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COMMENTARY MAY 18, 2013 Kavanagh, Pastorius blow out in Singapore by Liesl King Thankfully, after the rain of yesterday, dawn broke over Kranji with clear skies and a slight easing in the heat. The most interesting observation to come out of the morning's trackwork was the different training styles of the various countries -- a phenomenon that only becomes apparent when you have a congregation of international horses. Kavanagh (Tiger Ridge), trained by Mike de Kock, appeared first, opting for the heath track with Kranji-based South African, Greg Cheyne, doing duty for compatriot and raceday jockey Glyn Schofield. South African trainers prefer to do their last speed work two days out and de Kock is no exception, with Kavanagh producing a blistering 35.1 seconds over the final 600 meters. Assistant trainer Trevor Brown confirmed that it was the last work the gelding will do. "It's all systems go and he is done now," Brown said. "We have drawn barrier three and we are delighted with that. It's as good as two lengths in front." Pastorius (Soldier Hollow) was the talk of the day as he did his very first and also his final piece of fast work on the turf track with trainer Mario Hofer's daughter Stephanie aboard. With trainer and owner in attendance, the handsome bay put in a solid gallop with consummate ease, clocking 38.1 over the final 600 meters. Despite the colt drawing barrier 11, the connections remain very confident, with Hofer explaining that not only will Pastorius have the services of a very good jockey in Frenchman Olivier Peslier, but he has the ability to come from anywhere in the field. In stark contrast, the Australian and Hong Kong contenders are visibly winding down as the week progresses. After trotting in the ring for ten minutes, Bel Sprinter (Bel Esprit) appeared on the turf track for a leisurely stroll, with track rider Carly Thomas allowing the gelding frequent stops to inspect the various photographers and TV cameras. Trainer Jason Warren was happy with his charge, but added that he hoped the weather stayed cool, as Bel Sprinter was slightly dehydrated. The Hong Kong pair of Military Attack (Oratorio) and Dan Excel (Shamardal) also eased their morning workout, with the pair doing a slow canter on the Poly for 1 1/2 laps. While Dan Excel was quite content to lope along, Military Attack made it very clear that the pace was far too pedestrian for his liking with an interesting display of leaping, bucking and bouncing down the main straight. Trainer John Moore's son George was on hand to witness the bay gelding's exuberance. "I am happy with where they are at," he said. "They have improved steadily though the week and are now pretty close to their right racing weights." Then there are the "distance horses," who come out day in and day out to complete at least 1 1/2 or two laps of the Kranji Poly (1,500-meter circumference) at a steady pace. In this category we have Hunter's Light (Dubawi), Meandre (Slickly) and Dux Scholar (Oasis Dream) -- whose daily routine includes a 2,000-meter steady canter -- Mawingo (Tertullian), with an even more impressive 3,000-meter daily canter and, surprisingly, the sprinter Lucky Nine (Ire) (Dubawi), who also clocks up the miles with an impressive 2,000-meter canter daily. Lastly, we have the lone Japanese contender, Dasher Go Go (Sakura Bakushin O), who in contrast has been steadily increasing the speed of his daily workouts. After a steady canter on the turf Thursday, assistant trainer Keiichiro Yasuda stepped up the pace Friday with a strong canter down the main turf straight, coming in at around 18 seconds a furlong. A final blowout over 200 meters on the turf is planned for Saturday in order to fully wind him up just prior to the race. Yasuda explained that Dasher Go Go is nearing his ideal race weight of 1,179 pounds, and that despite his bad draw in barrier nine, the entire has the speed to put himself into any spot and that they will just go with the pace. With race day now only two days away, the mounting tension is palpable and with most of the contenders' preparations done and dusted, it now becomes a game of just keeping them hydrated, keeping them eating up and counting the hours in muggy Singapore.
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