It's Iron Ruler's turn to reign

It is evident Iron Ruler is due to score again. His form says so.

Also, the Michael Clements-trained five-year-old Australian-bred is back on his preferred course and distance in tomorrow’s $50,000 Class 4 event over the Polytrack 1,600m (Race 7, 3pm).

Drawing Gate 2 is another plus.

The chestnut gelding will surely jump as the hot favourite, with French jockey Marc Lerner remaining on board.

Already a four-time winner from 26 starts, Iron Ruler went exasperatingly close last time on Jan 29.

With Lerner astride in a strangely run race over the 1,400m on turf, he was unlucky to be nabbed in the last stride by Lim’s Bestbreaker. 

It was probably the kamikaze-style lead set by Last Samurai that threw most riders by surprise. In a rarely seen scenario, the Kuah Cheng Tee-trained US-bred newcomer went like the clappers.

He led as if there was no tomorrow, throwing the speed barometer out of the window. He was about 15 lengths ahead at one point from Iron Ruler. 

Last Samurai was still a distance clear on straightening. Lerner had to work overtime to inch closer.

He overtook the weakening leader 100m out and was shouted the winner.

But, with his better momentum from his blistering come-from-behind run, Lim’s Bestbreaker just got up to win by a short head.

If Last Samurai had not streaked to such a commanding lead, Iron Ruler perhaps need not have to be scrubbed too early. 

Through no fault of his, Lerner would probably have saved a bit of petrol and the result would have been different. 

Overall, Lerner rode a good race. He will definitely be looking to go one better tomorrow.

From Gate 2, he should get a good position and bide his time. 

The switch to the Polytrack will certainly benefit his mount. Three of Iron Ruler’s four wins were on the alternate surface – once over 1,600m and twice over 1,700m.

If you are looking for a horse to forecast, I suggest Ricvelo.

The Jason Ong-trained five-year-old bay Australian-bred gelding is coming back to form. Both his runs this year were noteworthy.

After his creditable sixth from a five-month break, he finished third to stablemate The Wild Bunch over 1,400m on turf.

He will also relish the switch to the Poly 1,600m, the course and distance of his only victory. He is drawn well, too, in Gate 3. 

Yesterday’s Kranji barrier trial results:

TRIAL 1
1 Ealami H (L Beuzelin)
2 Istataba H (J Bayliss)
3 Battle Win 
4 Kinabalu Prince (O Chavez) 
5 Missile Rain 
6 Raging Brave (CC Wong)
7 Legacy Fighter (K A’Isisuhairi)
Margins and time: Nk, 41/2, ns, 1, 31/4, 21/4 (59.34 sec)

TRIAL 2
1 From The Navy H (M Kellady)
2 Sun Power (M Nunes)
3 Revolution Bleed (I Saifudin)
4 Sunset (M Lerner)
5 Dragon Sands (M Lockett)
Margins and time: 11/4, 15, 1/2, 261/2 (59.08 sec)

TRIAL 3
1 Heartening Flyer H (A’Isisuhairi)
2 Legend Of The Sun (K Faiz)
3 Sacred Croix (Wong)
4 Moongate Star (O Chavez)
5 I Am Sacred (T Rehaizat)
6 Sun Fortress (M Nunes)
7 Gold Strike (I Amirul)
Margins and time: 1/2, ns, hd, 2, 61/4, 11/4 (59.52 sec)

TRIAL 4
1 Prosperous Return H (Nunes)
2 Greatham Girl H (Beuzelin)
3 Who Loves Bae (Wong)
4 Den Of Thieves (Bayliss)
5 Augustano (Lerner)
Margins and time: 3/4, 13/4, 1/2, 11/2 (59.50 sec)

TRIAL 5
1 Watery H (Kellady)
2 Legacy Roar (A’Isisuhairi)
3 Endless (T See)
4 Big Mary (Wong)
5 Nate’s Honour 
6 Clergyman (Lerner)
Margins and time: 53/4, 11/4, 13/4, shd, 23/4 (1:00.00)
 

PURTON GETS EVEN CLOSER TO MOREIRA

HONG KONG• Trainer Ricky Yiu and jockey Zac Purton shared the Happy Valley limelight on Wednesday night with trebles, as the former champions delivered timely reminders of enduring class and skill.

Yiu, the leading Hong Kong trainer in 2019/20, combined with Purton to score with Soulmate and Bulletproof. 

He also prevailed with Villa Fionn under Antoine Hamelin to boost his tally to 22 wins for the season.

“The team is doing well,” said Yiu, who has 38 seconds and 30 thirds this term.

“About time – the horses are running well.”

Purton, champion in 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20, has further narrowed arch-rival Joao Moreira’s lead in the jockeys’ premiership to only five winners.

The score: 74-69. 

Moreira, who was ahead by 18 winners before his six-meeting suspension, will be sidelined for two more meetings.

“Three’s good and, hopefully, there’s more coming,” said Purton of his treble. - HKJC