3 minute read

After a rollercoaster ride that saw emotions sway from high hopes to frustration, trainer Michael Clements will finally get to see high-priced purchase Latent Power come under the starter’s orders on Sunday.

The son of Shamexpress was the top seller at A$320,000 for Falcon Racing's Krit Chittaseni through Waterford Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale in October 2018.

One of the standouts at the Warwick Farm breeze-ups with his slick 10.11 seconds, the speedy gelding also boasted an attractive pedigree. He is by US mare D J Lightning who had already produced three winners, including the Adelaide winner and stakes placegetter Coachella.

Last year's Singapore Golden Horseshoe two-year-old series was the backdrop to the acquisition, but unfortunately, those high hopes were quickly snuffed out.

Soundness issues had cropped up shortly after he was put in work by Clements (including two barrier trials), and they proved thornier than thought. It wasn't just the two-year-old campaign that was ruled out, his racing career had to be put on the backburner, which meant the whole 2019 season was out.

Wearing his name aptly, Latent Power only came right at the end of last year. Clements could put the screws back on.

"This horse was the top seller for Krit at the Gold Coast breeze-ups two years ago. He looked like a runner to me – good-sized, strong, and athletic, with a great walking motion and a laid-back temperament, but he had a number of soundness issues from the time he arrived," said Clements.

"It was mainly breathing issues that put him on and off training. We just let him get over them, but he did have surgery to clean out his knees.

"The interrupted stop-start programme since he arrived was not ideal, and it didn't help matters that on top of that, he was a very strong powerful horse.

"He's been a difficult horse to prepare and get ready. He has the ability but there were a lot of things to overcome.

"At this stage, for him to go to the races this Sunday, we've given him the best preparation under the circumstances."

While the doubts over his soundness - of respiratory nature mainly - still hover around, it's all systems go in Sunday's $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m. Two barrier trial wins under race-rider Louis-Philippe Beuzelin were the icing on the cake.

"The trials were good, but a race is different. It's a lot more high-pressure, and when a horse has respiratory issues, you just hope they come through okay," said Clements.

"He's definitely got potential. The wide barrier (11) is not good as he has a lot of speed, but we'll see how he goes."

Clements recently returned from two sales, the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and another one in Argentina, a market that he was visiting in person for the first time.

"It's my first trip there. It was very interesting," said the Zimbabwean-born handler, who currently lies in second place to reigning champion trainer Mark Walker (17 versus 19 winners).

"I used to get an agent to select the horses there, but this year, I've decided to go there and see for myself. I selected one which still needs to pass a vet test."

The US is another country Clements is leaning towards in his endeavour to diversify his stock, and one promising buy from the famous Ocala sales to go around this weekend is last-start winner Shanti in Friday's $75,000 Novice race over 1400m.

"Shanti is just coming up in class, against many winners this time," he said in reference to the likes of War Pride (whom she beat narrowly at her win in a Restricted Maiden race over 1200m), Qiji Diamond, Kimitonara and Takhi, to name a few.

"On form, she's going to be fighting out the finish. I think she's better off over 1400m and I would like to see her getting out over the mile eventually.

"It's a tougher test, but there's no reason why she can't run well."

Last-start winning partner Alysha Collett stays in the irons.