Star sprinter Spalato made an expected winning return on Sunday evening when simply a class above his rivals in the third event.
Unseen since his narrow defeat in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy [1400m], the son of Elusive City resumed over 1000m, his first attempt over the short course since his debut victory in May 2014.
Well placed under the set-weights conditions, Spalato settled at the rear under Corey Brown with the Desmond Koh trained Southern Boss taking up the running.Under a good hold passing the 700m, Brown eased Spalato to the outside peeling five-wide into the straight.
Let rip inside the 300m Spalato lengthened nicely on the outside and quickly loomed up to hit the front inside the 100m.The Mark Walker trained My Lucky Strike enjoyed all the favours along the inside but was unable to match it with Spalato finishing second.
Eased down over the concluding stages, Spalato cruised to the line to score by just under a length, his ninth success from 13 starts.Although the bare margin wasn't overly impressive, his closing sectionals were quite the opposite.
For his last 800m, Spalato averaged 11.07 second 200m sections and did so tracking wide throughout.The final 600m recorded was over two-and-a-half lengths inside standard and given Spalato was more than four lengths off the lead when Southern Boss broke the beam, it really emphasised his slick closing speed.
Using Timeform ratings Spalato's performance saw him return one of his highest first up figures to date with still good improvement to come.The Group 2 Merlion Trophy [1200m] has been identified as his next outing before a possible tilt towards Dubai — Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen [1200m].
Under the weight-for-age conditions of the Merlion Trophy Spalato is clearly the horse to beat with El Padrino and Kiwi Karma the next in line.At his best he is one of, if not Singapore's leading galloper and if able to take that next step he should be winning the Merlion Trophy with ease.
Whether he then heads to Dubai remains to be seen as his only other International trip saw him perform well below expectations when competing in Hong Kong in November/December 2014.Nonetheless there was clearly something amiss with the gelding on that occasion and if able to replicate his best form on the International stage he is more than capable.
The last three successors Secret Circle, Sterling City and Reynaldothewizard all returned winning figures within Spalato's wheelhouse and thus he creates plenty of interest if they do elect to travel again.Having only ever tasted defeat once domestically, Spalato is quite the talent and if you don't already have him in your blackbook now is the time to do so.
Risky RockefellerFormerly trained by Frankie Stockdale in Victoria the son of Muqbil joined Burridge's team mid-way through last year.
An impressive winner in his Singapore debut, Risky Rockefeller was then spelled before making his return on the weekend.Lining up for just his fourth start, he simply proved too good for his rivals when taking full advantage of a gem of a ride from Corey Brown.
Tracking the speed nicely in fourth throughout, Risky Rockefeller always travelled powerfully and when let rip inside the 200m he quickly put the race away.Eased down late he went to the line to score by two lengths and returned a new career peak in the process.
Only lightly raced he remains open to good improvement and gives the impression he will get out over further.A winner of three of his four career starts, he is a galloper clearly heading in the right direction and more wins appears in store if place in suitable company.
