More time to Thrust across from wide gate: Duric
Conventional wisdom has it that 14-from-14 usually sounds the death knell for any sprinter with a bit of get-up-and-go.
And with the popular black gelding having fluffed his lines at the gates of late – which tellingly cost him the Group 3 New Year Cup (1200m) when he still flew home for third to Nowyousee - derisory comments he might as well stay at the stables may even pop up in pre-race debates.
The three-time Singapore champion jockey begs to differ.
"The barrier is actually good. It's a long run to the first curve and I'll have a bit of time to come across," said the Australian ace, who counts one win on the Turffontein four-year-old from two associations.
"Hopefully he breaks out of the barriers on terms, though. I rode him at his last trial (January and his barrier manners were good, he jumped a lot better.
"He stood better in the gates and jumped well. (Trainer) Michael (Clements) and (Singapore Turf Club starter) John Pepe have done a great job with him.
"He's a very fast horse. There's no need to dig him up or bustle him up to slowly come across.
"If things go to plan, he should be able to sit outside the leader. It's his first time over 7 f, but it should be okay, he is actually looking for seven furlongs now.
"So, all in all, I'm okay with his barrier 14."
Already perched up in his familiar top spot, albeit only one winner clear of last year's runner-up Benny Woodworth, Duric is reasonably bullish of a bountiful harvest in this special Chinese New Year meeting.
"I've got some other good rides this week, namely Rocket Star, Mr Malek and Vittoria Perfetta," he said.
"Rocket Star is in the Class 4 race over 7 f. He is well-weighted (54kgs), he's in really good form.
"Mr Malek is running in the Novice race over 6 f. He is coming back from injury but he trialled nicely the other day (won with Duric up on January 14).
"He's a quality three-year-old and definitely has a touch of class. The only thing is he may be vulnerable first-up.
"I also like Vittoria Perfetta in the Kranji Stakes B race over 1 m. He could be a Derby type and he also trialled good last week (January 16).
"I hope these four good rides can put another gap of four winners on Benny!"
