By Michael Lee, Singapore Turf Club
Tim Fitzsimmons is hoping that honest mare Gold City can bounce back to winning ways this Saturday.
The Sufficient seven-year-old may have had only two runs for Fitzsimmons, but the Australian would still have a fair idea how to get the best out of her. He was around as the assistant-trainer when she was prepared by his former boss Cliff Brown.
Gold City boasts three wins for Brown, with Fitzsimmons involved at the first two – on debut in an Open Maiden 1200m in September 2017 and a Class 4 Non Premier (no such race anymore) over 1800m eight months later.
The last win came on September 19, 2020 when Fitzsimmons had already branched out on his own and was at his second season as a trainer at Kranji.
After Brown returned to Australia to continue his training career earlier in the year, Gold City was among a dozen of horses who were transferred to his former right-hand man, with Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe winner and three-year-old contender Boomba arguably the most valuable hand-me-down, and who contests the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) next Sunday.
Gold City may not have as much upsides, but she is no slouch, and did look like she could open her account for Fitzsimmons at her last start in a Class 4 race over 1800m when she came off a wide journey to hit the front at the 300m, but Split Second landed from the clouds to deny her.
Will it be third time lucky this Saturday in the $50,000 Class 4 mile race? Fitzsimmons had been hoping for two elements to enhance Gold City’s chances – a handy barrier and a bit of rain. The first box is ticked with barrier two, he will now do a rain dance.
“She got there too soon at her last start, she was left a sitting duck, but there was no other choice after she was caught wide from her wide barrier,” said Fitzsimmons.
“It was still a good run considering she was second-up over 1800m. There were no 1800m races till the end of the month, so we went for this mile race instead. The race doesn’t look overly strong, but it’s still an even field.
“But the barriers will be important. She drew two, so that’s perfect, but she also likes a bit of sting out of the track.
“Her legs are great, I’m happy with her, there is still life in those legs. It’s just that as she’s an older horse now, it’d be nice to have a kinder surface for her.
“She’s an easy mare to train, she works a lot on the hill tracks. I hope she’s well and can run well.”
After teaming up with the Gold Stable-owned galloper at her last start, four-time Singapore champion jockey and current premiership leader Vlad Duric will again get the leg-up at her 31st start, for what can be described as a very light workload in five campaigns for a rising eight.
“We’ve looked after her. She’s sound and there is no reason why there wouldn’t be another couple of seasons left in her, and why not – another couple of wins, too,” said Fitzsimmons.
