Polytrack expert Distinctive Darci will be coming out for a bit of an “experiment” in Friday’s S$125,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m.
While the switch to turf is a test in itself, the Darci Brahma five-year-old has been there and done that, without much success, but the rise to seven furlongs is uncharted waters.
Distinctive Darci’s nine wins all came on the all-weather. He ran seven times on turf in 25 starts, yielding two seconds early doors while his more recent attempts have been a lot less encouraging.
The shades are also coming off and trainer Mark Walker has entrusted the reins into one of his four apprentice jockeys, Ng Choon Kiat.
These are four major variables being tweaked around in one hit, with the change in course and distance the most significant.
“There is nothing on Polytrack coming up, not for ages,” said the New Zealander.
“This will be a bit of an experiment for Distinctive Darci. He’s never run over 1400m before.
“I’m also taking the blinkers off and CK Ng will claim three (Distinctive Darci is weighted at 59.5kgs).”
Distinctive Darci was sold through Curraghmore's 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock draft for $100,000. -STC
