Inferno wins Singapore Classic in a canter
Rising star Inferno (Holy Roman Emperor) gave another glimpse of his bombproof qualities after he scored a thumping win in the S$250,000 Singapore Classic (Gr 2, 1400m) on Sunday, probably one of his most impressive to date.
From the way the even-money favourite effortlessly strolled to the line at the expense of some very smart just-turned four-year-olds, the Singapore Guineas (Local Gr 1, 1600m) on September 26 looks his for the taking.
The Classic and Guineas are the slightly altered versions of the remaining (the first leg, the Sprint, was annulled) second and third legs of a special Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge this year due to Covid-19. Though the vast majority of contenders have turned four, they have been made eligible for the series this year.
With all of Inferno’s previous six starts (for five wins) restricted to 1200 metres, some questioned whether last year’s undisputed juvenile champion would be as lethal beyond that sprinting trip.
But from the way he came jogging around the field to present fresh while his 11 rivals were all under the pump, those doubts quickly proved unfounded.
Inferno never spent a penny throughout the race, with champion jockey Vlad Duric smartly leaving him out of the early speed battle upfront, smothered away in midfield.
And that was the key to the son of Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill) eventually toying with the opposition with such consummate ease inside the last 400 metres. While he was coasting in neutral gear, many of his opponents were either flat out or just could not match the big engine of his.
Viewed by many as Inferno’s main rival, Mr Malek (Swiss Ace) had to burn plenty of petrol to cross to the front, with Sweet Angeline (Rubick) kicking up on the fence to hold him out.
Rocket Star (Star Witness), another possible nemesis, was also ahead of Inferno in running, but was already being cajoled along at the half-mile mark.
Turning for home, Mr Malek had little trouble sweeping past the weakening Sweet Angeline (later found to have returned with respiratory issues), but Strong N Powerful (Golden Archer) proved harder to shake off.
And then descended a devastating turn of foot. Although under a chokehold from Duric, Inferno pulled his way into a striking position at the 400 metres.
Once the handbrakes were off, Inferno shot to the front like the others were tacked to the ground. Duric only pulled the whip once they had shot clear by two lengths, just giving a few taps to keep his mind on the job.
Running a sizzling 22.68secs split inside the last 400 metres, Inferno went on to score easing down by a length and three-quarters from Strong N Powerful with Mr Malek bravely hanging on for third place another three-quarters of a length away. The winning time was 1min 21.77secs for the 1400 metres on the Short Course.
Trainer Cliff Brown, who was among those who raised some concerns over Inferno’s stamina, was certainly more confident heading towards the Singapore Guineas now.
“That was such an exciting win. He travelled beautifully throughout and that was a ten-out-of-ten ride from Vlad,” said the Australian handler.
“I just told him not to move before the home turn, and things worked out perfectly.
“The Guineas is the plan for him next. I won’t change a thing in his training, this horse is getting better and better.
“That was probably his best win so far, and it’s all thanks to Chris Bock (racing manager) who bought him. You know, a lot goes into it, and Chris is such a great judge of young horses.
“He can spend $20,000 on a horse who will become very good, just like he can do it for an $150,000 horse. It’s remarkable.
“I can’t do that. My attention span is too low!”
Duric for one was focused on only one mantra when he was given the leg-up on a horse he rode only for the first time at his last start when he returned a commanding winner first-up in a Class 3 race over 1200 metres on August 8.
“I just wanted him to get cover and switch off,” said Duric.
“I wasn’t really worried by the 1400 metres. He was fresh first-up and I was more worried he would overrace again today.
“I just wanted him to settle as it was his first time over 1400 metres, and he did, he was relaxed the whole way through. He is going towards the mile now.
“Credit to Cliff, Chris and Tony (Lane). They’ve done a wonderful job with this horse.
“And how not to mention Michael Rodd (Inferno’s previous partner). He texted me straight after the win, this is a special horse to him.”
Duric was incidentally giving himself a nice breather after Brazilian jockey Ruan Maia ate into his massive 19-win lead thanks to a nine-win haul, including a seven-timer. The three-time Singapore champion jockey replied in the best possible way with a four-timer on Sunday, having earlier saluted aboard two other Brown horses Miraaj (Your Song) and Solar Eclipse (Not For Sale), and Hwasong (Declaration of War) for Stephen Gray.
With Maia returning home empty handed, Duric has put some space back – nine winners – on 43 winners.
Brown equalled Duric’s prolific day with his own quartet of winners when Gold Star (Redent) came from last to score a thriller in the next race after the Classic, the S$70,000 Big Maverick 2008 Stakes Class 3 race over 1400 metres
“Gold Star thoroughly deserved that win. He tries his heart out all the time,” said Brown.
“It’s been a great day for us.”
Inferno’s stellar record now reads as follows: six wins, one second for stakes earnings around the S$480,000 mark for the Barree Stable.
Four years ago, Glenn Whittenbury and his Victorian associates won the same race with the great Debt Collector (Thorn Park) on his way to a clean sweep of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.
From his first couple of runs, Inferno was already touted by some fans as the heir apparent to Debt Collector. Many took it with a pinch of salt then, especially the always cautious Brown, but after that latest galloping lesson, the passing of the baton should not be far off.