3 minute read
Star mare Kiwi Karma was back to her winning ways last start and appears well placed to collect back-to-back wins in the seventh event at Singapore this evening.
Unbeaten third up previously the daughter of Fast 'N' Famous appeared extremely well placed and justified her short-odds when simply dominant last start.
Ridden by regular rider Manoel Nunes , Kiwi Karma jumped away well from the inside and enjoyed a nice trail with the Desmond Koh trained Southern Boss taking up the running.Although forced to tow the rest of the field up approaching the turn, Kiwi Karma always travelled strongly and had the race at her mercy a long way out.
Hitting the front shortly after passing the 300m, Kiwi Karma quickly drew two lengths clear and raced away to notch up her seventh career win.Her third for new trainer Michael Clements, Kiwi Karma was only marked marginally off her best and is proven to improve with racing.
Another positive for Kiwi Karma is the fact she is racing at her heaviest of her career, a key factor which suggests she has continued to strengthen and mature over time.Following a very similar profile to her last preparation she appears on track to reach the form that saw her narrowly beaten in last year's Group 1 Lion City Cup [1200m].
On that occasion she finished fourth, but was only beaten a neck behind superstar galloper War Affair.Proceeding to then finish fourth in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint [1200m], there is no question she is one of Singapore's more talented sprinters on her day.
Rising four kilograms on her last start win she does face a sterner task however she still appears well placed using Timeform weight adjusted ratings.From the inside draw she looks to receive all the favours with Ghost and Spanish Bay expected to roll forward.
In truth there doesn't appear a lot of speed engaged and wouldn't be surprised to see Nunes take up the running aboard Kiwi Karma.Following her last start win trainer Michael Clements indicated he would like to head to Dubai with Kiwi Karma and contest the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) on March 27.
Fellow star sprinter El Padrino contested the same event last year and performed admirably when fourth behind Secret Circle.In the last five years the average Timeform rating for a Top 4 finish in the event is 114, which is within Kiwi Karma's reach.
While still up in the air whether she will travel, given that goal is only two runs away its hard to see her taking a backwards step and she should take a power of beating this evening.The Shane Baertschiger trained Blue Swede returned a new career peak last start and shapes as one of the main dangers racing third up.
A winner of four of his last seven, he has placed in six of 11 at this track and five of seven over this trip.The likely race shape doesn't help his chances, however he could look to settle closer from the inside draw.
Blue Swede has won two of four racing third up and with Matthew Kellady sticking aboard (won three of five) he is expected to make his presence felt.The Michael Freedman trained Wimbledon pulled up not striding out freely when disappointing prior to a break and remains under strong notice fresh.
On best form he shapes as one of the main dangers to Kiwi Karma and has placed in eight of nine attempts over this trip.From the middle draw he looks to get a gun run just off the speed and should be in this for a long way with the in-form Corey Brown sticking aboard (placed six of eight).
Stablemate Spanish Bay is arguably better over further however he has never missed the money fresh and has placed in six of seven attempts over this trip.On career best form he is more than capable of upsetting Kiwi Karma (weight adjusted ratings) and did trial nicely in the lead up.
From the awkward draw he is likely to press forward and should prove hard to get past in the straight.Good luck and happy punting.