Singapore Racing - Weekend Review - Raffles Cup

Star four-year-old Debt Collector confirmed his place at the top of the tree when proving a class above in the Group 1 Raffles Cup.

The undisputed champion three-year-old last season, the question mark remained whether Debt Collector could progress to that next level – that he has.

Since breaking his maiden status in November last year, Debt Collector is unbeaten from six starts and is just that – a winner.

In what can only be described as a remarkable training performance, Debt Collector has continued to raise the bar for trainer Cliff Brown.

At his last six attempts Debt Collector has bettered his previous mark and is clearly a galloper on an upward spiral.

Sunday’s performance saw the four-year-old return a new career peak and there is little to suggest he can’t raise the bar further.

Ridden by regular rider Michael Rodd, Debt Collector adopted his usual position towards the rear with the James Peters trained Titanium setting what can only be described as a pedestrian tempo in-front.

Hooked to the centre on straightening, Rodd allowed Debt Collector to work through his gears before he asserted his authority late.

Grand galloper War Affair gave a good sight when hitting the lead inside the 300m before only swamped in the final 50m.

The Patrick Shaw trained Quechua worked to the line well to finish ahead of War Affair, but was no match for Debt Collector.

Although only a narrow victor, the race sectionals tell a different story.

For his last 800m Debt Collector was marked over 2.5L faster than his nearest rival with the last 600m of the race run over 12L inside standard.

In summary, due to the sluggish early tempo Sunday's Raffles Cup was simply and walk and sprint home.

As a result there was only 2.6L separating the seven across the line with a length separating the first four.

Nonetheless the form still appears to lock in well with the question mark possibly over Mr Spielberg's performance.

Under optimum conditions one would expect Debt Collector to easily account for Mr Spielberg, with the latter unable to finish within a length of the former.

Nonetheless Mr Spielberg appears to be back on track and if able to repeat that level of performance in the Singapore Gold Cup, he shapes as one of the major players.

Sunday's performance confirms Debt Collector's position as the best horse in Singapore with the future very bright for the son of Thorn Park.

Trainer Cliff Brown will now spell the four-year-old with a view towards the Group 1 Singapore Derby [2000m] next year.

Given the way the Raffles Cup was run, a question mark still remains as to whether Debt Collector can run out a strong 2000m, however one would be game to bet against him.

If not already in your blackbook, Debt Collector is a must, he is a star!