Korean Duo Settling in at Kranji

The Korean-trained, US-bred pair of Choegangja (Silver Train) and Zentenary (First Defence) stepped up their work at Singapore's Kranji Racecourse Tuesday as they prepare to face as many as 11 locally trained gallopers in Sunday's S$250,000 Korean Racing Authority Trophy (1200m Polytrack).

The duo had been kept to handwalking around the international stables since their arrival in the overnight hours Friday and were put through some light work Monday. Each emerged pre-dawn and were asked to increase the tempo to varying degrees thereafter. Pennsylvania-bred 4-year-old Choegangja, winner of half of his 12 starts at home, was allowed to extend a bit over the final three furlongs of his work, covering the distance in a leisurely 43 seconds with Kranji jockey Erasmus Aslam in the saddle. Zentenary, who was partnered by his groom/work rider Kim Young Hoon, cantered a lap and did some light pacework second time around.

“Choegangja worked well. He already had a nice first feel of the track yesterday with one lap of light canter,” trainer Brian Dean, the Australian handler who used to train the Choegangja before handing over to new Seoul trainer Jun Seung Kyu when he left last month, told the Singapore Turf Club's Michael Lee. “I was very happy with that piece of work. He pulled up good and has no weight problem; he is now on 488 kilos, up four kilos from his last start.”

Dean is also overseeing the progress of Zentenary.

“The other horse looks fit and well, too,” Dean said. “He also had one lap of canter yesterday and did a little more today, just a bit of pacework and his lad [Kim] said there was no change in his weight.”