Thursday, 21 September 2017: Champion jockey Manoel Nunes is making a big call by saying Infantry has come back at around the same fitness level he was at when he won the Emirates Singapore Derby at his last start in July.

Manoel Nunes brings Infantry back from his barrier trial on Thursday.

The son of Tavistock produced his trademark bulldog fighting spirit to land the third Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, handing trainer Alwin Tan his first Singapore Derby silverware and Nunes his second after Spalato in 2014.

Two months have since elapsed, and Nunes jumped off with a big thumbs-up following Infantry’s first barrier trial since his resounding Group 1 success in the Emirates-sponsored blue riband.

“He trialled very well today. He’s a class horse and has come back as well as he could have since the Derby,” said the Brazilian jockey who recovered from a knee injury in time for that win.

“He really appreciated the break and (trainer) Alwin Tan and the boys have done a great job to bring him back to his best.

“He trialled two weeks ago (September 7) and went easy, but today, he had a good blowout.”

Not one of the best away, Infantry , however, quickly mustered speed to sit outside White Hunter (Vlad Duric) before being ridden along to take the lead coming down the back.

Into the straight, Nunes was still cutting his mount any slack as they held their ground comfortably to score by 2 ¾ lengths from White Hunter with Majestic Moments (Nooresh Juglall) third another nose away. To give some indication of the fast sectionals, Infantry, a winner of eight races including in excess of $1.4 million in prizemoney, clocked the 1000m in a smart 59.58 seconds.

“He jumped normally and I gave him a bit of a squeeze to keep up with the leaders,” said Nunes.

“He trialled without blinkers today, but as he is dropping back to 1600m at his comeback race next week, we will put them on, just to sharpen him up.

“To me, he feels as good as he was in the Derby.”

Infantry is being aimed at the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series for his comeback race, the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m) on October 1, which is next Sunday week.

“It’s going to be a tough race first-up against so many good horses like Debt Collector and Lim’s Cruiser, but I feel he is in the form of his life,” said Nunes.

“No doubt the weight-for-age conditions make it even tougher, but the way he’s going right now has given me every confidence he will still run a good race.”