Ace Aliado survives a drama-filled EW Barker Trophy

 The winner of the 40^th running of the EW Barker Trophy (previously known as the Silver Cup) was to be decided in the Stewards’ Room, but the objection was quickly overruled, to finally bring an end to a uniquely drawn-out and emotion-charged EW Barker Trophy.

 Barring the alleged interference, the race itself went without a hitch.

 Ace Aliado, who was sent out a warm $16 favourite ahead of stablemate Good Feel ($26) settled on the rails in fifth with Good Feel tailing him right behind.

 As the leaders Smoking Joe (TR Barnabas) and Cheyenne Dancer (Danny Beasley) faded upon straightening, Ace Aliado was angled out wide to draw first blood, hitting the front, with Good Feel electing for the same path right on his heels.

 But Boss’s ride was restrained for a couple of strides after Ace Aliado appeared to roll off to the outside, shutting out the gap.

 Ace Aliado in the meantime had shot clear but Good Feel had regathered himself and managed to extricate himself from the pack to go after Ace Aliado. The winning post however arrived on time, with Ace Aliado holding on by a head from the unlucky Good Feel to give the Laxon-Saimee combinations back-to-back doubles in the 1400m race after Big Maverick prevailed last year.

The time was run in a slick 1 min 20.8 secs, taking a full second off the previous best on the outer course of Exchequer and Big Maverick.
 Laxon went into the EW Barker Trophy with four good chances and couldn’t separate his quartet in the lead-up to the race.

I couldn’t pick between them before the race,” said Laxon. “But this horse has such a great record and is so honest that it would have been a shame to see him beaten.

 “He’s run good time and was well ridden by Saimee. I suppose it will have to come to and end at some time, but while it is continuing we will keep looking out for suitable races.”

 Laxon said it was his intention to send Ace Aliado for a spell and join his other unbeaten gallopers Mexican Rose and Better Than Ever.

 “All the big races are finished for the year so I would think he can go and have a well earned break,” said Laxon.

 “He can head-up to the new spelling station here at Kranji when it finally opens and have a month off before I can get to work on him again.”

 Saimee said there would not be a more brave horse racing in Singapore than Ace Aliado.

 “The sky is the limit with this horse,” he said. “He doesn’t win by much but he certainly knows how to win.

 “He is such a fighter and the way he is racing he can go onto bigger and better things.”