Talented type City Lad appears in line to make a winning return at Singapore on Friday night with the Desmond Koh trained galloper set to resume over seven furlongs.
While he failed to see out the trip in the Group 1 Raffles Cup [1800m] prior to a spell the son of Elusive City had been racing in great form in the lead up capped off with a close second placing in the Group 1 Kranji Mile behind Cash Luck.
In what proved his second Group 1 placing from just five attempts the Desmond Koh trained galloper is proven to be racing in career best form at present and appears very well placed to kick off right where he left off on Friday.
Set to the line up in the seventh event of the night, City Lad appears very well treated under the handicap conditions especially following Tengku Rehaizat's two kilogram claim.
With only four gallopers remaining in the handicap, the fact he is only required to carry two-and-a-half kilograms more than his nearest rivals plays well into his hands.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings City Lad sits three pounds clear of his nearest rival Golden Rutile and hence the five-year-old galloper can somewhat run below his best and still take out the event.
Although the winner's stall has eluded him in recent efforts the formlines behind Super Ninetyseven, Cash Luck, Zac Spirit, Mr Big, Better Life and Super Easy all read extremely well for this affair and further highlight the fact that this is one of the easiest assignments he has contested in some time.
Proven to perform well fresh his latest trial performance also indicates that he is well on track to continue this trend having saluted easily over the 1000m journey.
Pressed forward to lead throughout City Lad travelled beautifully in running and did it easy running to the line under his own steam and recorded very quick time in the process.
Successful in breaking one minute over the five furlong journey further pushes the claim that he has back in good order and is expected to measure up very well on Friday night.
A noted performer on both surfaces, City Lad has placed in nine of 21 attempts on the turf track and is in line to build on that solid record.
Drawn ideally expect Rehaizat to press forward on City Lad and camp right up on the speed with the Michael Freedman trained Matterhorn and the Cliff Brown trained Devil's Cut likely to set the tempo out in front.
The fact City Lad's main danger Golden Rutile will look to settle back towards the rear also plays well into his hands as if he is given too much start upon straightening his class should prevail and prove too good for this rivals.
The Hideyuki Takaoka trained Gold Rutile is proven to be racing in career best form of late and appears to be City Lad's biggest danger on Friday night.
Having now placed in 10 of her 11 career starts the daughter of Gold Halo has continued to raise the bar this time in and is expected to be charging home late in this affair.
Clearly looking for further when finishing a close third over 1200m last start the lightly raced six-year-old is yet to miss the money when racing on the turf surface and is proven to be on an upward spiral.
The only concern on Friday is that her racing pattern does sees her settle towards the rear and if the tempo doesn't prove strong on Friday night she may struggle to pick up the leaders.
Nonetheless she is clearly a mare with plenty of ability and if City Lad proves to be off his game expect Gold Rutile to be right there to take full advantage.
The Cliff Brown trained Hot Gold was unsuited over the shorter journey last start and appears set to relish the step up in trip to seven furlongs.
In eight attempts over 1400m he has saluted the judge on four occasions with his latest victory at this course and distance four starts back seeing him rated just shy of City Lad.
From the good draw he should be able to roll forward and camp right on the speed and prove very hard to go past in the straight.
The Steven Burridge trained Devil's Cut has not been far off the mark in two runs back this time in does appear the next in line racing third up.
Stepping out for just his ninth career start to date the son of Exceed and Excel has shown good ability and while on trial at the trip he has given all indications that it will suit.
Drawn ideally on the rails it should allow him to find a nice spot up on the speed and is expected to be right in the finish.
Good luck and happy punting.
