3 minute read
Talented sprinter Huka Falls was back to his career best when saluting at this track last start and only needs to hold that form to notch up back to back victories at Singapore on Friday night.
Set to line up in the eight event on the card the son of Align impressively chases his 11th overall career victory having placed in 14 of his 19 career starts to date.
Although he arguably has failed to make that next step up to elite company there is no doubting his talent with his latest performance seeing him rated one of the top 10 horses in Singapore at this point in time.
Allowed to adopt his more favourable position taking up the running, Huka Falls proved ultra impressive when leading throughout with the big weight.
Jumping away well on the outside Huka Falls quickly strode to the front and found the rail shortly after the start.
Travelling nicely throughout he gave a good kick early in the straight and while appearing to be quickly under siege from race favourite Pioneer Seven he fought on valiantly to get the head bob right on the line.
A clear stand-out performance for the New Zealand bred galloper which saw him rated right up to his career best with a Timeform rating of 109.
A figure he has now achieved twice since beginning his career in Singapore back in August 2012.
It is this sole figure which has him extremely well placed on Friday night as the horse he narrowly defeated last start, Pioneer Seven, now meets the latter two kilograms worse off at the weights and hence swing s the race firmly in Huka Falls' favour.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he now sits eight pounds clear of his nearest rival and hence a repeat of his last start performance should see him very hard to get past in the straight.
More notably five of his eight performances this time in see him rated clear in this affair and therefore he can still run a touch below his best and still prove the hardest to beat.
From the ideal draw Corey Brown will no doubt look to lead on the five-year-old as he is clearly proven to race at his best when allowed to stroll out in front.
The Mok Zhan Lun trained Pioneer Seven will look to roll forward and settle right up on the speed but isn't expect to challenge Huka Falls in the lead while the Patrick Shaw trained Valevole is also likely to roll forward.
In five attempts over the trip Huka Falls has only tasted defeat once and is proven to be at his best on the polytrack surface having placed in 10 of 12 attempts.
Corey Brown is also enjoying considerable success with the Laurie Laxon stable currently striking at 20% for this season and does appear in line to continue this good run on Friday night.
The set weight conditions for Friday night's feature race play well into the hands of Huka Falls and while it has been a while since he has notched up back to back victories, this is easily his best chance to do so.
The lightly raced Pioneer Seven is clearly Huka Falls biggest danger on Friday night and while the majority of statistics and trends point to him not being able to turn the tables, he is progressive and does appear capable of raising the bar.
He has placed in nine of 12 starts to date and is expected to be right at his peak racing third up after showing good improvement last start.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he does have a few lengths to make up on his highly performed rival however he is a galloper who has shown that level of improvement between runs in the past and does appear a galloper heading in the right direction.
If Huka Falls does prove to have any chinks in his armour on Friday expect Pioneer Seven to be right there to take full advantage.
The Michael Freedman trained Ronnie Brown has shown plenty of ability in the past but has often proven quite inconsistent.
His latest trial performance at this track suggests he is on track for an improved performance fresh and does appear a solid knock-out chance down in the weights.
He has placed in six of nine attempts at this track and has placed in two of four attempts over this trip, suggesting Friday's affair should prove quite suitable for the son of Darci Brahma.
Adding to that his record fresh is also quite respectable and from the good draw he is expected to be in this for a long way.
Of the rest Freedman's other galloper engaged in the affair, Texan Takeover appears the next in line.
Having proven quite solid at both starts to begin this campaign he is likely to be right at his peak racing third up and is capable of filling the minor placings.
Good luck and happy punting.