GHALIB PASSES TEST WITH FLYING COLOURS

Three trials postponed after Illustrious beats rivals in second heat in pelting rain

- Brian Miller

On a Jan 4 morning when rain pelted the island, Kranji in the far north of Singapore was not spared.

It, too, took the brunt of the wet weather and it played into the action that was supposed to have taken place like the five trials that were to be run, beginning at 9.30am.

Well, being the brave men that jockeys are, they took to the track, defied the conditions and managed to put two trials to bed.

Then, common sense prevailed. After the second trial was run, they unanimously agreed that the slippery and sloppy conditions made it too dangerous for both themselves and the horses.

They made their feelings known and the rest of the morning's three trials were rescheduled to Jan 5.

While some would have been disappointed, the decision to postpone was the right thing to do.

Still, until the curtain came down on the remaining three trials, those at trackside and the rest who were taking in the action on "live" television were treated to some good galloping. 

Take that first trial of the morning. All eyes were on Ghalib who, at the races on Dec 9, was a "good thing beaten".

That day, racegoers packed him off as the $30 second pick in a Class 3 sprint.

Alas, Ghalib left his backers feeling lighter in the pocket.

Indeed, he never gave them any reason to cheer.