Blessed with talent but one to handle with kid gloves, is how trainer Ricardo Le Grange summed up smart galloper Storm Troops.
The South African handler has to space the runs for the Argentinian-bred, who is not the soundest of horses. That management that began when he was then trained by Le Grange’s former boss Patrick Shaw, has obviously been successful as he scored five wins from 11 starts for the recently-retired Shaw and was again ultra-impressive at his most recent victory in a Benchmark 89 race over 1200m on January 2.
That win under jockey Nooresh Juglall incidentally brought up Le Grange’s second career winner (after Southern Dragon) since he took office after being handed the reins by Shaw, who has taken a six-and-a-half months sabbatical leave for health reasons, on December 15.
Le Grange has always been mindful of Storm Troops’ issues, which explains the long time between runs. The Fred Crabbia-owned galloper has not raced since his last win and returns in this Sunday’s $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m.
“Storm Troops is a very nice horse. His record of six wins and three placings from 12 starts speaks for itself,” said Le Grange.
“However, his problems are well documented and that is why we have to take our time with him between his races.
“He won a very nice race at his last start and he has pulled up well. He is going super and he trialled well last week.
“This is a race we have long targeted for him. He is in great shape and fingers crossed, he runs another bold race for us and Fred.”
Ridden by Le Grange’s apprentice jockey Mohd Firdaus in a barrier trial on February 2, the Orpen five-year-old settled in the rear division three wide before cruising up under his own steam to finish third to Poseidon, one of his rivals on Sunday.
With Juglall currently out injured, it is Barend Vorster who takes over. Though the South African jockey has not partnered Storm Troops since last May when they ran last to Titanium in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m), he knows how to get the best out of the gelding.
“With Nooresh out, Barend will ride him. He knows the horse well as he won on him early,” said Le Grange.
Storm Troops was unbeaten at his first two Kranji starts with Vorster doing the steering before Juglall became his regular partner and was aboard at his next four wins.
– Singapore Turf Club
