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While results have been mixed with the odd flash of brilliance here and there, trainer Michael Clements said patience was key to the batch of Argentinian-breds he has been campaigning for a while now.
A proven dab hand with horses (such as Golden Mission, Great Light, Tashi) from the South American country, Clements held high hopes for the Jubilant Racing Stable new recruits, especially with domestic Group 1 winners like Ride Of Valkyries and Pachelbel’s Canon in their midst, but up to now, only Imperial March has won at their new home.
Overall, the Zimbabwean-born handler conceded the horses with the musically-inspired names have not quite hit the right note, but he is far from dismissing them as long-term prospects.
Four more, including impressive barrier trial winner The Nutcracker – who makes his debut next week - have in the meantime joined the original group of six horses, whom Clements remained convinced will see better days after a longer-than-anticipated period of adaptation, not to mention a few drastic measures he had to resort to for some – the unkindest cut.
“They’ve taken a bit longer to acclimatise but I’m happy with the way some are progressing,” he said.
“Imperial March won on debut over 1400m, but in hindsight, I made a mistake second-up when he tried to come from behind over the mile. He races handy in Argentina and we got him closer to the pace at his third run here and he was just unlucky when he couldn’t get out.
“I think the two who have been the most disappointing were Pachelbel’s Canon and Ride Of Valkyries when they were four-year-olds. They were rushed for the 4YO series and it may be that too much petrol was already taken out of the tank back home.
“The time it took to get them back was therefore longer, but they are now five and there is less pressure. I will be able to work on them better now.
“As for the three-year-olds, they are now four and they have picked up faster and are really coming through like Blue Danube and Ode To Joy.
“At his last run in the Chairman’s Trophy, Blue Danube was held up on the rails and got crowded at the 200m. By the time he got out, the others were already home.
“Ode To Joy is another one who ran well at his last two starts and I’m really happy he’s showing his good potential again after he was gelded. I actually had to geld quite a few of them like Pachelbel’s Canon, and the two new ones who will make their debut soon, Bach’s Air and The Nutcracker.”
This weekend will certainly provide Clements with more proof in the pudding. Long vaunted as the pick of the crop, Bach’s Air is finally unveiled in a Graduation 1200m race on Friday (Salut Amour, unplaced in two runs is also in that race) while Blue Danube and Pachelbel’s Canon contest the Open race over 1600m on turf on Sunday.
“Bach’s Air is lightly-raced and has won two from four. He is potentially exciting just from the way he looks and performs – he is highly impressive,” said Clements.
“But he had a setback with a bad abscess in his hoof and we had to geld him as well. That’s why it’s taken a while for him to get a run.
“Like I said, Blue Danube is finally coming to his best and Pachelbel’s Canon was more effective over the mile in Argentina, except that it was on dirt. Moving forward, I expect both to improve further.”
The Jubilant Racing Stable may have strong ties with Argentinian bloodstock, but they are not against the idea of buying closer to home, with the best result thus far being recent impressive winner Chopin’s Nocturne, a New Zealand-bred three-year-old by leading sire Pins. Another one from five buys takes the plunge on Sunday, Clair De Lune, an Australian three-year-old by Commands, in the Restricted Maiden race over 1200m.
“He was an expensive purchase and was more a two-year-old type, but he’s getting better now,” said Clements.
“He trialled well in an ORT (official race trial) last week and I’m expecting a good run from him.”
The jockeys Clements has booked for the various Jubilant Racing Stable runners are Azhar Ismail (Pachelbel’s Canon and Ode To Joy), Barend Vorster (Blue Danube and Clair De Lune) and Manoel Nunes (Bach’s Air).