3 minute read
The ultra consistent Golden Sand Steed appears very well placed to notch up career victory number five when he lines up in the ninth race of the card at Singapore this afternoon.
In fourteen career starts he has only missed the money twice and comes into this affair off the back of a game performance behind the handy Boundless Glory who we have since seen finish second in tougher company at his next start.
More notably he finished second behind Davide two back which since has proven very strong form as the Patrick Shaw trained galloper would go on to notch up his maiden stakes success at his next start when overpowering Huka Falls in the Group 3 Woodlands Handicap.
An out an out flyer on the polytrack, Golden Sand Steed has impressively placed at 10 of his 11 career starts on the synthetic surface saluting the judge on four of those occasions.
On weight adjusted ratings he sits just two pounds shy of Eclair Flyer and does appear open to further improvement as he has continued to do so throughout this preparation.
Champion Singapore based jockey Joao Moreira links back aboard having not ridden the galloper since saluting on Golden Sand Steed back in March this year.
In three rides aboard the Mark Walker trained galloper Moreira is yet to miss the money and boasts quite a handy strike rate of 23% with the Walker team.
From the favourable draw he should be able to settle closer to the speed this time around as he did spot Boundless Glory too large a start last time out.
Although there doesn't appear to be a great deal of speed engaged it should play nicely into his hands as if the field is bunched up approaching the home turn he should be able to sprint quickly and take control of the race.
While he has struggled with consistency in the past the Shane Baertschiger trained Terminator proved ultra impressive when saluting here last start and if able to hold that form he is expected to be right around the mark in this affair.
Tracking up wide throughout the majority of the race he showed a great will to win when fighting on strongly late to hold off all late challenges as he was clearly entitled to tire over the concluding stages.
A winner of five of his 16 career starts may appear consistent on paper however it is merely the fact that he has been unable to string two quality performances back to back.
On weight adjusted ratings he sits equal with Golden Stand Steed and is clearly more than capable of taking out this affair.
The decision to engage an apprentice rider does read well for him at the weights as he now sits 2kg clear of his nearest rival.
Drawn awkwardly he too will likely press forward and settle just off the speed and is expected to give plenty of cheek if Golden Sand Steed does prove to have a chink in his armour.
The Desmond Koh trained Eclair Flyer showed good improvement second up last start behind Terminator and appears set to peak racing third up.
While very lightly raced for a six-year-old he has shown good ability in his short career to date and is one of few gallopers engaged in this affair who is still open to further improvement.
Coming into this race as the top rated galloper on weight adjusted ratings he no doubt is expected to make his presence felt and if able to hold his form leading into this he is clearly one of the top winning hopes.
Drawn favourably on the inside don't be surprised to see him take up the running in this affair as Benji's Empire appears the only distinct leader in the field.
Another galloper who connections have elected to engage an apprentice rider reads well for his chances as he receives some warranted weight relief off main danger Golden Sand Steed.
Of the rest Benji's Empire appears the next in line as the bold front runner will likely give them all something to chase.
Given almost three weeks between runs following his disappointing effort here last start the Steven Burridge trained galloper does appear to get his own way in this affair and is expected to bounce right back to form.
While only having won two of his last 12 starts he has showcased his ability to prove competitive in far tougher company and can improve on his poor record on the polytrack surface.
Both the Bruce Marsh trained Supernova and the Michael Freedman trained Empire Bay have to be included in the multiples as their recent form suggests they are not far off the mark and with any luck in running should be right in the finish.