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Back On Line towards easier targets

3 minute read

Trainer Michael Clements thought better of getting On Line out of his comfort zone again as he brings the honest sort back from a four-month spell in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1000m on Polytrack this Sunday.

ON LINE winning the CLASS 3
ON LINE winning the CLASS 3 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

After a fourth career win (Class 3 race over 1800m) into his second prep last year, the son of O'Reilly was thrust into marquee events like the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) and Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m), no less.

Up against the likes of Shane Baertschiger's Aramaayo or fellow Falcon Racing's Top Knight , On Line  went in as a wild card, but unfortunately, he didn't measure up.

Clements had to lower his aim to more realistic targets thereafter. Though he has not won again when pitted back against Class 3 company, he's been hitting around the mark, giving a better gauge of his true worth.

He, however, blew it at his last start in a Polytrack mile race on April 24 when he looked unusually tapped for toe throughout, signs that a break was around the corner.

After two discreet barrier trials this month, he is ready to get his new campaign underway in a race that Clements admitted might be too short, but would be just the energiser he needs.

"The distance is too short for On Line, but that will be the starting point before he gets up to a more suitable distance," said the Singapore champion trainer.

"We found out he is more of a Class type of horse, maybe just keep him to Class 2. He didn't quite measure up in feature races.

"He's pretty effective when stepped up to the mile, and that's where he will be heading eventually.

"He's obviously picked up some condition during the break, but I'm happy enough with him. He had his last gallop on Wednesday as it rained on Tuesday, the day I normally galloped my horses – I was very happy with his last work."

Clements has booked Juan Paul van der Merwe for the On Line comeback while he also saddles last-start runner-up Resolution.

Louis-Philippe Beuzelin stays on after steering the China Horse Club-owned Toronado three-time winner (1200m on both turf and Polytrack) to a game second to Songgong Hera, which would have made for a great rematch, but the Jason Lim-trained two-time winner was scratched from Sunday's race on Wednesday.

"Resolution gives every indication 1000m might also be on the sharp side for him, even if he's also shown a lot of speed of late," he said.

"I think he's also more of a Class 4 horse. He's never won in Class 3 even if he's run a couple of good races in this class, but he seems to be more effective in Class 4 races.

"He returned fresh from his break with a nice second. He has strengthened up, and as he's well-weighted (53.5kgs), I expect a good run from him even if he's drawn badly (15)."

Clements has, however, not been dealt with the best barrier cards with his duo. On Line jumps from barrier No 11 while Resolution has drawn the widest in barrier No 15.


Singapore Turf Club

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