BURRIDGE WILL NOT HASTEN NEXT MOVE

Softer option works for honest 3YO, but veteran trainer may revisit Guineas plans

- Michael Lee

Steven Burridge is having a rethink after selling Hasten a little short.

The veteran trainer dropped the son of Hellbent out of the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1,400m) on April 27, easing him down to the $50,000 Class 4 race over the same 1,400m journey instead.

Hasten's gutsy victory - his second in six starts - by a neck under leading jockey Bruno Queiroz vindicated him, but it has also left him wondering.

"I thought he was not up to the Classic, and it might be better for him to go for an easier race where he'd get only 52kg," said Burridge, who also owns Hasten.

"It was actually a very competitive race, and he did a good job to win it.

"We'll see how he pulls up. I may have a rethink about the Guineas." Hasten did contest the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1,200m) on April 6.

But, after he beat one home - 10 lengths off the winner Ace Of Diamonds it was hard not to align with Burridge's opinion that the Classic, let alone the grand prize, the Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1,600m) on May 18, would be too rich for him.

A downgrade in racing often pays dividends, but the Australian is aware that it does not necessarily warrant a quick promotion either.

Besides, Hasten was 1.39sec slower than Lim's Bighorn in the Classic.