3 minute read
Hideyuki Takaoka’s lacklustre form appraisal of his Group 1-winning mare Makanani does not augur all that well for a repeat feat in this Saturday’s $400,000 Raffles Cup (1600m).
To the Japanese handler, the Black Tide six-year-old is only about 80% of the form that saw her tough it out for a narrow win in last year's Group 1 feature and first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series.
As a matter of fact, the Japanese-bred mare has not visited the winner's circle again since.
She did press on with the other two Legs, and while the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) fifth to I'm Incredible was full of merit, the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) proved a bridge too far.
The Big Valley Stable-owned mare didn't come through without any harm either. She returned lame, with scans later showing she had bone chips in both knees.
She went under the knife, but despite the extended recovery time provided by COVID-19, she has struggled to regain her form. In four starts this year, all coming after the Circuit Breaker, a last-start sixth to Ocean Crossing in a Class 2 race over 1600m on September 26 turned out to be her best run.
It was, however, an uplifting run a fortnight away from her title defence bid, even if Takaoka doesn't seem too convinced it will be enough for her to go back-to-back and ring up an eighth win this Saturday.
"She has not been in the same form. After the Gold Cup, she had chips in both knees and had surgery a few days later," said Takaoka.
"She did show something, she showed more of a fight at her last run when she came up along the rails, but she was one-paced in the end.
"I would say she has improved from that run. (Regular partner) Marc (Lerner) galloped her on Tuesday, it was a nice easy gallop as she's already done all her main work.
"I'm happy with her fitness, but compared to last year, she's still around 80 to 90% of her best form."
Takaoka said he had yet to discuss tactics with Lerner, who won his first career Group 1 race in last year's Raffles Cup, especially after she drew the widest in 15, but he had already concocted a rough strategy in his head.
"To me, she can stay, but she doesn't have the same quick finish like before," said the master trainer of stayers, with triple Singapore Gold Cup winner El Dorado the epitome of that tag.
"From the wide barrier, I think she should try and go forward. With some luck, she can find cover somewhere.
"She should be ridden positive as I don't think she can sprint home if she drops back at the rear from that barrier.
"I haven't spoken to Marc yet, but that would be more or less my instructions. The rest is up to him."
After 19 winners came their way last year, the duo have been going through a much quieter season this year. After they picked up where they left off with Bebop and Sun Elizabeth back in January, they had to wait for eight months before combining for the next winner, Quadcopter on August 23.
The former German-based French jockey, who finished a meritorious fifth on 37 winners at his first full season at Kranji, currently has half that number of winners (18), but is upbeat the old firm will gain traction soon.
"Makanani is very well. She has come along nicely for the Raffles Cup, just like Mr Takaoka's horses are also returning to their best form," said the soft-spoken hoop.
As for any designs on the Triple Crown, Takaoka is not getting ahead of himself. The Queen Elizabeth II Cup will be run on October 31 while the Singapore Gold Cup is due on November 21.
"I haven't decided anything yet. We'll see how she runs this Saturday first," he said.
"As for the Gold Cup, she needs to improve on her ratings to get a start, anyway."
Makanani has dropped by eight points since reaching 97 points at the height of her career with the Raffles Cup win.
*Makan is a popular Malay word for eating.
