Aotearoa To Make Winning Debut

Former New Zealand based filly Aotearoa appears well placed to make a winning debut when due to contest the second event at Kranji this evening.

Now under the care of Laurie Laxon, Aotearoa displayed good ability in her three starts for the Lisa Anderson stable.

Although still a maiden, Aotearoa was placed in Listed company finishing third behind Astara in the Auckland Champagne Stakes [1600m].

Unseen since April last year, Aotearoa has been given plenty of time to acclimatise to her new surroundings and looked good in her recent barrier trial.

Admittedly she will be better over further, however she is more than capable of sprinting well fresh.

On debut last preparation Aotearoa bumped into the very talented Volpe Veloce, finishing second beaten just over two lengths.

The latter has since notched up six straight victories including two at Group level.

Aotearoa's two subsequent performances held plenty of merit and she is certainly capable of breaking through this evening.

The wide draw is a concern, however she does possess enough tactical speed to adopt a forward position with leading rider Barend Vorster linking aboard.

While it's never easy for these imports to fire in their Singapore debut, Aotearoa doesn't face the strongest line up and wouldn't be required to run up to her best to win.

With even luck from the wide draw she is expected to make her presence felt and should prove hard to beat.

The Michael Clements trained Ground Control has steadily improved with each performance and should be right at his peak racing fourth up.

Only lightly raced, Ground Control has placed in two of his six career starts, most recently working home strongly to finish a close fourth behind Mr Lewis.

Much like Aotearoa he is expected to be better over further, but with 47 days between runs he looks more than capable of sprinting well fresh.

Leading rider Michael Rodd appears a key booking and should look to settle closer to the speed from the favourable draw.

When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Ground Control appears well placed and looms as a major threat.

The Mark Walker trained Jacks Secret failed to fire last start, however is clearly better than that and remains under strong notice.

Having placed at his first two starts, Jacks Secret has displayed good ability and can bounce right back from the favourable draw.

Gerald Mosse links aboard for the first time and is expected to adopt a more prominent position.

His narrow defeat behind Redmayne two back leaves him in good stead and he has to be respected.

Of the rest the Alvin Tan trained Happy Baby appears the next in line.

Not beaten far on debut behind Haytham, Happy Baby displayed good improvement at his next outing when second behind Golden Diamond.

Now set to peak racing third up he has to be respected despite the awkward draw, on profile he too is a nice horse moving forward.

Good luck and happy punting.