Golden Monkey came away from a rousing gallop on Dec 13 looking like he was ready to take on and, maybe, snuff out the challenge expected from arch-rival Super Salute on Dec 17.
The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Star Turn five-year-old did not break any land speed record.
On a good hold, he covered the 600m in 40.9sec.
But those watching the morning hit-outs would have been impressed with the shape he was in.
Golden Monkey is good to go and Fitzsimmons will be brimming with confidence when he releases him for that interesting fight over the 1,400m.
Like Super Salute, Golden Monkey has been, and still is, a class act.
A big fellow who normally tips the scales in the region of 530kg, his "modus operandi" has always been to swoop down on the leaders in the closing stages of his contests.
To date, he has gobbled up his rivals in six races over distances ranging from 1,200m to the mile.
As for his meetings with Super Salute, four occasions stand out, with the score tied at 2-2.
Denne historien er fra December 14, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra December 14, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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