Group 2 winning sprinter The Nutcracker had created quite the "boom" at the trials and he proceeded to live up to expectations when too strong in his Singapore debut.
Formerly based in Argentina (Old Name: Greek Symbol) the son of Exchange Rate has displayed plenty of ability and was a big watch now under the care of Michael Clements.
The Nutcracker
Let rip in his second trial, The Nutcracker set the polytrack alight stopping the clock at 58:96 seconds for the 1000m — generally you rarely see a horse break a minute at the trials.
Given a further two trials to keep him ticking over, The Nutcracker looked to be travelling well and confirmed these notions when leading throughout.Jumping away well on the inside, The Nutcracker pressed on to take up the running with the Alvin Tan trained Lively Dragon breathing down his neck in second.
Pressured on the outside shortly after entering the straight, The Nutcracker gave a good kick inside the 300m, quickly beating off Lively Dragon.The Shane Baertschiger trained Mycaptainoblivious loomed as a danger, however The Nutcracker proved too strong, holding off his rival to score by half a length.
With close to a year between runs The Nutcracker will no doubt improve with that performance and should be better suited over further.Easily one the biggest pushes for his future was Manoel Nunes' glowing report after the event.
“He’s the best horse that I’ve ridden here in sprint races. He was not 100% tonight and he still won well,” said Nunes.“He was still green, looking around and that’s probably because it was his first time here at night and with the lights.
“He’s a lovely individual and I have no doubt he will become a very nice horse here.”Using Timeform ratings, The Nutcracker was marked considerably below his peak, which is a good sign for the Clements stable moving forward.
He possesses plenty of upside and gives the impression he can make the rise through the sprinting ranks — we suggest you stick with him.
On Sunday evening there were a number of handy performances, one being the lightly raced Magnum.
Yet to finish outside the quinella at his first three starts, the son of Per Incanto beat the talented Nova Strike two back, before a narrow second behind Star General.A key sectional star on that occasion, Magnum proceeded to take that next step when an impressive winner in the fifth event.
Jumping away well Magnum settled third with the Steven Burridge trained Moritz Eclipse taking up the running.Popped out three-wide entering the straight, Magnum was outsprinted passing the 300m and appeared to only be labouring, before knuckling down and surging to the line.
Hitting the front inside the 100m, Magnum drew away to score by half a length and continued his upwards rating spiral.Since finishing second on debut, Magnum has improved 24 pounds and is clearly heading in the right direction.
He is still quite a raw product and as he continues to improve his race craft coupled with natural improvement, he is definitely one to follow — nice horse.Former New Zealand based galloper Asprey broke through for his first win in Singapore in the eighth event and more wins clearly appear in store.
While unable to trouble the judge at his first two starts, on both occasions he worked home well and really took advantage of the sharp drop in grade.Although possessing just the sole victory to his name prior to joining Mark Walker's team, Asprey had displayed good ability and can now take that next step.
When formerly trained by Leo Molloy his best form was achieved between 1400m - 1600m - a key factor which should see him continue to raise the bar in Singapore.Despite lining up for his 16th start, Asprey still did plenty wrong and in the end was entitled to win by further.
If placed in similar company at his next outing, he is expected to be right around the mark.
