Maximum Control in Guineas' Tilt

The Singapore Turf Club reports on the exciting news that a gelding we syndicated last year - Maximum Control - will contest the Group 2 feature on Saturday after a superb win on debut ...

(Te Akau Singapore) trainer Donna Logan is again a major player in the third and final leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge this year with three runners, but it would be her relative newcomer in Maximum Control that could surprise in the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.

January, the winner of the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) and Luxury Brand, the second runner-up in both the 3YO Sprint and the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) will both face the starters alongside Maximum Control.

While punters have seen most of the 11-horse field - and all the fancies including the 3YO Classic winner Coin Toss- come through the first two legs of the series, Maximum Control will only be at his second start.

The son of Written Tycoon earned his spot in the elite three-year-old field after he won comfortably on debut in a Restricted Maiden race over 1400m on April 23.

He then beat a handy maiden in Imperial Parade by one length and it was enough to show Logan that a throw at the Guineas' stumps was worth the entry fee and according to her, Maximum Control was not just making up the numbers.

“It was impressive really,” said Logan of the maiden win.

“He showed an excellent turn of foot and beat Fight On (third) and February (sixth). Both of those horses have gone on to win at their next starts - and February is in the Guineas field - so the form from that race has already stacked up.

“While we are throwing him in the deep end at just his second start, he is up against his own age group instead of older horses in Class 4. And from the way he won over 1400m on debut, the mile is ideal.”

Of the Guineas distance, Logan always thought Maximum Control could get over more ground on breeding, albeit from the dam's side.

“He's by Written Tycoon - who can't stay as a rule - but there's plenty of staying pedigree on the dam's (Alcatraz) side (x Fastnet Rock).

“He indicated to me early in his reckoning that they would run the legs off him over 1100m or 1200m on the Poly(track).

“So debuting him over 1400m in a Restricted Maiden (race) didn't scare me. But to be honest, I thought he would run home nicely to get into the minor placings. He did better than that, didn't he?

“So straight after his debut win, I looked at what was on offer. The (3YO) Classic (on May 6) was too close, so I thought why not the Guineas? And (Jockey) (Louis-Philippe) Beuzelin had always labelled him a smart horse.

“The draw hurt (barrier 10) - we will probably go back from there - but the further he went on debut, the better he got. So hopefully the race is run to suit and he finds the line strongly.”

While Maximum Control is the relative unknown factor in the Guineas, punters know what to expect from Logan's two other runners, who both look serious winning hopes in the feature race.

“I still think January is the classic miler,” explained the New Zealand conditioner of the Group-winning son of Swiss Ace.

“The Guineas was always going to be his best race in the (3YO) series. It was a bonus when he won the (3YO) Sprint but things went his way that day - including rain.

“He then got a nasty check at the 1100m in the (3YO) Classic on a firm track, so he ran very good to finish fourth.

“(Jockey) Simon (Kok Wei Hoong) knows him well. He's drawn nicely (barrier three) and if there is any rain, he will be right in the finish. Can't fault his preparation.

“Likewise for Luxury Brand (x Charm Spirit). Hard to argue with his form and (jockey) Yusoff (Fadzli) can make use of barrier one and have him handier than he had been in the first two legs.

“His run in the (3YO) Classic indicated that the mile isn't a problem and he's a serious player on Saturday.”

Originally slated to be run last Saturday in tandem with the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m), the Singapore Guineas was pushed back a week later due to the middle Leg being postponed.

It was a good move, according to Logan.

“I think the (Singapore Turf) Club made the right decision,” she explained.

“The (3YO) Classic was ran on a firm track and the extra week gave all the horses time to get back to peak fitness without being pushed too hard. We all want every horse in the race to be at their best and have every chance.

“They are only three-year-olds going for the mile - most for the first time - so a good move and the race should be a beauty.”