Stephen Gray Racing

23/01/2024

25/09/2023

FEBRUARY is back winning again the last race on Saturday. Our nice progressive staying type a son of Sacred Falls (NZ) bought at 2021 Ready To Run Sale. Nice rail winning ride for Brazilian jockey B Queiroz his first ride & winner for the stable. Congratulations to the connections great result and our wonderful hard working team.

06/08/2023

LIGHTWEIGHT KHARISMA SPRINGS MAJOR UPSET IN ROCKET MAN SPRINT

BY Larry Foley (), 06/08/2023

Outsider Kharisma caused a major boilover with his first Group win in the $110,000 Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint (1200m) on Sunday.

A ten-time winner all over 1200m, Kharisma had five unsuccessful cracks at Group level, with a third in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) as a four-year-old in 2021 and more recently, a second in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on June 3 as his best results.

However, the planets looked to have aligned beautifully in the second Leg of the STC Super Sprint series for the now seven-year-old with a handicapped weight of only 51kgs from the good barrier three and over his winning trip, as well as some good form under his belt.

Kharisma (Shafrizal Saleh) fends off the fast-finishing Pacific Emperor (Wong Chin Chuen) to take out the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint.

On paper, Kharisma looked a solid proposition but with his last win coming in a Kranji Stakes A race in January last year, cautious punters sent him out at a generous price of $113 while Pacific Emperor was the $15 favourite in the feature race.

Upon jumping, Fame Star (Mohd Zaki) crossed from his wide gate 11 to lead as expected with Sky Eye (Vlad Duric) sliding up to his outside for company, and Major King (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) was also handy albeit three-wide with no cover.

Jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin had The August one-back on the rails on settling while jockey Sharizal Saleh had Kharisma perfectly positioned just better than midfield on the rails from his good gate. Gold Star (Krisna Thangamani), Rocket Star (Manoel Nunes) and Pacific Emperor (Wong Chin Chuen) were also among those that settled in the first half of the field on the tight first bend.

Turning for home, Fame Star tried hard but was swamped by a wall of horses at the 300m, in which The August and Kharisma were the two that kicked clear of the pack at the 200m.

Under desperate riding by Shafrizal, Kharisma slowly got the better of that duel. Yet, Pacific Emperor came flying home late with only 50.5kgs on his back over the final 50m.

But Kharisma dug deep and had the favourite’s measure by a neck on the line, with The August another three-quarters-of-a-length away in third. Invincible Tycoon (Koh Teck Huat) sprouted wings late to finish another short head away, running an eye-catching fourth.

The winning time was 1 min 8.54 secs for the 1200m on the Long Course and Kharisma’s 11th win from 39 starts took his earnings to over $600,000.

Winning trio celebrates on stage: (from left) jockey Shafrizal Saleh, Gray's wife Bridget and trainer Stephen Gray.

Winning trainer Stephen Gray was emotional after the win and he put it down to the tenacity of a horse that had seen the stable through troubled times.

“Persistence, really,” explained the Kiwi conditioner to racing presenter Scott Bailey after the race.

“He (Kharisma) was our mainstay through Covid-19. He just got there (high ratings) a bit early and went quickly up in the weights and we had no races for him because these (handicap races) are the sorts of races he can win.

“We had a few feature races taken away back then and there was really only one sprint race which was a weight-for-age race (the Group 1 Lion City Cup). “He wasn’t good enough for that. (Trainer) Daniel Meagher had the best horse (Lim’s Kosciuszko) then and he (Kharisma) wasn’t quite up to it.

“But he slowly got down to a (winnable) handicap. I noticed he nearly won two starts ago. I knew I had to get him fit, so I ran him two weeks ago in that 1400m (Class 2) race and he went good (fifth).

“With the light weight today and a good draw, he just had a bit of luck.

“He might not be the best horse out there but he was really fit and was given a beautiful ride by Shafrizal. He’s a happy horse.

