Nunes Engagement A Good Indicio

The key engagement of leading rider Manoel Nunes reads well for capable galloper Indicio, when set to contest the ninth event at Singapore this evening.

Having been right around the mark in both efforts this time in, the son of Ishiguru appears set to peak racing third up.

Making his return in November last year, Indicio worked home well behind Southern Boss, before sticking on solidly behind Valevole last start.

On that occasion he was somewhat ridden upside down and should be better suited settling just off the speed.

Placing in six of his last 13 starts, Indicio is five runs between wins, however it's hard to ignore his form last preparation.

Indicio was a notable second placing behind talented galloper Daniel, before a close third behind El Padrino in Group 3 company.

All bar one of his five career victories have come on the turf track and he has placed in seven of 14 attempts over this distance range.

Indicio has won third up previously and the engagement of Manoel Nunes gives a solid push for his claims in the event.

This season Nunes is already six wins clear in the jockey premiership and boasts a strike rate of 25.7% (prior to Friday).

While never having ridden the six-year-old previously, the fact Nunes is ridding at 50.5kg suggests there is a fair bit of confidence around Indicio, as Nunes rarely rides that low.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Indicio measures right up and a career peak performance would see him very hard to beat.

One of the more interesting runners in the event is Indicio's stablemate Gobi Ranger.

Formerly based in New Zealand, the son of Tale Of The Cat made quite the impression in his Singapore debut, when saluting easily over the 1100m journey.

At his second start, he again raced well only to bump into the very promising Olympic Anthem.

Now stepping up sharply in grade to a Kranji Stakes A event remains the obvious query, however his performance behind Recite in the Group 1 Levin Classic, leaves him with good improvement.

Adding to that Gobi Ranger was only narrowly beaten by Puccini prior to that, which also reads very well for his chances.

From the wide draw he is likely to settle midfield under Harry Kasim and should prove hard to hold out in the straight.

The Patrick Shaw trained Slew Of Lode has failed to hold his form this time in, however his best form sees him set a solid standard.

Unable to fire on the polytrack last start, the return to the turf track and the step up in trip, should help bring about a return to form for the five-year-old.

Not seen for six weeks, Slew Of Lode was given a solid trial in the lead up and is expected to be right around the mark, despite the awkward draw.

Of the rest the Bruce Marsh trained Trudeau appears the next best, following an encouraging trial performance.

His sole performance last time in was well below his best, however he has featured fresh previously and does possess a class edge over a majority of his rivals.

Former Australian based jockey Michael Rodd has ridden the seven-year-old in both trials and is likely to settle back in the field.

Trudeau has placed in 12 of 21 attempts at this track and cannot be taken lightly.

Good luck and happy punting.