Although yet to break through in both starts in Singapore, Hero I Am appears poised to collect his first success when due to line up in the final event this evening.
Formerly based in Australia, Hero I Am is now trained by Shane Baertschiger and looks to be ticking over nicely and should be right at his peak racing third up.
Ridden aggressively to settle just off the speed last start, Hero I Am proved game in defeat when finishing a narrow second behind the Michael Freedman trained Rusty Brown.
Under siege inside the 300m, Hero I Am was clearly headed passing the 200m before kicking back strongly to regain second place in the shadows of the post.
In just his second start in Singapore the son of Hussonet appears to be heading in the right direction.
When formerly trained by Chris Waller, Hero I Am's best form was achieved at a mile and beyond, with his career peak achieved behind Petrology at Flemington over 1800m.
On that occasion he finished a close fourth and narrowly bettered his performance behind Scissor Kick in the Group 3 Up and Coming Stakes [1300m].
Improving four pounds on his Singapore debut, Hero I Am still has more than 15 pounds up his sleeve on best form and looks well placed in this Class 4 event.
The form through Rusty Brown also reads well given the latter wasn't beaten far behind Fastnet Dragon and Powernova in recent effort
One of the biggest pluses this evening is the step up to the mile – Hero I Am was third up over a mile when collecting his first victory in Australia.
This time in Hero I Am looks to be following a similar ratings pattern and hence we can expect him to display further improvement this evening.
From the favourable draw Matthew Kellady is likely to press forward aboard Hero I Am with Bob and Ninetysevenemperor also likely to roll forward.
Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Hero I Am rates clear off the back of his last start performance and given he can raise the bar again, he sets a decent standard.Although unlikely to get away with any cheap sectionals in front, that should actually favour his chances more as a truly run mile is what will suit him the most.
His first two starts in Singapore have been very good and if able to continue his upwards spriral he should prove very hard to beat.The Leslie Khoo trained Ninetysevenemperor possesses just the sole victory to his name, however he is clearly capable and looms as a major threat.
A dominant maiden winner at this course and distance two back, the son of Thorn Park went on to confirm that figure when finishing second behind Squire Osbaldeston.
Sticking to his task solidly on that occasion, it appears a very strong form race moving forward having already produced three subsequent winners.
Only lightly raced Ninetysevenemperor has proven a revelation since stepping up to the mile and measures right up using Timeform weight adjusted ratings.
Whether he possesses as much scope for improvement as Hero I Am remains to be seen, however he clearly has to be respected.
If able to repeat the level of his last start performance, he should be right around the mark.The Mark Walker trained Brahms And Liszt disappointed last start, but is clearly better than that and is worth another chance.
His performance to finish a narrow third here two back behind both Rusty Brown and Hero I Am obviously brings him right into calculations.
The fact, leading rider Manoel Nunes sticks is also a strong push for his claims.
From the inside draw he is likely to settle midfield and if the speed is on up-front, he is likely to be charging home late.
The Patrick Shaw trained Perfect P really caught the eye in his Singapore debut and with further improvement anticipated he appears the next in line.
Settled towards the rear over 1400m, the son of Perfectperformance hit the line admirably to finish a narrow second.
His closing sectionals on that occasion were quite impressive and while likely be giving them all a fair start on straightening, he could prove hard to hold out late.
Good luck and happy punting.
