Elite Invincible looks the one to beat again when he lines up in the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) at Kranji on Sunday.
The Mark Walker-trained runner has come back in very good order this campaign, winning both starts in group company and will be looking to claim a clean sweep of the four-year-old series.
Winning well first up in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m), Elite Invincible was made to work a bit harder in the Group 1 Charity Bowl (1600m) last start when scoring a narrow win and steps up to the 1800m today.
Elite Invincible does has form over 1900m in Dubai before coming to Singapore indicating the trip should not pose any troubles and from barrier nine Vlad Duric should be able to find a decent spot in running.
Elite Invincible has been outstanding since coming to Singapore, winning five of his eight starts and placing on a further two occasions.
The talented four-year-old has certainly been one of if not the form horse in Singapore recently and he once again ticks all the boxes to get the job done today.
There appears to be a handful of chances lining up behind him including Kingsman who was terrific when runner up behind Elite Invincible last start.
That effort came somewhat as a surprised significantly up in grade but was able to make terrific ground over the concluding stages just get edged out narrowly.
Kingsman, who possesses a pretty good career record gets out to the 1800m for the first time and on the back of his last start effort is tough to leave out of the chances particularly based on some of his rivals’ record over 1800m.
Has not drawn the best in barrier 12 but should settle back in the field again and if he gets some speed on up front will be getting to the line very strongly.
Lim’s Magic looks ready to fire fourth up today with the lightly raced runner open to further improvement.
Third behind Elite Invincible in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup, Lim’s Magic was slightly disappointing in the Group 1 Charity bowl but with only seven runs to his name is open to further improvement.
The step up to 1800m could really suit the son of Manhattan Rain and Glen Boss remains on board, drawn well in barrier 7.
Only Win appears to be crying out for a trip like this on the back of a fourth placing in the Charity Bowl last start.
The Michael Clements-trained runner has not quite shown the class some of his rivals have during the four-year-old series but now up to 1800m could certainly be there at the finish for a much deserved win.
Both Jupiter Gold and Countofmontecristo look somewhat tested over the 1800m and it’s unsure if class will be enough to see them competitive in a race like this but to see them in the finish would not surprise.Good luck!
