Street Of Dreams may be up in grade against some of the best local middle-distance gallopers in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1400m) on Sunday, but trainer Steven Burridge hopes that winning streak would not come to a halt.
The four-year-old son of Dundeel bolted in by more than six lengths to claim his first win at his fifth start on October 2, and after three more consecutive wins in two Class 4 and one Class 3 races, he now looks a serious lightweight hope on Sunday.
While last-start Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) winner, Hongkong Great and stablemate Katak have both been allocated the top impost of 59.5kgs, Street Of Dreams gets in with just 50.5kgs and that nine-kilo swing could make the difference, according to Burridge.
“It’s a huge step in class for sure, a big leap of faith,” said the experienced Australian conditioner.
“We always knew he had ability – and he’s shown that at his last four wins – but he’s up against some serious horses on Sunday.
“(Trainer) Ricky’s (Ricardo Le Grange) pair (Katak and Hongkong Great) are in top form and have the wins on the board at this level but we get a nine-kilo pull in the weights. That’s significant.”
It was crucial to the point that the first question Burridge asked his new race-rider, Ronnie Stewart, before offering the plum ride was if could he ride at 50.5kgs and not a gram more?
“(Jockey) Manoel (Nunes) couldn’t make the weight and Ronnie promised me that he could get down to 50.5kgs and he’d well better,” quipped Burridge.
“Even a half kilo against these top horses can make the difference and while we think he is up to the level, you have to take every advantage you can and the weight difference is ours.
“Hopefully, we can draw a gate too. He will need to settle against this lot over 1400m, a nice barrier – say three, four or five – would be perfect so Ronnie can stay handy enough with cover and have a good crack at them in the straight.
“Manoel had to ride him upside down last start from gate one over 1200m on the Poly (Polytrack) so while he ran out of condition late, he can be ridden quiet on Sunday.
“There should be plenty of speed on early and he will have more in the tank late.”
While the step-up in Class on Sunday is a big test for the four-time winner, Burridge thinks he can win and go on to compete against the same horses at level weights in the not-too-distant future.
“He has to get through Sunday’s race and show us he is more than just competitive with the light weight,” he said.
“But if he does – and I think he can – his next start will be in the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (over 1600m on March 25). He’s only had eight starts and had his issues but he has definitely matured into the good horse we knew he could be.”
As a four-year-old, the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) is also on the radar for Street Of Dreams, with the breeding of the Joe Giovanni-owned Australian gelding certainly in his favour.
“The dam (Causeway Queen) is by Giant’s Causeway and she got over ground,” he said.
“His (Street Of Dreams) win over the mile (on November 19) was impressive, so I think the Derby trip won’t be a problem.”
The Singapore Derby is the final leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series, which was brought back this year after being scrapped in 2021. The first two legs are the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on June 11 and the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on July 2.
Stewart, who partnered Street Of Dreams to win barrier trial no. 3 on February 2 in the time of 1 min 1.97secs, agrees with Burridge’s take on the gelding.
“I’ve only been on him at the trials but he gave me the impression that he will appreciate the seven furlongs on Sunday and even further,” said the multiple Group 1-winning jockey.
“He gave me a really nice feel. I didn’t push him at the first trial (finished third in trial no. 4 on January 26) as we just wanted him to switch off, but we let him stride out at his last trial and it was quite exciting.
“It’s tough to jump from Class 3 to this type of company but he was going to get there soon anyway, so I will make the weight (50.5kgs), which is definitely in his favour.
“Race fitness is also on his side. A few of the good horses are fresh and might need the run so his race hardness will hold him in good stead come the business end.”
By Larry Foley, Singapore Turf Club
