Trainer Kevin Moses has revealed that he will be instructing jockey Tim Clark to push forward on Singing Flame in the 2014 Australian Derby at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Singing Flame was narrowly denied a maiden win at Group level by Gallatin in the Tulloch Stakes last weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Singing Flame stamped himself as a genuine Australian Derby contender with a tough second place finish behind Gallatin in the Group 2 Nathan Berry Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens last weekend and Moses believes that the Song Of Tara colt would have won the race if Clark had been a bit more patient coming around the final bend.
Clark has the ride again on Saturday and Moses told Racing Ahead that he would like to see the hoop press forward on Singing Flame when he jumps from barrier two in the Australian Derby this weekend, but wait a bit longer before he makes a move on the tough colt.
“I think that he still has to go forward a little bit,” Moses said.
“If you come out and you let the first couple get in front of you, you need to remember that there is still 15 or 16 others coming across.
“You have got to go forward for the first 300 metres at least to know where you are going.
“I would like him to be fourth or fifth, but I will wait and see what happens.”
Trainers and Australian Turf Club Officials are still unsure how the Royal Randwick track will be rated on Saturday, with rain forecast over the next 48 hours, and Moses is confident that the 2014 Australian Derby will be run on a heavy track.
Singing Flame handled the heavy conditions well in the Tulloch Stakes last weekend and the former jockey is confident that his star galloper will have no trouble getting through the ground this weekend and believes the three-year-old will be very tough to beat.
“It will still be heavy on Saturday, we have no drying weather and we get more rain than anywhere at Randwick,” Moses said.
“If we get any more rain it will just get heavier and heavier.
“I wouldn’t like to see it really heavy.
“He seems to get through it fine and doesn’t shorten his stride.
“With any luck at all I think that he will be very hard to beat.
“I think that he will run very well.”
Singing Flame is currently available at 2014 Australian Derby odds of $11 and has been one of the best-backed runners in the field.
