Dubai beckons Countofmontecristo (NZ) after Chairman’s Trophy win

$57,500 Ready to Run Sale graduate Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) could be Dubai-bound after recording the ninth win of his high-quality career with a brilliant performance in Saturday’s S$400,000 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Kranji.

Ridden by Louis-Philippe Beuzelin for trainer Michael Clements, the quality galloper deviated from his usual tactics of racing on or near the speed, and he instead unleashed a powerful finish from well back in the field to score an emphatic one-length victory.

“The plan was to race in midfield as we thought there wouldn’t be a lot of pace on paper,” said Clements.

“But there was a fast pace, and even though he got back further than we expected, it still worked out well.

“He’s a true, genuine horse who always puts his best foot forward, but I think with maturity, he gets the mile whereas previously, it was a bit of a task. He settles better now, gets back and sprints home.”

Countofmontecristo has now had 28 starts for nine wins, 10 placings and S$1.92 million in stakes – more than 37 times his purchase price.

Owner Joe Singh is now keen to take him abroad.

“He had to win today to be considered,” he said. “I actually nominated three other horses, but Countofmontecristo is the only one with a chance on ratings. It’ll be either the Dubai Turf (1800m) or the Godolphin Mile (1600m).”

The Dubai Turf is worth US$6 million and the Godolphin Mile is US$1.5 million, and they will both be run at Meydan on March 28.