After enduring a very tough run in transit first up the Bruce Marsh trained Royal Tudor appears well placed to bounce back into the winner's stall when he lines up in the ninth race on the card at Singapore this afternoon.
Having proven quite impressive in his maiden preparation the son of Elusive City may have appeared disappointing first up however his performance still had plenty of merit after he was caught wide throughout.
A noted front-runner it was unusual to see him slowly away and after being hunted up to sit up on the speed he was forced to sit three-wide throughout and on approaching the turn it was clear there was nothing left in the locker.
Stepping out at just his fifth career start on Sunday it is quite clear his first up performance was a total forgive run and he will no doubt improve racing second up.
While set to face his toughest to date he appears extremely well placed at the weights as he will only have to carry 48kg with the Sonny Soon trained Magical Talent set to carry the most weight with 55.5kg.
On Timeform ratings Royal Tudor sits just four pounds below main rival Terminator and given the latter has only produced that performance on one prior occasion Royal Tudor does appear to have a slight edge on the majority of his rivals as he is still open to plenty of improvement.
Apprentice rider Zuriman Zulkifli sticks aboard and should have better luck in running from the favourable draw and is expected to settle up on the speed with the Michael Freedman trained Flying Zero likely to take up the running from the inside draw.
With little speed engaged he should receive an easy run in transit and with his pull in the weights he should be too quick for his rivals in the run home as they will all likely be spotting him a start at the top of the straight.
The step up in trip appears ideal and given the majority of his rivals have already reached their respective marks it is still yet to be seen for this lightly raced five-year-old and on that factor alone he should prove too good.
The Shane Baertschiger trained Terminator hasn't proven the most consistent galloper however when on-song he is clearly up to taking out this event.
While working home strongly last start he was never in the hunt after the Patrick Shaw trained Davide quickly took control of the race a long way from home.
A race which clearly favoured the on-pace runners his performance was arguably the run of the race behind the winner after he struggled to get clear running when making the turn for home.
His effort prior was even more of an eye catcher when finishing third behind Golden Sand Steed after settling at the tail of the field before working home strongly to be beaten less than a length.
It is this performance that see's rated on top in this affair and if able to replicate that effort he should be in this for a long way.
The only concern is that Danny Beasley will be forced to go back to the tail from the poor draw and save him up for one late burst.
While capable the fact that there looks to be little speed in this event appears the main obstacle to him saluting the judge as if they crawl in front he could be left with too much to do when making the turn for home.
Flying Zero remains the big query runner of the field having proved very impressive first up before somewhat disappointing last start.
Having been met with a stack of support he proved quite flat when entering the straight as his run ended 200m from home sticking on fairly to the line to finish seventh.
Drawn more favourably this time around expect Manoel Nunes to press forward and take up the running as there doesn't appear to be another leader in the race.
With 30 days between runs he should be freshened up nicely for this affair and if able to receive the favours out in front he could take plenty of catching.
The David Hill trained Travertine could be the knockout hope at odds when he makes his return from a three month break.
While his form at the back end of his last campaign doesn't read well he is clearly proven to race at his best when fresh having notched up two of his five career victories when racing first up.
Given a nice easy trial in the lead up he has drawn to receive all the favours and could take up a forward position as he did so first up last time in.
His record on the polytrack is quite handy and on his best form he profiles nicely for this affair and is a must for the multiples.
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