ONG'S FILIAL DRAGON BLOWS HOT AT TRIALS

Leading trainer’s 59-point rater raises the tempo, covers LO0Om in under one minute

- Brian Miller

On ratings alone, Filial Dragon was not supposed to win his trial. There were others rated higher than his 59, like King Of Sixty-One (78) and Smart Star (71).

But, sometimes, rating points are mere numbers and what matters is the horse's form on the day.

And, at the trials on Aug 8, Filial Dragon had the form. Partnered by jockey Koh Teck Huat, Filial Dragon showed his rivals a clean pair of heels as he came with a sustained run from second at the furlong marker to claim victory in the second of three trials.

And he did it in fine fashion, clocking 59.85sec for the 1,000m trip. Usually, though, it is not something cast in stone - that horses who break the minute mark at the trials turn in excellent showings at their next outing.

So, keep an eye on this five-yearold son of I Am Invincible.

The one-time winner from 17 starts that victory came in a Class 41,200m turf race on Oct 28, 2023 has been finding it hard putting together a second success.