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Singapore Gold Cup winner Big Hearted seems to be warming up nicely for his racing comeback at Kranji, though no date has been set as yet.
The Hallowed Crown four-year-old came out for his first barrier trial since his November heroics, looking a little girthy as would be expected, but still showed his touch of class, especially towards the backend of the 1,000m hitout.
Big Hearted with Shafrizal Saleh up ambled along in a rearward spot, while stablemate Celavi (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin), who is also resuming soon, but off an even longer layoff (almost one year), stoked up the pace upfront with leader Sun Ops (Noh Senari).
Although Shafrizal never gave a squeeze at any stage, Big Hearted still kept on willingly to the line to claim sixth place around seven lengths off Sun Ops with Celavi in second place 1 ¼ lengths away.
"He's still heavy, but he was travelling well. We were second-last but he ran on a little in the last 600m to finish midfield," said Shafrizal.
"It was a quiet trial, but he'll definitely improve from today. He will need another trial."
Trainer Michael Clements could not be happier with his duo from both a fitness and comeback point of view, especially in light of the quick timing of 58.82 seconds.
"I didn't expect a lot from Big Hearted this morning since he's not suited by 1000m, and is the sort who needs to get over a bit of distance instead," said the Singapore champion trainer.
"He was a bit slow at the gates, but he tracked up nicely and found the line well in the home straight. They ran fast time – around 59 seconds – so it was a nice trial back.
"Celavi (x Fighting Sun), on the other hand, is a full-on filly who always trials very well and is very strong. Louis didn't have to do too much on her.
"She had a big break and is resuming after she had a bleed in trackwork three or four months ago.
"She's had two pleasing trials since and she is resuming in a Class 3 race over 1100m next week. Louis will probably get the ride."
As for Big Hearted, Clements has pencilled in the Kranji Mile (1600m) as his main target in the short run, even if the pathway towards the glamour race is still a bit sketchy at this stage.
After two editions staged as an invitational race with a domestic Group 1 label, the Kranji Mile was all poised to be elevated to International Group 3 status last year, but COVID-19 upset those plans. The race was maintained as a local Group 1 race, moved from May to August and was captured by the now-Australian-based Aramaayo.
"We've already been given a date of May 22 for the Kranji Mile, but currently, we don't have much of a programme to work with, as we only have the fixtures up to March," he said.
"He will probably have one more trial and then start in March heading towards the Kranji Mile."
As has been the case in recent years, Big Hearted won't be Clements' only option in those marquee races.
"Obviously, Top Knight is also heading towards the Kranji Mile. He's doing well, he's in work and is due to trial in two weeks' time," said Clements about his topliner from last year, and hot contender for the 2020 Singapore Horse of the Year honours.
"Siam Blue Vanda won't be ready in time, but Vittoria Perfetta could be a runner."
Always regarded as a couple of notches behind the A-listers Top Knight (x Zoustar) and Big Hearted, the honest five-year-old (also by Zoustar) will try and earn a few more Kranji Mile stripes in this Saturday's $70,000 Class 3 race over the Polytrack mile.
Carrying the steadier of 59kgs and jumping from a middle alley, the last-start all-the-way winner will bid for a sixth win for the Cloud Nine Stable, and a third overall for veteran jockey Saifudin Ismail.
"We did consider putting a claimer on, but Saifudin gets on so well with Vittoria Perfetta," said Clements.
"He won with a fairly heavy weight of 58kgs last time. It's evident the horse can carry some weight.
"He's come really good physically."
