EMPEROR RETURNS AHEAD OF G2 TILT

Kok’s Pacific Emperor out to show his hardy side in EW Barker Trophy next on April 21

- Michael Lee

Pacific Emperor is back from a five-week layoff, but, win, lose or draw, he has bigger fish to fry.

The son of Caravaggio is going for the four-year-old majors, including the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1,800m) on July 21, but he may well end up as a big-race staple at this final 2024 Singapore season.

After the Pacific Stable made the six-time winner their Group horse, they walk the talk, too.

Three of the 15 Kranji features on offer have been put astern thus far, and Pacific Emperor has ticked off all three, albeit without success.

After a closing third in the Group 3 New Year Cup (1,200m) on Jan 6, he had no luck in the Group 3 Fortune Bowl (1,400m), but still ran an eye-catching fourth.

A wide trip then brought him undone (eighth) in the Group 3 Committee's Prize (1,600m) on March 9.

He has not raced since, but, within eight days of this comeback of sorts in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A (1,100m) on April 13, he will delve straight back into his Group crusade - the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1,400m) on April 21.

"If he pulls up well this weekend, he'll run again in the EW Barker Trophy next week," said Kok.