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Group 3 Ultima El Dorado Classic runner-up Star Jack continues his ratings-building mission towards a Singapore Gold Cup spot this Sunday.
Star Jack is one of two Japanese-breds trainer Hideyuki Takaoka is aiming at the November showpiece that has become his province over 18 years of training at Kranji. The Japanese handler, who has the rare distinction of having claimed four Singapore Gold Cups (El Dorado in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and Better Life in 2012), also has recent Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) winner Makanani in the mix for this year's renewal.
While the Black Tide five-year-old mare on 97 points is a certainty to contest the $1 million Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on November 10, Star Jack on 80 points, is only 24th in the order of entries (53 all-up).
With five weeks to go to the Gold Cup, Sunday's $85,000 Class 2 race over 1600m will be one of the Jungle Pocket five-year-old's few attempts left to escalate further up the pecking order.
King Louis is currently the last qualified horse on 87 points, which means that Star Jack needs at least seven points to come into the reckoning, unless other entries above him drop out.
Takaoka is not getting too bogged down with all the different permutations and combinations. He is just hoping Star Jack can make the cut, even if he is aware it will take at least one dominant win to do so.
"Star Jack needs to get more points to make it for the Gold Cup, but at the same time the mile is a bit short for him," he said.
"The El Dorado over 2000m was a better race to earn points, but unfortunately, he ran second to I'm Incredible. It was a good run, but I wasn't happy he ran second."
Takaoka said that Star Jack has nonetheless been a great source of satisfaction this prep, especially given his old barrier antics.
"Last year, he was a big problem at the barriers. He always got his left hind leg over the partition of the starting gates," he said.
"After that, he could not really finish off as we wanted and often disappointed us. But John Pepe (Singapore Turf Club starter) advised us to use a padding foam on the left side of the gates to correct this problem.
"It worked and we haven't had a problem with him since. He's really improved at his last few runs, especially since May or June."
Star Jack will again be ridden by Marc Lerner, who will switch back to Makanani at her next start in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Cup (1800m) on October 20, the second Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series (Raffles Cup was the first Leg while the Singapore Gold Cup is the third and last Leg).
"Makanani has pulled up very well after the Raffles Cup," said Takaoka.
"She will run in the QEII Cup in two weeks' time. She's back doing slow work and she is a happy mare."
