If there is a horse that is eager to get on with the job, it is Boy Xander.
Sparingly raced, he has only had three starts since May 28, 2022.
Yes, you read it correctly, 2022, with his last win on April 9 that year.
Indeed, since that day in May, he was missing from the track for a whopping 864 days and only reappeared on Oct 8, 2024 when he won a trial over the Selangor Turf Club's 1,000m.
Satisfied with that showing, trainer Cheng Han Yong sent him to the races on Oct 13 and it was almost a winning return.
Alas, it was not to be. Boy Xander had to settle for second spot.
Well, the now seven-year-old had two more starts on Oct 27 and Nov 23 and on both occasions he made the board, finishing fourth to Limitless Roar in Sungai Besi and Brandenburg in Ipoh.
It has been almost three weeks since that last jump-out but the short break seems to have done him a world of good.
How so? Well, on the morning of Dec 10, Boy Xander was one of the star performers on the training track.
Taking off from the 600m mark, he ran the trip in 39.2sec.
Yes, the son of Shamexpress is in a hurry to get going and, come Dec 15, we should see him turn in a stylish performance in what will be just his ninth race start.
Esta historia es de la edición December 11, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 11, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Jail for speeding driver who killed pedestrian in hit-and-run accident
After the speeding Mercedes-Benz he was driving crashed into a jaywalking pedestrian and flung him into the air, the director of an interior design firm fled the scene.
COE prices rise across the board, except for commercial vehicles
Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices rose across all categories except commercial vehicles at the final bidding exercise of 2024.
Some Income minority shareholders disappointed over failed Allianz deal
They had hoped to cash out, but will now have to turn to open market option
Filipina nearly executed in Indonesia arrives home after 14 years
Mary Jane Veloso, who received a last-minute reprieve from execution by firing squad for drug trafficking in Indonesia in 2015, arrived in Manila in the early hours of Dec 18 after years of negotiations between the two Southeast Asian countries.
SingPost increases price of postage-paid smartpac parcels
It will cost more to send festive gifts using smartpac envelopes and boxes this Christmas.
More staff, tech to handle year-end jump in e-shopping orders
E-commerce platforms also running campaigns to attract, retain customers
S. Korea's Yoon fails to turn up for questioning, adding to risk of arrest
South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped questioning by a joint investigation team on Dec 18, according to local media reports, increasing the risk of his arrest.
Palestinian families sue US over support for Israeli military
Palestinian families sued the US State Department on Dec. 17 over Washington's support for Israel's military amid its war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis, a court filing showed.
Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal could be days away
US, joined by Egypt and Qatar, intensifies push for deal before Biden leaves office
South Korea seeking to allay fears over ties with major partners
It is business as usual in South Korea, the President's impeachment on Dec 14 notwithstanding, says Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.
