3 minute read
The David Kok trained Speedy Dragon went down as the short-priced favourite last start, but can bounce back in the ninth event at Singapore this evening.
A winner of four of his eight starts, the son of Safe In The USA has continued to make impressive ratings spikes and notably returned a new career peak last start.
Ridden by Manoel Nunes, Speedy Dragon was slow to begin before mustering speed to hold his spot along the rails in second.Forced to race tight in the early stages he proved quite keen and struggled to settle under Nunes.
Railing up to take the lead early in the straight, he quickly kicked away and looked home before tiring the last 100m when swamped out wide by Lim's Showcase.The latter remains one of the more promising 3YOs in Singapore and hence there is no knock on the form moving forward.
Allotted the big weight again, Kok has elected to claim on the four-year-old with WS Chan taking over.With the three kilogram claim, Speedy Dragon will only career three kilograms above the minimum and is well placed on recent form.
From the favourable draw he should be able to adopt a forward position with Royal Fortune the other likely front-runner.When using Timeform weight adjusted ratings Speedy Dragon's last start performance leaves him well placed and if able to progress further he clearly sets a decent standard.
The David Hill trained Royal Fortune came a long way in his first preparation and remains a big watch fresh.A winner of three of his four career starts, the son of Major Cadeaux is clearly a galloper heading in the right direction and is unbeaten on the polytrack.
Both he and Speedy Dragon get the pace angle to suit and in truth it appears a two horse race.Formerly trained by Leticia Dragon, his only failure to date came on debut for the David Hill stable when finishing towards the tail (Speedy Dragon finished second).
Bouncing straight back at his next start, he proved quite impressive when too strong over 1000m.Unseen for 91 days, he comes into this without a trial but do expect him to be forward enough to sprint well fresh.
At the weights he gets his chance to defeat Speedy Dragon and given he still possesses plenty of upside he obviously looms as a major threat.The Michael Freedman trained Brahma Circus won well first up and has to be considered a leading hope in this line up.
Tagged as a somewhat non-winner, he generally races at his best when kept fresh and has only missed the money once in 15 starts.From the inside draw he shouldn't be too far away and the in-form Corey Brown sticks aboard.
In three attempts over this trip he is yet to miss the money and three of four of his career wins have come at this track.Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings he does have to improve to trouble the top two, but still has to be considered.
Of the rest the John O'Hara trained Castor appears the next best.While failing to deliver at both starts to begin this campaign, he has since trialled well off a slight break (42 days) and has to be kept safe on best form.
He is unbeaten in three attempts over this trip and clearly cannot be taken lightly.Good luck and happy punting.