - Barrier No 7

“(Jockey) Oscar Chavez wanted seven or eight and we got seven. My job is done, now it's up to Oscar,” said Laurie Laxon's assistant-trainer Shane Ellis.

“The horse is in good form. He was placed over 1800m in Sydney as a young horse and he also ran the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) last year, but he was probably not ready for that race.

“He won a 1600m race with (Manoel) Nunes in April and he was drawing away to the line. So, to me, the trip should be okay. Let's hope he gets a nice position in the race and a bit of rain would help, too.”

HUGHSY - Barrier No 8

“This is the second time in a row we are the last to draw. It was the same with Flax in the Gold Cup last year, but that's fine, he got a good gate (8),” said trainer David Hill.

“He's drawn the middle, which is good as he comes from behind. It will give him a chance to come to the outside for his run.”

LAUGHING GRAVY and ABSOLUTELY - Barriers No 9 and 10

“Laughing Gravy is the obvious leader. I don't think there is anyone else who can lead,” said trainer Cliff Brown who is chasing his second Singapore Derby after Clint in 2011.

“The horse is in great form, he's a galloper and he will get 2000m. Even if this is a big jump in class, I can't fault him and he must be in with a chance.  Absolutely will be next to him and is also in great shape. I liked his run in the Patron's Bowl and he will come on from that.

“The draw does not bother him as he will drop back and charge home late.”

TWICKENHAM - Barrier No 13

“I had expected much better,” lamented trainer Stephen Gray who must have trimmed down his chances of a Derby repeat after Lim's Prestige in 2007.

“Everyone wants an inside draw but this is bad. The good thing is he has had a good preparation for this Sunday. On paper he probably may not be able to compete but on the day, you'll never know.”

WAR AFFAIR - Barrier No 14

“2000m is a very long distance. So we are okay with the wide draw and we have a good plan in mind,” said stable supervisor Jason Ong representing trainer Alwin Tan, who was overseas.

“He's a pretty versatile horse which is a major advantage to us and he normally comes from the back, but he can jump and sit as well. So we will let him settle wherever he's comfortable and we are confident in him.”

Jockey Alan Munro, who is bidding for a second Singapore Derby after Better Life in 2013, did not seem too fussed by the likely favourite's awkward alley.

“This is similar to the Gold Cup draw (12 of 16) last year,” said the English jockey.

“He looks like he might be three deep in the race, but considering the way he runs, he's still well off in the race and I'm still confident in him.”

Mr Ong of Warplan Racing Stable draws wide for his champion War Affair.