Happy Moment will run in Class 3 company for the first time on Sunday and while trainer David Kok is satisfied with his charge, he is guarded about his chances.
The five-year-old son of Showcasing showed promise early doors with a fourth to Inferno in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe in July 2019 when known as Count Me In.
Happy Moment had been hanging around in Class 4 races for the past two and a half years as his ratings stalled, but three wins in-a-row from August to October last year and three podium finishes in four starts this year certainly signalled an upturn in form.
After his last-start win in a Class 4 race over 1000m five weeks ago, Happy Moment has seen his ratings increase by five points to 72, which rules him out of Class 4 races (44-67 points).
Kok is concerned with the step-up to the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1100m given the tougher opposition, but he could not fault Happy Moment's condition either.
"His four runs this year have been good, with one win and two seconds," said the Singaporean trainer.
"After he won at his last start, his rating has gone up (to 72), so he cannot run in Class 4 now.
"But the horse has maintained his fitness. He needed that trial last Tuesday (second to Alwin Tan's newcomer Griffin) to bring him on further. Benny (Woodworth) also gave him an easy gallop on Tuesday morning.
"I think he has a chance, but you have to respect the other runners here.
"He is meeting Sky Eye who he ran second to three starts ago, and Sky Eye trialled quite well last Thursday (second to Gold Star).
"Almost all of them had won before in Class 3 (except for Sky Eye), but it's the first time he's stepping up to this class.
"It's not easy for horses to win at their first run when they go from Class 4 to Class 3. I think when they go against more experienced runners, they do get a bit 'scared'.
"Hopefully, he will take a sit and then come home."
The six-time winner (1000-1200m) will combine with Woodworth again, who rode him six times for one win.
The globetrotting jockey who rode in Mauritius, Dubai and France before returning to Singapore for his first meeting on April 2, has three rides on Sunday. Besides Happy Moment, he is also booked aboard No More Delay and Bionics.
Woodworth would not split any of them, but was glad to be back on Happy Moment, whom he last rode one and a half years ago.
"I last won on him (August 25, 2019) when he was still owned by my friend, Stephen (Tin, Mauritius businessman)," said Woodworth of Happy Moment, whose owner is now Mr Sia Wei Kiang.
"I ride him in trackwork, and I think he's more toned down and relaxed in the mornings now.
"He is in stronger company this time, but he trialled very well last Tuesday.
"Based on his work and how he pulled up at the trials, both David and I were very happy with him.
"Bionics also worked well, but there's no one that stands out among my rides."
The Young Keah Yong-trained Bionics will line up in the last race, the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1000m while No More Delay from the Daniel Meagher yard is running in the $75,000 Novice race over 1200m.
