3 minute read
The David Hill trained Coronet Peak has displayed sharp improvement this time in and appears well placed to notch up the hat-trick at Singapore on Friday night.
Set to line up in the last race of the night the son of Kahal has impressively improved 14 pounds this time in and fought hard right to the line to salute at Kranji last start.
A bold front running type who now a six-year-old only steps out for just his 11th career start after injury plagued his career having made his debut back in January 2011.
Not seen for over a year and a half leading into this campaign David Hill has done a superb job to not only get him back to the racetrack but also to do get him racing in career best form.
Since succumbing to injury back in October 2011, Coronet Peak has strengthened up and matured nicely off a break given he has put on upwards of 20kg leading into this preparation.
Returning to the scene of the crime where he broke his maiden status two back Coronet Peak should relish the return to the polytrack having never missed the money in four attempts on the synthetic surface.
Renowned for pressing forward and taking up the running in his races, Alan Munro should have no problems finding the front having drawn ideally in barrier six.
In a race which clearly lacks speed with the Cliff Brown trained Media Captain appearing the only other likely galloper to roll forward it should see Coronet Peak receive an easy time out in front.
In six rides aboard the galloper Munro is yet to miss the money and has been aboard at both his career victories.
Coming into this race off a slight freshen having not been seen for eight weeks, Hill elected to trial Coronet Peak back in late October in which he finished a close second behind the talented Flash Gift.
Forced to undergo a starters test by the stewards after jumping awkwardly last start Coronet Peak jumped away nicely this time around to shade the leader in the early stages.
Hitting the front under not much urgings inside the 300m he worked to the line nicely before passed on the outside by Flash Gift who on raw form is rated 16 pounds clear of Coronet Peak.
The time out of the trial was also strong which is a good pointer that all is in order with Coronet Peak leading into Friday night's affair.
In a race which appears to be dominated by the front-runners, Media Captain does appear his biggest danger having performed well behind Golden Rabbit last start.
However given the extent to which Coronet Peak has improved this time in suggests he is a galloper on an upward ratings spiral and should prove too sharp for his rivals.
Media Captain has proven quite consistent of late without winning and on Timeform weight adjusted ratings is clearly the second elect.
While narrowly beaten last start the step up to 1100m should prove well in his favour as his career peak performance came at this very track and trip four starts back.
Drawn well on the inside Manoel Nunes should be able to track Coronet Peak nicely in the run and when produced in the straight he is expected to work home strongly.
Another who excels on the polytrack having placed in six of 11 attempts, Media Captain is clearly capable of fighting out the finish.
The Brian Dean trained That'stheone had a winning run broken last time out when finishing sixth at this track and trip.
Proving unable to bring up the hat-trick last his future was quickly told after being sluggishly away and was forced to give the leaders too much start.
On his performance to win here two back he does rate well in this line up and does appear well placed with the aid of the claim.
Likely to settle back from the awkward draw if the two up front do prove to put the speed on early he is expected to be charging home right into the finish.
Of the rest the Mark Walker trained Dreamcatcher notched up a narrow victory here last start and can go with the job stepping up to 1100m.
A victor of four of his 28 career starts to date, three of which have come on the polytrack the son of Occidental Tourist has been racing in good form over the past 12 months and is another who appears well placed after the claim.
While he does have to improve again to trouble the likes of the top three he has previously produced a Timeform rating good enough to feature in the finish and clearly cannot be dismissed.
Good luck and happy punting.