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Burridge looking at all options for Class 3 trio

3 minute read

While trainer Steven Burridge had Asif, Ghalib and Lim’s Craft nominated for the $70,000 Class 3 race (1200m) on Sunday, it is still a waiting game as to how many jockeys he will leg up come race day.

ASIF winning the BETTER THAN EVER 2012 STAKES CLASS 3
ASIF winning the BETTER THAN EVER 2012 STAKES CLASS 3 Picture: Singapore Turf Club

As it stands, Lim's Craft is listed as the third Emergency Acceptor while the Australian conditioner will make a final decision on Asif, who is on the quick back-up after last Saturday, closer to race day.

On that occasion, the son of Per Incanto did it tough for comeback apprentice jockey Sazali Ramli from the wide gate eight where he finished eighth to Lord's Command in the Class 3 race (1100m). But according to Burridge, the Al-Arabiya Stable-owned five-year-old pulled up well enough to keep Sunday's race option open.

"There are limited Class 3 races for him (Asif) on the programme, so you have to take what you can," said Burridge on Tuesday.

"He got caught wide last start, so he never looked likely (to win), but he came through the race good enough to have another crack on Sunday and this race suits him.

"In saying that, we will see how he eats up over the next couple of days, as that is a guide to see how much the run took out of him.

"We will play by ear and I will have a chat with the owners, but at this stage, I will put the kid (Sazali) back on and claim four (kilos) again."

Whether or not Lim's Craft gains a start would be out of Burridge's control, but the multiple Group 1-winning trainer is looking forward to a rare Polytrack run for Ghalib on the back of a slick barrier trial recently.

"I thought he trialled really well the other day," said Burridge after the son of I Am Invincible won the trial on 4 January in the time of 1 min 0.54secs.

"(Jockey) Manoel (Nunes) was on him in the trial and won on him two starts back (in a Class 3 race over 1400m on 25 November), so having him on board this Sunday is a plus.

"He's (Ghalib) only had one race on the Polytrack (finished fifth in a Class 3 race over 1200m on 28 October) with excuses that day, so there is no reason why he won't race well on the surface. You have to take these races when they are on the programme.

"There is another 1400m race on the turf in two weeks' time, which will suit him, time-wise.

"As for Lim's Craft (x Smart Missile), it's a shame he probably won't get a run as he struggles with weight in Class 4. But we'll wait and see."

Burridge has another three runners nominated on Sunday's meeting and he thought the promising Stop The Water is well placed in the $75,000 Novice race (1200m) to have a big say.

"The race looks competitive but he's (Stop The Water) a nice three-year-old and should go well at the (Novice) conditions," said Burridge of the son of Headwater.

"He got sandwiched at his last start (finished fourth to Aniki in a Novice race over 1200m on 30 December), so you could forgive him for missing a place.

"(Apprentice jockey) Faiz (Khair) did nothing wrong but I will put Sazali back on to give him as much (racing) experience as possible in the last nine months of racing.

"The horse needs a four-kilo claimer as he's only small, but he'll suit the kid (Sazali) as he's a go-forward type."

Looking forward, Burridge was also happy to report that stable star, Street Of Dreams, is on track to make a much-anticipated return to racing in just over a week.

The five-year-old son of Dundeel has not raced since sustaining a suspensory injury after he ran ninth to Lim's Kosciuszko in the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on 20 May 2023.

"We have him (Street of Dreams) pencilled in for the Class 1 race over 1200m on 20 January," he said.

"He had seven months off and we gave him two quiet trials last month.

"We scanned him after his last trial (finished fifth in trial no 2 on 28 December) and it was all good and I'm very happy with how is.

"He will trial again on Thursday (11 January) and should be fit enough for 1200m the following weekend. I'm excited to have him back racing.

"The owner (Asok Singh) had been very patient. It was what he (Street Of Dreams) needed and the owner gave him time, which was great."


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