Mauritian-born rider Nooresh Juglall appears well placed to notch up just his fourth victory in Singapore on Friday night when set to link aboard the talented Lucky Mission.
Juglall remains the first Mauritian jockey to be licensed to ride in Singapore when granted a three month stay at the beginning of June.
Currently licensed by the Mauritius Turf Club , Juglall originally honed his craft for five years in South Africa where he claimed two National apprentice jockeys’ titles in 11/12 and 12/13 as well as two Highveld apprentice jockey championships.
Having just had the 27 rides in Singapore, Juglall currently strikes at 11% and has placed on a further three occasions.
In what will be just his fourth ride for the Michael Clements stable, Juglall appears poised to fight out the finish given Lucky Mission's dominant display on the turf track last start.
Successful in bringing his fourth victory from eight career starts the son of Wild Event took full advantage of the drop back in grade after being no match for War Affair at his two starts prior.
While not overly disgraced in Group company, his latest performance saw him return a new career peak, a figure which does see him well placed on Timeform weight adjusted ratings.
Barring his two performances behind War Affair he is yet to miss the money in six career starts and has placed in both prior attempts on the polytrack.
A noted front runner, Nunes elected to take a sit just off the speed last start and it proved to pay dividends with the rising four-year-old proving too good over the concluding stages.
Some concern with Nunes jumping off to ride the Desmond Koh trained My Shine however his last start performance does see him rate clear and prepared to stick with him.
The rails draw looks to give a good push for Lucky Mission's chances as Juglall should have little concerns finding a nice spot just off the speed with the Shane Baertschiger trained Mycaptainoblivious expected to take up the running from the awkward draw.
While the latter is expected to be well supported on bare form Lucky Mission not only rates higher but also possesses stronger time figures.
Another push for Lucky Mission's claims over the Baertschiger trained galloper is the fact the latter is somewhat suspect at 1200m as his only prior attempt saw him run down by Speed Demon.
Given Lucky Mission is proven to run out a strong 1200m coupled with the fact he boasts the strongest form he is expected to be very hard to beat.
Obviously no knock on Mycaptainoblivious as he clearly returned in good order last start and he does appear the main danger on Friday night.
Having only missed the money twice in 11 career starts the son of Captain Rio has shown plenty of ability for the Baertschiger stable culminating with a career peak performance last start.
Formerly based in New Zealand, Mycaptainoblivious has now surpassed his previous peak prior to coming to Singapore and does appear open to further improvement moving forward.
During his first campaign for Baertschiger, Mycaptainoblivious continued to raise the bar with each career start and given he returned in such fine order he is expected to take the next step this time in.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he does have a bit to find on Lucky Mission though his two length victory suggests he is expected to improve between four and five pounds at this upcoming start.
Whether that will be enough to deny Lucky Mission remains to be seen however he clearly looms as a major threat.
The decision by Manoel Nunes to switch and link aboard My Shine cannot be taken lightly as he currently strikes at 38% for the Koh stable.
Having placed at four of his last five starts the son of Shinko King has been racing in good order this time in though he does have a bit too find if he is to deny the top two.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings his last start performance sees him between four and six pounds shy of Mycaptainobvlious on predictive ratings and hence the need to improve.
Nonetheless his record at this course and distance is very good and if either of the top two prove to be below their best he is expected to be right there to take full advantage.
Of the rest the David Hill trained Coronet Peak appears the next in line despite proving quite disappointing at this track last start.
His effort two back behind Hypernova was very good and if able to return to his best form he does rate well in this line up and cannot be entirely dismissed.
He gets some weight relief with the claim and from the good draw he should adopt a forward position and can hold on to fill the minor placings.
Good luck and happy punting.
