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Famous Artist has not quite performed with flying colours this prep, but trainer Desmond Koh said it was more of a case of him reaching his mark than losing his form.
The son of Excellent Art scored his last and fifth win a year ago at Kranji Stakes C level in an 1100m race on Polytrack. After his rating took a hike to the 80s region, he was tested at Kranji Stakes A level in February, and while some thought he was punching above his weight, even with only 50kgs on his back, he ran above expectations with a close second to Group 3 winner Storm Troops over 1200m on turf.
The chestnut then had his first crack at Group level in the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) in March, but at level weights, he was no match. He was trapped three deep for most of the trip, keeping eventual winner Infantry company, but when the latter took off at the 300m, he could not match strides, and eventually beat two home.
At his last start in a Benchmark 83 race on April 23, he had a ground-saving run on the rails, but when the gap did not materialise in the home straight, he switched across heels at the 300m, but lacked finish and weakened out of it to run sixth to Laser Storm.
Could these be the first signs of a struggling Artist? With the opposition in Friday’s $100,000 Open Benchmark 83 race over 1200m appearing to be in the same mould, Koh was not exactly oozing with confidence, but neither could he fault his charge.
“He’s pretty high in the ratings now. Things are a lot tougher for him now,” said the Singaporean conditioner.
“We can only try and catch an easier rating field for him just to spark him up again.
“But once horses get up that high, it gets much more competitive. He tries his best but I think at this level, he needs everything to be right.
“This Friday is no different. The competition will be tough again, especially with Constant Justice who’s been running very well in this class.”
Koh has again entrusted the reins into the able hands of leading apprentice jockey Wong Chin Chuen, who won once on the Hong Kong-owned galloper, at his second-last win when he was still competing at Benchmark 67 level.
“CC knows the horse quite well. The horse is in good form and I hope he can bring his A-game on Friday,” said Koh.
“If he doesn’t and things don’t work out, he will probably go for a spell.”
On his breeding (Excellent Art is the sire of 2013 Singapore Gold Cup winner Tropaios), Koh did contemplate longer assignments for Famous Artist, but has thus far, resisted the temptation.
“He’s never gone beyond 1400m. Maybe later on, I will test him over more ground,” said Koh.
“On pedigree, I think he can, but for now, I’m happy to just let him be a sprinter, and another good point about him is that he is versatile; he can handle both turf and Polytrack.
“He will tell me himself whether he is ready to go over further.”