Group 2 winning sprinter The Nutcracker lived up to all the hype in his Singapore debut and appears well placed to take the next step in the eighth event this evening.
Having created quite the "boom" at the trials, The Nutcracker was simply too strong on-speed when leading throughout over the 1000m journey.
Formerly based in Argentina (Old Name: Greek Symbol) the son of Exchange Rate has displayed plenty of ability and is a big watch now under the care of Michael Clements.
The Nutcracker made his first official appearance for the Clements' stable back in July when finishing second in a barrier trial behind Our Touche.
Let rip in his second trial, The Nutcracker set the polytrack alight stopping the clock at 58:96 seconds for the 1000m — generally you rarely see a horse break a minute at the trials.
Given a further two trials to keep him ticking over, The Nutcracker looked to be travelling well and confirmed these notions when too sharp for his rivals.
Jumping away well on the inside, The Nutcracker pressed on to take up the running with the Alvin Tan trained Lively
Dragon breathing down his neck in second.Pressured on the outside shortly after entering the straight, The Nutcracker gave a good kick inside the 300m, quickly beating off Lively Dragon.
The Shane Baertschiger trained Mycaptainoblivious loomed as a danger, however The Nutcracker proved too strong, holding off his rival to score by half a length.
The former has since won impressively which gives a further push for the strength of the form.
With close to a year between runs The Nutcracker will no doubt improve with that performance and has since trialled well in the lead up.
Easily one the biggest pushes for his future was Manoel Nunes' glowing report after his debut.
“He’s the best horse that I’ve ridden here in sprint races. He was not 100% tonight and he still won well,” said Nunes.
“He was still green, looking around and that’s probably because it was his first time here at night and with the lights.
“He’s a lovely individual and I have no doubt he will become a very nice horse here.”
Using Timeform ratings, The Nutcracker was marked considerably below his peak, which is a good sign for the Clements stable moving forward.
He possesses plenty of upside and gives the impression he can make the rise through the sprinting ranks, starting with this event.
Drawn favourably on the inside he is likely to press forward with Bellwether and Super Bonus not too far away.
Although being an 1000m event there doesn't look to be a whole lot of speed engaged and The Nutcracker appears to get all the favours out in front.
Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings he appears very well placed and if able to improve further he sets a lofty standard for his rivals.
The Michael Freedman trained Bellwether was well below his best last start, but is clearly worth another chance with Corey Brown linking back aboard.
In 11 attempts aboard the five-year-old Brown has placed on 10 occasions and is currently striking at 20% with the Freedman stable.
Bellwether impressed in both starts to begin this preparation before proceeding to run below expectations when safely held behind Italian Job.
Happy to put a line through that performance as if able to return to his best form he shapes as one of the leading contenders.
Stablemate Great Sun wasn't beaten far behind the talented Raise No Doubt last start and has to be respected dropping back in trip.
Unbeaten in four attempts over the 1000m journey, Great Sun has also placed in seven of eight attempts on the polytrack.
His performance when defeating Sebas two back sees him well placed and if able to run up to that level of performance, he looms as a major threat.
Of the rest the Mark Walker trained Q Nine Magic appears the next in line.
An impressive winner first up, the son of Guillotine was then clearly no match for The Nutcracker last start.
While obviously hard to see him turning the tables, he should be right at his peak racing third up and is worth another chance.He has placed in three of five attempts at this track and with the aid of the claim he cannot be taken lightly.
Good luck and happy punting.
