3 minute read
Just the sole meeting in Singapore over the weekend with the Lee Freedman trained Minister taking full advantage of the drop back in grade.
Lining up in the seventh event (Class 3, 1600m) on Friday night, Minister proved a class above when leading throughout.
A recent addition to Freedman's stable, Minister was formerly based in the UK, trained by Andrew Balding.
Only lightly raced, Minister [Old Name: Bye Bye Hong Kong], won three of his eight starts and left UK shores rated 109 by Timeform.
To put that figure into perspective, if able to run up to that form in Singapore, he is already in the Top 5, if not the best horse in the country.
Kicking off in the Group 3 Silver Bowl [1400m], Minister was safely held, but had been back to the trials, winning on both occasions.
Unbeaten second up (2/2), the booking of Michael Rodd was a good push and he duly saluted.
Beginning well from the inside draw, Rodd pressed on to take up the running with little to no pressure throughout.
Unbeaten at the mile (2/2), he clearly appreciate the step up in trip and was in firm control a long way out (a leisurely 25.60 first 400m).
Clicked up into the straight, Wolf Warrior loomed ominously on the outside, before Minister responded, kicking back under Rodd.
Drawing 2L clear inside the 200m, the much in-form Yaya Papaya emerged from the pack, but was no match late with Minister winning comfortably by a length and a quarter.
Returning a Timeform rating of 83, Minister still has plenty of improvement to come and appears set for a prosperous career in Singapore.
Admittedly, it's never easy with these imports some acclimatise while others don't.
But given what Minister has shown in his short career, he can only improve and is definitely one to follow.
His ability to race on-speed is a big tick and should set him well in many staying features.
He's in the right stable, has the right profile and is a must for your blackbook.