3 minute read
Supremely talented galloper Zac Spirit was a key stand-out performance when resuming last start and does appear well placed to claim the Three Rings Trophy at Singapore on Sunday.
Making his return from a clear break-out preparation last time in the son of Flying Spur was quick to leave right where we he left off with his performance successful in recording a new career peak.
Forced to travel three wide throughout his performance proved most impressive when hitting the front a long way from home before holding off a late charge from the very capable Holy Empire and progressive galloper Johnny Guitar.
The biggest plus for his performance was the overall time out of the event, with it clearly being the fastest on the night and deemed to be only marginally outside standard.
In what proved his fifth win from nine career starts, Zac Spirit has continued to raise the bar and has only tasted defeat only once in his last five starts, which came in the Group 1 Kranji Mile.
Although only lining up against five rivals on Sunday it is a race which creates plenty of interest with emerging galloper Goodman set to contest the event along with the ultra consistent Holy Empire.
Having defeated Holy Empire easily last start it doesn't appear he will have little concerns repeating the dose on Sunday and given the compressed weights of the event he is only required to concede 5kg to Goodman.
If the race were to be run under handicap conditions he would be forced to carry 12kg more than the three-year-old and hence emphasises how well placed he is.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he sits six pounds clear of his nearest rival Holy Empire and over 10 pounds clear of Goodman.
More notably Zac Spirit was proven to improve throughout his campaign last time in and is expected to raise the bar again on Sunday and if successful it is clear he will prove extremely hard to beat.
His latest victory cemented himself as one of the top five gallopers in Singapore and he is expected to build on that record on Sunday in what should prove his first stakes victory.
In the small field he is expected to settle back in the field with the Michael Freedman trained Holy Empire and the Desmond Koh trained Empress Wu expected to take up the running.
His ability to reel off a very quick closing sectional places him in very good stead as if able to settle within two lengths of the lead he simply should prove far too slick for his rivals over the concluding stages.
The ever consistent Holy Empire made an encouraging return first up and does appear the main danger to Zac Spirit.
Another galloper who showed dramatic improvement last time in the son of Holy Roman Emperor has continued to raise the bar with his latest performance behind Zac Spirit successful in recording a new career peak.
Having only missed the money once in his last 10 starts including five victories Holy Empire does appear capable of pushing Zac Spirit rights to his limits as he is expected to show good improvement stepping up to 1400m.
In five previous attempts over seven furlongs he has the saluted the judge on three occasions and should prove very hard to get past in the straight.
However under the weight conditions of the race with all things being equal he doesn't appear capable of defeating Zac Spirit if the latter runs up to his best, however if he does prove to race below his best then Holy Empire is expected to be right there to take full advantage.
The very exciting Goodman lived up to the hype at this track last start when again proving far too good for his rivals at this course and distance.
While he obviously takes a big step up in grade he is a galloper who is clearly on an upwards rating spiral and is expected to progress further leading into Sunday.
He has won his last three starts by a combined margin of 12L and is expected to improve a further five and six pounds again on Sunday.
Whether that proves to be good enough to beat Zac Spirit is yet to be known however the latter would have to run below his best for him to have any chance of success.
Under the weight conditions on Sunday he only receives four and a half kilos off Zac Spirit and ability wise he still has a bit to prove in this much tougher line up.
Still nothing to be gained by dodging the quality and today will be a good test for Goodman to see just where he is at. From the good draw he should find a nice position just off the speed and is expected to be working home into the finish.
Good luck and happy punting.