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Singapore Gold Cup bottomweight chance Newlands came out for a turf gallop on Tuesday, pleasing assistant-trainer Peter Hutton with his action ahead of his Group 1 assignment on Sunday.
Ridden by Vlad Duric, the Mugharreb five-year-old spun around Kranji with work companion Rio De Janeiro (Amirul Ismadi), finishing ahead of the latter on the inside at the end of their hit-out.
Newlands is one of three runners for the Stephen Gray yard, the other two being stable banner Bahana and Irish import Squire Osbaldeston, and will be partnered for the first time by leading New Zealand jockey Danielle Johnson, who was flown in especially for that ride.
Hutton said the St George Stable-owned four-time winner needed a solid workout to top him off for the 2200m event, which is for the first time sponsored by local beer Dester.
“We thought we’d try something different with Newlands. We’ve tossed up the idea of either a trial or a grass gallop,” said the English assistant-trainer.
“In the end we picked the grass gallop as we thought it would get his attention more, help him gain more confidence.
“In a trial, they run along and finish midpack whereas on the turf, there is only another horse to beat, and it may switch them on more. They open up the grass track only once in a while for the big races, while we trial every week all year, so it’s great to get that chance and make full use of it.
“Newlands cantered from the 1800m and did the last 1000m at a gallop. Vlad was very happy with the gallop and it’s all systems go for the big race.”
Duric, who has been Newlands’ regular partner this prep, will not be able to ride him in the Gold Cup given his minimum weight of 50kgs (he rides at 52-53kgs), but would be the best person to give Johnson the low-down come Sunday.
“He was a much improved horse at his gallop this morning, compared to his form leading up to his last race (third to Mr Fantastic in a Kranji Stakes C race over 1600m on October 30),” said Duric who has been Newlands’ only partner this year for two wins (1400m and 1600m).
“I think the little bit of give this morning helped him feel more comfortable. He was a bit jarred up on a couple of hard tracks of late.
“Hopefully, this Sunday brings a bit of rain. It will help him a lot, but overall, I’m very happy with his condition.”
If Newlands was the improver in Duric’s eyes, Bahana was the one who clearly impressed him the most, though, again, his allotted 50.5kgs in the time-honoured showpiece makes it impossible for him to get a leg-up on.
“I galloped Bahana this morning. He’s in great order and is very, very well,” said the Australian jockey.
“He’s been holding form very well since his win in the El Dorado Classic (2200m), and he just looks amazing.
“This morning, I worked him on the Polytrack. We had a normal gallop, cantering over 1000m and then worked home in the last 600m. He’s definitely a top three lightweight chance.”
Hutton was also rapt with the way the Indonesian-owned (Dago Stable) Elusive City five-year-old has moved by leaps and bounds, winning four races at his last five starts, including the traditional final Gold Cup tune-up, the Group 3 El Dorado Classic (2200m) on October 30.
“Both Newlands and Bahana couldn’t have been better. Bahana looked great this morning and is spot-on for Sunday,” said Hutton, filling in for Gray who is currently attending the Karaka Ready To Run sale of 2YOs in New Zealand and will be back on Friday.
Gray also lines up a third Gold Cup runner in Squire Osbaldeston, who will be ridden by Alan Munro, his last-start partner at his flashing fourth in the El Dorado Classic.
“Squire Osbaldeston had a nice workout on the Poly doing a quiet 8-6 under (track rider) Andy Ismail,” said Hutton.
“He’s a fairly aggressive horse and all he did was a relaxing kind of three-quarter pace over 800m to 600m. I think mentally, we have him where we want him to be at the right time.”
