Major King impressive at Kranji

[Wandering Eyes]

Major King (NZ) (Per Incanto) stamped himself as a horse with a big future in feature sprints in Singapore after he lumped 58.5kgs to win the Class 3 race over 1200m on the Polytrack at Kranji on Saturday.

At the start jockey Manoel Nunes was mindful of the big weight Major King had on him so he slotted him perfectly behind the leaders with cover. In the straight he slowly made up ground on the two leaders before taking over in the shadows of the post to win by half-a-length on the line over a game Gold Ten Sixty-One (NZ) (Dalghar).

The winning time was 1 min 10.72secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack and Major King’s fifth win from 10 starts in Singapore took his prizemoney close to S$200,000 for the Happy Baby Stable.

Winning trainer Jason Ong was concerned by the top impost before the race, but was more than happy with the run of his horse.

“That went according to plan,” said Ong, who – with Nunes – knocked in a double on the day with Engine Start (NZ) (Highly Recommended) in the Class 4 race over 1600m five races earlier.

“From gate one, we knew Akhtar had the pace to lead but Manoel did a great job early to relax Major King in a handy position.

“That was very important given the big weight he had to carry and when he relaxed in the running, I knew he (Major King) would have the kick at the end.

“So did (trainer) Tim’s (Fitzsimmons) horse (Gold Ten Sixty-One) too and I was worried at the last furlong. I was also watching out for Akhtar too, so I didn’t know where to look.

“I respect Gold Ten Sixty-One a lot, so to carry 58.5kgs and win was very pleasing.”

“I think Major King has shown he deserves a crack at a race like the Merlion Trophy (1200m) on the Polytrack,” explained Ong, who now sits five clear on the trainers’ premiership with 40 winners.

“He’s in form, loves the surface and we can set him for that race.

The second running of the Merlion Trophy will take place on October 28 after Lim’s Kosciuszko won the same Polytrack sprint feature on February 4 this year.

Manoel Nunes was also worried about the weight in the good Class 3 field, but when he found the back of Gold Ten Sixty-One early, his fears were quickly allayed.

“I thought the weight might be an issue but when I had Bruno’s back, I knew we would be hard to beat,” said the four-time Singapore champion jockey.

“So, I just tracked Gold Ten Sixty-One and didn’t have to make my move earlier than needed.

“When I pulled him out, I gave him two on the left and he responded. And when I gave him two on the right and he responded again, I knew he would win.

“Jason had done a great job with him. He’s such a nice horse with a big heart.”

Other New Zealand bred winners in Singapore on Saturday include Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress), Engine Start (NZ) (Highly Recommended) & Golden Sentience (NZ) (Astern).

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