Jim Conlan takes over Singapore champion
Mornington horseman Jim Conlan will train his first “Horse of the Year” taking over the preparation of Singapore galloper Debt Collector.
Crowned Singapore’s Horse of the Year in 2016, Debt Collector is transferring to Conlan’s care after finishing fourth in the Kranji Mile for Cliff Brown behind Hong Kong galloper Southern Legend on Saturday.
Conlan, who trains at Pinecliff on the Mornington Peninsula, previously had success with another Singapore galloper, Moonee Valley winner Clear For Action, also trained by Brown.
“Cliff rang me a couple of weeks ago and was telling me the horse was having a few issues handling the conditions in Singapore,” Conlan said.
“I’ve watched all his replays, he’s obviously a fairly talented horse, but it’s always a bit of a query how Singapore form will translate in Australia.
“But he’s probably the best performed horse to come out of Singapore for a while.
“It will be exciting to see where he ends up.”
Conlan said the conditions Debt Collector will encounter at Pinecliff would be in complete contrast to those experienced in Singapore.
“He’ll be in the paddock during the day and at the beach and there won’t be horses charging past him at the track gallops,” Conlan said.
“It will be a completely different environment and if it works, that will be great.”
Debt Collector is due to enter pre-export quarantine early next month and will be required to undergo further quarantine in Australia upon arrival.
“We’ll get him here, assess him and aim to have him racing over the spring carnival and see where he slots in,” Conlan said.