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Trainer Steven Burridge is not holding his breath about a smashing comeback for Boomarang Deluxe first-up this Friday, but still hopes the promising middle-distance performer will eventually come around.
Known as a superior Polytrack performer, Boomarang Deluxe went through a purple patch of three wins (1600m to 1700m) on the alternative track in the space of six weeks last August-September. Then came an encouraging second to Johnny Guitar in the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes (1700m) last December, a feat which had Burridge and the Premier Racing Stable entitled to dream bigger.
The Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) was even being tossed up as a possible target for the Dane Shadow four-year-old, but unfortunately, his next tilt at Group level has since poured cold water on the idea.
Tested against the likes of Longines Singapore Gold Cup winners Quechua (2014) and Tropaios (2013) in the Group 3 New Year Cup (1900m), he ran a six-length fifth to Quechua, which, all things considered, was not something to blush about, but the aftermath was the real blow.
“He came back sore. That was not good as he was such a promising horse,” said Burridge.
“At some stage, we even thought he could be our Derby horse. So, I had to back him off and give him time to get over his leg problems.
“They’re not major, just joint and suspensory issues we have to manage to keep him racing-fit. He’s been out of work for a while and he’s slowly come back on.
“We had to start somewhere. The mile race last week was probably too good, and though 1200m is too short for him, it’s a good race to slot him back in.
“It’s all about getting him through and see how he takes it from there.”
Boomarang Deluxe is running in the $100,000 Open Benchmark 89 race over 1200m and will be partnered for the second time by Burridge’s apprentice jockey Firdhaus Rafi, who is yet to ride his first winner. The former aerospace student is also riding Benji’s Empire, on whom he came the closest to his first win with a second place last month, and Vitally Secret on Sunday, all for his master.
“Firdhaus needs a win. It would be good for his confidence,” said Burridge.
“It’s tough on Boomarang Deluxe, but he knows Benji’s Empire well.”
Firdhaus is not the only “maiden youngster” the Australian trainer would like to see enjoying a change of luck this weekend.
Lim’s Respond is his two-year-old representative in the second Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series, the $90,000 Make Your Own Magic Stakes (1100m) and Emergency Acceptor Great Balls Offire gets a berth in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1400m), both races running on Sunday.
With Lim’s Respond not setting the world on fire in the first Leg, the Inglis Sydney Juvenile Stakes three weeks ago (sixth to Kubera Warrior), Burridge is a lot more bullish about the chances of Great Balls Offire, who only took his place in the race after his stablemate Xzuberance was scratched.
“He (Xzuberance) pulled up a bit scratchy and Great Balls Offire got in. It’s great for him as he’s been very unlucky and gets a good chance to get it right,” said Burridge.
“In that Graduation race last Sunday, he shifted in and the other horse shifted out and he took a bit of a bump.
“But he did very well considering it was a Graduation race with horses like A La Victory. Three runs back he came close to winning but ran second (to Rosegold) and don’t forget he ran fourth to Affleck in that Magic Millions race for three-year-olds last year.
“He’s coming back to Maiden company this time, and looks a good chance. He deserves to win a race.”
