Talented stayer Perfect P returned in good order last start and appears well placed to defend his New Year Cup title at Kranji this evening.
Formerly trained by Patrick Shaw, Perfect P now lines up for the Ricardo Le Grange stable following Shaw's retirement at the end of last season.
Only lightly raced Perfect P has placed in nine of his 12 attempts, including five victories.While injuries looked to have plagued his career, Perfect P appears back in good order following his second placing to Daniel in the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes [1700m].
Although safely held, Perfect P was returning from a six month break and is sure to improve sharply leading into this event.Since given a nice trial behind Super Winner, Perfect P has won second up previously and is unbeaten in his sole attempt over this trip [2016 New Year's Cup].
Perfect P has never missed the money on the polytrack and appears well placed when assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings.At his best he looks to set a decent standard and the decision by Nooresh Juglall to stick aboard is a decent push.
In six attempts aboard the galloper, Juglall has placed in four including three victories.From the middle draw he is likely to adopt a forward position with the Desmond Koh trained Order Of The Sun the likely pacemaker.
Already a multiple Group 3 winner, Perfect P shapes as one of the hardest to beat.The Shane Baertschiger trained Blue Swede really impressed in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup [2200m] last start and looms as a major threat down in the weights.
Although clearly unsuited by the moderate tempo, Blue Swede worked home strongly against the bias to finish third behind the Stephen Gray trained Bahana.In what was his just his second attempt beyond a mile, (first beyond 2000m) the six-year-old proved to have little concerns and has since trialled very well in the lead up.
With 42 days between runs, the drop back in trip should aid his chances and Blue Swede has drawn to settle closer to the speed from the inside draw.Matthew Kellady sticks aboard and if able to repeat the level of his performance from the Gold Cup he looms as a major threat.
The Ricardo Le Grange trained Time Odyssey finished ahead of Blue Swede in the Gold Cup last start and is another galloper racing in good form.Having placed in six of his last 12 starts, Time Odyssey is sure to appreciate racing back on the polytrack having only missed the money once in eight attempts — of his six career victories, five have been on the polytrack.
Much like Blue Swede, Time Odyssey has also trialled well in the lead up and appears more than capable of fighting out the finish, racing on the fresh side (42 days).Of the rest the Desmond Koh trained Order Of The Sun appears the next in line.
Unseen since safely held in Korea (11/09/16), Order Of The Sun creates plenty of interest fresh as he is certainly more than capable.Given three trials since November last year, Order Of The Sun appears to be tracking a long nicely and is a noted performer first up.
In six attempts he has placed in three and has placed in two of three attempts on the polytrack.From the wide draw he will no doubt roll forward and if up to his best, he is sure to give them all something to chase.
Good luck and happy punting.