“I’d like to thank all my staff. (Assistant-trainer) Saimee (Jumaat), (stable supervisor) Wikki (Vickneswaran A/L Marigapan) and his syce, Ragudevan (A/L Kalimuthu). It’s been tough time of late, so we’re pretty rapt.

“It’s my fourth win in this race. St Kentigern (2001) and Emperor Max (2016) won it when it was called the Kranji Sprint and Lim’s Cruiser won it when it changed (name) to the Rocket Man Sprint in 2017.

“At the end of the day, if you want the statistics, he’s (Kharisma) probably not the best horse I’ve ever had, but this is probably one of the best feelings I’ve had for a long time.

“His previous owner – Untung Joesoef (of D**o Stable) wanted to downsize so I took over. I sold half the shares to other owners and it’s their first Group win.”

Shafrizal – who let out a loud scream after he crossed the line – was also over the moon with his second Group win.

“I’m very happy,” said the Malaysian hoop, who won his first Group race atop Starlight in the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic two years ago.

“My horse travelled really well. He just waited for my instructions and when I got a clear run in the home straight, he just went ‘whoosh’.”

“Thanks to the trainer and all my supporters.”

07/05/2023

Moor to come from February after maiden win

By Larry Foley (),

Jockey Daniel Moor rode his first winner at his current short-term stint in Singapore after the well-tried February broke through for his maiden win in the Starlight 2021 Stakes, a $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1600m on Saturday.

Moor – who was at his second weekend of riding on a shortened nine-week contract in Singapore – was in no rush early on the three-year-old son of Sacred Falls. He was happy to settle at the rear of the small eight-horse field.

A solid early clip by leader Top Show (Calvin Habib) and Apis (Mohd Zaki) gave Moor the option to track up behind Hayato (Saifudin Ismail) into a handier position on the bend. With second favourite and February’s biggest danger, Single Warrior (Benny Woodworth) on his inside, the race was panning out perfectly for the even-money favourite.

February was given every chance on turning for home - and with Single Warrior battling to make an impression when asked for an effort early in the straight – the race was February’s for the taking, albeit Apis had kicked strongly at the 300m and looked to be up for the fight.

Those punters that took the short quote must have their hearts in their mouths as February was running out of ground. But with 100m to go, the Stephen Gray-trained gelding levelled up before finishing strongly to win by a length over the game Apis.

Jungle Cruise (Wong Chin Chuen) ran another two lengths away in third, with Darcy (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) improving at his third start to finish another three-quarters length away in fourth.

The winning time was 1 min 35.38secs for the 1600m on the Long Course, which was 0.01 second faster than the Class record set by Mariana Trench in a similar race last year.

February’s maiden win from five starts took his prizemoney to over $62,000 for the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable.

Moor was surprised by the early pace of the race but pointed out that February was at his best when it counted.

“Small field, lack of any real speed – I was actually surprised they went at the gallop that they did,” said the Australian Group 1-winning jockey, whose last win in Singapore came atop the Jason Ong-trained Fighting Hero on July 17 last year.

“He showed at his last start that he doesn’t finish off as well when he’s ridden a little closer in the field, but he’s a young horse with quality that’s still learning his craft, so we made it nice and simple to go back and found a nice spot three deep with cover.

“He took a while to get his act together and hit the line, but the strongest part of his race was the last bit, which is encouraging.”

Going forward, Moor reckoned that February has more to offer for his patient trainer and owners.

“He will get the development and care with Stephen who’s not afraid to take his time with a horse. The Falcon Racing (No 7 Stable) team are very good to me; they’re very patient owners, which is good.

“He’s (February) still developing, so even if it’s not this prep (preparation) or the next, he will really shine at his third preparation.

“I’m loving being back. Love the country and the racing!

“There was difficulty attaining the work permit and that cut April short, but I’m looking forward to staying as long as I can and it doesn’t interfere with the Spring Carnival in Melbourne.”

Moor’s smile grew even wider after he claimed a double with the Michael Clements-trained Coin Toss in the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) nine races later (see later report).

Gray agreed wholeheartedly with Moor that February has a staying future.

