Champion three-year-old War Affair makes his long awaited return at Singapore on Sunday and appears well placed to build on his already impressive record.
The 2013 juvenile champion and the inaugural winner of the More Magic 3YO Championship has not been seen since his gallant effort to finish second behind Super Ninetyseven in the Raffles Cup and the anticipation builds with the knowledge he is now under the care of Alvin Tan, this year’s leading trainer.
Previously under the care of Mark Walker, War Affair saluted the judged on six occasions only to taste defeat twice with the pressure now firmly on Alvin Tan to continue his dominance.
Successful in recording a new career peak behind Super Ninetyseven the promising three-year-old firmly stamped himself as one of Singapore’s leading gallopers and while likely to be short of his best over six furlongs his class should carry him a long way.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he sits clear of his nearest rivals and given he has fired over the shorter journey in the past he does appear well placed to make a winning return.
In five attempts over the journey he has saluted the judge on four occasions and has placed in seven of his eight starts at this track.
While he didn’t set the world on fire at his first trial for Tan his latest suggests he is forward enough to perform well fresh having saluted over 1000m in good time.
Danny Beasley will replace Joao Moreira as his regular rider for this preparation and is enjoying a solid start to this season striking at 16% and also striking at 14% with Tan.
Not likely to be bustled out of the gates expect Beasley to settle War Affair down towards the back half of the field with the David Kok trained Italian Job, the Michael Freedman trained Mr Big, the Shane Baertschiger trained Red Beard and the Stephen Gray trained Emperor Max all expected to roll forward.
On paper the race looks to be run at a really solid tempo which should play right into the hands of War Affair as he should be able to coast back off the speed and be saved up for the last crack at them.
Although it is clear War Affair will improve off whatever he does on Sunday he is still very well placed on best form and given the race should be run to suit he is expected to be very hard to hold out in the straight.
Another promising galloper in Italian Job appears to be War Affair’s biggest danger on Sunday with his latest victory prior to a break proving one of the more impressive victories on the polytrack for last season.
Having successfully followed up his game performance behind Rite Of Spring two back, Italian Job would go on to record a new career peak when proving far too good racing up on the speed over the six furlongs.
More notably the time figures recorded out of his performance were some of the strongest seen last season and suggest he is likely to springboard off his latest figure this time in.
His latest trial performance also suggests he has returned in great order when saluting easily over the 1000m in quick time.
Having settled back off the speed throughout he was pulled the widest runner in the straight and worked home powerfully to salute by over a length from the very talented Johnny Guitar.
More notable he never appeared to get of second gear when coasting to the line under his own steam.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he sits second to only War Affair and given he is more likely to run closer to his career peak than the latter he shapes as a really strong winning hope.
The talented Mr Big concedes weight to a majority of his rivals on Sunday but you can’t ignore his class and after the claim he does appear well placed on best form.
Proven to perform well fresh he clearly possesses the ability to test the likes of both War Affair and Italian Job and if able to receive a few favours racing up on the speed he should prove very hard to get past in the straight.
While he only has the sole victory to his name from his last nine starts he is clearly capable on his best form and shapes as one of the main hopes.
The unbeaten Emperor Max takes a massive step up in grade on Sunday but has continued to raise the bar since making his debut in Singapore and does appear the next in line.
Improving close to 20 pounds since making his debut back in October he is clearly on an upward spiral however whether he can take that next step still remains to be seen.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he is required to find between seven and nine pounds to trouble the likes of the top couple but nonetheless he is still expected to be right around the mark.
What a race!
Good luck and happy punting.
