3 minute read

An eye catching debut leaves the Shane Baertschiger trained Hero I Am well placed to break through in the final event at Singapore this evening.

Formerly based in Australia under the care of Chris Waller, the son of Hussonet has displayed good ability in his nine career starts — saluting on two occasions.

Often tried in tougher company, Hero I Am just missed the minor placings in Listed company prior to a break, when finishing fourth behind Petrology.

Having begun his career in New Zealand, Hero I Am consistently recorded Timeform ratings in the 90s and notably wasn't beaten far behind Scissor Kick in the Group 3 Up and Coming Stakes [1300m].

Now under the care of Shane Baertschiger, Hero I Am showed enough in his Singapore debut to suggest he can get back to around that mark in his new surroundings.

Settling just off the speed in fifth, Hero I Am didn't have the clearest passage on straightening and kept coming to the line, finishing a close fourth.

Unsuited over the 1200m journey the three-year-old looks set to relish the step up to 1400m and appears very well placed in this Class 4 event.

Leading rider John Powell links aboard for the first time and is currently striking at 15 per cent with the Baertschiger stable.

From the middle draw Hero I Am is expected to settle just off the speed with the Laurie Laxon trained Mr Whitaker likely to take up the running from the inside draw.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings Hero I Am rates highly based on his Singapore debut and given he still has plenty of improvement up his sleeve, he should prove very hard to beat.

Last start winner Mr Whittaker is racing in great form and is in line to notch up the hat-trick in this event.

Narrowly beaten on debut, Mr Whittaker disappointed at his second outing before winning his next two starts in fine order.

Mr Whittaker notably beat the promising Ninetysevenemperor when breaking his maiden status, before again proving too strong over the 1200m journey.

One query this evening is that he is unproven on the turf track, having failed to fire in his only previous attempt.

On that occasion he was beaten seven lengths and leaves a big question mark.

Nonetheless his latest victory leaves him well placed using Timeform weight adjusted ratings and if able to handle the turf track he obviously looms as a major threat.

The Mark Walker trained Brahms And Liszt often proves his own worst enemy, however he is racing in great form without winning.

Having not won since October 2013, the son of Coats Choice has obviously had his issues having not been seen for 16 months prior to this preparation.

In all three starts he has continued to improve and should be closing in on his peak fitness racing fourth up.

His performance when only narrowly beaten last start held plenty of merit after he was forced to make a long sustained run.

He was only marked narrowly below his previous best and a repeat of that level of performance leaves him well placed.

Leading rider Manoel Nunes makes his much anticipated return this weekend and has placed in two of four attempts aboard the five-year-old.

Overall Nunes is striking at just shy of 20 per cent with the Walker stable and won't want to get too far back from the middle draw with the lack of obvious tempo in the race.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings he shapes as one of the leading hopes and with a bit of luck in running he should prove hard to hold out.

Of the rest the Michael Freedman trained Rusty Brown has to be included dropping back noticeably in grade.

At his last three starts he has locked horns with Fastnet Dragon, Powernova and Blue Swede — form which obviously sees him well placed.

Although only saluting at one of his last 10 starts, he has repeatedly put up form good enough to be very competitive in this line up.

From the awkward draw he is likely to settle midfield and if able to repeat his level of performance behind Fastnet Dragon, he is expected to make his presence felt.

Good luck and happy punting.