“It wasn’t a strong race but he’s a lovely horse and he wants to stay now,” said the New Zealander, who pulled off a brace with Gemilang ($30) in the $30,000 War Affair 2014 Stakes, a Class 5 race over 1400m seven races later.

“We rode him too handy the other day (April 23). We tried to ride him to win the race and it put him out of his comfort zone a little bit, so I said to Daniel the other day to trust the horse, ride him quiet and let him stay, and he did.

“He’s a nice horse and could have won his second and third starts and he keeps turning up. He’s done a good job on a two-week back-up.”

01/04/2023

Great day in the office today Singapore Turf Club 2 winners with our old mate HYDE PARK winning his 10th race. Then our promising 3 year old ARYA PAKUAN winning the next race after. Nice find by Wattle Bloodstock Congratulations to ST GEORGE & D**O STABLES plus to the jockeys involved. Special thanks to our wonderful team as always!

19/03/2023

Stephen Gray has enjoyed several defining moments in his feted training career, but to him, Saturday will be up there with one of his best days in the office. Not only did the Kiwi trainer reach a significant milestone when his fourth winner Infinite Wisdom brought him his...

19/03/2023

Red-letter day for Gray with 800th winner

By Larry Foley, STC, 18/03/2023

Trainer Stephen Gray knew he was nearing a milestone but not even the optimistic Kiwi could have envisaged four winners by race nine on Saturday to bring up his 800th winner in Singapore.

Tributo (Manoel Nunes) started the golden run with a win in the $20,000 Open Maiden over 1200m in race 5, before Prioritize (Wong Chin Chuen) made it a race-to-race double in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1700m.

Retallica (Marc Lerner) brought up the treble in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1200m, before Infinite Wisdom (Marc Lerner) made it 800 winners at Kranji for the big Kiwi conditioner in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1100m.

A good afternoon for all concerned but Gray was not done with yet with the promising Silent Is Gold putting the icing on the cake by winning the feature on the day - a $70,000 Class 3 race over 1200m – to make it five winners for the stable.

The Buddy Buddy Stable-owned four-year-old had been finding it tough to win of late but it was hard to argue with his honest form – often with excuses – leading into Saturday’s assignment.

But a well thought out plan and a confident ride by jockey Ronnie Stewart had the son of Star Turn settling as anticipated on the back of Iron Champ (Krisna Thangamani), with clean air a factor.

However, the ($9) race favourite, General Command (Nunes) was stalking him throughout but Silent Is Gold ($13) looked to be cruising when taking the lead heading into the straight.

Stewart kept his powder dry until the only real challenger - General Command -made his claim at the 300m but when the Australian hoop got busy, Silent Is Gold responded like the good horse that he is, with a relatively comfortable half-a-length victory.

General Command would have lost no admirers keeping the winner honest to the wire with Moongate Star (Saifudin Ismail) doing best work late to claim third, another one length away.

The winning time was 1min 08.90secs for the 1200m on the long course and Silent Of Gold’s fourth win took his prizemoney to a shade over $155,000.

For Gray – who also trained 411 winners in partnership with his father (Kevin Gray) in New Zealand before setting up stables in Singapore in 2000 - the 800 win milestone was a testament to his determination and his 801st a taste of things to come.

“To be honest, this time last year I was looking at where I was heading,” said an emotional Gray after the last.

“It has been incredibly tough the last few years – not just for me but all trainers - so just to survive in this industry has been an achievement.

“So 800 winners in Singapore is a big thrill. Not just for me but for my family (wife Bridget, son James and daughter Kate) who have made Singapore their home for the last 23 years or so and supported me from the start.”

A big part of that family support was from Bridget who, like her husband, did not see the milestone coming so soon.

“Bridget was thinking about coming to the races today in case we cracked 800 but I told her we are not going to train four winners,” he continued.

“I was right – we got five! But it was a real shame Bridget wasn’t here as she has been such a big part of this operation since day one.

