Just like most Kranji racegoers on hand three weeks ago, trainer Desmond Koh was suitably impressed by New Zealand-bred Coming Through’s emphatic debut win, but remained realistic it may not be the same one-way traffic second-up this Friday.
The Singaporean handler couldn’t fault the way Coming Through has trained on since that first win, which came in a 1100m race in Open Maiden company on August 16, but the S$75,000 Novice race over 1200m – on Polytrack again – will be a different kettle of fish, he said.
“It’s much tougher this time,” said Koh.
“There are five last-start winners in this race, including him, and he carries a big weight (58kgs).
“He’s pulled up well after his first win and I’ve just been getting him through his daily routine since.
“He definitely showed he had ability, but this is a much more testing race. There are also some impressive horses carrying light weights, like Diamond Ring, Charming Diamond and Field Marshal on 51.5kgs.”
The four other last-start winners Koh has singled out as the biggest hurdles towards a two-from-two for Coming Through are Lord Of Light (on a quick back-up after an impressive maiden win on Friday), The Nutter, Diamond Ring and Field Marshal, the latter two both debut winners like Coming Through.
While it was Noh Senari who steered Coming Through to a facile win at his Kranji introduction, a careless riding suspension will prevent Singapore’s leading local jockey from bidding for an extension of the winning association with the El Hermano four-year-old on Friday.
“Noh is suspended, which is a shame as he works the horse and won on him on debut,” said Koh.
“We’ve booked Alysha Collett for this run. Fingers crossed, the horse can overcome his big weight and run well again.”
Coming Through is raced by the same connections who combined with Koh to land the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) with Chase Me in 2012, the Tan Huat Stable.
Easily recognisable by its all yellow silks, the local outfit which has been around for quite some time, also has Coming Up with Koh, a Battle Paint four-year-old who was launched two weeks ago and didn’t fare badly with a fourth place in another Open Company race over 1200m on turf.
“It’s great to train another good horse for Tan Huat. They’ve had a few nice horses like Guru-Guru and City Lad, but they’ve been a little quiet since and now they’ve got Coming Through and Coming Up, as well as a few other horses,” said Koh.
“They’ve been strong supporters of mine, and I really appreciate their support throughout the years.
“It’s too early to say how far Coming Through will go, but he has done nothing wrong so far. Let’s just see how he handles the rise in class on Friday.”
