By Alan Carasso
Gilt Complex (NZ) (Gold Centre {Aus}), winner of the S$1.35-million Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) at his most recent run Nov. 12, is under consideration for a trip to the Dubai International Racing Carnival, part-owner Graham Mackie told The Informant.
“There are no suitable (middle-distance) races left for him in Singapore, so we're looking seriously at what's on offer in Dubai,” Mackie, who owns Gilt Complex with photographer Trish Dunell, told www.theinformant.co.nz. “Talking to [trainer] Cliff [Brown] and the key people in the stable the day after the race, they're all talking about Dubai being the best option. Now it's a matter of going through the races in detail and seeing what sort of a programme we can put together. At this stage I imagine he wouldn't be good enough for a race like the [G1 Dubai] Sheema Classic (2400m); that is unless he keeps raising the bar and goes to another level again. For now he's had his plates taken off and will have three weeks off before starting work again.”
An NZ$10,000 purchase out of the NZB Festival Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2013, Gilt Complex caused a 43-1 boilover in the Raffles Cup (1800m) for a first black-type win last month before clawing his way to the wire first in the Gold Cup after diving back down towards the inside in the waning stages (video). The gelding has shown particular affinity for trips between 2000 and 2200m, with a record of 2-2-1 from six tries.
Gilt Complex's stablemate, 2016 Raffles Cup winner and future horse of the year Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus}), was ninth in the G1 Dubai Turf this past March. Mackie is perhaps best known as the owner of two-time Singapore champion Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