“We set goals when we arrived in 2000. One of them was to train 1000 winners and for me to train until I’m 60 years-old, so we are getting there.”

Another big part of Gray’s longevity and success is l oyal owners. So to bring up his 800th winner in the St George Stable colours for Paul Hickman was extra special.

“I couldn’t think of a better owner (Hickman) to bring up the milestone. It made it all the more special. Very emotional. Not just a loyal owner but also a good friend of the family. He supported us through covid, for which I’m so grateful.”

Of Silent Is Gold, Gray was confident going into the race, but relieved with the result.

“He (Silent Of Gold) did well today,” he said.

“I was quietly confident – the race looked very suitable and we know the horse is capable – but it was nice how it panned out.

“To be honest, I thought he might be my only winner for the day. So for him to be my fifth was the biggest surprise.

“Pleased for the owners. Pleased for Ronnie as his daughter (Dakota) has been unwell lately. And pleased for the horse as he deserved a win.

“He has upside too. Horses’ like him is what makes it easier to come to work every morning.”

Gray - who turns 59 in November - becomes the youngest trainer to bring up 800 winners in Singapore and only the fourth to do so behind the legendary Laurie Laxon, Pat Shaw and Stephen Burridge.

18/03/2023

08/01/2023

Pick-up ride Darc Bounty hands Zyrul first win of the season

By: STC Sharon Zhang (), 07/01/2023

Old warrior Darc Bounty got up in a thrilling finish in the $70,000 Class 3 race (1000m) on Saturday to give replacement rider Zyrul Nor Azman his first win of the year.

The Singaporean jockey stood in for fellow jockey Simon Kok Wei Hoong after the latter stood down from his riding engagements due to a fracture in his right shoulder.

Despite the last-minute call-up, Zyrul already knew the Stephen Gray-trained gelding well for having ridden him to three placings from five races last year.

Darc Bounty (Zyrul Nor Azman) outsprints I Am Sacred (Wong Chin Chuen, obscured) and Pennywise (Rozlan Nazam) to claim Race 8.

After jumping from barrier nine, he settled Darc Bounty off the fence and just behind leader, I Am Sacred (Wong Chin Chuen).

Once the field straightened for the judges, Darc Bounty ($82) gave chase but I Am Sacred would not let him past easily. Following close in third was the smart Polytrack specialist, Pennywise, who looked to be motoring home strongly under apprentice jockey Rozlan Nazam.

Meanwhile, Vgor (Amirul Ismadi) and Siam Warrior (Benny Woodworth) were closing in fast on the outside, but they were all too late when Darc Bounty headed Pennywise to hit the line first.

I Am Sacred finished another short head away in third, while Vgor and Siam Warrior ran fourth and fifth respectively, separated by a short head and half-a-length between them.

The winning time was a slick 58.38secs for the 1000m sprint on the Polytrack.

Zyrul could not hide the big grin on his face upon returning to the winner’s circle, more so when he only had five winners last year, with the latest one coming on board Qaraat on October 15.

“It’s been so long that I forgot when my last winner was, but I’m so happy to get a winner on the first day (of the new season),” said the 34-year-old jockey.

“I rode him a few times before, so I know him, that he’s got the natural speed. This time he dipped a little at the start, but I still got him into a one-out, one-back position.

“I was very confident that he would give me more in the running, but I was worried that someone would catch him in the straight. They did not.

“I’m happy to get pick-up rides and I thought this was my best chance of the day. Hopefully I can get more support in future.”

Gray, who flew back from New Zealand last Tuesday, was delighted with the win but deflected the credit to the horse and his staff.

“He’s nine years old and still winning races, he’s fantastic,” said the New Zealand handler.

“He gets up high in the ratings and he always tries, so it’s hard for him to get down. Things then get a bit tougher for him, but he’s often in the money.

“We looked after him and spaced his runs out a bit. He’s still healthy and loves the sport, so he’s not retiring yet.

“(Owners) Mr and Mrs Elaine Chen are lovely people and they love the horse. This old boy keeps them going. They’ve only got two horses left now (the other one being Sure Will Do), so I hope they get more new ones.

