Racing this afternoon at Kranji will be held on both the turf and poly tracks with race nine on the poly one of the more interesting events on the card.
The Kranji Stakes C line up to be run over 1000m comprises two very promising short course runners Golden Sand Steed and Got Luck, both with excellent poly records.
Neither have met previously so the race makes for interesting analysis.
There is little doubt on Timeform ratings that Got Luck has more to give running out a convincing winner under 58.5kgs over 1000m in benchmark 67 class last time out on the poly edging his Timeform rating up to 84p.
A lightly raced four-year-old, Got Luck coasted home to defeat Jeram Clipper and actually drops a half kilo this afternoon under the set weights of the Kranji Stakes C scale.
Got Luck has raced just five times, winning four times and running third at his only other run when luck went against him, with three of those wins all coming over 1000m on the poly.
Clearly Got Luck has a distinct liking for the poly and although drawn one from the outside in barrier seven, Beasley should have little trouble using his gate speed to take up a handy position in a race that presents with minimal takers for early speed on paper.
While Got Luck rates as the horse to beat on Timeform weight adjusted ratings, he will not have things all his own way with Golden Sand Steed a formidable foe.
The Mark Walker-trained gelding is a five time winner on the poly and resumed off a 49 day break last time out to win comfortably over Secret Misison in this class over 1000m on the poly.
It was a masterful ride by young Rizaun Shafiq who resisted the temptation to bustle the gelding early, instead allowing him to find his feet before weaving a passage through the field from eighth on the turn to take the front 200m from home winning with something in hand.
Timeform rated 85, Golden Sand Steed is handicapped to carry a kilo and a half more weight than his less experienced rival, but that weight will be offset by the claim of Shafiq who has a great record atop the gelding of three wins and four placings from eight pairings.
If Shafiq can get Golden Sand Steed into clear running entering the straight, Got Luck will have a struggle on his hands to hold him out. It should be a great contest.
A bold showing can be expected from the Laurie Laxon-trained Tim who resumes from a spell.
Only lightly raced, Tim has only ever raced on the poly, 13 times for three wins, two at the 1000m distance.
Although yet to beat Golden Sand Steed in two previous match ups, he does have a slight weight pull this afternoon and Laxon has ensured he will be fit enough by trialling him last week.
Malaysian apprentice Reuven will claim three kilos and from his low drawn should be able to race handy from the start.
Bionic Boy and Shipping Forecast round out the main chances.
On old form Bionic Boy would be well suited in this class but his last few runs back been below par for a galloper of his calibre.
His most recent win came back in July in benchmark 83 grade over 1000m on turf where he narrowly defeated Soul Commander, however his recent runs have been below par, last time out finishing mid field in this class of race.
Apprentice Rehaizat will claim two kilos reducing his weight to 57.5kgs, quite a luxury for this galloper if he found his best form.
Bionic Boy is a must include for the multiples, as is the speedster Shipping Forecast.
There will be no loafing early as Shipping Forecast led throughout last start to win in class 4 company over 1100m on the poly in effortless fashion from Faithfully.
At his previous run he had scored by almost four lengths over 1000m on the poly in Kranji Class D Stakes.
While he faces his stiffest task to date, Shipping Forecast is a horse in form and will give backers a great sight again.
Enjoy a thrilling contest.
