After 3rd over 1,200m and 2nd over 400m, Burridge’s 3YO aims for Ist in Guineas mile

Trainer Steven Burridge's quest for that elusive three-year-old feature win will come down to one last bullet in the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1,600m) on May 18.

In Bakeel, the Australian actually trains one of the favourites to the 2024 renewals, but the son of Sioux Nation has come up short thus far.

Blinkered for the first time in the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1,200m) on April 6, he did muster speed from the rear.

But, when he let down for regular partner Manoel Nunes inside the last 200m, greenness got in the way. He still ran a gallant third to Ace Of Diamonds.

At his return back up in trip to

the 1,400m of the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1,400m) three weeks later, Burridge slapped the winkers back on.

The tinkering of headgear bore fruit on April 27. A more focused Bakeel went straight as an arrow when he unwound, but the winning post came a touch too soon.

After enjoying a soft lead, Lim's Bighorn (Marc Lerner) hung on by a short head.

The natural progression from third, then second, as the trip stepped up in 200m instalments in the first two legs, may suggest Bakeel was peaking at the right time.