“I want to thank the staff because they have worked hard while I was away at home for three weeks. It’s not easy and I appreciate them. My B-trainer Saimee (Jumaat) does a good job and he’s got good staff around him.”

A nine-year-old son of Darci Brahma, Darc Bounty has earned close to half a million in prizemoney for connections with eight wins and 13 placings in 47 starts.

26/11/2022

Congratulations to St George Stable for KINGS SPEECH 🔴⚪️ winning on the final race meeting Singapore Turf Club for 2022 season. Special mention to Danny Beasley 🙏 fantastic ride for his last meeting in Singapore. Wishing him and his family all the best for his next future endeavours ahead. Thank you also for all our wonderful brilliant staff, owners and cannot forget horses, lets bring on the new season 🙏🐎🧲🎄

21/11/2022

Positive news from Singapore Turf Club today bringing back our feature races for next year.

08/11/2022

LAKSANA winning over the weekend in style by dead heating with Zoffspeed Singapore Turf Club. Congratulations to D**O STABLE and nice ride by Vlad Duric

02/10/2022

Great having OUR PINNACLE 🔵🟡back in the winners circle today 🙌 such a good boy our Pinny. Great ride Mark Lerner 🙏 and congratulations to our wonderful group of owners from around the world 🇳🇿🇸🇬🇦🇺

24/09/2022

In racing we have a lot of up and downs but things happen to make it all worth while. Today to watch the joy & happiness of Apprentice R Fahmi Dan Meagher Racing Singapore riding his first career winner today on board our SILENT IS GOLD makes it all worth while at Singapore Turf Club. Congratulations to Buddy Buddy Stable and especially to our team that have worked extremely hard this week!

17/09/2022

Great to see AUGUSTANO back in the winners circle Singapore Turf Club today. Great ride by Simon Kok, congratulations to King Power Stable and all our team at Stephen Gray Racing🙏.

26/05/2022

The planets align for Gray and Nunes

Larry Foley, 26/05/2022

You always know what you are getting with trainer Stephen Gray.

The New Zealand handler, who has made Singapore his home since 2000, usually finishes in the top 10 on the trainers’ premiership with around 30 winners a year and 2022 will be no different with 15 winners heading into this weekend’s racing.

He also always manages to have a good stayer in his yard - Hard Too Think currently ticks that box – and you can set your watch by the big Kiwi leading in a winner or two with wife Bridget on most feature race days.

Gray is loyal too.

A very good trait to have but oddly, the very reason why the last time jockey Manoel Nunes won on a Gray-trained horse was when the Brazilian saluted on Destiny Knight way back on March 19, 2017.

Yes, the pair has combined since – and combines again with Ksatria on Saturday in a $30,000 Class 5 race (1700m) on the Polytrack - but not as regularly as one might have thought given Nunes is often on the best horses and Gray certainly trains them.

“He’s hard to get!” quipped Gray.

“But I also like to support the riders that do the work and jockeys like Marc (Lerner) and some of the local lads help me every day.

“And they (Lerner et al) have to ride the ones with no chance, so it’s only fair they get a go on the ones that can win too.”

So, why Nunes on Ksatria this Saturday?

“We had the choice between carrying no weight in a Class 4 race or lumping 59kgs in Class 5,” explained Gray.

“I was leaning towards the Class 4 race with (apprentice jockey) Iskandar (Rosman) but Nunes was available to ride him in the Class 5, so we thought ‘why not?’ as he is worth a few kilos in these type of races.”

Gray – who prefers using freelance jockeys – knew that Nunes only jumps on horses with realistic wining chances and Ksatria – who only broke his maiden status two starts back – is certainly that.

“You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear,” laughed Gray as he is aware of the ability of most of Nunes’ mounts.

“He’s the best jockey in Singapore at the moment – certainly in terms of winners - so he can pick and choose and I don’t call him to ride bad horses.

