Two impressive last start winners in Bellwether and Sand Lane meet at Kranji tonight with the latter tipped to take the next step in the seventh event.
Having proven quite disappointing first up when failing as the well supported favourite, Sand Lane quickly made amends at his next outing when proving far too good at this course and distance.
Jumping away well from the outside stall, Sand Lane quickly strode up to sit outside the leader before taking over at the 800m.
Travelling strongly entering the straight under Manoel Nunes, Sand Lane displayed a sharp turn of foot to quickly kick clear of main rival Peace No War.
While the latter appeared to be of some threat passing the 300m, he proved to have little in reserve over the concluding stages with Sand Lane going on to salute by over two lengths.
Successful in recording a new career peak on that occasion, Sand Lane's performance sees him rated equal with Bellwether on Timeform weight adjusted ratings.
Given there is so little between the pair, the strength of their last start victories has to be queried to determine who is the more likely winner on Friday night.
Sand Lane as it appears was by far the more stronger performance as his mid-race and closing sectionals were quicker than that of Bellwether.
This was emphasised in the time figures recorded by both gallopers with Sand Lane's deemed to be superior.
While no knock on the performance of Bellwether, the question still remains as to whether he run out a strong 1000m if the pressure is applied up front.
As although Bellwether appeared to set a decent tempo out in front last start, Sand Lane in fact led at a stronger tempo for the first 400m and in the end recorded a faster last 600m.
Bellwether also led comfortably passing the 200m before weakening late to only salute narrowly in the end, with the Brian Dean trained Exquisitely Sweet hitting the line strongly to finish second.
The fact Exquisitely Sweet has since been beaten easily in his latest performance also does little to bolster the form of Bellwether.
The speed map also swings the race in Sand Lane's favour as he looks to get the gun run with Corey Brown expected to take up the running on Bellwether.
Given Sand Lane has drawn inside Bellwether, Manoel Nunes has the luxury of forcing Bellwether to do plenty of work early if Brown does in fact want to cross and lead.
Forcing Bellwether to use up more petrol early should see him susceptible late in the piece and hence Sand Lane is expected to prove superior over the concluding stages.
Formerly based in Australia, Bellwether does chase a hat-trick of wins on Friday night and is no doubt the biggest danger to Sand Lane.
While failing in his Singapore debut after being heavily supported the son of Bel Esprit quickly made amends having proven too good at his past two starts.
His latest effort saw him run up to his previous career peak achieved in Australia, which suggests he is enjoying his time in Singapore and could be open to further improvement moving forward.
As mentioned above the main concern with Bellwether on Friday night is whether he has the ability to run out a strong 1000m.
He won't be able to get away with any cheap sectionals this time around and given the way he tired late in the piece last start, Sand Lane could prove the better over the concluding stages.
Nonetheless he still has to be respected on Friday night as if able to record a new career peak, Sand Lane will indeed have to do the same to defeat him.
The Desmond Koh trained Mai Guru creates plenty of interest in this affair when he makes his return from a lengthy 432 day break.
While he obviously has had his fair share of issues his form prior to a break does see him with solid claims.
His latest trial in the lead up was solid enough and while he will no doubt be in need of this run he is a galloper to keep a close eye down the track.
Of the rest the Alvin Tan trained Happy Money appears the next in line following his solid return last start having finished second at this track and trip.
Stepping out for just his eighth career start the son of Econsul has displayed good ability and does possess form good enough to trouble the leading contenders.
He is expected to show good improvement racing second up and from the good draw expect Danny Beasley to adopt a fairly forward position and wouldn't be surprised to see him fighting out the finish.
Good luck and happy punting.
