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Leading sprinter Super Easy rounded off his preparation for next week’s trip to Hong Kong with a pleasing barrier trial performance at Kranji on Thursday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter finished second in the 1000m hit-out, sporting blinkers for the first time.
Ridden by race jockey Joao Moreira, Super Easy finished second, beaten a neck, by Davide (Saimee Jumaat) in a time of 1 min 01.38 secs.
Super Easy departs for Hong Kong next week to contest the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin on November 18 in preparation for the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m on December 9.
After being unbeaten in his first 12 starts in Singapore, Super Easy tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of Better Life in the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile over 1600m on October 7.
A decision was made following that race to restrict Super Easy to a shorter trip with the sprint races in Hong Kong becoming the focus.
Freedman also decided to get Super Easy passed to race in blinkers before heading to Hong Kong, leaving the gear change as an ‘ace up the sleeve’.
The trainer added he would wait and see how Super Easy settled in and how he worked following his arrival in Hong Kong before deciding on whether to apply the gear.
While he finished second behind Davide in the trial, both Freedman and Moreira were happy with how Super Easy applied himself in the hit-out.
“I was happy enough with that,” said Freedman. “Joao said he didn’t want to over travel and his action was good.
“That’s certainly a good sign and I’ve now got the option of using the blinkers in Hong Kong.
“We’ll see how he goes work wise when he gets there whether we use the blinkers first-up, but they are certainly an option for the International race.
“They may just spark him up a bit as the pressure will be on all the way and we don’t want to have to be scrubbing him the whole way to keep in touch.”
Freedman said he had done nothing specific with Super Easy following his latest outing on October 7 and said he wanted the entire fresh for his trip to Hong Kong.
“He leaves next Friday which gives us nine or ten days before he races the following Sunday,” said Freedman.
“He’s been pottering around and doing a bit of pacework to freshen up. He seems in good condition and that’s all I can hope for at this stage.”
Meanwhile Freedman has an interesting former Australian galloper having his first start for the stable on Sunday.
Light Brigade lines-up in the $75,000 Progress Stakes over 1400m and will be ridden by former Epsom Derby winning jockey Alan Munro.
A five-year-old by Redoute’s Choice, Light Brigade was an A$1.4 million purchase as a yearling. He was previously prepared by Gai Waterhouse before moving to Peter Moody for the final stages of his Australian career.
After showing form as a younger horse, Light Brigade made his way to Singapore after being gelding at the conclusion of his last campaign.
“His form was solid as a younger horse and he ran third in a Randwick Guineas,” said Freedman.
“He then started to lose his way as an entire and the decision was made to geld him and send him up here.
“He’s being going along OK on the track and his trials have been sound, but there is still quite a deal of improvement to come from him fitness wise.
“I’d like to see how he runs on Sunday and that will tell us where we are at with him.”
From the Zabeel mare Winning Belle, Light Brigade raced 15 times in Australia, registering two wins over 1200m and 1300m along with four minor placings and is owned by the Ace In The Hole Stable.