Hypeman, The Star can take centre stage
Both Hypeman and The Star turned in impressive gallops and, if they can carry that form to the races on July 6, they could be looking at race-to-race doubles.
Hypeman, from the stables of trainer Simon Dunderdale, clocked 39sec for the 600m while Lawson Moy's The Star caught the eye when running out the same trip in 41.6sec.
Hypeman, who is down to contest the Max 2 sprint over 1,200m, won on debut in good fashion. The Dundeel four-year-old came off fourth spot at the 400m mark to win going away by two lengths in that Class 4A event (1,100m) on June 15.
After going under the hammer for A$42,500 (S$35,500) at the 2024 Inglis December online sale, Hypeman arrived at his new quarters in Malaysia, knowing what it took to win races.
Trained by Matt Laurie in Australia previously, Hypeman ran 11 times on the tracks around South Australia and Victoria, where he scored once over 1,300m at Cranbourne on May 3. He also had three seconds and three thirds to his name.
The bay galloper is a progressive sort and Dunderdale - who also owns the gelding - would have big plans for him.
As for The Star, he has a date with the starter in the Class 4A race (1,020m).
Unlike Hypeman, who is one-from-one in Malaysia, The Star was at his seventh Malaysian run for Moy at his last-start win in a Class 4B contest (1,100m) on June 15.
Before that, he was under the care of trainer Tim Fitzsimmons at Kranji. While there, the Buffalo Stable-owned gelding raced 26 times and won two races over 1,200m, first on Nov 5, 2022 and the next on Oct 28, 2023.
After finishing third at his last race at Kranji on March 30, 2024, The Star moved to his new base in Selangor and immediately caught the attention of racegoers when he got up by a head from Race For Fame in a nail-biting finish at his first test in Malaysia on Oct 12, 2024.
To date, the Hallowed Crown six-year-old has picked up four wins in Kuala Lumpur and placed in three other runs. His last win, on June 15, was a gem.
Ridden by Laercio de Souza and having to clear that disadvantaged gate 10 in the field of 11, The Star soon found a spot behind the leader, Cool Sixty-One.
He was content to play a stalking role, but the fun began at the furlong mark when de Souza said "go".
Off went The Star and, at the post, he had put 5½ lengths between himself and the chasing pack.
The Star will turn seven on Aug 1. On paper, he might seem old, but on his current form, there is still loads of racing left in that tight and taut frame of his.
Then, there was Te Akau Ben.
Another one from the Dunderdale yard, he clocked a smart 38.4sec for his training gallop over the 600m. That, after a spot of cantering on a track rated "good".
While the Tavistock seven-year-old won his previous six races in Singapore when prepared by Donna Logan, he also saluted in a Metro A event (1,600m) at Sungai Besi on March 1. It could have been eight, but he had to settle for third at his last two runs on June 22 and May 17.
The reigning champion trainer in Malaysia will be looking to have more good seasons with the New Zealand-bred, who will turn eight on Aug 1.
Finally, from the morning trackwork on July 1, we suggest you take note of Achilles Pegasus.
A resident at trainer Wayne Lim's yard since August 2024, Achilles Pegasus turned in a pleasing workout, running the 600m in 41.2sec.
The son of Per Incanto had five trials before Lim sent him to the races. He made his debut in the Betmakers Cup (1,400m) on Dec 1, 2024, and repaid part of his purchase price of NZ$100,000 (S$77,400) when he took third in that race won by Rocky Bhai.
The three-year-old galloper finished third on two other occasions before breaking through for his first win.
That was in the UPBH Platinum Horse Club Trophy (1,400m) on March 16, and Achilles Pegasus beat Pulse Bomb by 1¼ lengths.
It was an untidy finish as he laid in in the straight, and had to survive an objection by the second-placed runner before he could claim his maiden victory.
Granted his last two runs in open company were dismal, but he takes on Class 4 runners over 1,400m on July 6 and, on the strength of his training gallop, we should see a much improved performance.
brian@sph.com.sg
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