Jimmy Rea will return to racing at Kranji on Sunday when lining up in the Open Benchmark 89 (1200m).
The Mark Walker-trained runner was last seen when running a very good second in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) behind Affleck in May and should prove hard to hold out in this small field.
Getting a long way back on that occasion, Jimmy Rea came with a bit run over the concluding stages but was unable to reel in Affleck who led throughout.
Trialling over 1000m a couple weeks ago, Jimmy Rea should be primed for this first up assignment and the 1200m should not pose any issues.
All five of Jimmy Rea’s wins have come over the 1200m journey from as many starts and with only 56kg to carry he gets in very well here.
The son of Thewayyouare (USA) ran a peak Timeform figure in the Singapore Guineas and if he can run anything near that again he should be too good for these.
He is likely to settle around midfield or even a touch worse from barrier 5 and leading local jockey Manuel Nunes remains on board, having ridden in seven of his eight starts.
Jimmy Rea has won five of his eight career starts, placing on a further two occasions and definitely looks a cut above what he is up against today.
Nunes is riding at 20% winners for the Walker stable and he looks very well placed to improve on that record here.
Other chances include the Shane Baertschiger-tained Flak Jacket who has been very consistent without winning races of late.
Put three second placings together before going up in grade and running fourth in the Group 3 Paititi Gold Trophy (1200m) last time out.
Only 2.5L off Daniel and 1.3L away from third placegetter Kiwi Karma, Flak Jacket certainly has some ability and his last start effort returned a Timeform figure good enough to run into the finish again.
Likely to go forward from the good draw and put some pressure of Hermano Menor with three of his four wins have come over the 1200m trip.
With not much between many of these, he is certainly one to keep a close eye on and his last start effort suggests he could push Jimmy Rea in this.
Fraajilistic returns for the Michael Freedman stable, having finished no worse than second in his last seven outings.
Last seen when running second behind Theses Streets over 1400m in May and despite looking for more ground than what is on offer today his form last campaign suggests he will be very competitive in this.
His best effort last campaign, came when narrowly beaten by Ideal Guide over the mile in an Open Banchmark 83 and in this small field would not be surprised to see him just off the speed from the inside draw.
Corey Brown, who has placed in all three rides goes back on board for this and should return in good order.
Not sure he is quite up to the level of Jimmy Rea, but could take advantage if the likely favourite does not return to the best of his abilities.
Hermano Menor is an interesting runner and is currently racing in career best form winning both starts this campaign.
Leading all the way to get the better of Red Dawn in a Stakes C race last start, he returned a figure that is more than capable of competing in this company.
All four wins have come over the 1200m journey and with only nine starts to his name is open to further improvement.
Would expect the Steven Burridge-trained runner to take the lead again from the widest barrier and at peak fitness now certainly shapes up as a big danger.
With only nine in the field, if he gets some cheap sectionals in front he will certainly take some catching in the straight and was only 3L away in Group 3 company last campaign.
Bahen has been far from disgraced in two runs this campaign and looks the best of the rest.
Worked home well over 1100m on the all weather track last start but not sure he can transfer that form onto the turf.
Good luck and happy punting!!
