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With the shock scratching of War Affair from this Sunday’s Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy, some trainers might suddenly have a slight spring in their step, but not Tan Hor Khoon.
Other than feeling a sense of dismay like any racing purist about the calling off of the War Affair vs Spalato dream match, Tan or Ah Khoon, as he is known affectionately at Kranji, could have seen a glimmer of hope for his surprise entry Excellent One with half of the twin terrors out of the race, but he just rubbishes such a notion.
“It would be stupid to think our chance is now better. To beat Spalato and War Affair was already no way, Spalato alone is still no way,” he said point-blank.
“It makes no difference and I’m not even talking about the other horses. The difference in class is still too big even if he carries only 50kg.”
Tan is not playing his chances down. The lopsided statistics against the just-turned-three son of Onemorenomore do not lie.
Two runs over 1200m, one win (at mammoth odds of $764) and one second, no doubt highly laudable as a juvenile, especially he was the first among the beaten brigade behind Singapore’s undisputed top two-year-old Super One in the Group 3 Juvenile Championship. Rating: 54.
Standing tall over Tan’s minnow are five colossus who boast 39 wins between them in 167 starts, three of them at Group level (Spalato, Born To Fly, Knight’s Command), and all showing ratings above 90.
And with Emirates Singapore Derby winner Spalato the alpha of the pack on 117 points (second-highest with War Affair), the gulf just turned into a chasm almost impossible to bridge.
There is no doubt Excellent One is not without ability, but being thrown in at the deep end at only his third start did surprise a few.
“The owners (Happy Happy Stable) were keen to enter him in the Jumbo Jet Trophy after his two good runs as a two-year-old, and it's all to their honour,” said Tan.
“When the handicaps came out, he was given 50kg and they were still keen to leave him in, even with War Affair and Spalato in the race.
“I guess you won’t know if you don’t try, but I for one, am not even sure I would have stepped him up in distance to 1400m so soon. To me, he’s more of a three-year-old with the 3YO series a more realistic target down the road.
“But look, the horse is in good form and has freshened up nicely since the Juvenile. He has not finished worse than second in two runs and I guess I will be happy with a place against Spalato.
“It will be good to give him some experience, anyway.”
Excellent One will be ridden by regular partner Koh Teck Huat (pictured on top), who is equally unconvinced of any chance of springing a massive upset on Sunday, but is nonetheless relishing the opportunity of another Group ride on a horse he has taken a shine to.
“I like this horse. From the first win and to the way he ran behind Super One, he’s always pleased me,” said the Singaporean apprentice jockey who seldom gets a chance in big races.
“He has worked well and his gallop with another horse on Wednesday was very good. He’s fit and I expect a good run from him, but to beat Spalato, I don’t think so.”
