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Michael Rodd is happier with the way Debt Collector has been jumping on terms of late, but come raceday, he will just let the champion galloper settle into his own strides.
The son of Thorn Park is a noted backmarker who leaves his runs late, a pattern that does not help connections if they have a weak heart, but that has borne fruits at all his nine wins, including four at Group 1 level.
The latest cliffhanger from the Cliff Brown-trained superstar came in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m), the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series, on September 23.
Circuit Land (Hugh Bowman) was on the cusp of victory as he pegged back the tiring Countofmontecristo (Franco Da Silva), but Debt Collector powered home from last to put a short head in front right at the last hop.
Rodd, who has ridden the six-year-old at all his nine wins bar one (Vlad Duric was aboard), was in a bullish mood after the 2016 Singapore Horse of the Year’s barrier trial on Thursday.
The field jumped in a good line, including Debt Collector, but with Faaltless (Matthew Kellady) going like last month’s pay upfront, the field soon became strung out but Debt Collector was not at the other end.
Three wide in fifth spot, he was launched a touch earlier than usual to snatch second place from Countofmontecristo (Duric) by a nose, albeit a gap of three and a quarter lengths off Faaltless.
“He landed in a good spot early and was travelling handy, but he then came back out of it, they were rolling along,” said the Australian jockey, who is currently caught in a head-to-head fight with Duric in the Singapore jockeys’ premiership, both tied at the top on 58 winners.
“It really depends what tempo he gets. In a race, I won’t be changing anything if he drops to the rear.
“The QEII Cup will be a tough race, but he has come on further since the Raffles and he should put in a big run again.”
Brown could not fault the Barree Stable-owned gelding either, but remained respectful of the opposition, made up largely of the usual suspects he defeated in the Raffles Cup.
“All good, very happy with him. He will have one last gallop next Wednesday,” said the Australian handler who won the QEII Cup with Laughing Gravy in 2016, but when the race was for the last time run over 2000m and was then staged in June.
“Hopefully, he’ll be even more competitive over 1800m, but it’ll be a very tough race. There are a lot of good horses in that race again.
“Countofmontecristo was in the same trial as Debt. He has come on from his Raffles Cup run and looks great.
“Circuit Land also looked good in his action in that trial. Don’t forget Jupiter Gold who was very unlucky in the Raffles – it won’t be an easy race for sure.
“But the staff has done a great job to bring him to his best condition. In 12 months, he’s never been better than that.”
