The Leticia Dragon trained Raise No Doubt can go to the next level in tonight's Group 3 Woodlands Handicap, following the application of blinkers for the first time.
One of the more promising types in Singapore, Raise No Doubt can make amends, following his shock defeat last start.
Though unable to bring up his fourth straight victory, Raise No Doubt's performance had more merit than it first appears.
Sent out the well supported favourite ($1.20), the son of Not A Single Doubt improved six pounds on his previous best, despite being unable to repel the Alvin Tan trained Gato Negro.
Forced to give the winner six kilograms, after Wei Li Tan's claim, Raise No Doubt would have lost few admirers and can return to the winner' stall, with the blinkers on.
Prior to his last start, Raise No Doubt had won a trial by ten lengths when sporting blinkers, though Dragon did not elect to apply the gear change.
This time, Dragon has elected to apply blinkers, which should prove the difference in the feature event.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings there is little between the top hopes, but Raise No Doubt should raise the bar again and looks hard to beat.
Formerly based in Australia under the care of Marc Conners, Raise No Doubt has improved 20 pounds since his debut victory in Singapore.
In lesser company, Raise No Doubt has found himself often leading by default, however Alan Munro is not expected to take up the running tonight.
In a race which looks to have good speed engaged on paper — the Leslie Khoo trained Easy Man, Mok Zhan Lun trained Pioneer Seven and the Laurie Laxon trained Huka Falls — all expected to roll forward.
From the inside draw, Munro should be able to find a nice spot just off the speed, and preserve Raise No Doubt's sharp turn of foot until well into the straight.
With virtually no weight on his back, he is expected to be very hard to hold out in the straight, as his closing sectionals have been very impressive.
The return to the polytrack gives the Alvin Tan trained El Padrino a strong hope of returning to his best form, after disappointing last start.
In 10 starts on the synthetic surface, El Padrino has placed in eight, including four victories and does rate well in this line up on best form.
El Padrino saluted in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint at this course and distance back in March, and the application of blinkers is worth noting.
From the awkward draw expect David Flores to settle El Padrino towards the tail of the field, with the likely solid tempo, allowing him to work home into the finish.
Flores is unbeaten in his only prior ride on El Padrino and currently strikes at 50% for the in-form Alvin Tan stable.
The gelding has placed in four of his last seven starts and while he needs a good tempo up front, he does appear to get a race run to suit, and must be respected.
The return of progressive sprinter Easy Man creates plenty of interest in this affair — he is unseen since January.
His form to date has been second to none, though there's some query, given he's been plagued with injuries.
In what is easily his sternest test to date, his three lead up trials have been mixed, with the latest proving quite underwhelming, to say the least.
Previously he had been dominant in his trial performances, and the question is, has he returned to his best?
Nonetheless his form has been very hard to fault and at his best he shapes as a leading contender.
Pioneer Seven has struggled with consistency this time in, but appears the next in line, on best form he measures right up.His performance to finish second behind Southern Boss two back was quite handy, and he has placed in nine of 13 attempts on the polytrack.
From the middle draw, Oscar Chavez should roll forward and put Pioneer Seven into the race from the outset. He holds solid place claims.
Good luck and happy punting.
