Countofmontecristo will be out to upstage the older horses when he lines up in the Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) at Kranji today.
Countofmontecristo returned in terrific order with a win in the Open Benchmark 97 (1200m) at Kranji and can certainly build on that effort taking on tougher company today.
The now four-year-old gelding showed terrific form as a three-year-old winning four of his five starts, battling on well for third in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas behind Forever Young on the other occasion.
Two of those wins came in Group company and the Michael Clements-trained runner appears to have picked up where he left off.
Settling off the leaders in fourth, Countofmontecristo ran on strongly in the straight, taking the lead inside the 200m to run out a one and a quarter length winner over Nova Swiss in second with The General third.
Glen Boss rode 1.5kg over his allotted 48.5kg and still proved too strong for the older horses, his win measuring right up to his effort in the Singapore Sprint 91200m) last campaign.
With more improvement still to come based on his peak ratings last campaign, Countofmontecristo looks right up to running well today against some seasoned gallopers.
Has drawn wide in barrier 13 which is a concern for today however if he finds a bit of luck in running can certainly prove too good for these today.
War Affair was unlucky in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1800m), un able to find clear galloping room at the right time on that occasion when fourth.
Comes into this on the back of a very strong trial win over 1000m and he is a horse that can never be underestimated, especially in races like this.
He is another that has drawn a touch awkwardly out wide and will certainly need a bit of luck however he is one that continues to produce good form at a high level and will be right in the mix for this.
Alibi is another that returns having won at Group 1 level last campaign and was runner up in a recent barrier trial late last month.
Undefeated from two previous first up efforts, winning the Group 2 Steward’s Cup when resuming last campaign and he has consistently run figures that well and truly but him in contention for this.
Has a solid enough record over the 1400m despite stretching out to 1600m and 2000m recently and if he can get the right run from barrier six today he can certainly be right in the mix against these.
Debt Collector returns for trainer Cliff Brown and tends to run well when fresh winning three of his five starts previously.Last seen when running midfield in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl, the now five-year-old gelding has shown enough at Group company previously to suggest he can be competitive today.
When first up last campaign made good ground to finish fourth in the Group 2 Steward’s Cup behind Alibi and both runs last campaign rate well for this.
Only fair in a recent barrier trial over 1000m, but does have a good record over the 1400m trip, winning on four previous occasions and a race like this is not out of his reach.
Faaltless is another that comes into consideration on the back of a returning win in the Group 3 Garden City Trophy (1200m) last start.
Has since trialled over 1000m with the only concern today the step up to 1400m where he has had the one run when unplaced.
His last start effort, when beating Wimbledon and Aramco shows he has plenty of ability and if he can repeat that performance he certainly has claims today.
