By Alan Carasso
The human connections of Chopins Fantaisie (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) readily acknowledge that on their hands they have a horse full of talent, but at the same time, one that is never going to put up devastating winning margins. But as long as the full-brother to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) keeps on winning, they will find a way to manage, and the athletic bay made it four on the hop with another cosy success Sunday at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore.
Hammered late into $7 (2-5) favoritism from $9 (4-5), Chopins Fantaisie took up a prominent-enough position from about fifth and enjoyed a soft run behind the speed on the short course. Tipped out nearing the exit to the final corner, he looked to have the race at his mercy. But the Laurie Laxon-trained filly Aotearoa (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret {GB}) refused to go down without a fight and stretched the favorite deep into the final furlong before going down by a half-length. The final time of 1:21.88 for the 1400m was 0.10 outside the class record (video).
“He will never win by a space, that is not his caper. It's more cat-and-mouse style with him,” said winning rider Glen Boss. “But he's got a lovely long action and has a great attitude. He will grow and mature further as he's not the full product yet–he is coming quite well and will even better in six months' time. I sat on his back in the last 10 days, and he's such an unassuming horse. But he has so much energy and he can run time. [Trainer] Mike [Clements] will have a lot of fun with him as he will continue to improve for sure.”
As for what's next, Clements said, “He will go towards a Class 3 race in four to five weeks' time and later in the year, I may look at a feature race late in the season for him, like the Committee's Prize.”
The Committee's Prize is a handicap race run over 1600m on Sept. 17.
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