3 minute read

After winning the same race last year with the eventual champion three-year-old Golden Monkey, trainer Tim Fitzsimmons can only look on this Saturday when one of his fellow trainers leads in the winner of the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m).

The Australian conditioner does not have a runner in the second Leg of the reinstated Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge series this year, but he has four runners – Illustrious, Gold Ten Sixty-One, Dancing Light and Mimosas - in the very next race and hopes to close the bumper 12-card meeting by winning the $70,000 Super Easy 2012 Stakes, a Class 3 race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

Fitzsimmons' quartet have claims to be labelled 'Polytrack specialists' and can win in this suitable race, which also includes Darc Bounty, Entertainer and Lord Justice who boast 20 wins on the all-weather track between them.

Apart from having the numbers on his side, Fitzsimmons will also have his confidence boosted by the booking of four world-class jockeys on his horses.

Vlad Duric (Illustrious ) and Manoel Nunes (Dancing Light) have each won four of the last nine Singapore champion jockey titles combined while Ronnie Stewart (Gold Ten Sixty-One) and Daniel Moor (Mimosas) also have multiple Group 1 wins on their impressive resumes.

"Lucky to get them all on," said Fitzsimmons on Thursday.

"Ideally, we wouldn't run them (the horses) against each other but this was the only Class 3 Polytrack sprint race programmed for May. A shame, but it is what it is.

"The jockeys sort of picked themselves, so lucky for me.

"Buckets (Moor's nickname) had been booked for Mimosas a while back and he will suit him. Ronnie won on Gold Ten Sixty-One at his last start, so it was good to keep him on.

"Manoel rides a lot for the Tivic Stable and has won on Dancing Light before. Vlad is ideal for Illustrious given that he has 59kgs and was on him the last time he won (in September 2022).

"So it worked itself out and I couldn't be happier."

One could argue nothing separates the four jockeys on ability and Fitzsimmons was also reluctant to choose one of his horses over the others – although he did suggest that barriers could play a part in the finishing order.

"Can't split them (the horses)," he continued.

"They are all different, but all can win a race like this for sure.

"The other day, Mimosas did it tough on the pace from a wide gate (nine) when he grabbed the bit. He's drawn wide again (12) but Buckets will ride him quieter.

"He (Moor) has never won for me. He's a good mate and almost rode my first winner as a trainer (Thunder when beaten a nose by Yaya Papaya in February 2020), so I hope he goes well.

"I would have loved for Gold Ten Sixty-One to have drawn better too. Ronnie has his work cut out from gate 11, but he (Gold Ten Sixty-One) won well last start and is a go-forward type, so it is what it is.

"I would imagine Vlad will lead on Illustrious from gate four. He's (Illustrious) down in grade and had throat surgery last year but his recent trial (won trial no. 3 on April 27 in the time of 59.73secs) was very good, so he will give a sight on best form.

"Dancing Light is up in grade but won well enough at his last start, so we think he is well up to this company. Manoel will slot him somewhere in midfield from gate six and he should have every chance.

"You have to respect Lord Justice, Darc Bounty and Entertainer on the Polytrack. But with some luck in the running, all four of mine can win."

While he was not affected by the postponement of the Singapore 3YO Classic, Fitzsimmons had three runners – King Of Sixty-One (Class 4 race over 1600m), Boomba and Lucky Hero (both in the Class 4 race over 1400m) – missing their runs due to the biblical downpour and lightning, which led to those two races being put back as well.

However, only Boomba will front up in the $50,000 Countofmontecristo 2017 Stakes, a Class 4 race over 1600m this Saturday.

"We really want to run Boomba on (Group 1) Kranji Mile day (on May 20)," explained Fitzsimmons.

"So he needs a run and this race is suitable. He's won over the mile in Class 4 before and he should go well.

"He gets back, so if the track (Long Course 'C') plays fair, he will get his chance."