Sunspeed-bred sprinter Pioneer Seven faces his toughest test in the G3 Merlion Trophy (1200m) at Kranji this Friday night.

Pioneer Seven (4g Flying Pegasus – Enterprising Lady by Key Business) was a noted barrier rogue and a hard puller but has mended his manners with 4 wins in his latest 6 starts.  “I’m just hoping he doesn’t have to be restrained as he’s got a soft mouth,” trainer Mok Zhan Lun said.  “Manoel (Nunes) knows there’s no point fighting him.

“There are many fast customers like Goal Keeper, Mr Big and Huka Falls in the race.  It’s his first big test at Group level and he’s fit and well.”

The Merlion Trophy is the first leg of the Singapore Sprint Series that also includes the G3 Kranji Sprint (1200m) on April 4 and G1 Lion City Cup (1200m) on April 27.

Mok is a former Forex banker and has been training at Kranji for four years.  Pioneer Seven is raced by Chionh Teck Swee and he has sent horses to Mok since previous trainer John Meagher returned to Australia.

“He just sent me two yearlings and one of them is by Flying Pegasus as well,” Mok said.  “It’s nice of him to support me.”

Flying Pegasus stands at Touchstone Farm at North Dandalup and his Singapore flyer was a $20,000 graduate of the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.

The latest Flying Pegasus heading to Mok’s stable also cost $20,000 at last month’s Perth Magic Millions.  The colt was sold by Karnup Stud and is from Superb Trick, a half-sister to G2 WA Oaks winner Reflected Image.

PIONEER SEVEN