Monkey to swing into action at Caulfield races
Tim Fitzsimmons, a former Singapore-based trainer now operating out of Bendigo, is aiming for his first metropolitan win in Australia with Golden Monkey in the MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (1440m) at Caulfield this weekend.
Since establishing his Australian stable in February, Fitzsimmons has achieved nine victories from 42 starters, boasting a 21% win rate and a 52% place rate, primarily with horses imported from Singapore.
“It’s been a good start with what we’ve got,” Fitzsimmons said. “It’s been mainly the Singapore horses that have been running, but it’s going good.”
Golden Monkey has finished eighth in both of his Australian outings, including the Country Discovery (1000m) at Echuca and the Golden Topaz (1200m) at Swan Hill.
“I do think it was a strange track that day, but I was disappointed in the way he didn’t let down,” Fitzsimmons said. “He has trialled well since and I’ve put the blinkers back on him which he had in all his early wins over there (Singapore) just to stimulate him a little bit.”
“Maybe he’s been going through the motions a little bit. I’m happy with him, I was happy with his trial, but I’d really like to see him hit the line strongly on Saturday, otherwise we might have to think about giving him a little break and a freshen up.”
Fitzsimmons is optimistic about the recent rainfall in Victoria, particularly at Caulfield, as Golden Monkey has shown a preference for softer track conditions. However, he is cautious about the competition, especially with the entry of Lim’s Saltoro, a horse that has previously bested Golden Monkey in Singapore.
“I didn’t want to run against it as we were always running against it in Singapore, but now we have Saltoro,” Fitzsimmons said. “It is what it is, but these are the races these horses have to run in.”
“The 1400 metres is probably his trip, so what we want to see him finishing off his race strongly and if he can win, no-one would be happier. Hopefully there’s plenty of speed on and he’s flashing home late.”
Looking to place a bet on Golden Monkey in the MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap? Explore the top Australian betting sites for the best odds and offers.
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