NO GUINEAS, BUT GREATER GOOD FOR GREATHAM BOY

Fitzsimmons vindicated in decision to steer 3YO from G2 feature towards softer option

- Michael Lee

Tim Fitzsimmons was proven right to not press Greatham Boy towards the Singapore Guineas on May 18.

He lowered his aim towards a Class 4 Division 2 1,200m race, which was also worth only a third of the Group 2 Singapore Guineas' $150,000 purse.

The upshot was a return to Greatham Boy's best with a comefrom-behind, 1/2-length win as the $14 favourite under visiting jockey Chad Schofield.

The winning strategy underscores Fitzsimmons' willingness to change horses in midstream for the common good.

The 2023 season's leading juvenile was tipped as one of the early front runners in the three-year-old series in 2024, but his showings in the Group 3 Singapore Three-YearOld Sprint (1,200m) and Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1,400m) fell short of expectations.

The son of Stratosphere did have excuses in the Sprint, though.

He was chopped off by eventual winner Ace Of Diamonds at the 200m.

He was unable to regain his momentum, albeit he was already a beaten horse, and ran sixth.

But there were no factors to mitigate his fifth place to Lim's Bighorn in the Classic.