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Trainer Stephen Burridge will be out to collect some consolation money in the $75,000 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes over 2000m on Sunday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
While a win in this race will fall way short of the $1.15 million that was on offer for last week’s Emirates Singapore Derby, it will still be some sort of consolation at missing a start in Singapore’s second richest domestic race.
Over Easy was the first emergency in the Derby, but failed to gain a start when all 16 runners made their way around to the start for the Group 1 contest.
Derby plans had never really been considered for Over Easy until his success in a Class 4 race over 1800m a week prior.
Burridge at the time said provided Over Easy pulled-up well he would give him a shot at the Derby, but unfortunately he couldn’t force his way into the field.
The New Zealand-bred son of Darci Brahma has since trained on well following his last start success, although Burridge is a bit worried about him contesting the 2000m journey.
“He’s a four-year-old and you only ever get the one chance at contesting the Derby so it was worthwhile having a look at,” said Burridge.
“Unfortunately he didn’t make the field last week, so we’ve put him in this race and we’ll see how he goes on Sunday.
“He had done alright leading up to the Derby and he has gone along nicely this week as well.
“I suppose there is a bit of a question mark over him running out the 2000m as he’s never been over the distance before, but when he won over 1800m before the Derby he looked alright and hopefully he’ll step up to the mark on Sunday.”
While the rise in distance is a query in the back of Burridge’s mind, he’s more worried about the weight advantage two of his rivals are getting on the four-year-old from their last meeting on July 7.
In winning that Class 4 race, Over Easy carried 50kg and will carry the same weight again on Sunday under A’Isisuhairi (Harry) Kasim.
Beautiful World and South Gate finished fourth and ninth respectively behind Over Easy on that occasion, but this time around will meet Over Easy 5.5kg and 3kg better at the weights.
“I was having a good look at the field last night (Wednesday) and he meets a few horses from last time badly at the weights,” said Burridge.
“Even though he’s in on the minimum he’s not that well weighted. Leslie Khoo’s horse (South Gate) drops in weight and the horse T H Koh (Beautiful World) drops even more.
“That makes it tougher for my bloke, but he’s going well and hopefully he’ll measure up.”
After beginning his racing career in Australia – where he was successful in a Ballarat maiden for trainer Mike Moroney – Over Easy has had 13 starts in Singapore for Burridge, registering the sole victory and around $45,000 in prizemoney for owner Janette Young.