Singapore’s sole Korean raider has landed safely in Seoul on Thursday afternoon, with trainer Alwin Tan’s assistant-trainer Joe D’Zulkifliy reporting all was in order.
“Maximus travelled well and landed at 6pm in Seoul,” said the Malaysian horseman.
“So far, everything is good with him. I’m happy with him since he’s arrived in Korea.
“The plan is to walk him tomorrow morning. I’ll see how he goes to have a better idea how he is doing.”
Maximus coming off his float at his arrival at Seoul Racecourse (photo courtesy of Korea Racing Authority).
The US-bred five-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid is in good hands. D’Zulkifliy is not at his first Korean trip as he fulfilled the same travelling foreman duties at El Padrino’s two previous trips in 2014 and 2015, and Infantry in 2016. El Padrino historically won the Asia Challenge Cup (1400m) at the first attempt in 2014.
Track rider Sharul Nizam is also part of the crew to have flown out with Maximus. Tan and race-rider Troy See will only join in next week.
Maximus is in Seoul to contest the 1 billion won ($1.2 million) Group 1 Keeneland Korea Cup (1800m) on sand at the LetsRun Park racecourse on September 9. The six-time winner (three over 1100m and three over 1600m) is the only Kranji-based galloper to have received an invitation from the Korea Racing Authority which is also staging the 700 million won Group 1 Keeneland Korea Sprint (1200m).
Tan’s Nova Strike, Michael Clements’ Song To The Moon and McGregor, and Desmond Koh’s Mr Luck were also nominated, but were unsuccessful.
– Singapore Turf Club