“Ksatria is a handy enough stayer, is in good form and looks to have found a winnable race.

“His recent trial was good too, he loves the Poly(track) and he’s genuine, so he should figure in the finish.”

The D**o Stable-owned five-year-old will carry the same colours as 2016 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup winner, Bahana, a point not lost on Gray in these tough COVID-19 times.

“It’s been a tough few years for everyone in the industry,” lamented the now-Singapore permanent resident Gray.

“(Indonesian owner) Untung Joesoef (D**o Stable) has been a very good supporter of our stable for many years.

“Nice people and they have had a lot of success with horses like Bahana and Kharisma.

“And while it’s a bit quieter now – it is everywhere – things will pick up and hopefully Ksatria can win for them on Saturday.”

Gray is also a proud family man and while his two children (James, 20 and Katie,18) are both currently studying overseas, Singapore is where they call home.

“Both kids were born here (Singapore),” beamed Gray who followed his father, Kevin, into the horse training caper.

“James finished his National Service last year as a Captain and also received a Sword of Merit.

“They both started Uni(versity) this year – James in Wellington (New Zealand) and Katie in Melbourne (Australia), so we have to keep training winners to pay for the fees!”

Apart from Ksatria, Gray will saddle another seven runners on Saturday. He rates Our Pinnacle in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race (1200m), Silkardo in the $30,000 Class 5 race (1600m) and Retallica in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1200m) as solid each-way hopes.

“I think Our Pinnacle was unlucky last start. He’s going good on the Poly(track) and it’s probably his honesty that is keeping him from winning as he’s just a bit high in the ratings,” volunteered Gray.

“Silkardo is a get-back type of horse who probably needs longer, but has no weight and a good jockey in Hakim (Kamaruddin) and Retallica needs the bottom division in Class 5 and he goes good for Shafiq (Rizuan).”

While a winner or two this Saturday would not surprise, you know rain, hail or shine, Gray and Bridget will be there next week trying their very best.

And the week after that.

19/05/2022

HARD TOO THINK & KHARISMA going for their pre-race saddle walk this morning before there big races tomorrow. Good luck to both connections, two beautiful horses we are so very proud off 💕

15/05/2022

Cheval Blanc outstays rivals in downpour

Larry Foley, 14/05/2022

The weather gods were not smiling but the racing gods were for the happy connections of Cheval Blanc in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1600m on the Polytrack.

A weather delay – lightning – earlier in the day had the third race put back 10 minutes, but the deluge before the horses went to the starters for the penultimate race of the day was biblical.

So much so race caller Pat Comerford was relying on some guesswork down the backstraight – he literally couldn’t see the riders’ silks - before the only grey in the field, Cheval Blanc (Marc Lerner, $39), made his job a tad easier in the last 100m with a burst to get up in a busy finish by half-a-length.

He beat the gallant Axel (Jerlyn Seow) into second place with Born To Win (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) just over another length away in third place. The winning time was 1 min 39.3 secs.

The win was especially pleasing for his trainer, Stephen Gray, given the issues the Irish-bred seven-year-old has had to overcome.

“The staff did a good job looking after him,” Gray explained to racing presenter Scott Bailey.

“He will never be as good as he could be because of his issues (lameness), but he’s sound at the moment and can put in a good race, which he did.

“It was terrible conditions for the jockeys but it helps that he’s a natural stayer - he got in the clear and kept going. He liked the rain!”

Gray was also very complimentary of the owners of Cheval Blanc from the Team Cheval Stable.

“Good owners, good people. Good supporters of the industry - Eric (Koh) and (his wife) Lay Chin – they kept supporting the local racing and that’s what has kept us going the last two years.”

The heavy rain did not stop connections from greeting the winning horse and jockey when they returned to scale, albeit under the cover of the massive grandstand.

“Oh wow,” said the handsome Koh, manager of the Team Cheval Stable.

“Halfway through (the race), I didn’t think he would stay, but he stuck on, then he came back very good - I’m very happy!”

