3 minute read

There were a number of high quality performances in Singapore over the weekend kicking off with the Alvin Tan trained Nova Strike on Friday night.

One of the more promising three-year-olds in Singapore, Nova Strike is yet to miss the money from eight starts and displayed good improvement with the blinkers on for the first time.

Having sported pacifiers previously, Tan elected to tinker with his gear and it proved to pay dividends with the son of Red Giant making light work of his rivals in the sixth event.

Nova Strike

Ridden closer to the speed, Nova Strike always travelled well under Nunes and put the race out of doubt shortly after passing the 200m.

Drawing away over the concluding stages to score by close to three lengths, Nova Strike returned a new career peak and now sets his sights on the three-year-old series.

Tan boasts one of the stronger 3YO teams leading into the series with a number open to good improvement (Infantry, Casing Royal and Rich Fortune).

On current Timeform ratings, Nova Strike remains one of Tan's highest rated 3YOs and is definitely one to stick with.

Admittedly he has had more opportunities to display his best form however he is yet to be tested beyond 1200m which could spark further improvement.

Leading rider Manoel Nunes felt he could make his presence felt in the 3YO series, though he needed to improve his race craft.

“He’s still very nervous on the way to the barriers, he sweats too much," said Nunes.

“Last time he didn’t break quickly and would drop back. I told Alvin to put blinkers on him.

“We tried them in a barrier trial, but he got checked on that day and we tried them in a gallop this week, and he was definitely a lot more focused."

Time Odyssey

The Patrick Shaw trained Time Odyssey gapped his rivals two back and proceeded to take that next step when far too good on Sunday.

A revelation since tried beyond 1400m this time in, the son of Jet Master has now won four of his last five starts at a combined margin of over 15 lengths.

Sunday's performance saw him return a new career peak and more notably returned time figures ahead of the bare form.

Ridden by Corey Brown, Time Odyssey relished the strong tempo and was home a long way out.

The Group 3 Fortune Bowl [2000m] has been listed as a possible target for the four-year-old leaving Brown with a decision as to who he will ride - Quechua or Time Odyssey.

Under the conditions of the feature event Quechua would be allotted 58kg while Time Odyssey would carry 53kg.

Admittedly the latter is still progressive, however whether he can take that next step and defeat Quechua remains to be seen.

Either way he creates plenty of interest as you can never discount winning form and the ease at which he has done so suggests there is still a fair bit left in locker.

El Padrino

The Alvin Tan trained El Padrino was again enormous on Sunday and is tracking a long beautifully for the Group 3 Merlion Trophy.

Likely to have another run prior to the feature event, he should be right at his peak racing fourth up and under the WFA conditions he remains well placed to clinch his third straight victory.

The Michael Clements trained Kiwi Karma shapes as one of the main dangers however whether she performs as well on the polytrack is still up in the air.

Barring Spalato, Zac Spirit and Emperor Max, El Padrino is Singapore's highest rated sprinter and another victory surely isn't too far away.

Viviano

In the final event the Mark Walker trained Viviano really impressed when collecting his second victory in Singapore.

Formerly trained in New Zealand the son of Keeper came over with some handy form in the book and justified his short-odds on debut when saluting narrowly.

Disappointing at his next outing, he arguably had legitimate excuses and proceeded to bounce right back to winning form on Sunday.

Ridden by Manoel Nunes, Viviano notably overcame a poor start to recover and settle just off the speed in fifth.

Under a good hold entering the straight, he displayed a sharp turn of foot when pulled to the centre and quickly put the race away at the 200m.

Ridden out to the line he saluted by two lengths and returned a new career peak in the process.

Prior to coming to Singapore his best form was achieved up to the mile so he remains open to good improvement moving forward.

The manner in which he won on Sunday suggests he is above average and more wins certainly appear in store for the four-year-old - a must for your blackbook.