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Emirates Singapore Derby post position draw reactions
12 Jul 2012 | Singapore Turf Club The Emirates Singapore Derby Post Position Draw held on Thursday produced its usual mixed bag of reactions, ranging from the bullish mood of trainer Cliff Brown, last year’s winning trainer, to the completely despondent Bruce Marsh, who saw only Red Beard from his trio of runners draw reasonably well (No 9) with stablemates Gingerbread Man and Hammer Down drawn off the track.
As usual most trainers were trying to take a positive spin from the cards they were dealt. At the end of the day, the race is won from the starting gates, not the barrier draw.
Devonshire (E4) – Barrier No 1, Forgiven – Barrier No 7, Full Toss (E2) – Barrier No 11, Dujardin – Barrier No 13.
Trainer Laurie Laxon: “There’s not much we can do about it now. Dujardin will jump from barrier 10 (if the emergency acceptors don’t gain a start) which isn’t too bad and Forgiven comes into six.
“Both horses are fit and well and go into the race in good order.
“Full Toss and Devonshire also are fit and well and if they don’t get a start will surely be good chances in their alternative races.”
Joyful Heart Man – Barrier No 2
Trainer Tan Hor Khoon: “I’m very happy with No 2 obviously as my horse runs with the pace. He’s proven at the trip and he should have every chance from this draw. Let’s hope we get some luck in the running.”
Deep Pockets – Barrier No 3, Lightning Thief – Barrier No 8.
Trainer Cliff Brown: “Both of them have drawn good barriers. Deep Pockets will jump from barrier two and Lightning Thief barrier seven.
“With only two positions left (three and 20), as always I was expecting the worse for Deep Pockets, but luckily we got the right one and Harvs (son Harvey) gave a little fist pump.
“Both horses go into the race in top condition, both have good draws but they both now have to step it up a notch against top quality opposition.”
Matterhorn – Barrier No 4, Nandowra – Barrier No 6.
Trainer Michael Freedman: “Finally some luck with a barrier draw. I left that to (owner) Bernard (Lee) and he’s come up with barrier four for Matterhorn.
“It’s a good draw for him. He’s a little suspect at the journey (2000m) but the draw gives him every opportunity to get a soft run to get the trip.
“Nandowra has also drawn well to get a good run.
“To have two runners drawn inside of barrier six, you couldn’t ask for much more than that.”
Davide – Barrier No 5
Jockey Barend Vorster: “As he runs in a forward position, this draw is perfect. It makes it easier for him.
“As he’s never run beyond 1400m, that barrier will hopefully allow him to save as much ground as possible.
“Hopefully we get to sit behind a runner. I’ll see how it plays out, what’s coming from behind and how the speed pans out.”
Barend Vorster at the Post Position Draw on Thursday
Red Beard – Barrier No 9, Gingerbread Man – Barrier No 16, Hammer Down – Barrier No 19.
Trainer Bruce Marsh: “I did wash my hands before coming in today, but that is not good. At least, Red Beard drew well.
“It’s not too bad for him as there is one Emergency who drew one. He should be able to get in behind runners from there.
“For Gingerbread, what can I say? It’s not ideal and I’ll have to go back and have a think about it.
“At least he has gate speed as he used to run over 1200m. He will have to go forward and get a position.
“As for Hammer Down, we’ll probably have to snag him back and ride him for luck. I have three experienced jockeys and it’s all down to them now.”
Silveron Wings – Barrier No 10
Trainer Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye: “Perfect 10! Ten is also luck. This horse needs galloping room and nobody will disturb him from that draw.
“The jockey (Ivaldo Santana) said he had hope. If he is feeling confident, I am too.”
Tangible Assets (E3) – Barrier No 12
Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka: “I’m happy with that draw as he’s a small horse and the inside rails does not suit him.
“He can get back and he will be able to find a position. But he needs to get in the race first.”
Chase Me – Barrier No 14, Arowana Dot Com – Barrier No 17
Trainer Desmond Koh: “It’s not the best draw for both, but what do we do?
“Arowana needed a good draw as he gets on the pace. He can run 2000m but the outside draw does not help matters.
“Chase Me is pretty versatile and can race in any position. Luckily I have two good jockeys (Joao Moreira on Chase Me and Saifudin Ismail on Arowana Dot Com) and I will leave it to them now.”
Bee Ahead – Barrier No 15, Grand Arrival – Barrier No 20.
Trainer Michael Clements: “They’re not the best. Bee Ahead is a versatile horse and is a pretty straightforward horse to ride, easy to settle.
“I would have hoped for a better draw ideally but Azhar (Ismail) will have to do his best to settle him in the best position possible.
“As for Grand Arrival, it is a lousy draw for him as it’s his first time at the trip and he can get keen.
“Fortunately, I have taken the blinkers off and that can hopefully help him settle better. Shafiq (Rizuan) will have to pull him back early and ride him for luck.”
Grand Approach (E1) – Barrier No 18
Trainer Leticia Dragon: “As long as he gets a run, I’m happy.
“If he gets in, he’s only a roughie. It’s a long distance race and the barrier draw does not really matter.
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