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Dubai: Jay Peg's connections in Singapore have indicated that they are quietly confident as the Dubai Duty Free winner prepares for his first run since that memorable night at Nad Al Sheba more than a month ago.
With the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup getting under way on Sunday, Basil Marcus, the colt's former trainer and one third of the Marcus brothers who gave the horse such a good start in their native South Africa believes Jay Peg is as prepared as he can be.
Confident
"Winning the Dubai Duty Free was awesome," said the man who has also been a seven-time champion jockey in South Africa. "The horse seems to have settled very well here and while there is always a bit of pressure for such big races, we're confident enough."
Jay Peg, trained in Dubai by Herman Brown will be joined in the big race by stablemate Mourilyan.
But the favourite will have to battle hard against the French pair, Balius, second finisher in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong last month and Musical Way.
The Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Balius looked good on the track yesterday morning and Stephane Duprey, the trainer's assistant was pleased with the horse.
"We couldn't be happier with the way things have turned for us. He's come down his weight and is looking sharp," he said.
One of the entries from New Zealand, Spin Around, put in good work on the turf track yesterday and trainer Steven Cooper said that they would give him light work today ahead of Sunday's race
"He's very fit, especially after Wednesday's gallop opened him up," said Cooper. "We'll just take it easy with him to sweeten him up. The great thing about him is he has such a good recovery rate. He is now spot-on for the race."
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