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The Laurie Laxon-trained Mr Spielberg wrapped up his Singapore Gold Cup bid with a searching pipe-opener on the turf track on Wednesday morning.
With race-rider Vlad Duric in the irons, the Pentire five-year-old tracked up sparring partner Valbuena (Glen Boss) at a canter in the first lap before gradually quickening from the 1200m to sprint home inside the last 600m.
Duric never really gave his mount a squeeze during the hitout until late, just ensuring the Oscar Racing Stable-owned gelding galloped along at a fairly even tempo.
Duric only took the reins at Mr Spielberg’s last race in the Group 1 Raffles Cup (1800m) in which he warmed up inside the last 300m, pinching off the ground, not spectacularly but steadily, to finish less than one length off the winner Debt Collector.
Three weeks earlier in the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m), he also left the ruck to run fifth for Alan Munro, but further astern - just under two lengths off the same Debt Collector. There were excuses then as the runs just did not materialise at the 300m.
He did not quite threaten in the first two Legs of the Singapore Triple Crown series, but assistant-trainer Shane Ellis said the gelding still lapped up the mileage towards the Holy Grail, the $1.35 million Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) on Sunday.
“His preparation has been faultless this year as compared to last prep when it tapered off and he then had this heart fibrillation issue,” said the Perth horseman who is overseeing the last finishing touches to Mr Spielberg with the boss in New Zealand buying horses at the Karaka Ready To Run Sale for 2YOs.
“The Gold Cup has always been his main race from the day he came to us, but we had to give it a miss last year.
“He’s come good this year and ran a nice fourth in the next big race Laurie had in mind for him, the Singapore Derby (2000m). Since then, he’s really come through his prep, especially at the last two runs in Group races, which were in the end ideal lead-ups.
“To me, the 2200m is his pet distance; he once won over 2200m last year. So, the trip is not a worry, and he is spot-on for the race he has been brought in for.
“Today’s grass gallop was perfect. I’ve already sent a video to Laurie and he was very pleased with that.
“That was his final work. He will swim tomorrow and do a bit of pacework on Friday and that’s it, it’s all in the hands of Vladimir the Russian now.”
That was how Ellis often teases the Australian jockey, who is actually of Serbian origin. The Caulfield Cup-winning rider smiled back, but it was actually the kind of smile that cannot be wiped off a face, one of quiet confidence.
“I’ve been riding Mr Spielberg every morning since I last rode him and he has been heading in the right direction every time,” he said.
“It feels like a Christmas present under the tree, but you are not allowed to open it until Christmas Day!
“Laurie has been spruiking him as a Gold Cup horse for a long time. He had his issues but he has come right this year.”
Duric is aware that Mr Spielberg may have not yet earned his stripes at ‘black type’ level, unlike five of his rivals namely Quechua, Laughing Gravy, Titanium, Cooptado and Bahana, but the handicapping terms of the Gold Cup make for a great leveller.
“At level weights, he got beaten a nose for third by War Affair and finished around a neck off Quechua. This time he will be receiving four kilos from Quechua, which makes for a huge difference.
“Mind you, I really respect Quechua who is a great horse, and he is the horse who will give us a lot of competition.”
Duric, who boasts 10 Singapore Group wins captured at his first three years (2009-2011) at Kranji before adding three more at this new current stint, including the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) aboard Zac Spirit in April, would love nothing less than victory in Singapore’s biggest race to cap a most successful comeback.
“There is quality top to bottom. It’s a handicap race and it brings the lightweight horses in with a chance, including Bahana and Newlands that I know very well and have also been riding in trackwork,” said Duric who is still within catching distance of leader Manoel Nunes (67 wins versus 61) with six meetings left in the season.
“Obviously, I cannot ride them because of their bottom weights, so the question whether I had to make a tough choice does not arise.
“It’s the race of the year, and I’m very pleased with the horse I’m on. I wouldn’t swap him with any other horse.
“His gallop was good today. I think a drop of rain would help a lot, like this morning, he really enjoyed the grass track as there was a bit of moisture on it.
“All is good with him and I hope he delivers in Sunday’s showpiece.”