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Trainer Michael Clements is eyeing off a first Singapore Gold Cup glory after promising Argentinian stayer Imperial March overpowered his rivals with ease in the $100,000 Auckland Racing Club Trophy (1600m) on Sunday.
The Zimbabwean-born handler actually feared the mile would be too short for the four-year-old entire by Pollard’s Vision, but the way he scooted off with an electrifying turn of foot inside the last furlong was enough to reassure him.
Clements will now chart Imperial March on a staying course en route to the Holy Grail, the Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m), which will be run on November 15.
He is, however, staying clear of the first two Legs of the Singapore Triple Crown series of which the Gold Cup is the third Leg, the Panasonic Kranji Mile and the Raffles Cup (1800m), preferring to look for 2000m races, just to put those staying genes to the test.
“I thought the mile was a bit short for him today, but his class carried him through,” said Clements.
“He’s definitely crying out for more distance and I will now look at the programme to the Gold Cup, probably a Kranji Stakes B over 2000m next and another 2000m race later.”
Ridden for the first time by Manoel Nunes, Imperial March ($19), who was previously partnered by Nooresh Juglall at his first four Kranji outings for two wins, settled beautifully in fifth place on the rails, while Order Of The Sun (Benny Woodworth) set the race at a brisk tempo upfront around five lengths ahead.
Order Of The Sun rounded the home turn still in command, but Imperial March had in the meantime switched across heels for his run. In a few strides, he drew on level terms with Woodworth’s mount before pulling away to a decisive break, that was to prove unassailable in the end.
Order Of The Sun stuck on bravely for second place three lengths away with $14 favourite Mighty Warrior (Corey Brown) third another head away.
Leticia Dragon’s progressive mare Fortune Winner (Mohd Zaki) was probably the one who gave the illusion she could upstage Imperial March in the concluding stages when she surfaced on the outside lengthening up nicely, but she peaked on her run to run fourth, another neck away. It was by all accounts a run that will please her entourage no end given she was taking on a much stronger lot this time.
Imperial March clocked the smart time of 1min 34.6secs for the 1600m on the Short Course.
Nunes said that his turn to ride Imperial March was put on hold after he was suspended, but was glad he had finally hopped aboard to finally get to know first-hand the motor underneath.
“He’s such a lovely horse with a good temperament and he’s still a colt,” said the Brazilian jockey.
“I rode him in a trial and was meant to ride him in an Open Benchmark 67 race over the mile but I was suspended and Juglall rode him and they won.
“Today from the barrier, he jumped well and I was able to get him in a comfortable position on the fence. That’s the way to ride him – not to ride him from the back and let him run home, that’s not his pattern.
“That’s why I encouraged him to be close to the pace and when I went for him in the home straight, he showed a very good acceleration, and he ran a very good time, too.”
Imperial March has now racked up a handy record of three wins and one second from five runs for stakes earnings in excess of $155,000 for the Jubilant Racing No 2 Stable.