The climate's right for an Autumn Rush
Kranji trackwork
If you had backed AUTUMN RUSH on that last day of the 2016 racing season, there were excuses aplenty for his second to Nova Missile.
The strength of the winner was glaringly obvious. But his "lack of luck" in the running was a factor which contributed to him not getting into the winners' circle.
That was unfortunate. After all, the four-year-old isn't a "bad" horse and he showed it at trackwork yesterday morning when he skipped over the 600m in 36.3sec.
OUTSTANDING CHANCE
It was an inspiring piece of work and, on the strength of that gallop, Autumn Rush must be given an outstanding chance of getting a win on the board when he races over the 1,200m in Race 5 on Sunday.
Back to that last-start second which was an "Initiation" over the 1,200m. Autumn Rush was backed down to second favourite and the problems started at the 800m when he, racing keenly, got his head up and had to be eased off the heels of another runner.
To compound matters, when the field straightened for the run home, he was held up a run.
Against a horse like Nova Missile, that was like rolling over and playing dead.
Hence, the three-and-a-half length margin behind the winner.
Three weeks later, on Dec 29, Autumn Rush was sent to the trials and he did well to finish second behind Lim's Racer who clocked 60.33sec for the 1,000m.
Autumn Rush is down to contest a winnable race on Sunday.
He's drawn a good gate (4) and, with just seven runners to contend with, the Steven Burridge runner should have things to his liking.
A race later, keep a watchful eye on SMIDDY BYRNE.
The son of O'Reilly created a favourable impression when he stopped the clocks at 37.7sec for the 600m. John Powell was on the reins.
A four-year-old from trainer Shane Baertschiger's yard, Smiddy Byrne has finished third in three of his last four starts and richly deserves something better.
He won a trial last Thursday and, with yesterday's hit-out under his girth, he could be the one his 10 rivals will have to beat.
Workouts by horses running tomorrow and Sunday
HORSES RUNNING ON SUNDAY
RACE 1: Archer Company 42.9. Best Jade 35.5. Parker (CS Chin) canter/36.6.
RACE 2: Éclair Shadow canter/37.2. Super Buffalo * 37.3. *idden Promise (M Nunes) canter/39.5.
RACE 3: Million Round * (CC Wong) canter/38.2. Eden Garden * 39.3. Across The Sea * (D David) 36.4. Lion Wave pace work/gallop.
RACE 4: Changbai Mountain (M Kellady) 38.7. Rainbow Royal (K A'Isisuhairi) 42.3. Dicaprio (O Chavez) canter/35.7.
RACE 5: Autumn Rush * 36.3. Sobre Las Olas canter/37.2. Mr Exchequer * (M Kellady) 37.7.
RACE 6: Smiddy Byrne * (J Powell) 37.7. River Gold * (B Woodworth) 37.4. The Golden Goat (O Placais) 41.7. One Degree North 38.7. Success Come True * (R Shafiq) 35.5.
RACE 7: Galaxy Express * (D David) canter/36.9. Knight Spirit (T* Koh) canter/37.7. Urban Legend (CS Chin) 38.3.
RACE 8: Mangatoetoenui (G Mosse) canter/35.8. Tales Of Summer pace work/37.6. Little Big Man (M Kellady) canter/36.5. Arr Flair (K A'Isisuhairi) 39.3. Nova Spirit * (O Placais) 37.8. Platoon * (CS Chin) 40.6. Moon River canter/38.3.
RACE 9: Barnburgh Lad (B Woodworth) 41.6.RACE 10: Noble Liaison * (D Beasley) 44.1. Eaton's Gold * (D David) 35.3. Pure Justice * (G Mosse) canter/40.6. Royal Guard * (J Powell) 38.3. Haytham canter/39.5. Cavatina (B Woodworth) canter/37.1.
HORSES RUNNING TOMORROW
RACE 3: Lucky Boy (CS Chin) canter/pace work.
RACE 7: The General * (N Juglall) 43.6.
Withdrawals
NON-ACEEPTORS FOR TOMORROW'S SINGAPORE RACES:
Race 2: Good Justice
Race 3: Mastermind and Black Mamba
Race 4: Joy And Happy and Natural Nice
Race 5: Nova Missile
Race 6: Pure White and Pinyin
Race 8: Flak Jacket
Race 9: Soon Yi
NON-ACEEPTORS FOR TOMORROW'S SINGAPORE RACES:
Race 1: Starsky
Race 3: Meaisin and Dragon Steed
Race 4: Prechagorda
Race 5: Chalaza, Galileo's Approach and Walking Thunder
Race 7: Greatballs Of Fire
Race 8: Gold Reserve
Race 9: Super Eight and Pretty Elusive
Race 10: Golden Mission and Siam Sapphire
Penang trackwork
WORKOUTS BY HORSES RUNNING ON SATURDAY
Class 4 - 1,100m: Slow work: Professor X ***.
Class 4 - 1,100m: Slow work: Hussar ***.
Class 5 - 1,200m: Slow work: Money Not Enough *.
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