3 minute read

Star four-year-old Debt Collector begins his tilt towards the Group 1 Singapore Derby this evening and will no doubt set a decent standard in the seventh event.

Debt Collector rounded out his last campaign when confirming his place at the top of the tree, proving a class above in the Group 1 Raffles Cup [1800m].

The undisputed champion three-year-old last season, the question mark remained whether Debt Collector could progress to that next level – that he has.

Since breaking his maiden status in November last year, Debt Collector is unbeaten from six starts and is just that – a winner.

In what can only be described as a remarkable training performance, Debt Collector has continued to raise the bar for trainer Cliff Brown.

At his last six attempts Debt Collector has bettered his previous mark and is clearly a galloper on an upward spiral.

His latest performance saw the four-year-old return a new career peak and there is little to suggest he can’t raise the bar further.

Ridden by regular rider Michael Rodd, Debt Collector adopted his usual position towards the rear with the James Peters trained Titanium setting what can only be described as a pedestrian tempo in-front.

Hooked to the centre on straightening, Rodd allowed Debt Collector to work through his gears before he asserted his authority late.

Grand galloper War Affair gave a good sight when hitting the lead inside the 300m before only swamped in the final 50m.

The Patrick Shaw trained Quechua worked to the line well to finish ahead of War Affair, but was no match for Debt Collector.

Although only a narrow victor, the race sectionals tell a different story.

For his last 800m Debt Collector was marked over 2.5L faster than his nearest rival with the last 600m of the race run over 12L inside standard.

In summary, due to the sluggish early tempo last year’s Raffles Cup was simply a walk and sprint home.

As a result there was only 2.6L separating the seven across the line with a length separating the first four.

In other words, Debt Collector’s high level of performance was hidden due to the unsuitable race shape.

Given a solid break, Debt Collector appears set to perform well fresh with two trials under his belt.

Despite conceding weight to all of his rivals, Debt Collector still rates clear and is sure to be very hard to beat with leading rider Michael Rodd aboard.

Although set for grander goals this preparation, he is more than capable of winning this along the way.

The James Peters trained Magnum has won two of three attempts fresh and gets his chance down in the weights.

In 11 starts, Magnum has only missed the money once and has drawn to receive all the favours on the inside.

The in-form Glen Boss legs aboard for the first time and he shapes as one of the main contenders.

The Ricardo Le Grange trained Quechua is obviously better over further but you still have to respect his class.

In six attempts fresh, he has placed in five and at the weights he is well placed on best form.

From the wide draw he is expected to adopt a prominent position and should be in this for a long way.

Of the rest the Cliff Brown trained Laughing Gravy appears the next in line.

Much like Quechua, he is obviously better over further however at his best he is certainly more than capable.

His poor record fresh is a concern, however with Vlad Duric aboard he cannot be taken lightly.

Good luck and happy punting.