3 minute read
An impressive last start victory leaves the Desmond Koh trained Wonderful Prince well placed to bring up his fourth straight win at Singapore on Friday night.
Formerly trained by the Hawkes team in Melbourne, Wonderful Prince first came to Singapore with some fair form on the board, however he does appear to have really taken the next step since making the transition.
A victor of his first three starts since joining Koh's stable back in February, the son of Elusive City has now improved close to 10 pounds with his latest effort notching up a new career peak.
In what was his first attempt beyond 1200m, the lightly raced three-year-old always appeared to travel comfortably and while he was blocked for a run early in the straight, as soon as Manoel Nunes got him into the clear he attacked the line powerfully.
A race which was clearly run to suit the front-runners, his performance was further highlighted when he successful recorded the quickest closing sectionals of the night.
Although the overall the time wasn't quick, he did average 11.48 second furlongs for his final 800m and appeared to do it easily.
Stepping up to the mile for the first time on Friday night appears to be right up his alley as Koh indicated after his last start victory that he felt he would be better over further and would continue to improve with more race experience.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he does appear well placed despite being allotted the topweight with his nearest rival, the ever consistent Yes Baba.
On raw form he does have a few pounds to find on Yes Baba however on predictive ratings he is rated clear with the expectation that he will improve a further four - six pounds leading into this affair.
Adding to that the matter in which he won last start also gave the strong indication that there was definitely more in store where as Yes Baba may have reached his peak now at his current mark given he has had the 22 starts.
On the flip side, Wonderful Prince has only had the five starts which suggests he has plenty of scope for improvement and given he does possess an upwards rating profile a bright future does appear in store for the three-year-old.
Drawn wide on Friday night is a mild concern however Nunes is still expected to adopt his usual racing pattern and roll forward on Wonderful Prince as there doesn't appear to be a great deal of speed engaged.
His closing sectionals last time out proved most impressive and if able to repeat that level of performance over the mile he should prove very hard to hold out.
More notably it should prove very hard for horses coming from behind Wonderful Prince to run him down as he should prove too slick.
Despite an obvious rise in the weights for Friday's affair, Wonderful Prince is clearly a galloper heading in the right direction and should prove very hard to beat.
The Patrick Shaw trained Yes Baba has continued to race in great form this time in culminating with an impressive victory on the polytrack last time out.
While tiring late in the piece he still proved too good and was successful in notching up a new career peak.
This peak rating does place him in good stead on Friday night as if Wonderful Prince is unable to improve it should see Yes Baba right in the finish.
Having placed in 12 of his 22 starts he has definitely proven a model of consistency and should give a bold sight from the ideal draw.
The Michael Freedman trained Iznate proved quite disappointing in his Singapore debut last start however he is clearly better than that and must be given another chance.
On his prior form in France the son of Pivotal rates very well in this line up and a return to his best would see him extremely hard to beat.
The step up to the mile should definitely suit and the engagement of Danny Beasley is worth noting as he currently strikes at 28% for the Freedman stable.
While these gallopers are always some query as it remains to be seen as whether they can adapt to their new surroundings however on bare form he cannot be ignored.
Of the rest the Michael Clements trained Bee Ahead appears the next in line following a solid enough performance first up behind Knight's Command.
Although at his best over further he is expected to show good improvement racing second up and rates very well on his best form.
Two of his three victories came at this track and his trial in the lead up was very good and suggested all is in order for this affair.
Lisa Allpress is striking at just shy of 20% for the Clements stable this season and Bee Ahead is definitely one to keep safe in the multiples.
Good luck and happy punting.