3 minute read

Promising galloper Wonderful Prince appears on track to continue his rise through the grades —when he contests the sixth event at Singapore this evening.

Having returned with an impressive victory, a further step up in grade is not expected to halt Wonderful Prince's progress.

Trained by Desmond Koh, the son of Elusive City picked up right where he left off — when saluting comfortably over 1200m last start.

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 went on to notch up a hat-trick of wins — before finishing second prior to a break.

Wonderful Prince improved 11 pounds during his maiden preparation in Singapore and appears set to better that mark this time in.

Arguably at his best over further, Wonderful Prince always travelled strongly over the 1200m journey.

Within striking distance on straightening, he was hampered heavily when awkwardly placed on heels passing the 400m.

Forced to wait and come across heels, Wonderful Prince showed a great will to win — balancing up and hitting the line powerfully down the centre to score by just under a length.

No real surprise to see jockey Manoel Nunes stick — given his very impressive strike rate with Wonderful Prince.

In five attempts aboard, Nunes has saluted four times, including one second placing.

More notably his strike-rate with the Koh stable is quite remarkable.

From 45 rides, Nunes strikes at 33 per cent and has a place strike rate of over 50 per cent.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Wonderful Prince appears well placed and Nunes should settle him just off the speed from the awkward draw.

Recording a Timeform rating just shy of his career peak last start, Wonderful Prince is expected to springboard off that mark this evening and prove very hard to beat.

Though only a small field of seven, there is a fair bit of depth, with last start winner Thumping, improving galloper Twickenham and the Cliff Brown trained Meshmaker all appearing solid hopes.

Thumping returned a new career peak last start, when hitting the line strongly over the mile to score by just under a length.

Her fifth victory from 12 starts, the Hideyuki Takaoka mare has always displayed plenty of ability.

The slight drop back in trip off only a 19 day break is of some concern, however she has saluted in three of six attempts over 1400m.

Thumping's last start victory returned time figures ahead of the form and more appears in store.

However, her main obstacle appears the likelihood of conceding Wonderful Prince a start on straightening.

Given this is the case, Alan Munro may look to ride Thumping more positively from the good draw.

Her closing sectionals last start were very impressive and she should prove hard to hold out, with any luck in the straight.

The Stephen Gray trained Twickenham made an impressive rise through the grades last preparation and appears capable of fighting out the finish.

A victor of three of his five career starts, Twickenham improved eight pounds and is expected to progress further this time in.

Given the sole trial in the lead up, the son of Artie Schiller made up good ground late and appears in good order for his return.

Slightly concerned to see Corey Brown jump off, however Twickenham cannot be ignored and shapes as one of the leading hopes.

The Cliff Brown trained Meshmaker is yet to feature fresh in four previous attempts, however with Corey Brown linking aboard he remains under strong notice.

From 51 rides, Corey Brown is striking at 15 per cent with the Cliff Brown stable and has a place strike rate of 49 per cent.

Unseen at the track in 350 days, the now six-year-old is expected to need this run, although he cannot be taken lightly on best form.

At this stage it is hard to get a real gauge on where he is at from his sole trial (beaten 12.2L), however he still has to be kept safe.

Good luck and happy punting.