Bailey also spoke with a drenched – but happy - Lerner in the Weighing Room after the photos with the happy connections.

“He tries hard,” said the well-spoken Frenchman.

“When he feels good on the day, he can always win a race like this.

“Stephen was a bit concerned about the 1600m - dropping back in distance but we got a good run behind the pace and he just fought on.

“He can stay all day. I’m just happy that he wins because he has had his issues and also for connections who were here.”

The win – Cheval Blanc’s second from fifteen starts in Singapore – brought his total stake earnings to more than $104,000 for the Team Cheval Stable.

27/04/2022

Gray Thinks trip too sharp, but rain can help Derby winner
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Sharon Zhang, STC 27/04/2022

Brilliant stayer Hard Too Think may find the trip too short this Saturday, but trainer Stephen Gray cautions he could still run a big race should the skies open up.

The dual Group 1 Singapore Derby-Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner has won five races over the 1400m to 2000m in 14 starts. His first win two years ago was scored on yielding ground over the 1400m, which will be the trip he tackles this time, albeit in a much higher-rated Class 1 race.

His New Zealand conditioner, who also runs top sprinter Kharisma in the same race, is hoping for a forward showing from Hard Too Think with the help of rain in the $100,000 Class 1 race.

Hard Too Think (pictured) and stablemate Kharisma will line up in the Class 1 race over 1400m on Saturday.

“He loves the wet. If it rains, he will be running home, if it doesn’t, then the trip would be too sharp for him,” said Gray of the five-year-old son of All Too Hard.

“He’s had two trials and he’s very good now, fitness-wise.

“He’s carrying a light weight (51.5kgs), (jockey) Marc (Lerner) is unable to ride at that weight, so we’ve got (apprentice jockey) Iskandar (Rosman) to ride him this week.

“Marc is riding Kharisma this time, but he will take the ride on Hard Too Think in the Kranji Mile.”

The French jockey has won four group races in Singapore since his arrival in 2018, and among those were his two winning rides on Hard Too Think in the Singapore Derby (1600m) and QEII Cup (1800m) last year.

While Hard Too Think is all set to run in the $1 million Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) in three weeks, not everything is cast in stone for his stablemate Kharisma.

The 10-time winner (all over the 1200m) has had the $300,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup on August 14 as his main goal all this while, and while his name is already among the 32 Kranji Mile entries, Gray would like to see his run this weekend first before committing to the big race.

“He’s nominated in the Kranji Mile, but we’ll see how he goes this time,” said Gray of the Mossman five-year-old.

“He’s more of a sprinter, so we have the option of coming back to the 1200m in a Class 1 race on the same day.

“With Daniel’s horse (Lim’s Lightning) in the race (this Saturday), it makes it a bit easier for him as he gets a bit of weight relief (55.5kgs).

“He gets a bit of chance to compete and I think the 1400m is okay for him.

“It was a leader’s track at his last run (seventh to Fame Star in a Class 1 over 1200m on March 19) and they went quite quick. He was on 59kgs while Fame Star was only carrying 49kgs. It was pretty hard to beat him then.

“He trialled very good with the blinkers on (last Tuesday) and he will be wearing it in the race to keep him sharp. He worked well this morning (Tuesday) with Marc on board.

“We all know the quality of the race is very good, but it’s a race we’ll try to win at the handicaps.

“Daniel (Meagher)’s two horses are the ones to beat, especially the younger Lim’s Kosciuszko, because he’s a good young horse that’s well-weighted.

“I hope the other horse (Lim’s Lightning) will need this run, whereas Kharisma already had a run.”

Reigning Horse of the Year Lim’s Lightning is resuming five months after his triumph in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m), in which Hard Too Think ran a fighting second, three-quarter length behind.

Both Gray and Meagher’s pair, together with seven other Kranji Mile nominees, will battle it out in this exciting Kranji Mile prelude. They are South African Group winner and two-time Kranji winner Katak, last year’s Kranji Mile winner Minister, Fame Star, Top Knight, Mr Malek, Gold Star and Jupiter Gold.