Trainer Mahadi Taib reckons the in-form Surpass Natural can go one better in the $110,000 Group 3 Merlion Trophy (1200m) on Saturday should he be handed a better gate at the draws.
The seven-year-old son of Elvstroem has placed twice in three starts for Mahadi, and he surprised the latter even more with a fighting second to Ocean Crossing after coursing out four-wide early at his last start in the Kranji Stakes A race (1100m) four weeks ago.
Some might think that the Singaporean trainer targeted the first Group race of the season for Surpass Natural in view of his good form recently, but he had long earmarked the Polytrack feature for the highest-rated gelding in his yard.
“I always thought he would be my first Group (race) runner in the Merlion Trophy since I got my licence last June,” said Mahadi, who worked his way up the racing ladder as a syce at the old Bukit Timah racecourse.
“He’s a Class 1 horse (rated at 97 points) and good on the Poly(track), so we had this race in mind.
“He had a hairline fracture to his right front fetlock before he came to me, and credit to (Singapore Turf Club veterinary surgeon) Dr Dan (Shaw), we nursed him well and he came back good.”
Mahadi thought the outside barrier stood in Surpass Natural’s way at his last start and drawing an inside or middle gate would increase his chances of bringing home the first silverware for the newest trainer at Kranji on Saturday.
“I thought he would struggle from that wide gate. I told (apprentice jockey) Jerlyn (Seow) to try and cut across, she tried but they still ended up sitting wide.
“Even then, I’m still very happy and surprised to see him run close in second. He pulled up okay.
“Anything between (barriers) one to six is better. He can be ridden handy in the first four from there.
“He trialled last Thursday with (jockey) Vlad (Duric) and he was happy with him (ran sixth to Merlion Trophy opponent, Lim’s Kosciuszko). The horse’s action was good. This morning, they did an easy gallop and Vlad said he felt fresh.
“He’s (Surpass Natural) fit. He ran with apprentice jockeys (Seow and Jamil Sarwi) on board at his last three starts, but we need a strong rider in the big race and he cannot claim either, so I asked Vlad to ride him.
“The rain doesn’t bother me. I remembered he won in a heavy rain on the Polytrack (Class 2 race over 1100m on July 26, 2020) when he was with (ex-Kranji trainer) Leticia (Dragon).”
Surpass Natural got off to a flying start at Kranji with five wins from five starts four years ago when he began his racing career with Dragon, but he ran unplaced at his first test in the Group 3 New Year Cup (1200m) in 2020.
The seven-time winner (1000 to 1200m) had a few runs in Group company after that, with a third to Excelling in the Merlion Trophy (1200m) that year, which was then a Class 2 race, as his best result.
Three years later, Surpass Natural takes on a different kettle of fish in the same sprint feature, which includes two-time Group 1 winner Lim’s Kosciuszko, last-start winner Ocean Crossing and talented sprinter-miler Rocket Star in the field of 12.
“I think he (Surpass Natural) has a good chance because everything has been good for him recently,” said Mahadi.
“But I think Lim’s Kosciuszko and Rocket Star will be the main danger.
“The owner (Mr Tay Kian Foo of New Fortune Stable) will be here on Saturday. Hopefully he can win.”
By Sharon Zhang, Singapore Turf Club
