A small but interesting field of six runners face the starter in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1,200m) on Aug 25. On his superior rating of 102 points – 15 clear of next-best Major King – Ghalib stands out. But to have only six horses (Maxima was scratched) vying for top prize often means the form book can be tossed out the window.
Ghalib himself is a prime example. At his third-last start, which came in a similar contest, the I Am Invincible gelding rolled forward, slammed on the brakes and made a monkey of you know who. The roles are reversed this time.
There is no Golden Monkey or any horse rated better than Ghalib. However, one horse makes that scenario of the Steven Burridge-trained galloper being caught napping seem improbable for one reason – Pacific Vampire. The speed demon’s last-start all-the-way win, coming off a run of five defeats, sent the unequivocal message some horses are better off left to themselves, especially wilful front runners.
Trainer Jason Ong tried to wake up the chaser in the Impending five-year-old. To be fair, it was a legitimate move given his three Australian wins were posted in that fashion, but the plan backfired. Pacific Vampire will try and run his rivals ragged again, especially as he would enjoy an uncontested lead with none of his opponents capable of matching his blistering pace.
The luxury load of 52kg will also take him a long way into the race, but handicapping in racing is all swings and roundabouts – he is up against.