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Top jockey Glen Boss was not the least bit concerned by two-time winner Conilad’s last place in a barrier trial last Thursday.
The Australian said the workout was always meant to be no gut-busting affair. To him, the Nicconi four-year-old, who finished more than eight lengths off the trial winner Cooptado, was still in the groove ahead of his fourth Singapore outing in the $75,000 Graduation event over 1200m on Sunday.
Placed three times in as many starts in Queensland when prepared by Liam Birchley, Conilad has already won two races at Kranji (1100m and 1200m) from three starts, either from the front or by racing handy.
Boss got on at his second run when a beaten short-priced favourite in third place to Court Case, but the pair quickly bounced back at their next combination in a Novice race over 1200m on June 19, making all, comprehensively beating debut winner Lim’s Cruiser.
On what he saw and felt from the two racing partnerships with the David Kok-trained gelding, Boss believed there was still some untapped potential to unlock.
“I trialled him last week and it was always meant to be quiet, but I thought he still trialled well,” said Boss who was handed a suspension of two meetings for careless riding aboard Well Done in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl but will serve it from next week.
“He was beaten a long way but that was because I wanted to teach him to relax better. I don’t want him to be one-dimensional.
“He ran super at his last win. We rode him forward and the good thing about him is he showed he had the ability to run time (1min 10.01secs).
“Today, I wanted him to relax and at first, I thought he would pull me into the trial once he jumps out, but I was quite surprised with the way he came back and relaxed for me.
“He’s an improving horse and does whatever you ask him to do, which is always a sign of good ability.”
Boss predicted a bright future for the gelding, now partly owned by old stalwart owner Dato Terry Lee of Fairdeal Stable and the Premier Racing Stable, though he may be nearing the end of a first prep.
“I think he may need a short let-up after this run. He’s potentially a very good horse and we need to look after him,” said Boss who has already booted home 12 winners including two at Group 1 level (Laughing Gravy in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Well Done in the Patron’s Bowl) as he nears the halfway mark of his six-month Singapore contract.
Kok also agreed that Conilad deserved a small break, win or lose on Sunday, and added that longer trips would be the way to go when he comes back.
“He’s in a small field on Sunday, only seven runners, but he’s still in good shape and I expect him to run well, though the two other horses Alibi and Star Genius are also very good,” said Kok, who saddles only three runners this weekend after coming off the high of winning the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby with Well Done on Sunday.
“Glen gave him an easy trial on Tuesday as there were a few Class 1 horses in it and we thought they’d go crazy and it might be better to just ride him quiet at the back.
“On Sunday, a lot will depend on the pace. It’s quite a strong field and Glen will just ride him where he is comfortable.
“I will probably back him off after this race as he would already have had four runs, and we will then test him over longer distances when he comes back.
“Looking at the way he finishes off, I think he will get 1400m no problem.”
While Conilad is clearly his main chance on Sunday (he has no runners on Friday), Kok also saddles Margaux (also owned by Premier Racing Stable) and last-start winner Fragrance Empire, whom he said faced a stiffer task in the penultimate event, the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D race over 1000m on Polytrack.
“It won’t be easy for Fragrance Empire this time. He went all the way from a good barrier (3) last time but his barrier (14) is too wide this time,” said Kok about the US-bred son of Silver Train.
“Anyway, you never know. This week there is less pressure compared to last week, and we will just take on board their results and enjoy the weekend.”