Makin scores, Gold Cup coming, Latest racing news

Consistent runner Makin ran into trouble after taking an unusual role in the $100,000 Class 1 (1,400m) race on September 21, but he still finished as the winner.

Normally he would have to back off a bit in fourth or fifth place, but the five-year-old son of Written Tycoon, trained by Steven Burridge, was a lot closer and followed the well-known speed demon Pacific Vampire a lot faster.

The change of pattern was surprising, although it didn’t come completely out of the blue, but it did seem to backfire on me in the 200 meters.

When regular partner Manoel Nunes popped the question at the top of the straight, nothing changed for the $7 favorite.

Pacific Vampire, who had not yet won the trip and was even aiming for a starting place in the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2,000 m) on October 5, continued to win under the urging of Bruno Queiroz.

There was another train of thought behind the dismal finish. Makin’s early attempts to keep in touch with a speed demon had scared the living daylights out of him.

With just 200 metres to go, trainer Jason Ong’s bold gamble to push the distance boundaries with Pacific Vampire – a four-time winner between 1,000 and 1,200 metres – paid off.

But just like a few times before, just a few meters later the five-year-old suddenly took shorter steps.

Makin, Big Union (Bernardo Pinheiro) and Big Hearted (Carlos Henrique) pounced on him as one, with the former only narrowly ahead of Big Union, while Big Hearted finished in third place, a further neck behind.

The nature of the race changed so quickly that Pacific Vampire no longer had a chance to even win a small place of honor. He lost third place by a neck-and-neck, but Ong was still pleased with his performance.

“He settled in well and went really well. The Gold Cup has started,” he said.

Nunes explained that the tactical change at Makin happened on the spot and was completely improvised.

Incidentally, the victory was the middle of a triple (other wins by Elliot Ness and Fearless Warrior) in which Nunes finished equal with Queiroz (who won only one race on the Pacific Atlantic) on 54 wins. It promises to be an exciting confrontation in the last two meetings.

“I had to go because I expected (stablemate) Ghalib to go forward, but he stayed back,” he said.

“I know this isn’t the best way to beat Makin, but if I let Pacific Vampire get five lengths on us, we won’t be able to catch him and we’ll definitely lose.”

The end result was a fifth victory for Makin, and a ticket to the Singapore Gold Cup, although Burridge did not entirely see his final opportunity – the tried and tested handicap race marks the end of Singapore racing on October 5 – as his golden opportunity to win a second after Risky Business in 2010.

The first time over 2,000 metres is still a question for a horse that mainly runs miles, but Burridge has been dealt another surprise.

“I’m just disappointed with the handicap. He’s only six kilos less than a 10-time Group 1 winner like Lim’s Kosciuszko, who I’m told will only get 58 kilos,” said the experienced Australian trainer.

“On paper he is a runner, he put in a brave run today, but we will see how he does first.”

Until the weights for the Singapore Gold Cup are announced on September 23, Burridge can simply enjoy his moment in the sun as winner of the trainers’ challenge on September 21 with a hat-trick of wins.

In addition to Makin, he also recorded victories from Empowering (Henrique, $26) in the $30,000 Class 5 (1,600m) race and Galaxy Bar (Pinheiro, $35) in the $50,000 Class 4 (1,800m) race.

“Empowering is still green and has done well. I’ve kept him fresh and he’s done well,” he said.

“There’s a Class 5 2,000m race next week, but I’ll see how he does first. Or else there’s a Class 5 1,600m race on the day of the Gold Cup.

“As for Galaxy Bar, he had a bit of a hard time getting to the inside between 500m and 400m, but once he found the opening he was too good.

“He’s won four races now and is a very honest horse. I’m pleased he won a race for Richard See, who has a small stake in the horse.”

The Hong Kong-based Singaporean owner was overcome with mixed emotions when he saw what would likely be the last of many winning photos in Kranji.

“I’ve won a lot with Steve. I used to race Autumn Rush (six) and Autumn Assault (three) with him,” See said.

“Galaxy Bar is a nice horse, but unfortunately we probably have to sell him to Malaysia now. I have horses in Hong Kong, so I can enjoy them from now on.”

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