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Trainer David Hill is hoping for some rain on Sunday, not of biblical proportions, but enough to soften up the turf track for his $1.15 million Emirates Singapore Derby contender Hughsy.
That day, Hughsy was buried away on the rails before switching out for his victorious run at the top of the straight for jockey Corey Brown, a different register to his usual pattern of looping the field from the 800m.
Hill, who knows a thing or two about winning Derbies for having prepared the great River Verdon to win the Hong Kong version in 1991, had all along said Hughsy does not have to be ridden in a set manner, but is leaning towards being a little closer to the pace in the 2000m Group 1 showpiece on Sunday.
“It’s a tough race, but he would have a better chance if it rains,” said the Indian-born Briton. “That doesn’t mean he can’t handle firm tracks, but he just quickens a little bit better with some cut in the ground.
“Mario (Esposito) told me he did not let down as he would have liked in the Patron’s Bowl, but he was still hitting the line very strongly, which he always does and I’m sure he will give it 100% again in the Derby.
“On the Long Course A, I think horses will have to be up with the pace to win. It’ll be tough to go around horses, especially in a field of 15 and finish over the top of them.”
Hill said Hughsy had come along well since his last-start closing fourth in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m), the second Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, of which the Derby is the third and final Leg.
“I was very happy with his run in the Patron’s Bowl. He was looking for more ground,” he said.
“The trip won’t be a problem for him. He can run 2000m all right as even though Henny Hughes was more of a miler, he has good staying genes on his dam side (Shashzaya).
“Whatever he does in the Derby, I will see how he pulls up and then decide where he goes from there.”
Esposito has retained the ride aboard Hughsy in the Derby, mainly after Mr Teo, who is bidding for a third Singapore Derby 29 years after Feu Vert won them back-to-back in 1985 and 1986, and Hill himself could not fault the Italian’s ride at his first association in the Patron’s Bowl.
“Mr Teo was at the Royal Ascot meeting when Hughsy ran in the Patron’s Bowl, but they saw the race from there,” said Hill.
“They could have gone with an English jockey like Ryan Moore or Richard Hughes, but it’s quite hard to get one now with all the big races in England. They saw nothing wrong with the way Mario rode and left it to me to decide who will ride their horse in the Derby.
“We stuck with Mario and I think it was nice of them to give him his chance.”
Esposito linked up with Hughsy at a barrier trial last Thursday and though the chestnut ran last in the field of eight runners, he could not be more delighted with the hit-out.
“That was perfect. It was just a quiet run to top him off for the Derby,” said Esposito.
“He ran very well. If he reproduces his form in the Patron’s Bowl, I think he will have a say in the Derby.”