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Sunday’s RDA Cup, a $70,000 Kranji Stakes C race (1600m), looks like a suitable race for Solo Sun on paper, but trainer Desmond Koh would still rather stay conservative about his winning chances
At his last start in a Kranji Stakes C race (1800m) at the last meeting of 2018 on December 9, the So You Think five-year-old did his best work late to run second, only one length off Shahbaa.
Then came the Christmas break during which he seems to have strengthened up further, but Koh said the mile of the RDA Cup might be on the short side for a first-up race.
Still, he said that his charge is nicely freshened-up and if conditions are run to suit, he should not be ruled out for the win.
“He trialled nicely with the blinkers last week (January 10). He also had a nice gallop on Tuesday,” said Koh.
“The mile is a bit short for him, but I’m hoping the blinkers will sharpen him up a little.
“At his last race, he did well to run second, but there are a few hard knockers in the race this time.
“I think Ricardo Le Grange’s two runners, Kirks Ryker and Mighty Emperor, are very good horses in this type of race.”
A one-time winner over 1600m at Cranbourne in Australia when known as Solo Heart under Sydney premier trainer Chris Waller’s care, Solo Sun currently boasts only one win at Kranji – at his fourth start in a Kranji Stakes C race over 1800m. He even ran in the Group 3 El Dorado Classic (2000m), beaten in 10th place, but only just over four lengths off the winner King Louis.
Dropped back in easier company subsequently, Solo Sun served notice of his enhanced form with eye-catching runs at Class 3 and Kranji Stakes C level in races ranging between 1800m and 2000m.
While Solo Sun is expected to have his fair share of admirers in Sunday’s assignment, Kok reiterated his charge had all to prove before he warrants more ambitious goals.
“Even if he wins this, he is no world-beater. He will have to do more than that for me to start planning for higher class races,” he said.
With jockey Nooresh Juglall stood down by order of the Stewards (see other report), Koh has gone for an obvious pick as a replacement jockey for Solo Sun.
“Vlad Duric was a good choice as he rode him at his last start and knows the horse,” said Koh.
After four meetings have gone by, Koh currently has just one solitary winner in Wijaya (second meeting on January 6) on the board for the 2019 season.
Solo Sun and Thomas De Lago are among his top picks from his small four-horse team on Sunday while only Million Round is the sole stable rep on Friday.
“It’s been pretty quiet for a while, but we keep working hard at home,” said the Singapore Derby-winning trainer (Chase Me in 2012).
“I’m lucky to have a very good team I can rely on. The boys are led by two reliable stable supervisors in YF (Yoon Fei) Leong and SH (Soo Hin) Lee, two ex-jockeys who have done very well since they changed careers.”
