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The Michael Clements-trained Countofmontecristo was meant to be chilling in his box on Singapore Gold Cup day, but a super fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup has dashed those holiday plans.
Ridden quieter than usual in the Group 1 QEII Cup (1800m), the second Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series – of which the $1 million Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m is the third and final Leg – the Echoes Of Heaven six-year-old flew home under Noh Senari, beaten only two lengths by I'm Incredible.
The 2000m had always been deemed too far for Joe Singh's stable banner, but from the way the noted on-pace runner surprisingly ran through the line in the QEII Cup three weeks ago, another furlong thrown at him was not any more a stretch all of a sudden.
It's still a question mark, but the only way to find out is to front up in the country's time-honoured staying handicap this Sunday.
Besides the encouraging QEII Cup formline, assistant-trainer Michael White said they were gifted a few other good reasons for not leaving the Count in his box on Gold Cup day.
"He ran such a good race in the QEII Cup that we had to reassess our plans. He was not heading to the Gold Cup, but we thought he was worth a shot after that run," said White.
"With the compressed weights, he will be carrying only 57kgs as the topweight, which is not so bad.
"And the fact that Debt Collector is not here anymore was another factor. It's a very open Gold Cup this year, and we will again ride him quiet."
Daniel Moor, who rode Countofmontecristo to his last Group win in the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) first-up from a break, is back in the saddle, while Clements also saddles Real Success and Yabadabadoo (also owned by Singh) in the race he has not claimed in 21 years of training at Kranji.
Clements will also be represented in the two other feature races set down for decision this weekend, the $175,000 Group 3 Saas Fee Stakes (1200m) on Singapore Gold Cup day and the $400,000 Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on Friday.
Big Hearted and Celavi are his two three-year-olds taking on likely hot favourite Inferno in the Saas Fee Stakes while Safeer and Quarter Back run in the EW Barker Trophy.
"The two three-year-olds are both in good shape. But just like Countofmontecristo, they are going against a good horse like Inferno, who is also owned by the same owners as Debt Collector.
"I'm getting sick of dealing with those pink colours! But seriously, Inferno will be the one to beat.
"Big Hearted is probably more of a 1400m to 1600m horse while Celavi is at her first prep and is probably not as seasoned. They've had different preparations, but both have ability.
"In the Barker, Safeer ran super first-up (closing third in the Group 1 Raffles Cup) and so did Quarter Back (closing fourth to Fame Star, one of their EW Barker rivals).
"Hopefully, both can draw a barrier as they need cover. The barrier is crucial, but all in all, I'm happy with their preparation."
Moor is booked on Safeer while Louis-Phillipe Beuzelin rides Quarter Back and Celavi. Champion jockey Vlad Duric is on Big Hearted.
As mentioned before, Ben Thompson rides Real Success while Yabadabadoo, who on 81 points just scraped into the top 16 of the Singapore Gold Cup field, is weighted at the minimum on 50kgs, and will again enjoy the services of last-start winning partner Wong Chin Chuen.
