Singapore Racing: Laxon’s Quartet Storms Chairman’s Trophy

Nine-time Singapore champion trainer Laurie Laxon will be fielding four of his best stayers as he goes for the jugular in this Sunday’s $300,000 Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1800m).

Leading the line will be Stepitup. Fresh from winning the Group 3 Yew Tee Classic Stakes (1800m) on July 12, the son of Hussonet has drawn well and with the race being a Weight-For-Age event, he looks well placed to repeat the heroics for a second consecutive ‘black type’ win.

His stablemates, though, are not there just to make up the numbers.

Last year’s Chairman’s Trophy winner Goodman was trumped at his last start by the late run of Accomplished. This time, with Accomplished again in attendance, Goodman, a four-year-old son of Alamosa, will have his work cut out as he will be jumping from the widest of gates.

Martin on the other hand, will break from gate No 1 in his quest for a first Group win since 2013, when he saluted in the Group 3 Fortune Bowl (2000m). His form coming into the race is good, scoring once and running placed twice at his last four starts.

The final member of the quartet is Ideal Guide. Back after his Emirates Singapore Derby unplaced run, the son of Red Ransom will find this easier. He came in second the last time he ran over this journey.

Laxon, who only returned from his French holidays on Sunday, said that all four entries are there on merit, but Stepitup is the standout in the field of 10.

“Stepitup was carrying the maximum load at his last run and still won,” recalled the Kiwi trainer. “This time he is carrying the same weight as everyone else in this Weight-For-Age race. So for sure he is the favourite.

“Goodman should run a forward race as that is his style. We can’t do much about the barrier since it has already been drawn. So it is up to him to run his race.

“Martin has a good chance and he has drawn barrier one. Ideal Guide ran good in the Derby and if he can reproduce that, he has a chance.”

As confident as Laxon is, he is keeping his eye on the opposition, of which he has singled out Flax as the one who could potentially spoil his party.

“If there is one other horse who I think has a good chance, it has to be Flax. He is a really good horse and you’ve got to respect him,” said Laxon.

– Singapore Turf Club

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