Racing: Slew Of Lode shows rattling form at trials

Clockers at trackside Tuesday morning were stumped for superlatives to describe SLEW OF LODE's win in the fifth of six trials run over the 1,000m on the Polytrack.

Ridden by John Powell, the Argentine-bred tracked runaway leaders GREAST WISE and STORM ARC all the way until the top of the straight. There, when asked for an effort, he opened up in fine style to win the 1,000m sprint with a ton in hand.

On that performance, Slew Of Lode will take a whole lot of beating in Sunday's Class 3 event over the 1,200m on the long course.

Trained by Patrick Shaw, the four-year-old certainly seems destined to be a hit with punters this season.

After all, he did sign off on a winning note when - fittingly - he won the last race of the season on Dec 15.

Since then, punters have been waiting for him to return and now, with this trial win under his girth, the chestnut by Lode does look in line for a race-to-race double.

TUESDAY'S TRIAL RESULTS AND COMMENTS:

TRIAL 1 (OFFICIAL)

1 Super Joy (I Santana)

2 Dragon Perk (M Suhaimi)

3 Mastermind (I Saifudin)

4 Show Class (M Au)

Margins and time: 8½, 1½, 7½ (1min 00.40sec)

Super Joy jumped best of the youngsters but it was Mastermind who led them when they turned at the far side. Show Class was third, with Dragon Perk last. It was Mastermind when they passed the 600m. He looked to be in a race of his own with Super Joy and Show Class trying to keep up.

However, when they straightened, Ivaldo Santana asked Super Joy for an effort and, just like that, they raced ahead of the field. Super Joy, who seemed to relish the pace, went further and further ahead until, at the finish, there was a street between himself and the rest.

Watch him at the races. He looks primed for a dazzing debut.

TRIAL 2 (OFFICIAL)

1 Lady Roulette (YF Leong)

2 Brave Tiger (Santana)

3 Here Come Buddy (Au)

Margins and time: Nk, 2¾ (1:02.21)

Lady Roulette jumped best and, after just 150m, had put a length on Here Come Buddy and Brave Tiger. The filly, Lady Roulette, continued to show the way as they approached the 600m. Here Come Buddy kept in touch, with Brave Tiger third.

Into the straight and with 200m to cover, they were three in a line. Lady Roulette, the meat in the sandwich, held a narrow lead over Brave Tiger on her outside.

They dropped off Here Come Buddy. With the finish in sight, the "Lady" kept up a brisk gallop to win rather comfortable.

TRIAL 3 (TEST)

1 Any Choice (L Allpress)

2 Sombrani (Saifudin)

3 Marseille Roulette (A Munro)

4 Saint And Sinner (M Nunes)

5 Little Lion

Margins and time: Nk, ½, ns, 6 (1:03.54)

Marseille Roulette jumped cleanly but, after 100m, it was Sombrani who took over as pacemaker. Third was Any Choice. He was followed by Little Lion and Saint And Sinner.

Nearing the 600m and Sambrani had company. Marseille Roulette and Any Choice covered him on both sides - leaving Saint And Sinner and Little Lion to guard the rear.

When they angled for that run home, Any Choice wrested the lead and held on to win from Sombrani. A good run by Saint And Sinner, who came from a fair way back to finish a smack-up fourth.

TRIAL 4 (TEST)

1 Shabbat (Nunes)

2 Flutz (Allpress)

3 Nick Hat Trick (Saifudin)

4 Faithful Warrior (Leong)

5 Prince Mag (R Shafiq)

Margins and time: Nk, 8, 8, 9¾ (1:01.84)

Prince Mag took a while to get into stride. Nice Hat Trick and Flutz got going soon after and led from Shabbat and Faithful Warrior. When they passed the 600m, Nice Hat Trick and Flutz were locked together in a fierce duel. Shabbat, with Manoel Nunes in the saddle, was within striking distance. Then came Faithful Warrior.

Into the straight and Shabbat, spotting daylight between the leaders, took the run and led with 200m to go. Flutz, under a nice hold, gave chase but Shabbat, ridden hard and furious by Nunes, prevailed at the finish. A good trial by the runner-up.

TRIAL 5 (PRACTICE)

1 Slew Of Lode (J Powell)

2 Listen (Santana)

3 Great Wise (Au)

4 Storm Arc (Saifudin)

5 Lion Barows (Shafiq)

6 Global Focus (R Lim)

7 Gold Hill (B Vorster)

8 Flight Ofthe Saker (Munro)

Margins and time: 5¾, 1½, ¾, ½, 1½, hd, dist (1:00.55)

Slew Of Lode was a tad slow but was soon in the mix. Great Wise and Storm Arc were off and away. They soon put a length on Slew Of Lode. Next came Gold Hill, Listen, Flight Ofthe Saker and Lion Barows.

Passing the 600m and heading for the top of the straight, Great Wise and Storm Arc were still at it - trading blows even as they straightened. Slew Of Lode was peeled out for his run.

As if on cue, Slew Of Lode opened up charged to the front and soon cleared away to win yet another impressive trial. Listen charged home for second. But the morning belonged to Slew Of Lode.

TRIAL 6 (PRACTICE)

1 Arrowhead (Nunes)

2 Funca (Vorster)

3 D'Don (Saifudin)

4 Shin Goong (C Brown)

5 Ballistics (HZ Toh)

6 On Twistter (D Beasley)

7 G Power (H Amin)

8 Rock Show (Powell)

Margins and time: 1, 3, 3½, 5¾, 7½, 2¾, 3¾ (1:00.66)

D'Don was off like a straying husband trying to outrun a shotgun. He charged ahead and, after 100m, had put two lengths on Arrowhead. Next came Funca, Rock Show, Shin Goong and Ballistics.

Heading for the 600m and D'Don led by a length from Arrowhead. They dropped off Funca and Shin Goong. Ballistics was a lonely fifth.

Into the straight and with 300m to go, that early burst by D'Don took its toll. He slowed down considerably and that allowed Arrowhead to shoot to the lead. With Manoel Nunes not having to do much, Arrowhead held off the fast-finishing Funca to win the last.

brian@sph.com.sg

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