Former Melbourne trainer Cliff Brown has called on Steven Arnold to ride in-form galloper Zac Influence in the Group Two Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic.
Brown, who has been based in Singapore for the last three years, has enjoyed past success with Arnold and was keen to book him for Sunday’s $S350,000 feature over 1400m.
Zac Influence has raced eight times and won three of his last four starts including most recently a two-length victory against older horses over 1400m.
Arnold’s manager Warren Huntly said Zac Influence was a genuine winning chance and that Arnold was looking forward to resuming his connection with Brown.
“They used to team together quite a lot when Cliff was back here in Melbourne,” Huntly said.
“He has put him on a good in-form horse who is going to start second or third favourite and Steve sees it as a great opportunity.
“Singapore’s good races are about to start and who knows what it might lead to later on.”
Arnold will ride at Caulfield on Saturday but will miss the Anzac Day meeting at Flemington which features the St Leger Stakes on Monday.
Arnold has ridden with success in many countries including England, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Macau.
Last spring he grabbed the headlines by partnering dual Cox Plate winner So You Think.
Arnold’s international successes include the Group One King’s Stand Stakes on Scenic Blast at Royal Ascot in 2009.
Brown’s credits include three South Australian Derby wins, a Rosehill Guineas, Adelaide Cup and Melbourne Cup third-place with Markham.
In Singapore he has gradually climbed the premiership table from 19th in his first season to 12th in 2009, 10th last year and is currently seventh.
AAP TURF
