In particular, the Shane Baertschiger-trained Saint Tropez and the Michael Clements-trained Pacific Bao Bei were both purchased as raced horses – from Australia and United Kingdom respectively - with an eye firmly on the iconic race.
Both the four-year-olds will start their Singapore campaigns on Monday and they will have admirers in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1400m.
With three wins (1209m and two over 1600m) and three placings from 13 starts in Australia, Saint Tropez heads the competitive Class 4 field in terms of ratings. On the back of two quiet trials in Singapore (December 27, 2022 and January 12, 2023), Baertschiger thinks he will improve from the outing, whatever the results may be.
"He (Saint Tropez) hasn't raced for six months (last ran fifth in a BM70 race over the mile in Sandown, Melbourne on July 27), so he will definitely appreciate this run," said Baertschiger on Thursday.
"We didn't get him to do too much at the trials. With the top weight (59kgs) over 1400m first-up, he will improve for sure, no matter what he does.
"(Jockey) Matty (Matthew Kellady) will probably sit him worse than midfield and hopefully, he runs on well and we can look forward to getting over more ground later."
Baertschiger purchased the son of Not A Single Doubt in May last year on the Inglis Digital Online Sale and was quick to get loyal owners Ma Racing & Hi Vis Stable on board the Singapore Derby prospect.
"He (Saint Tropez) placed in Group company (third in the Group 3 Chairman's Stakes on April 30) in South Australia over 2000m and I got him not long after that with the (Singapore) Derby in mind," explained the lanky Australian conditioner.
"The form from that race has been good with the horses that beat him (Jungle Magnate and Harleymoven) both being sold to Hong Kong and winning races there.
"I gave him a couple of runs in Australia with (trainer) Trent (Busuttin and co-trained with Natalie Young) to keep him ticking over and had him gelded as well before he came here, which was always the plan.
"The owners were keen to get a horse that would head to the Singapore Derby and this one certainly fits the bill.
"He will go well if they are coming from the back on Monday but I can't wait to see him get over more ground on what he is showing us."
Likewise, Pacific Bao Bei was purchased by his owner – Pacific Stable - with the Singapore Derby in mind. In contrast to Saint Tropez's modest trial runs, the way he won his barrier trial (trial no.3 in 1 min 0.36secs) on December 29 was eye-catching, hence a big run at his Singapore debut would not surprise.
"We know that he (Pacific Bao Bei) will definitely be better over longer, but he is showing enough to make us think that he can run a good race on Monday," said Clements of the Sea The Stars gelding.
"He has a beautiful stride in him and the manner in which he stretched out at his trials was great. While 1400m is too short, (jockey) CC (Wong Chin Chuen) can hopefully sit him behind the leaders and see how he goes fresh.
"He's probably carrying a bit more condition than I would like but this race looks ideal to get his campaign underway.
"He will tighten up nicely with racing."
Pacific Bao Bei - who arrived with two wins (1980m and 1990m) and three placings from eight starts in the United Kingdom – settled in extremely well to his new home at Kranji; something that pleasantly surprised Clements.
"European horses can sometimes take longer than Southern Hemisphere horses to acclimatise," said the Zimbabwean-born handler.
"But he settled in very quickly to Singapore and his new environment. Maybe coming from the European summer helped but I couldn't be happier.
"He's an imposing type and you could see right way with his long stride that he will be ideal for the Four-Year-Old series, which is what his owner is after."
The three legs of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series are namely, the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on June 11, the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) on July 2, and the Singapore Derby.
