The Michael Clements-trained Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) was meant to be chilling in his box on Singapore Gold Cup day, but a super fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup has dashed those holiday plans.
Ridden quieter than usual in the QEII Cup (1800m), the second Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series – of which the S$1 million Dester Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m is the third and final Leg – the Echoes Of Heaven six-year-old flew home under Noh Senari, beaten only two lengths by I’m Incredible.
The 2000m had always been deemed too far for Joe Singh’s stable banner, but from the way the noted on-pace runner surprisingly ran through the line in the QEII Cup three weeks ago, another furlong thrown at him was not any more a stretch all of a sudden.
It’s still a question mark, but the only way to find out is to front up in the country’s time-honoured staying handicap this Sunday.
Besides the encouraging QEII Cup formline, assistant-trainer Michael White said they were gifted a few other good reasons for not leaving the Count in his box on Gold Cup day.
“He ran such a good race in the QEII Cup that we had to reassess our plans. He was not heading to the Gold Cup, but we thought he was worth a shot after that run,” said White.
“With the compressed weights, he will be carrying only 57kgs as the topweight, which is not so bad.
“And the fact that Debt Collector is not here anymore was another factor. It’s a very open Gold Cup this year, and we will again ride him quiet.”
Daniel Moor, who rode Countofmontecristo to his last feature win in the Merlion Trophy (1200m) first-up from a break, is back in the saddle.
