3 minute read
A more mature and foreign equine expatriate in Flying Fulton is the ideal candidate for the feature event today in Singapore, the Marsiling Classic Stakes.
The big industrious five-year-old can do the heavy lifting and still work his way to victory, which makes him at 58kg the most likely winner of the S$150K main event over 1800m.
The poly track has become a favourite of Flying Fulton with four wins and two placings in eight starts on the all weather.
He has captured seven races since coming to Singapore and has a lot more ahead being such a strapping sort that is perfect for WFA and handicaps with a certain ceiling.
There is just 5.5kg down to the lowest weight in the Marsiling today so Flying Fulton is still rather well situated, as the 58kg topweight is a mere pillow to son of Flying Spur that is out of a Zabeel dam.
Once again the big race rider Opie Bosson will take the reins and so far in Singapore is three rides on him, with all coming at G3, for two wins.
I see 2000m as the limit for Flying Fulton and perhaps a tad less is his peak hitting/striking zone, so the 1800m today for the tenth race on the card is more than suitable.
He is G1 placed at a mile at Kranji and also has twice finished fourth at the top shelf level in the Singapore Derby (2000m) at set weights and the Raffles Cup (1800m) at WFA.
Barrier eight will give Bosson options and he is not afraid to sit wide and relax his mount knowing his strength and late race power can get him over the line.
Paulinho last time he met Flying Fulton was 82kg lighter and was beaten just over four lengths, when both carried the same impost.
Today he is fitter being third up but has to carry 58kg again too so it makes his task still tough but do not doubt his ability once you get to a mile or further.
I liked his last start effort as he covered extra ground but looked like a typical Argentinian galloper in that good things come in small packages.
When the four-year-old gets some weight relief he will be selected on top but bettors need to include him from now as when fully fit the son of Equal Stripes is all class.
Two of his three wins since arriving in Singapore have come on the poly and he got better with more racing last year so remember that durability factor.
His two poly wins came under 57kg and 57.5kg but more impressive he beat Rafaga and Nandowra, so was defeating up and comers in the process.
In the Raffles Cup he finished sixth just over two lengths behind Flying Fulton, which carried 1kg more, but remember his age and the effort was of a big race winner sooner rather that later in Singapore.
Paulinho is already a G1 winner in Argentina and he is a Derby player this year.
The maturity now seen in the performances of Mitre Peak is there for all to see and Hideyuki Takakoka is a master at bringing along middle distance and staying gallopers.
Mitre Peak has won five races in Singapore and all have come in the last year plus at 1600m up to 2000m.
Last start he picked up and baked Gingerbread Man on the line in the Woodlands Classic (2000m) and prior finished a very close second at G3 in the Fortune Bowl (2000m).
He is consistency personified with his last sixteen runs returning a top five finish every time bar one race and even more impressive it includes five wins and eight placings.
The inside barrier today will allow rider Alan Munro to take a nice sit although the start has often been a query with Mitre Peak and he has been known to get rather keen if the pace is too tepid.
I have doubts the rapidly rising in the ratings runner Michael can measure up here at 54kg although the three-year-old has been earmarked by trainer Laurie Laxon as a staying find for the next several seasons.
If you question the Laxon judgment and knowledge then you will lose, as he is the oracle of Kranji and has forgotten more than most know!
Honest Broker if this race were on turf would be a big chance at the weights but on the poly punters know when to hold em and when to fold em with this good stayer.
The pair of Cliff Brown runners at the bottom of the field both have upset chances, as the mare New Rose Wood finished second in this race last year at the same weight behind Switchblade.
Her poly record is super and Brown loves picking of these feature events so with Danny Beasley aboard again you have a good combination.
Steadfast Warrior is yet to win on the poly but third up at this trip is suited and on 53kg is value for your multiples.
Saimee Jumaat gets the ride, as Beasley had the choice for Brown, but being an already dual winner aboard the galloper it is a good outcome.
U Got It likes the poly but is a slight distance query though when in the lead he can suddenly quicken and leave his rivals standing.
Superczar is always competitive on the poly and at a range of distances but I just feel at 57kg today he is too close at the weights to some younger and heavier hitters.
He last won a race in June last year over 1400m on the turf and beat none other than U Got It.
Flying Fulton just looks still too well placed in a race like this but may be unders for those that hunt value only.
Paulinho is a threat and a name to keep in mind, while Mitre Peak will be finding the line regardless and do not leave out the all weather mare New Rose Wood, as she could go one better this year.
Enjoy the main event, the Marsiling.