Just the sole meeting in Singapore over the weekend with the Michael Clements trained Knight Wager the standout performance on Friday night.
A real eye catcher when narrowly beaten last start, the son of Casino Prince overcame a moderate tempo to land the eighth event.
Last start it was quite the opposite, with Knight Wager conceding more than 7L to his rivals on straightening.
Forcing his way into the clear passing the 300m, Knight Wager displayed a sharp turn of foot to quickly challenge for the lead.Drawing level passing the 100m, Knight Wager drew clear over the concluding stages to score narrowly, albeit soft on the line.
A key sectional star, Knight Wager has clearly appreciated the drop back in grade in recent starts, having competed at Group 1 company at his two starts prior.Although he clearly didn't stay when finishing well back in the Group 1 Singapore Derby, Knight Wager does boast a Group 2 placing behind War Affair in the Steward's Cup [1400m].
Prior to the event, the decision by Rodd to ride Knight Wager over Gold Peregrine appeared a key pointer and in the end it proved the right call.
In five attempts aboard the five-year-old, Rodd has placed in four with his only failure coming in the Group 1 Patron's Bowl [1600m].Knight Wager returned a Timeform rating just shy of his peak on Friday night, however key sectional analysis tells a different story.
For his last 800m, Knight Wager was marked 2.5L quicker than any of his rivals, with Ideal Guide marginally faster than second placegetter Gold Peregrine.Using sectional mark ups, Knight Wager has close to five pounds up his sleeve and creates plenty of interest for his next outing.
A winner of three of his eight starts in Singapore, no question Knight Wager's racing pattern does work against him, however he is clearly a talent and can continue his winning ways if placed in similar company.Second placegetter Gold Peregrine suffered his first defeat in Singapore, but continued his upwards rating spiral and is also worth following.Formerly trained by Johnny Murtagh, the son of Intikhab displayed good ability in the UK winning one of his six starts, placing on three other occasions.
Since winning on debut in Singapore, Gold Peregrine has improved 13 pounds with more improvement still up his sleeve on prior best form.Despite having had all the favours, his performance still held plenty of merit and he is definitely one to stick with.
Super JoeTrained by Patrick Shaw the son of Not A Single Doubt followed up on his dominant win last start with another handy display.
He again returned time figures ahead of the bare form and remains open to further improvement moving forward.While it's never really customary to tip a horse to follow that has already had 20 starts, however he is clearly flying and Shaw looks to have worked him out.
If placed in similar company for his next outing he is expected to acquit himself well.