The richest race ever to be held in Singapore's 173 year history will be contested this evening, with the inaugural $3Million CECF Singapore Cup.
Star US mare Parranda headlines a number of talented international raiders, and appears poised to notch up her first Group 1 victory in the 1800m event.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Parranda contested some of the United States most prestigious mares races last year, including a Group 1 second placing in the Rodeo Drive Stakes [2012m].
Following her last performance, Parranda rates clear using Timeform ratings and is a noted performer over this distance range, placing in three of five attempts.Unseen since January, Parranda is also proven to race well fresh, having yet to miss the money from three attempts off a similar break.
Leading internationally acclaimed jockey, Christophe Soumillon, links aboard for the first time and is one of many star riders set to compete in Singapore over the weekend.Soumillon is enjoying a great run of form this season and is fresh off a Group 1 victory aboard Gold-Fun in Hong Kong last weekend.
In what is his first visit to Singapore, Soumillon has ridden over 75 Group 1 winners and highlights the high calibre of jockeys participating in the feature event.A versatile mare, Parranda is likely to adopt a forward position from the wide draw and prove hard to hold out in the straight.
Unseen since safely held in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas, the youngest runner in the field failed to really come on last preparation, however he still wasn't disgraced in some of Australia's leading three-year-old events.
On debut for his new trainer Jason Warren, Zululand is a noted performer fresh and always gave the impression he would be better suited over the staying trips.His performance to finish three lengths astern of Moonovermanhattan in the Group 2 The Vase [2040m] emphasised this notion.
In his only attempt beyond a mile, Zululand returned a Timeform rating just five pounds shy of his career peak and suggests he can measure up this evening.In-form jockey Craig Newitt takes the ride and possesses a great record with the Warren stable, striking at 25 per cent from over 50 runners.
From the wide draw, he too is expected to roll forward and should be right around the mark, in his first attempt against the older horses.The John Thompson trained pair of Auvray and Orbec also create plenty of interest, when stepping out on debut for their new stable.
Both formerly based in France, Auvray and Orbec are proven to be better over further, however they still are more than capable of fighting out the finish.Auvray lines up in this event off the back of two straight victories, most recently in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay [3000m].
On the back of this performance Auvray appears well placed using Timeform ratings, the main query remains, whether he can produce this level of performance over 1800m.Nonetheless, he has to be respected with leading Australian based jockey Blake Shinn aboard.
Orbec to be ridden by the in-form Tommy Berry, also comes into this event off back to back victories, most recently at Deauville over 2500m.He arguably will be better suited over 1800m, than his stablemate Auvray and cannot be taken lightly.
The 2013 Singapore Gold Cup victor Tropaios leads Singapore's charge and is expected to display good improvement, following his below par performance in the Group 3 Woodlands Classic Stakes.He has placed in seven of 16 attempts at this track and on career best form he is expected to be right around the mark.
Often proving his own worst enemy, if Tropaios can settle better in the run, he should be hitting the line strongly.Good luck and happy punting.
