Clement Runners Doing Well at Kranji

by Alan Carasso

Trainer Christophe Clement said Friday that the China Horse Club's MGSWs Parranda (English Channel) and My Option (Belong to Me) are acclimating nicely to the tropical climate at Singapore's Kranji Racecourse and are expected to pick up the pace beginning this weekend as they approach their appearance in the S$3.05-million CECF Singapore Cup Feb. 22. 

“They've been settling in well, training along nicely, and we'll probably wait until Sunday morning to do their first 'regular' gallop,” Clement commented. “We just wanted to give them enough time to bounce out of their long trip. But as of now, they have shipped well.” 

For now, the horses are doing their thing under the cloak of darkness. 

“They remain in quarantine and go out between 5 and 6 a.m., which is not a bad thing, really, because it's rather warm at that hour,” Clement explained. “To tell you the truth, I'm pretty happy about that. We get to beat the heat, because it gets pretty hot after 9 a.m. or so.” 

With all the major preparations having taken place in South Florida, the focus over the next several days is the horses' health, but they are expected to be asked for a little more into the middle of next week. 

“They might have a very easy piece of work Wednesday,” Clement confirmed. “When they left Payson Park, they were very fit and we now just have to worry about their well being. Our main priority is for them to stay well and to come back feeling good and well.” 

Parranda will be ridden in the CEFC Singapore Cup by Belgian Christophe Soumillon, who has won any number of big races worldwide, including a pair of Arc de Triomphes (Dalakhani, 2003; Zarkava, 2008); a Breeders' Cup Turf (Shirocco, 2005); the Dubai Sheema Classic (Cirrus des Aigles, 2012); and most recently the Japan Cup (Epiphaneia). 

“My son [Darley Flying Start participant Miguel Clement] brought up the possibility of Soumillon to ride and I thought it was a great idea,” Clement stated. “We approached him, and it works well for everybody, because Soumillon is obviously a major name in France and I am delighted to have a leading rider to go over there. I am thrilled and excited to have him for the race.”