VET TESTS MATTER TILL THE VERY END

Solo spins around Kranji may not draw too many looks, but they remain tickets to ride

- Brian Miller

The signs that Kranji is already turning into a ghost town are unmistakable.

With only two meetings to go before the last chapter to a 182-year-long racing history is closed on Oct 5, the noise of bugs and cawing of birds have replaced the sound of hooves at morning trackwork.

Tuesday barrier trials are quiet affairs now, mostly one horse spinning around solo, although Thursdays' are still rather busy.

If those early weekly jumpouts (Mondays, too) are held, they are what the doctor - or vet - ordered.

Such one-sided affairs may look boring to most, but they certainly give connections reasons to smile. Out of the three tests held this week, the conclusive results will see three of the four gallopers have one last shot at glory.

On Sept 23, Fortune Star was subjected to one such practice after he was found to be lame following his last start on Sept 14. He passed the test with flying colours.

That day, when ridden by Bernardo Pinheiro and carrying loads of confidence, he finished a distant eighth to Frenetic. Yes, on the day, the $14 favourite was a let-down.

However, this is the thing. Fortune Star is better than that and he showed it at his test. With a track rider up, he did everything right and he would have returned to his stall at trainer Kuah Cheng Tee's yard looking in good order.