Infantry looks primed to claim victory in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Kranji on Friday night with Vlad Duric on board for the first time.
The five-year-old gelding has been good in both outings this campaign, last seen when running on to finish fourth in the Group 3 Committee’s Prize behind Elite Excalibur (1600m) over a month ago.
Having trialled pretty well since that outing, Infantry looks well suited in this race today with just 11 starters lining up.
Last win for Infantry came four starts back in the Group 1 Panasonic Mile over Countofmontecristo and Debt Collector and if he can run up to anything near that effort he will be too good for these.
Vlad Duric who has been riding in terrific form of late will go on board for the first time and from barrier 7 would expect him to settle much closer today than he did in the Committee’s Prize.
On best form Infantry rates clear of his rivals today and back on even weights with Elite Excalibur expect him to return to the winners circle.
Elite Excalibur does shape up as the main danger after resuming with that win in the Group 3 Committee’s Prize last start, his first over the mile.
Given over a month between runs as well, the Cliff Brown-trained runner does go up slightly in weight and will meet Infantry 2kg worse off.
The son of Fastnet Rock did finish runner up in a recent barrier trial and now that he has a feature win under his belt he is certainly one to keep a close eye on in this field.
Michael Rodd sticks on board fresh off a feature win in the THR Classic last weekend and from barrier 10 would expect him to settle back in the field despite there not being a great deal of tempo.
With the barrier, lack of tempo and the weight swing, he certainly needs to improve again today but there is no doubt he will be right in the mix.
Whilst it does appear to be a clear race between two, Preditor come into consideration off his win in the Kranji Stakes A (1400m) last week.
Has won over the mile previously and despite being beaten a long way in the Committee’s Prize the start prior he was much improved last start.
Still unlikely to beat the top couple of chances but shapes up as an each way chance with Clarton Super who resumes having won his only outing last campaign.
That win came in the Group 3 Fortune Bowl and he steps out over 1600m for the first time today off a two month break.
Lightly raced for a five-year-old and open to further improvement would not be surprised to see him be very competitive in this field today.
Good luck!
