Hunter’s Light pleases Godolphin ahead of Singapore test

Dubai: Godolphin’s travelling foreman feels Hunter’s Light will be a strong contender for this weekend’s $3 million (Dh11 million) Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1) at Kranji Racecourse.

Richard Corona has been delighted with the son of Dubawi’s progress since his arrival in the bustling island city-state two weeks ago. Hunter’s Light finished seventh behind Animal Kingdom in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan in March on his last start.

After watching Hunter’s Light clock a smart 35.2 seconds for 600m during his exercise on grass under work rider Jeffrey Marshall, Corona said: “He’s in very good form. Hopefully we get a good draw on Thursday. He set off from the backstraight and quickened up the straight very well, especially in the last 450m.

“Things are panning out perfectly. His weight is good and he’s eating well,” he told the Singapore Turf Club website.

Trained by veteran Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour, Hunter’s Light is no stranger to international assignments, either, having previously travelled to Turkey to compete in the Group 2 Anatolia Trophy last September, a race that he won in handsome fashion by five lengths, before catching a flight to Italy where he upstaged a top-class field in the Group 1 Premio Roma.

Among his rivals in Sunday’s contest are triple Group 1 winner Pastorius from Germany, Hong Kong’s Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Military Attack and Dubai World Cup sixth Meandre, who is prepared by former UAE champion handler Doug Watson.

Meandre is Watson’s first international runner and the Dubai-based American handler was at Kranji to oversee the five-year-old’s final preparation.

Meandre galloped over 1000m in tandem with stable companion Dux Scholar, won runs in the Krisflyer Sprint, covering the last 600m in 35.8 seconds.

“That was their last piece of work before they race,” said Watson.

“They will only walk tomorrow and just do some cantering in the next three days.

“I couldn’t be happier with the both of them. They’re well and are not leaving an oat.”

Meanwhile, several international raiders stepped up their preparation for the weekend’s showpiece races.

First-time visitor Irish trainer Edward Lynam was at Kranji to see his Dubai Golden Shaheen runner-up and KrisFlyer contender Balmont Mastwork for the first time.

Pastorius, whom Mario Hofer trained to win the German Derby, did a slow canter on the polytrack over one and a half lap.

“I just let him go at his own pace, depending on feeling. He dictated how fast he wanted to go,” said track rider Cay Bonhoff.

“Like I said before, we don’t want to push him because of the weather. Stefanie Hofer [trainer’s daughter] is here and will gallop him on Friday as she is lighter.”

Hofer said she was happy with Pastorius’ condition since arriving at Kranji on Saturday night.

“He has travelled really well considering it was the first time he’s come out so far,” she said.

“He looks exactly like he is back home. He can be a bit nervous around horses he doesn’t know, but that’s him.

“Otherwise, he looks in great shape as he was race-fit when he left Germany.”

The Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux, who was a two-length runner-up to Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup, also continued his smooth preparation cantering 2000m on the polytrack.

“We stepped him up to 1 ¼ miles today after he ran a mile yesterday,” said assistant-trainer Robin Trevor-Jones.

“All’s good with him. He will have a gallop on Thursday, but it will be gentle enough pace – we won’t be breaking any track record.”