3 minute read
Progressive sprinter Easy Man will be asked to carry more weight on Friday night but is still expected to continue on his winning ways.
Having proven quite the talent as a two-year-old his promising career had to be put on hold when he suffered a fractured cannon bone in his near fore following an easy trial win.
Requiring surgery to correct the injury, Easy Man went off the radar for close to a year before returning at the trials back in July this year.
Making his long awaited return in August the son of Ishiguru proved ultra impressive when streaking his rivals by three-and-a-half lengths in very quick time.
While impressive there were still question marks surrounding the strength of the form and whether or not he would be able to repeat that performance second up off such a long break.
Sent out the second elect behind the handy Perfect Charger, Easy Man quickly put pay to any doubts people may have when leading all the way to streak his rivals by two-and-a-half lengths.
Easing down at the finish he more impressively broke the track record stopping the clock at 1 min 04.27 secs, taking 0.04 secs off the previous 1100m record held by Makkura.
In what is only his fifth career start on Friday he appears well on track to improve further leading into this given his strong trial in the lead up to this event.
After jumping well from the awkward draw he took up the running and did it easily out in front and was only swallowed up on the outside in the final 100m by handy sprinter Valevole.
Stopping the clock at 59.85 it was one of the quickest times of the morning and all appears to be in order.
Despite the rise in the weights on Friday, Easy Man still rates well clear of his rivals on Timeform weight adjusted ratings with his nearest rival Angry Cat rated eight pounds shy of his mark.
A proven front-runner it is quite clear Joao Moreira will roll forward from the draw and take up the running with the Desmond Koh trained My Shine and the Sam Chua trained Bm Win also expected to be not far away.
While he wasn't seen at the races for over a year it is clear Easy Man has returned in fantastic order and does appear on track to reach the heights of what was first expected following his impressive debut in the Group 2 Golden Horseshoe.
Champion Hong Kong bound jockey Joao Moreira has predicted big things for Easy Man in the future and he is expected to use this race as a stepping stone on to tougher company down the track.
The Alvin Tan trained Angry Cat has been racing in great form this time in and does appear the logical danger to Easy Man having finished second at his past two starts.
Sitting second throughout he proved quite game in defeat last start when just struggling to wear down the winner Coronet Peak beaten only half a length at the finish.
The drop back in trip and the return to the polytrack appear two good pushes for Angry Cat as he has placed in nine of his 15 attempts on the synthetic surface including both of his career victories.
Danny Beasley sticks aboard and has placed in two of three attempts aboard the four-year-old and should find a nice spot just off the speed.
While he hasn't won for a while (10 starts) his recent run of form does see him well placed on Timeform weight adjusted ratings and if Easy Man does prove to be off his game he is expected to be right there to take advantage.
My Shine has been racing in career best form this time in and must be respected as he too possesses a great record on the polytrack having only missed the money once in six attempts.
Having placed at his last four starts including two victories the son of Shinko King has shown stark improvement in recent efforts having improved 16 pounds from his debut performance back in March this year.
Although he will no doubt have to improve considerably again on Friday night if he is to trouble Easy Man he is a horse on an upward spiral and must be respected.
Of the rest Desmond Koh's other galloper engaged in the race Bionic Boy does appears the next in line as he looks well placed with the aid of the claim.
Coming into this off the back of a last start fourth placing behind Dragon King the son of Falvelon has not been far away in recent performances and is capable of making his presence felt in this company.
HIs poor recent win record is of some concern however a return to his best would see him right around the mark.
Good luck and happy punting.