You would struggle to find a more impressive return than that of Zac Spirit last start and he is expected to take the next step at Singapore on Friday night.
Sent to the paddock with form behind the likes of Stepitup, Super Ninetyseven and Bendicion the now lightly raced four-year-old returned with a most impressive performance when recording a five-and-three-quarter length victory in very fast time.
Travelling beautifully just off race leader Simple Pleasures, Zac Spirit always looked to have the race in control and when Moreira pushed the go button he left his rivals standing still as he displayed his devastating turn of foot.
While Friday's race is a clear step up in grade given we have already seen Super Ninetyseven come out and defeat the older horses twice, this current crop of four-year-olds at the top end do appear to have a touch of class about them and are expected to go on to bigger and better things.
In six career starts he has only missed the money once which came in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas and profiles as a very nice galloper moving forward who on more than one occasion has produced very strong time figures.
Resuming over 1200m last start the step up to seven furlongs appear ideal as Cliff Brown has indicated that he plans to set Zac Spirit for the Group 1 Kranji Mile and possibly the Group 1 Raffles Cup this time in.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he is very well placed as he is only required to carry 51.5kg and given he is open to further improvement he does appear very hard to beat.
Both Wild Geese and Raziyya Of Sydney do possess higher rating performances however these ratings were both achieved over further than seven furlongs and have to question whether or not they can reproduce that level of performance over this shorter journey.
Joao Moreira linked aboard Zac Spirit for the first time last start and sticks aboard on Friday night and will look to continue his very impressive run of form.
He possesses quite the handy record for the Cliff Brown stable currently striking at 28% and is expected to roll forward from the wide and settle up on the speed as there doesn't appear to be much pace engaged.
If able to find settle nicely in the run and lope along at a few cheap sectionals he simply should prove too quick over the concluding stages as any horses spotting him a start rounding the home turn will struggle to pick him up given he has no weight on his back and does possess the ability to rip off a very fast closing sectional.
The Steven Burridge trained Wild Geese has shown great ability in his short career to date and does rate very well in this line up given his strong form in Group 1 company this time in.
Dropping back sharply in trip may be of some concern however he does come into this race on the fresh side and has trialled well in the lead up.
In five attempts at this trip he has saluted the judge once including two minor placings and should receive all the favours from the rails draw.
Likely to roll forward and park just off the speed with Manoel Nunes onboard he does appear the likely second pick as he does have a slight class edge given his form behind the better performed Super Easy and Better Life.
If Zac Spirit does appear to have any chinks in his armour expect Wild Geese to be right there and take full advantage.
The Patrick Shaw trained Running Tall was a shade outclassed behind Mr Big last start however he does appear well placed racing back in this company especially with the aid of the claim.
A winner of four of 33 career starts the son of Stratum has produced some handy performances throughout his career and although not the most consistent this is his easiest assignment he has contested in some time.
In eighteen starts at the track he has placed in nine including two victories and is proven to race at his best over seven furlongs.
His performances behind the likes of Super Easy and Mawingo do have him well placed in this event on weight adjusted ratings and he has drawn favourably on the inside.
If able to position up nicely just off the speed expect him to be right around the mark over the concluding stages.
Of the rest Natural Nice has proven a real model of consistency of late and has kept improving with each start this time in most recently finishing a close fifth behind Mr Big in Group 3 company.
He possesses a handy record at this track and trip and on weight adjusted ratings a repeat of his last start performance would see him right around the mark.
Good luck and happy punting.
