Winning Cause Ready To Peak

The Patrick Shaw trained Winning Cause displayed good improvement last start and appears well placed to return to the winner's stall in the seventh event at Kranji this evening.

Having struggled to hit his straps in his first three starts this preparation, Winning Cause was back to near his best last start when only narrowly beaten by stablemate Kirks Ryker.

Given we've since seen the latter only narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Committee's Prize, obviously it is a strong piece of form.

Relatively lightly raced, Winning Cause has won four of 17 starts, including a further seven minor placings.

At his best he rates highly and he will no doubt appreciate the drop back in grade.

In 16 attempts at this track he has placed in 10 and has placed in four of eight attempts over this trip.

From the favourable draw he should enjoy a charmed run in transit with John Powell linking aboard for the first time.

A noted backmarker he will require the speed on up-front however if close enough in-running he should prove very hard to hold out.

When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings his latest performance leaves him well placed and a repeat should see him very hard to beat.

Given a nice trial in-between runs, Winning Cause should be right at his peak racing fifth up and looks to set a decent standard.

The Stephen Gray trained Murrayfieldwas no match for White Hunter last start however he is clearly more than capable and looms as a major threat.

A winner of three of his 10 starts, Murrayfield has displayed good ability and will no doubt appreciate the step up to the mile.

From the inside draw he can hopefully settle closer to the speed with the in-form Vlad Duric sticking aboard.

Enjoying a good run of form, overall Duric is striking at just shy of 20 per cent with the Gray stable.

At his best not a great deal separates the two (Murrayfield and Winning Cause) and given his handy record over the mile (placed 2/2) he is expected to make his presence felt.

The Alvin Tan trained Robin Hood has to take another step up in grade but is in great form and shapes as one of the leading contenders.

Successful in notching up back to back wins last start the son of Nom Du Jeu comes into this in career best form and appears more than capable of taking that next step.

Unseen for 42 days, he has trialled nicely in the lead up and all appears in order for his return.

In three attempts over this trip Robin Hood is yet to miss the money and has placed in three of six attempts at this track.

When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings Robin Hood measures right up off the back of his latest win and the hat-trick certainly appears within his reach.

Just where he gets to from the middle draw is the main query as he won't want to be conceding a start to either Winning Cause or Murrayfield.

Nonetheless he is an in-form galloper who must be respected.

Of the rest the James Peters trained Shanghai Bund appears the next in line following a handy victory last start.

Rising considerably at the weights as a result however he is the class galloper engaged and must be respected with apprentice rider Sigrid Carr on board.

Good luck and happy punting.