3 minute read
Emerging stayer Air Force One appears well placed to return to the winner's stall when set to contest the seventh event at Singapore this evening.
Only lightly raced the son of Pentire has continued to improve with each performance and while he possesses just the sole win to his name he is quite the promising type.
Trained by Stephen Burridge, Air Force One has come a long way in what is his maiden preparation improving 21 pounds since his debut back in January.His latest performance when finishing second at this course and distance saw Air Force One return a new career peak and in the process returned time figures ahead of the bare form.
Given a slight freshen up (33 days) he has trialled well in the lead up, hitting the line well late to finish a narrow second.Ridden by Corey Brown, Air Force Blue settled towards the rear before sticking to the inside on straightening.
Under a good hold Air Force Blue really caught the eye late when working to the line under his own steam.Apart from his below par performance two back, Air Force Blue is racing in good consistent form having placed at four of his last five starts.
When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings he appears well placed off the back of his latest effort and remains open to further improvement moving forward.Unlike a majority of his rivals, Air Force Blue is only lightly raced and gives the impression he will continue to progress with time.
Leading rider Corey Brown sticks aboard having placed in three of his four attempts aboard the four-year-old.From the wide draw Air Force Blue is expected to press forward and adopt a forward position with the Leticia Dragon trained Remember Me and the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Golazo also likely to press forward.
In a race with four last start winners engaged it is sure to be a competitive event, however still expect Air Force Blue to come out on top as he appears a nice stayer on the rise .The Mark Walker trained Rockfast beat the latter last start when really working home strongly at this course and distance.
A winner of four of his 25 starts, Rockfast was prone to mixing his form however since tried beyond a mile he has really improved his consistency.Rockfast is yet to miss the money over this trip and while rising at the weights he won with a bit in hand last start and shouldn't be too far away from the inside draw.
The in-form Manoel Nunes sticks aboard and has placed in two of his four attempts aboard the four-year-old — overall Nunes is striking at just shy of 20 per cent with the Walker stable.If able to repeat the level of his last start performance Rockfast is sure to make his presence felt.
The Hideyuki Takaoka trained Golazo steps up noticeably in grade but much like Air Force Blue he is only lightly raced and creates plenty of interest.Successful in notching up back to back wins last start, Golazo comes into this off the back of a new career peak and is clearly a 3YO heading in the right direction.
He gives the impression he will relish the extra journey and if able to continue his upwards spiral he shapes as one of the leading contenders.Of the rest the Stephen Burridge trained Felarof appears the next best as while failing to fire last start he rates well on best form and has to be kept safe.
Good luck and happy punting.