BOY XANDER LOOKING FRESH FOR THE TASK

Two-time Kranji winner returns after 29 months out, goes well in training on Oct 8

- Brian Miller

With a bumper weekend of racing coming up in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 12 and 13, the combatants were out in force on the morning of Oct 8.

Some galloped. Some were restricted to pace work. Others were schooled at the barriers and, of course, some went against the clock.

Those were the ones who caught the eye and outstanding among them were Boy Xander and El Chubasco.

A seven-year-old by Shamexpress, Boy Xander has not raced since May 2022 when he beat one home in a Class 4 (1,200m) at Kranji. He has resurfaced in Malaysia where he makes his comeback in the Supreme B sprint over 1,100m on Oct 13.

Now with trainer Cheng Han Yong, his gallop over the 600m was, according to most who were trackside, outstanding.

Taking off from deep in the back stretch, he quickened nicely to reel off the last 600m in 36.3sec.

Singapore racing fans will remember Boy Xander as a then-youngster who won two races from five starts on the Polytrack at Kranji.

Then under the care of ex-Kranji trainer Jason Lim - who named him after his son Alexander - he scored on debut, beating Elliot Ness by a nose in a Restricted Maiden (1,200m) on Feb 27, 2021.