Sport | Horse Racing
Trainer Laxon confident of his chances
New Zealander has yet to score a win in eight years at Singapore Cup but believes Recast has a real opportunity.
- By Sarah Tregoning, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:08 May 18, 2008
Singapore: He has been a trainer in Singapore for eight years without scoring a win in the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup, but Laurie Laxon believes that today's running of the race represents a "real live chance".
New Zealander Laxon saddles Recast in the race and believes that his seven-year-old has the experience and form to do the business despite strong competition from foreign horses.
"Recast won the Singapore Gold Cup in November and his next start after that when he had 59kg and he ran a track record," said Laxon
"He's a very versatile horse and he can stay. He's already won over 2,200 metres so he's looking good. And he was drawn in gate two which is good for me."
'Good jockey'
Recast is ridden by Singapore's champion jockey Noel Callow and Laxon says the pair know exactly what they have to do on the track this afternoon.
"He's got a good jockey on him and he knows where he's going and what he's doing," he said. "We hope this is going to be our year. I have been here since the year 2000 and we've had a runner in most years, sometimes two or three, but I think Recast is a real live chance."
If Recast can beat off foreign hopefuls including Dubai-winner Jay Peg, as well as tough competitors Balius from France and the Japanese 2006 winner Cosmo Bulk, then he will be the first Singapore horse to win the race since Ouzo in 2000.
Laxon also has three runners in the $1 million KrisFlyer Sprint, with his main hope coming in the shape of Why Be, a five-year-old gelding.
The four-year-old Waikato, who won on his last outing, also goes to the starting line for Laxon this afternoon, although the trainer believes he's a little immature.
"I do feel he's a bit immature although he's a four-year-old I think he will be a better horse in a year's time. I just hope he's up for it because I own him," he said.
While the third horse from Laxon's string to take to the track today is Ace and Aces and Laxon says if it rains, then the four-year-old could be in with a chance.
"He has been a very good horse in New Zealand and he's just about to strike for me."
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