Star galloper Super Ninetyseven gets conditions to suit at Singapore on Sunday and appears well placed to break into the winner's stall in the Group 3 Moonbeam Vase.
A somewhat tragedy beaten in the Polytrack Mile Championship last start after nothing went in Alan Munro's favour, the well credentialed four-year-old appears set to make amends in the 10th event of the night.
Having found himself at the tail upon straightening after being forced to wait for other gallopers to go around him last start, his performance to flash home and only be narrowly beaten was simply outstanding.
He reeled off easily the quickest closing sectionals of the race and many will argue if he had in fact had more luck in running he no doubt would have finished over the top of Johnny Guitar.
Successful in returning a career peak performance the son of Show A Heart does appear set to springboard off that effort on Sunday and prove very hard to beat.
The return to the turf track added with the step up in trip appears a good push for his claims as he unbeaten at his only prior attempt at 1800m and has placed in nine of his 13 attempts on the turf track.
Returning to the scene of the crime which saw him notch up his first Group 1 victory when proving too strong in the Raffles Cup, Super Ninetyseven does appear to have a slight class edge on his rivals and does appear well placed under the handicap conditions.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings his last start performance sees him rated three pounds clear of his nearest rival Wild Geese and with added improvement to come he does appear the horse to beat.
While a noted backmarker, the fact he has drawn favourably on the inside should see Alan Munro attempt to settle closer to the speed as he won't want to be spotting the leaders as big a start as he did in his latest performance.
The expected solid tempo of the race also appears to play in his favour as it does appear a race with good speed engaged with the David Kok trained Cash Luck, the Michael Clements trained Don Platense, the Desmond Koh trained City Lad and the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Musketeer all likely to roll forward.
This should allow Super Ninetyseven to bounce out and find his feet early and get into a comfortable position just off midfield before being produced to the outside upon straightening.
If able to produce as good a finish as he did last start, he appears very hard to hold out as he simply should prove too good for his rivals.
When taking out the Raffles Cup last time in he pressed his claims as being the best horse in Singapore and will be out to further enhance this notion on Sunday evening.
If successful it also strengthens his claims towards the back end of the four-year-old series as he would stamp himself as the horse to beat in the Derby.
The ever consistent Wild Geese fought doggedly behind Goliath last start and only has to hold his form to be right in the finish again.
While a victor of only four of his 28 career starts he has placed on a further eight occasions and his last three performances have all recorded Timeform ratings good enough to test Super Ninetyseven at the weights on the weekend.
He has placed in half of his attempts over this trip and has placed in six of four attempts on the turf track including a solid performance to salute over the mile three starts back.
From the inside draw he is expected to settle down just off the speed and prove very hard to get past in the straight.
Hideyuki Takaoka trained Bendicion does appear the 'X' factor horse in the race despite lining up in easily his sternest test to date.
A winner of five of his 12 career starts the Japanese bred galloper has showed sharp improvement this time in culminating with a game second placing behind Wild Geese last start.
Successful in recording a new career peak the son of Black Tide is clearly heading in the right direction and appears set to relish the step up in trip.
Takaoka is renowned for his great ability to train staying types and this fellow really fits the mould as if he can raise the bar again on Sunday he is likely to be right around the mark.
Both Stepitup and Martin appear the next in line despite both gallopers failing to feature in the finish at their last start efforts.
Will Martin clearly wasn't suited over the shorter trip his closing sectionals were quite solid and is expected to relish the 1800m on Sunday.
Stepitup had minor excuses last start but struggle to see him turning the tables on Super Ninetyseven as he now meets the latter worse off at the weights for his last start defeat.
Nonetheless he is a classy galloper on his day and should improve racing back on the turf track.
Good luck and happy punting.
