GET RIGHT BACK ON THE MONKEY

Classy horse gets Golden opportunity to win again in a field dropped to only four runners

- Michael Lee

Even before the two scratchings came about, Golden Monkey was already the standout in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1,400m) on June 16.

With no Lim's Kosciuszko in his way, the coast was clear for the 2023 Singapore Derby winner to bounce back to winning ways in a small six-horse field.

Down to only four runners, the coast is even clearer.

Of the two withdrawn horses, Senor Don had been showing poor form and his non-participation is rather inconsequential, but laststart winner Ejaz would have made for an interesting challenger, even if he was rising in grade.

Golden Monkey might not have saluted since the Group 3 Fortune Bowl (1,400m) on Feb 11, but he lost no admirers at his next three starts.

A combination of luckless runs and poor rides were behind the two thirds and one fourth, even if at the end of the day, Lim's Kosciuszko's superiority was unequivocal.