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Longines Singapore Gold Cup hopeful Alexandra Palace’s preparations for the $1.35 million Group 1 race (2200m) has hit a speed bump which has forced trainer Patrick Shaw to rethink his plans.
The South African-bred five-year-old newcomer is a recent addition to Shaw’s stable, having arrived earlier this year from fellow South African Mike De Kock’s yard, and delighted his connections with a debut victory in an Open Benchmark 89 race (1600m) on July 27.
With the strapping galloper pulling up well following that run, a second outing over a similar distance had been penciled in as part of his build-up towards a Gold Cup run but an unexpected virus curtailed his participation in the Group 3 Causeway Classic Stakes (1800m over the Polytrack) on August 15.
A suitable substitute race was eventually found with Shaw earmarking a Kranji Stakes A race over 1700m next weekend as the next step in Alexandra Palace’s development but those plans were scuppered when that Polytrack race was cancelled.
A lack of satisfactory alternatives has meant that the Tmen Stable-owned gelding will line up in Friday’s Open Benchmark 89 race over 1400m instead, a distance that Shaw readily admits does not favour his runner and has left him frustrated at the last-minute changes and its potential effect on his middle-distance specialist.
“It’s not ideal and it’s going to be challenging but we just have to adapt and make it work,” he said. “The distance is a bit sharp for him. He’s raced once over it before in South Africa and lost. He’s better suited for something between 1600m to 1800m.
“But he’s been training well and physically he’s in great shape so hopefully there’ll be some pace in the race tomorrow and he can run on as he’s obviously a horse that likes a bit more distance.”
Having skipped their original target of the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) in July as the timeframe was judged to be unsuitable by Shaw, Alexandra Palace’s connections have set their eyes on an assault on the third and final leg of the Singapore Triple Crown Series on November 16.
“It’s a bit of a setback for us, especially after he missed that race last month when I had to scratch him,” said Shaw, who captured the Gold Cup in 2006 with Mr Line. “As trainers we have a schedule in mind that we work towards but now we’re forced to start from square one again.”
The Varsfontein Stud-bred Alexandra Palace is by Jet Master out of the Darshaan mare, Alexandra Bi, who won twice in Italy. A two-time winner back home in Johannesburg, including a Listed race in January last year, Alexandra Palace was also an impressive first-up winner earlier this year when he travelled to the Meydan Racecourse, taking out the Gulf News Classified (1600m) on January 23 followed by a placing in the Al Naboodah Cargo Centre Trophy (2200m) during his three-month stint in the Middle East.
He collected over $100,000 in stakes earnings during his time in South Africa and Dubai and has pocketed $53,550 following his debut victory here.
Jockey Nooresh Juglall, who was aboard for that win six weeks ago, retains the ride for Friday’s $100,000 main race. The Mauritian hoop will return home for a week after Sunday’s meeting and is hoping for the perfect send-off though he too admitted that the seven-furlong contest puts Alexandra Palace (gate eight) at a disadvantage, particularly against stablemate Magneto, who will jump from stall one with John Powell astride.
“It’s not his best distance and Magneto has everything going for him and is the horse to beat,” said Juglall, who partnered Alexandra Palace at his sole attempt over 1400m almost two years ago back in South Africa.
“We’re taking a chance with him in this race but he’s such a classy horse and a gusty one too with a big heart. I’m sure he’ll put in a big performance no matter what.”
