3 minute read
After two tough runs at elite level, Destroyer Eclipse is dropped back into easier company this Friday with trainer James Peters hopeful of a better showing in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1400m.
The British conditioner took a punt on the Alamosa five-year-old following a game win in a Class 3 race over 1600m on May 19, stepping him up in class to the last two Legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge.
The Indonesian-owned gelding ran ninth, only just a little over three lengths off the winner What's New in the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) at the first stab, but fell by the wayside in the last Leg, the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) when a distant 14th to Sun Marshal.
Peters has since tipped the four-time winner (1200m to 1600m) out only to bring him back to the races at Friday's standalone meeting.
"Destroyer Eclipse has had a break after the Derby. He didn't handle the wet ground that day," said Peters.
"He's in pretty good form. He trialled really well the other day (September 19).
"Hopefully he goes the right way and we can step him up to 1600m. Let's see how he goes fresh-up first and how he gets on this prep.
"Vlad Duric is on board. He's got a good record with this horse (aboard at three of his four wins)."
Destroyer Eclipse is not the only Peters galloper who is a fine example of his patience this Friday. He also saddles Grand Koonta in the $85,000 Class 2 race over 1200m on the same night.
Wearing earmuffs for the first time at his last run in a Class 2 race over 1200m on August 11, the China Horse Club-owned Irish-bred four-year-old son of Dark Angel looked in dire straits at the 300m first-up as he ducked into dead ends along the rails, but eventually found daylight to just scrape home by a short head from Elite Power.
"Grand Koonta has trained on. We've taken our time with him," said Peters of the flashy grey.
"He's been specifically aimed at this race and he also trialled well two weeks ago (on September 12). He's been doing well ever since his last win and I'm happy with him.
"He had the earmuffs on at his last win and he'll have them on again, and Alysha Collett will again ride him. She's doing well for us, she's won two races for us (Grand Koonta and Black Jade on Sunday) and besides, Grand Koonta has a light weight again (51.5kgs).
"But this is an unbelievably strong race with horses like Bold Thruster and Augustano in it. It will definitely help me see where he is at against these strong horses."