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Talented galloper Tannhauser gave every indication his problems of the past might be behind him after turning up for a pleasing second in a barrier trial on Thursday.
The son of Tavistock has not raced since June 29, ending a disappointing run (only one win and one third in six starts in 2018) that was the complete opposite of his highly-promising first prep last year when he racked up four wins in a row between April and December.
Well beaten in the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m) back in June, Tannhauser was not pressed on towards the last two Legs which were over trips that didn’t suit, anyway.
At his next start three weeks later in a Class 2 race over 1200m, he fared poorly again, a clear sign something was not right.
Upon his return to scales, the grunt-like breathing was a sign the gelding’s respiratory issues were back. Tannhauser had returned as a roarer again.
After corrective surgery and four months later, he looked back to his old self at his barrier trial under Vlad Duric – his partner at his five wins, but who was not aboard at his last two failures. Daniel Moor (Duric rode the winner Elite Invincible in the Stewards’ Cup) and Ryan Curatolo (Duric was suspended) were in the irons then.
Hopes are back afloat with the Jubilant Racing Stable-owned galloper making his racing comeback in a Class 2 race over 1200m next Friday.
“Tannhauser has had his fair share of problems. We had to be selective where to run him,” said Clements’ assistant-trainer Michael White.
“He had a tie-back surgery and had some general soundness issues with his knees and fetlocks.
“He’s a hard horse to keep in the right spot, but right now, he’s in the right spot as far as his condition goes. We just hope it stays that way.
“We have to take him race by race and not give him too much in one hit.”
Those kid gloves were indeed on at that Thursday barrier trial where Duric was content to leave him be on the rails while Bold Thruster (John Powell) blazed away in the lead ahead.
It was only when they swung for home that Tannhauser was allowed to stretch out a little bit more. That motor was clearly still there as he quickened up fluently inside the last 300m once Duric eased him to the middle of the track, just pipping Mr Clint (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) by a head for second place behind clear-cut winner Bold Thruster.
While Tannhauser’s comeback will be a welcomed addition to Clements’ arsenal as he wages an exciting three-way battle with Shane Baertschiger and Lee Freedman in the title race, he may not be able to count on another Jubilant star this year – Chopin’s Fantaisie.
The noted bleeder has not been sighted since his last-start win on April 1. Being at his second attack (first one came in the 2017 Group 1 Raffles Cup), he had to go for the mandatory six-month suspension.
“Chopin’s Fantaisie is coming from Malaysia next Monday. He went to Sandy Lines’ spelling stables,” said White.
“We will take things easy with him and aim him for next year’s Kranji Mile.”
A first step towards the return of International races in Singapore, the Invitational Group 1 Kranji Mile was launched in May this year, and was won by Hong Kong’s Southern Legend.
