3 minute read
The solidly run Singapore Derby in mid July has already shown itself to be a serious future feature race form guide and I see no reason why history will not repeat in Race Nine today.
Trafalgar Legacy produced a career high rating performance at his last start, with a third in the S$1.15 million G1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) that was such a stellar performance it almost got second money from Better Than Ever on the line.
He raced wide throughout near a solid clip that was quick early then constant midrace and then opened up big time a long way from home.
How this entire by Rock Of Gibraltar stayed on and in fact was fighting courageously to the end, almost like Horatio Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar after which he gets his name, is beyond many that witnessed the Derby.
Clint raced on the inner and outstayed them by sailing past a game leader on the fence in Better Than Ever, so Trafalgar Legacy had no right to sit wide and still be there at the finish.
We have already seen the fifth finisher from the Derby in Always Certain win brilliantly next time out in the G2 Chairman's Trophy (1800m) and defeat Gingerbread Man.
Pat Shaw has three of the seven runners in the feature S$150K Causeway Classic (1800m), so make no mistake his trio holds the tempo key to the contest and he is the all weather admiral on the ship's wheel.
Trafalgar Legacy has come back freshened up since his Derby overlander in dashing order and trialled up a treat last week.
He may have only had one raceday/night outing on the poly but it shows bettors two key factors to instill confidence in terms of distance and state of performance.
The entire fresh up for eleven weeks and with just one trial to prepare ran in a Kranji Stakes C over 1800m on the poly late March and finished a distant second under 55kg.
He raced close then settled handy to the pace and boxed on gamely, with the winner being Dontellthewife, which at its next outing would easily win the G3 JBBA Moonbeam Vase (1800m), so the form is strong.
We see a similar approach to preparing Trafalgar Legacy by way of a single trial for an 1800m event albeit after a five-week break since last competing.
I see him racing in or near the pace and with 53.5kg and some shipmates in the race, the winning of the battle does seem to be another victory for Team Shaw.
Thundering Jet and South Easter are the other two Shaw runners, with the former trialling nicely last week and actually showing a return to form is very close judging by his last start sixth in the Chairman's Trophy.
The poly record of Thundering Jet may be sparse but his lone placing from three attempts did come over 1800m under 56kg and Barend Vorster stays with him here at 52kg.
South Easter with just 50.5kg looks the best weighted runner in the race, as he adores the all weather and the 1800m is ideal.
He has won over 1900m on the poly in Singapore under 58kg and his last start second on the same surface under 59.5kg was very brave in a serious run race, as he was sent up outside the leader and threw down the gauntlet across the top.
If by chance the spoils of victory do not go to Team Shaw then a couple of older well-travelled types in Parfumier and Risky Business could sink his ship.
Parfumier was left flat-footed last start on the poly but warmed up well as usual and found the line under 58.5kg over the mile.
He has not won on the all weather since coming to Singapore but has performed with great gusto and at 55kg here and Joao Moreira aboard again the scent of success on the poly is palpable.
I see the extra 200m as being of a huge help to Parfumier and if the race pace goes overboard then it will suit him even more.
Risky Business is a big race performer and poly proven albeit several years ago, with his last start third in the Chairman's Trophy under 58kg a strong sustained closing effort.
His 59.5kg today is the risk, as he is giving away a big amount of ballast to some decent and tough rivals on a surface that he last won at in December 2009.
Vlad Duric rides and has been atop four times before for a win and three times finishing fifth.
It is harder to suddenly pick up and power past the opposition on the poly with a huge impost, as building momentum is the way to take advantage of the all weather.
I find it hard to believe Pina Colarda despite being a versatile middle distance type and stayer can win this, as he has only tried the poly twice and failed both times.
That leaves just Samurai Phoenix, which as a younger horse showed the ability to perform on the bigger stage but then lost that will to compete and never rose from the ashes for quite a while.
A return to his original trainer Cliff Brown saw the horse become happy and rise to become a racehorse again, with the ability to sit close and quicken a good sword in his armoury.
However he is yet to have a raceday or racenight fight on the poly track and even with an attractive lightweight you must bring the A-game (all around) to the contest and that includes all weather form.
Trafalgar Legacy is the horse on the way up through the ranks for mine here and should score line honours, with a possible Shaw scoop over the finishing line not outside the realms of possibility.
Enjoy the race.