3 minute read
A sharp step up in grade is not expected to halt the progress of Wonderful Prince, when he returns in the seventh event at Singapore this evening.
Trained by Desmond Koh, the son of Elusive City showed good improvement during his maiden preparation for the Singapore handler.
Formerly based in Australia under the care of Team Hawkes, Wonderful Prince made his first public appearance for Koh's stable in February.Bursting onto the scene with a dominant four length victory, the now four-year-old would go on to notch up a hat-trick of wins before finishing second prior to a break.
Tried for the first time over a mile, Wonderful Prince proved game in defeat when finishing behind the Shane Baertschiger trained Blue Lion.Unseen since May, Wonderful Prince has trialled twice in the lead up.
Finishing fifth at his first trial, Wonderful Prince led throughout in his latest to score by just over a length.Ridden out by Manoel Nunes, Wonderful Prince will take good benefit and should be forward enough to fire fresh.
He improved 11 pounds during his last preparation and is well placed in this event using Timeform weight adjusted ratings.Promising galloper Mia, rates as his biggest danger however Wonderful Prince does hold a slight edge.
The booking of Manoel Nunes appears key when analysing this race.In four attempts aboard Wonderful Prince, Nunes has saluted three times, including one second placing.
More notably his strike-rate with the Koh stable is quite remarkable.From 43 rides, Nunes strikes at 33 per cent and has a place strike rate of over 50 per cent.
From the favourable draw Nunes should settle Wonderful Prince just off the speed.Mia, Eagle Storm and Bellwether are all expected to roll forward, ensuring the race is run at a good solid tempo.
Wonderful Prince displayed a good turn of foot last time in and should prove very hard to hold out.The Mark Walker trained Mia is another galloper who displayed good ability last time in and does shape as a serious threat in this affair.
A winner of four of his five career starts, Mia, much like Wonderful Prince, continued to improve with each performance last time in.Successful in notching up a hat-trick of wins prior to a spell, the son of Castledale makes his return from a four month break.
Given the sole trial in the lead up, Mia was not knocked around when finishing well back behind Trudeau.Unbeaten in his only prior attempt first up, Mia is likely to take up the running from the favourable draw.
After the claim he does appear well placed, allotted just three kilograms above the minimum.However, his main obstacle remains, whether he can handle the strong pressure upfront.
Using average race speeds, Mia does possess the ability to lead, however he could be found vulnerable, if forced to do too much work early.Nonetheless he is a galloper heading in the right direction and should make his presence felt.
The Hideyuki Takaoka trained Marseille Roulette broke back into the winner's stall last start and appears the next in line.Another galloper who was formerly based in Australia, the son of Zizou clearly possesses good enough ability to win this event.
On career best form he does rate clear, however he is yet to reach that mark since transferred to Singapore.Marseille Roulette's latest victory at this track proved most impressive when overcoming a tough run in transit.
A repeat of that level of performance is likely to see him right around the mark and has to be kept safe.Of the rest last start winner Eagle Storm appears the next in line.
Ridden more aggressively, the Brian Dean trained galloper proved far too good for his rivals when scoring by just under a length.Returning good figures in the process, the son of Danbird appears capable of fighting out the finish this evening.
He has placed in nine of 11 attempts at this track and John Powell is yet to miss the money aboard the five-year-old.From the wide draw, Eagle Storm is likely to roll forward and prove hard to get past in the straight.
Good luck and happy punting.
