MAKIN SCORES, GOLD CUP LOOMS

Gutsy win is the perfect prelude to 2,000m showpiece, but Burridge baulks at handicap

- Michael Lee

Consistent galloper Makin found himself in a bit of a pickle after assuming an unusual role in the $100,000 Class 1 (1,400m) race on Sept 21, but still came out tops.

Normally back off the speed in fourth or fifth, the Steven Burridge-trained five-year-old son of Written Tycoon was a lot closer stalking up the noted speed influence of the race, Pacific Vampire.

The switch in pattern was surprising, albeit not all that out of left field, but did look like it backfired at the 200m, though.

When regular partner Manoel Nunes popped the question at the top of the straight, there was no change of gears from the $7 favourite.

Pacific Vampire, who had yet to win over the trip and was even eyeing a Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2,000m) berth on Oct 5, actually kept finding under Bruno Queiroz's urgings.

There was another school of thought behind the dour finish. Makin's early efforts to keep in touch with a speed demon had knocked the stuffing out of him.

With only 200m to go, trainer Jason Ong's bold gamble to push the distance envelope with Pacific Vampire - a four-time winner between 1,000m and 1,200m - was paying off.

But, just like he has done a few times before, the Impending five-year-old suddenly shortened strides barely a few metres later.