3 minute read
There are three S$75K events on the card tonight at Kranji and all are blackbelt events containing K1 quality but the final event contains a thoroughbred destined to teach rather than take lessons.
Ip Man runs in R9, the Kranji Stakes C over 1200m and the now Steve Burridge trained three-year-old gelding looks sure to hand out another display of devastating offense by defense.
He should be unbeaten but got his colours lowered a lip by Winontop in September and that horse resumes this weekend, so look out for him.
I think the move to Burridge has made Ip Man from a learning star into a leading light and wait until they see how good he is at Meydan.
His fresh up win on the yielding turf last month was a near six length romp and it could have been double that such was the raw power this gelding possesses.
Ip Man gave out a lesson to the likes of Davide last start and that horse is smart itself plus it won a trial recently by daylight in blistering time.
On debut in August we saw Ip Man hand out a complete beating in fast time over 1000m on the poly to a horse called Niceone, which since has won his next three races in a row.
It is hard to see Ip Man defeated tonight and rider Oscar Chavez will have no hesitation in labelling him the best he has ridden for sheer potential in Singapore.
The class rise tonight is not a concern and at 55kg from a middle barrier all looks like a case of stop the fight as this one is too gifted.
I actually think drawing out keeps Ip Man out of any trouble and traffic plus you get to see the difference between travelling modestly with the field then a sudden change up to drop them in one swift kick.
There is another rising star also in the field called Northern Land that has more tricks than an illusionist but boy does he have a big motor.
He has untapped power and can sit wide and carry big weight, so has it all but look out when the four-year-old decides to switch on totally.
I think he is much better on the turf but will be a danger still on the poly and having drawn okay should be in or near the pace here throughout.
The 58kg he has will be the biggest weight the gelding is yet to carry and he is coming back 200m here, so it does look like Ip Man has him covered with a 3kg buffer.
Kennecott with a full 4kg claim is a chance despite an awkward draw as the grey is flying at the moment and Team Freedman is lethal with sprinters.
He is yet to miss paying a dividend on the poly in a field where several are yet to win let alone even run a place on it.
Brunei Royal looked good in a recent trial win and this class of race and gate two all look suitable too my eye.
I see him as a chance for your multiples.
Ip Man was the master of the incomparable Bruce Lee and many a film with the name Dragon in the title thrilled and mesmerized tens of millions.
So with two other S$75k events on the card tonight I suggest you stay with the Dragon theme and namely back South Gate in R6 and Primera Espada in R8 for the Douglas Dragon (soon to be Letitia) stable.
Enjoy the last race and Yip it looks like Ip Man to deliver another master class.
