Although a shock defeat first up star mare Kiwi Karma appears well placed to return to the winner's stall when set to contest the seventh event at Kranji this evening.
An alarming drifter first up, Kiwi Karma proceeded to run accordingly when finishing fourth behind the progressive Kam's Comet.
Marked well below her best, Kiwi Karma notably returned 14kg heavier than when last seen which helps to suggest she definitely needed the run.Kiwi Karma is also yet to win fresh and is proven to improve with racing.
Given these two factors, she is expected to display sharp improvement and get back on track to the form which saw her narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Lion City Cup [1200m] earlier this year.Formerly trained by Laurie Laxon, Kiwi Karma has raced in great order since joining Michael Clements' care in January.
A winner of three of her seven starts since, Kiwi Karma has continued to return ratings well ahead of her 2YO campaign.Her performance in the Lion City Cup saw her return a new career peak and then proceeded to produce another strong effort, when fourth behind Aerovelocity in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint [1200m].
Both pieces of form see her sit well apart from her rivals and while unlikely to return such high ratings, she clearly possesses a class edge.Forced to give weight away to all of her rivals, she is still very well placed using Timeform weight adjusted ratings.
From the wide draw Kiwi Karma is expected to roll forward with Sebas, Southern Boss, El Milagro and Pioneer Seven also likely to adopt forward positions.In nine attempts over this trip Kiwi Karma has placed in seven including four wins.
In five attempts on the polytrack she has placed in four and has placed in both previous attempts racing second up.While she will require a bit of luck from the draw, if able to slot in just off the speed she should prove very hard to hold out.
Star galloper Affleck failed to live up to market expectations at the back end of his last campaign, however he is clearly capable and remains under strong notice fresh.A winner of four of six attempts over this trip, this is surprisingly his first attempt on the polytrack with all 12 starts prior contested on the turf.
Yet to miss the money first up, his class cannot be denied and he certainly gets his chance to defeat arch rival Kiwi Karma given he meets her on level terms.As it stands the ledger currently sits a two a piece, though this will be just the second time that Kiwi Karma concedes a weight advantage to Affleck.
Drawn ideally on the inside Affleck has trialled well in the lead up and appears poised to sprint well fresh.Despite below his best in both starts prior to a break, if back near his best he is expected to make his presence felt.
The Mark Walker trained Kam's Comet really impressed at this track last start when too strong over 1100m.Having always displayed plenty of ability he looks to be now going on with the job and notably returned a new career peak last start.
While arguably his sternest test to date, he is a four-year-old clearly heading in the right direction and he too has drawn to receive all the favours.In seven attempts on the polytrack he has placed in six and has won two of three attempts over this trip.
No question he will have to improve again to defeat both Kiwi Karma and Affleck, though he is lightly raced and must be respected.Of the rest the Shane Baertschiger trained Blue Swede appears the next best following an eye catching display first up.
A key sectional star behind Jay Eff Express he is expected to improve further racing second up and cannot be taken lightly.Good luck and happy punting.
