Trainer Steven Burridge is pouring a bit of cold water on the buzz around Autumn Rush in the wake of his last-start romp, but hopes a short break will keep him on the fresh side for another bold showing this Sunday.
The five-year-old by unfashionable sire Keano (x Pins) decimated his rivals in an Initiation race over 1100m by seven lengths on January 29.
Burridge tipped out the Premier Racing & EZ Stable-owned after that maiden victory, preferring to give the gelding a breather instead on riding on the back of that sizzling form, bringing him back in Sunday’s $60,000 Class 4 race over 1100m on Polytrack six weeks later.
To be ridden by his winning partner Glen Boss again, Autumn Rush is expected to draw keen support, but Burridge is not joining the “Rush”.
“He seems to be a Polytrack horse. He had three or four hard runs and it was time to ease him up,” said the Australian handler.
“Just as well he won his last start, I would have given him a break as he was due for a freshener anyway. There were no races for him coming up.”
After a promising debut when third in an Initiation race over 1100m last November, Autumn Rush was unsurprisingly well backed at his next run, but hot favourite Nova Missile was too good, and at his next start (over turf), he led but faded to fifth place.
He then exploded onto the scene at his fourth outing, but the names in the beaten brigade would for the vast majority not figure among blackbookers.
The Class 4 field is not exactly terrifying, but Burridge is exercising caution. Among his main rivals, Knight Judge, who ran two seconds from as many starts, Louey Veloce and Lim’s Shot can thwart him.
“He didn’t beat much in that race, so you shouldn’t get too carried away as I think he is just a decent horse, nothing too special. This is a much more competitive race,” he said.
“I hope he can take the next step, though. I was very happy with the way he has trained on since – he had an easy trial last week (Thursday, which he won) and has come through that very well.
“He’s got a good draw on Sunday, and let’s hope he can win again for the Premier Stable and Eddie, the other partner.”
Burridge said he had, however, not had much of a lucky hand with his other runners at the barrier draw.
“I’ve got 15 runners but I think around 10 of them have drawn wide,” said Burridge whose worst off are Zippy General (10) and Lim’s Pershing (8) on Friday, and Rock Eagle (14), Country Quack (11), Lim’s Battle (10), Premier Fighter (10) and Mozart Eclipse (9) on Sunday.
“It’ll be a big ask for them as it’s not like they are the better ones in their class.”
A former Singapore champion trainer in 2010, Burridge is being a little hard on himself as the yard has enjoyed a flying start to 2017 with 11 winners from only 90 starters which puts him in fifth spot on the log, both in terms of number of winners and strike rate.
– Singapore Turf Club
