KOK’S ACE TRUMPED BY WIDE GATE

Sabah Ace local trainer’s best hope among trio in Class 3 race but undone by bad draw

- Michael Lee

David Kok may have strength in numbers in the $70,000 Class 3 race (1,400m) on Feb 24, but he has been banking more on one third of his trio of runners.

However, after Sabah Ace drew the outermost alley in the 12-horse field, the Singaporean trainer has lowered his expectations significantly.

Suddenly, he may even have to hedge his bet.

"I've got three horses, Sabah Ace, Smart Star and Real Efecto in the Class 3 race. But, to be honest, my best chance was Sabah Ace," said Kok.

"He's in very good condition and has been working very well for this race. He just had no luck with the barriers.

"Now I am much less confident, but we still hope he can beat the odds and put in a good run." The horror gate has also derailed Kok's plans to use the race as an ideal guide to any future four-yearold aspirations.

While the Singapore Four-YearOld Challenge will not take place at Singapore's farewell season, the three races that made up the series will still be run as standalone features.

Kok, who has been training at Kranji for 15 years, claimed the last two legs, the Group 1 Patron's Bowl (1,600m) and Group 1 Singapore Derby (2,000m), with Well Done in 2016.