3 minute read
Jockey Ronnie Stewart would make hay while the sun shines as he is tasked to take the reins on Street Of Dreams in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1600m) on Saturday again.
For all intents and purposes, the lightweight jockey was only warming the saddle up for regular partner Manoel Nunes when he steered the exciting four-year-old son of Dundeel to an easy victory in the Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m on February 12, albeit with the featherweight load of 50.5kgs.
Nunes, however, incurred the wrath of the stipendiary stewards on February 18 for a careless riding charge on Engine Start, hence he is suspended from the races this Saturday.
Stewart knew well that he is once more 'off the bench' to ride the Joe Giovanni-owned rising star, but possession is nine-tenths of the law and the affable Australian hoop will be keen to keep the winning partnership intact.
"It's definitely a bonus having two goes on him (Street Of Dreams)," said Stewart.
"I respect the fact that I only got the ride from Manoel because of the weight last time and because of his suspension this time. But I can't do much more than try to win again and what unfolds, unfolds.
"He's the best horse I've ridden for a long while, so the opportunity to stay on – at least for one more start - is a real bonus.
"I probably have to commit to the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m) and (Group 1) Singapore Derby (1800m) rides soon but I'm happy to roll the dice on good horses like this as they don't come round too often."
Stewart was referring to the first of two Raffles Cup to be run this year that will take place on March 25, while the Singapore Derby, which is the third and final leg of the reinstated Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series, will be held on July 23.
This time – against a similar field he faced three weeks ago - Street Of Dreams will carry three kilos (53.5kgs) more over an extra 200m. But with Katak – his only serious competitor on that occasion (finished in second two lengths behind) – not in the field on Saturday, the race does look his for the taking.
"On paper, he (Street Of Dreams) looks very hard to beat," continued Stewart.
"Especially with Katak out. We beat most others in the race pretty easily (another three lengths to the third-placed Sacred Croix) but Rocket Star is a nice horse, so he adds a new dimension to the race and so does the extra 200m.
"I'd love a good draw so I can settle him in a nice position like we did last start. He flew the gates and switched off early then so it all worked out perfectly.
"I probably got to the front a little early but I rode him to suit the lightweight and the circumstances.
"Every race is different, so I'm not expecting to win it as easy as last time out but the extra weight is no problem – he could have won with 55kgs last start – and the mile is fine.
"I think he's the best horse in the race and hopefully, we see that again on Saturday."
Trainer Steven Burridge was still in awe of what Street Of Dreams has done and what the future holds for him.
"I've never trained a horse that's won five in a row before so this is a great ride for everyone," said the experienced Australian conditioner on Tuesday.
"He pulled up very well after his last win and we know he handles the mile. No reason why he can't go on with the job.
"Manoel would have ridden him this Saturday with the 53.5kgs but with his suspension, Ronnie was the obvious pick as he rode him good last start.
"This race looks perfect with just three weeks to the Raffles Cup and obviously that's going to be his biggest test at equal weights (weight-for-age conditions) with (trainer) Ricky's (Ricardo Le Grange) pair (Katak and Hongkong Great).
"Ronnie trialled him last week (finished first in trial no. 3 on February 23 in the time of 1 min 0.77secs) just to keep him ticking over – more of a maintenance gallop – and he did evens this morning (last 400m in 26 secs), so he's all good for Saturday."
