SA-born jockey Greg Cheyne did pacework on turf aboard Mike de Kock’s Kavanagh at Kranji in Singapore on Tuesday morning (headline photo), in preparation for Sundays $1-million Singapore Airlines Krisflyer International Sprint over 1200m.

Kavanagh breeezed up over six furlongs (1200m), quickening up in the last 400m, reeling off 35.7secs over the last 600m. 

“I’m happy with his work. He’s working very good and he’ll do just a canter on the Polytrack and I’ll then send him to the paddock tomorrow,” said assistant-trainer Trevor Brown.

 “He may have a short sharp workout on the Polytrack on Friday and that would be it.

 “He put on 2kg on his first day and he’s right about his racing weight of 482kg, which he weighed at in Dubai.”

 With race-jockey Glyn Schofield not arriving until Sunday, fellow South African jockey Greg Cheyne was given the call-up to give Kavanagh his first piece of fast work at Kranji.

 “I worked with Mike in 1996 and 1997 and Trevor is an old buddy of mine. We had a chat the other day and I offered my services,” said Cheyne.

 “The horse feels in good shape. It’s the first time I’ve sat on him, but you can feel the difference straightaway. 

“I haven’t ridden the good classy horses like Super Easy or Mr Big, but this guy conducts himself like he’s been here all his life. 

“He pulled up when he finished his work, turned around, did everything by himself. A real pleasure to ride. 

“We went over two laps, cantered from the 1000m and picked up speed from the 800m and it’s only in the last 400m I gave him a real squeeze and we had a hitout.”