Top galloper Spalato showed he was right on target for his much-awaited racing comeback in the $200,000 Group 3 Garden City Trophy (1200m) on August 21 after he breezed up stylishly on Monday.
The champion miler has not raced since his bleeding attack after running fourth to Zac Spirit in the Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) in April. Spalato was spelled for the mandatory three months, but he has been coming along nicely since being brought back to work about one month ago.
Both trainer John O’Hara and jockey Michael Rodd were happy with the way the Elusive City seven-year-old spun around his barrier trial heat, effortlessly ambling to the lead all the way to the home straight where he eventually went down a narrow second to Laser Storm (Danny Beasley), with Rodd sitting pretty all the while.
O’Hara said that hit-out was a much-needed wind-opener and a final gallop next week would top him off nicely for the big race on Sunday week.
“I was very happy with that trial and so was Michael,” said O’Hara.
“He’s come back very well from his long break. He is probably at 90% of his fitness and whatever he does in the Garden City, he will improve on.
“It’s hard to tell if he’s come back at the same level he was at before the bleeding, but I certainly hope he has. So far, he’s done everything we’ve asked of him.”
O’Hara said it was owners Graham Mackie and Trish Dunell who were behind the choice of jockey for their prized galloper. Rodd was actually approached for the ride last prep, but had to forego the plum job when he was injured, paving the way to Corey Brown to jump on for two wins – including the Group 2 Merlion Trophy (1200m) in March – from four rides.
Now reinstated in the saddle, Rodd was grateful for the second chance and had nothing but rave things to say about the 10-time winner of close to $1.7 million in stakes.
“He was very fresh and to me he’s like a whippet, not your run of the mill horse. He’s the type of horse who doesn’t need a lot of work and come on fairly quickly,” said the Australian jockey.
“I just let him stride by himself upfront and he and Laser Storm pulled away towards the end. He just went along with him.
“It’s good to be back on Spalato. I only got a chance to trial him once before the fall, but Spalato is Spalato and he felt exactly the same this time round.
“Fingers crossed, I stay on and he goes well in the Garden City Trophy.”
If Rodd checked out Spalato’s first-up record, he would feel even more confident. He won on debut for his memorable 9.8L drubbing of his Initiation rivals, scored first-up last year at his first Kranji race (Group 3 Woodlands Handicap) since his Hong Kong debacle and then the Merlion Trophy this year.
– Singapore Turf Club
