Source:
https://scmp.com/article/631964/champion-demand

Champion in demand

David Hall will be the next trainer on the path of overseas glory, with Absolute Champion invited to the S$1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint in Singapore in May and the trainer keen to take on the challenge.

Absolute Champion looks a major drawcard for the KrisFlyer, reintroduced this year, as one of the few horses to lower the colours of world champion Sacred Kingdom and the only one to do it this season fair and square.

The 1,200m sprint will be run on May 18 and that suits Hall, who has run out of targets domestically with the star galloper after foot problems flared up after finishing second to Sacred Kingdom in the Chairman's Sprint Prize and kept him out of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Stakes earlier in the month.

'The Singapore club has invited him and provided the horse is well, we're keen to go,' said Hall. 'There's nothing much left for him here now and with the Singapore race being when it is, hopefully that will give me plenty of time to make sure he is one 100 per cent over the foot problem.'

The only remaining target in Hong Kong this season for the top sprinter is the new Group Two Gome Sprint (1,200m) on May 1, but the Singapore race will give connections of Absolute Champion the chance to dodge Sacred Kingdom, who has been talked about as a possible runner in that race.

'I don't know what we'll bump into from Australia going to the Singapore race - Takeover Target might be running there - but to me the main thing is having more time to get the horse's feet right,' Hall said.

'Also, there is always the possibility of a soft track in Singapore, which would suit Absolute Champion. But if he is sound, he'll be there at Kranji.'