Racing: Big Sequalo goes fast in trial win

SINGAPORE - After five runs without success, trainer Laurie Laxon's Big Sequalo does seem to be running in some sort of form and must go into your notebook as a horse to follow.

Sent to the trials on Tuesday morning, the five-year-old Australian-bred led from go to whoa to register a smart time of 60.58sec for the 1,000m.

Ridden by TH Koh, Big Sequalo could have gone faster but was eased up close to home. Still, he won by almost four lengths.

Big Sequalo ran second on debut and was looked on as a good thing in his next start. However, when backed down to firm favourite, he finished down the course. A vet's examination revealed that he was lame.

After an eight-month break, he came back in June to run third to Greenback. He had two more unplaced outings before coming into Tuesday's trial.

TRIAL 1 (OFFICIAL)

1 Stiletto (C Brown) 2 Vitally Secret (K A'Isisuhairi) 3 General Conatus (WL Hu) 4 Eclipse Warrior (M Kellady)

Margins and time: Nk, 4, nk (1min 05.16sec).

Stiletto cleared the gates cleanly and led from Eclipse Warrior, who gave chase. Next came Vitally Secret and General Conatus. Eclipse Warrior, after looking like going to the front, was restrained and dropped into a clear second. Stiletto continued to lead. Vitally Secret was up there.

Into the straight and Stiletto led from Eclipse Warrior and General Conatus. That was the positions in which they finished a trial which didn't reveal any big secrets.

TRIAL 2

1 Big Sequalo (TH Koh) 2 Irish Rebel (J Moreira) 3 Soaring Win (KT Cheng) 4 Sure Win (M Nunes) 5 Bespoke (R Shafiq) 6 Bat King Margins and time: 3¾, 1¼, 3, 4½, 12¼ (1:00.58).

Big Sequalo, jumping from Gate 1, got going nicely and led from Soaring Win and Irsh Rebel. They were followed closely by Sure Win, Bespoke and Bat King. Nearing the 600m and Big Sequalo was a clear leader from Soaring Win and Sure Win. Irish Rebel was next.

Angling out for the run home and they were well strung out. Big Sequalo led comfortably from Soaring Win. Irish Rebel made a late bid but Big Sequalo was home and hosed. A good trial by the winner.

TRIAL 3

1 American Vision (Nunes) 2 Dynamic Venture (M Zaki) 3 Game For Fame (Brown) 4 Jetset Man (L Allpress)

Margins and time: Ns, nk, 2¼ (1:01.65).

American Vision and Dynamic Venture disputed the early lead with Game For Fame and Jetset Man running next in that order. As they cleared the bend on the far side, Dynamic Venture and American Vision went like Siamese twins. Together, they would make the turn for the run home.

With 400m remaining, the two leaders were still locked in battle. But they soon had company. Game For Fame and Jetset Man made their bids. With 200m to cover, they were four abreast. Game For Fame looked like taking it but American Vision and Dynamic Venture fought back and, in a head-bobber, American Vision got the nod from Dynamic Venture.

TRIAL 4

1 Goal Keeper (D Beasley) 2 Flying Wild (Allpress) 3 Confalcon (O Chavez) 4 Knight's Command (Brown) 5 Zac Suggestion (Moreira) 6 Our Friendly Diva (R Hasri) 7 Marine Park (Nunes)

Margins and time: 1½, 1¾, 2¾, 2¾, ¾, nk (1:01.28).

Goal Keeper was smartly away but Confalcon soon took over the running. Flying Wild and Knight's Command disputed third spot. Zac Suggestion, deciding to take the scenic route, was fourth.

As they cleared the 600m, former Malaysian galloper Confalcon led comfortably from Goal Keeper. Flying Wild was a clear third.

With the finish in sight, Flying Wild, Goal Keeper and Confalcon made it a line of three. Class eventually told and Goal Keeper pulled away to win from Flying Wild. Goal Keeper looks to be in condition.

TRIAL 5

1 Trap (K Lee) 2 Black Sorcerer 3 Princess Janna (D Darren) 4 Dreammaker (Allpress) 5 Easy Winner (YF Leong) 6 Wings Senior (S John) 7 Serpico (A Munro) 8 Blazing Spur (T Rehaizat)

Margins and time: ½, nk, ½, nk, ¾, 3, 2 (1:03.02).

Easy Winner was the early leader but it was tight up front. Princess Janna was there, so too Wings Senior, Trap and Black Sorcerer. Clearing the 600m and Princess Janna led narrowly from Wings Senior and Easy Winner. Black Sorcerer, Dreammaker and Serpico were within striking distance. Trap was second from last.

On straightening, Princess Janna led but she soon had company. Trap woke up and gave chase. Taking the shortest route home, he collared Princess Janna and held off Black Sorcerer's late burst to win by ½ length.

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