Trainer Michael Freedman may find some solace in Magnum’s gutsy win in Sunday’s $75,000 Graduation race over 1400m a couple of hours after his stable star Super One could only run second in the Apache Cat Classic (1000m) in Cranbourne in Australia.
The hitherto undefeated colt was all the rage at his first Australian run leading up to his main mission, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on October 31, but never really showed the same sizzling turn of foot that saw him sweep four wins at Kranji.
On hand to lead in Magnum at his second win from four starts was assistant-trainer James Peters, who had actually been with Super One from the moment he landed in Australia, but flew back to Singapore yesterday to oversee Freedman’s team of runners while his boss remained in Australia for Super One.
Peters said Magnum was still work in progress but oozed quality from the way he overcame greenness to beat a handy field.
“He did everything wrong, he overraced, was posted three wide and he still won,” said the Englishman.
“He’s still a colt, but he’s obviously got ability. From four starts, he has already won twice and was placed twice.
“We’ll see how he pulls up, but I’ll leave it to Michael where to next. Maybe he will go for a break but it’s up to him.”
Jockey Corey Brown, who just returned from an unsuccessful one-day raid in Sydney, reported that the general impression Magnum was caught three deep was deceptive.
“He was not really posted three wide. I couldn’t step over Koh’s (Teck Huat) horse (Excellent One) and I had to go around him,” said the Australian hoop.
“He was overracing as well and hanging out, but it’s all tempo-related. When he straightened up, I went for it and he hit the line good.
“We put the winkers on him at his second run, but as we went up in distance today, he didn’t need them.
“Though he’s won two races from only four starts, he’s still a baby and is still learning, he’s still not there. He’s got the Guineas written all over him, though.”
The Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) is the third Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge and is normally scheduled in May.
Magnum, a three-year-old by Per Incanto, has already taken in more than $100,000 in prizemoney for his owners, the Waterford Stable.
Hee's A Maverick (Rueven Ravindra) ran second another half-a-length away with Excellent One third another 1 3/4 lengths away. The winning time was 1min 23.21secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Moritz Eclipse (A'Isisuhairi Kasim), the $11 favourite who was bidding for a third win in a row, led as is his customary pattern, but could not withstand the challenges this time, folding late to run fourth another three-quarter length away
Courtesy Singapore Turf Club Michael Lee
