Biraz (NZ) (Per Incanto) has yet to score over seven furlongs but trainer Daniel Meagher does not think the trip will be a chink in his horse’s armour in Singapore’s Fortune Bowl on Sunday.
The Per Incanto seven-year-old’s pet trips are 1100m and 1200m, with his four wins falling in that range, on both turf and Polytrack. At three starts beyond such short sprints, all over 1400m, he finished unplaced twice, but nearly made all once.
The cheeky run came in the Jumbo Jet Trophy last July. Ridden forward by apprentice jockey Amirul Ismadi, Biraz was on the verge of staging a big upset when another outsider came robbing him of that honour along the fence, Star Emperor (now known as Exceed Natural).
The opposition is no doubt much meatier in this Sunday’s Lunar New Year drawcard, but Meagher said the Al-Arabiya Stable-owned gelding does tick a few boxes.
“He hasn’t won over 1400m, but he ran one of his best races in the Jumbo Jet race over that distance last year. He led that day, Amirul rode him,” said the Australian trainer.
“Unfortunately, he came back with bad cuts on his hind leg after that race. He was galloped on.
“It took him so long to come back and he was in his box for four weeks. He’s only getting fit now, he’s had three runs and the 1400m won’t be a problem.
“He ran good at his last start in the New Year Cup (over 1200m, fifth to Nowyousee). He was not suited by the tempo and he was bumped a couple of times, but Harry (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) was still happy with that run.”
Meagher is giving his former apprentice jockey Chin Chee Seng the leg-up this time, and while not expecting it will be smooth sailing against the likes of Bold Thruster, Countofmontecristo and What’s New, he still sounded upbeat about a decent performance.
“It’s a strong race and he’s up against the best, but he deserves his chance,” he said.
“He has improved in his look and fitness, and he has drawn a soft barrier in two. CS Chin will ride him at 51kgs, he rode him a lot in his trackwork and knows him well.
“I told Chin to ride him where he is happy and let’s hope for some Chinese fortune on the day.”
Meagher has not been the recipient of an abundance of that element in the new season. After a fantastic 2019 season where he finished third on 52 winners, he has headed down to the winner’s circle only once this year – Lim’s Force in a Class 5 race on January 10.
But the youngest son of former Kranji mentor John Meagher said the subdued getaway was not something he had been unprepared for.
“We expected a slow start. After the great year we had, there are only so many races before our horses hit the top, and it then becomes tougher,” he said.
“I’m actually not disappointed with the score, other than just being frustrated with our five seconds. They could have been wins and our score would have looked a lot better.
“We don’t have any new horses either, but I have about 10 to 15 new horses joining us in February and March. So our season should really start later in the year, which is not ideal, but that’s just the way it is.”
