Take Up The Challenge At Kranji On Saturday

Jockey Ronnie Stewart would make hay while the sun shines as he is tasked with once again taking the reins in the Street Of Dreams in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A (1600m) race in Kranji on Saturday.

The lightweight jockey was really just warming up the saddle for regular partner Manoel Nunes as he led the exciting four-year-old son of Dundeel to an easy win in the 1400m Kranji Stakes A on February 12, albeit with the feathery load of 50, 5kg.

However, Nunes drew the wrath of the grantees on February 18 on an engine start negligence charge, which has resulted in him being disqualified from racing this Saturday.

Street Of Dreams will once again have lightweight jockey Ronnie Stewart in the saddle on Saturday.

Stewart knew he was back “off the bench” to ride rising star Joe Giovanni, but possession is nine-tenths of the law and the affable Australian basket will be keen to keep the winning partnership intact.

“It’s definitely a bonus that he has two tries on him (Street Of Dreams),” Stewart said.

“I respect the fact that I only rode Manoel last time because of the weight and this time because of his suspension. But there’s not much more I can do other than try to win again, and what unfolds unfolds.

“He’s the best horse I’ve ridden in a long time so the opportunity to stay for at least one more start is a real bonus.

“I’ll probably have to sign up for the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m) and (Group 1) Singapore Derby (1800m) rides soon, but I like to dice for good horses like this one as they don’t tack too often. “

Stewart was referring to the first of two Raffles Cups, which will be held on March 25 this year, while the Singapore Derby, the third and final leg of the reinstated Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series, will be played on July 23 .

This time – against a similar field he faced three weeks ago – Street Of Dreams will carry three kilos (53.5 kg) more over an additional 200m. But with Katak – his only serious rival on this occasion (second by two lengths) – not in the field on Saturday, the race is looking up for him.

“He (Street Of Dreams) looks very hard to beat on paper,” Stewart continued.

“Especially with katak outside. We beat most of the others in the race fairly easily (another three lengths to third placed Sacred Croix), but Rocket Star is a nice horse so he adds a new dimension to the race, as does the extra 200m.

“I’d like a good draw so I can put him in a good position like we did last start. He flew the gates and then shut down early, so everything worked out perfectly.

“I probably got up front a bit earlier but I rode it to suit the weight and the circumstances.

“Every race is different so I don’t expect to win it as easily as last time but the extra weight isn’t a problem – he could have won at 55kg last start – and the mile is fine.

“I think he’s the best horse in the race and hopefully we’ll see that again on Saturday.”

Coach Steven Burridge was still in awe of what Street Of Dreams has accomplished and what the future holds for him.

“I’ve never trained a horse to win five in a row before, so this is a great ride for everyone,” the veteran Australian conditioner said on Tuesday.

“He did very well after his last win and we know he can do the mile. No reason why he can’t continue his work.

“Manoel would have ridden it this Saturday at the 53.5kg but with his suspension Ronnie was the obvious choice as he ridden it well last start.

“This race is looking perfect just three weeks away from the Raffles Cup and obviously this will be his biggest test at equal weights (weight for age) with (trainer) Ricky’s (Ricardo Le Grange) pair (Katak and Hong Kong Great). .

“Ronnie tested him last week (he finished first in class #3 on February 23rd in a time of 1min 0.77s) just to keep him going – more of a maintenance gallop – and he equalized this morning (last 400m in 26 seconds) so all good for Saturday.”

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On Saturday, for example, there are currently 117 starters on the Kranji map.

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