Singapore Racing - Weekend Review - 7th & 9th of August

3 minute read

After two dismal displays in Hong Kong, Singapore superstar Spalato was back to his dazzling self when demoralising his rivals on Sunday evening.

It what was a case of "Welcome Back Champ" the now six-year-old kept his unbeaten domestic record intact with a breathtaking display in the Group 3 Woodlands Handicap.

Unseen since his failed trip to Hong Kong in December, many questioned whether Spalato would ever be the same, however judging by his most recent display he may in fact be better.

Spalato

After jumping away fairly, Spalato quickly mustered speed to press forward and sit up outside the lead, with El Milagro kicking up to hold the rail.

Allowed to coast under Manoel Nunes, Spalato always travelled well and was under a vice like grip on straightening.

With minimal pressure Spalato quickly ambled up to El Milagro and took over inside the 400m.

Let rip by Nunes inside the 300m Spalato quickly left his rivals standing still drawing three lengths clear.

Allowed to coast to the line over the concluding stages, Spalato was never in danger and did it as easily as you would have liked, throttled down to score by over five lengths.

Joining an esteemed list of past winners, Spalato is now the second highest rated winner of the Woodland's Handicap with his performance rivalling that of Rocket Man in 2010.

Rated 123+ in this year's Luzerne Cup [1200m], Spalato's performance in the Woodlands Handicap saw him return a Timeform rating of 120+.

Marked marginally off his peak there is no question he will take good improvement from the performance, which was also reflected in his race weight.

Sunday's race saw Spalato race at his heaviest (522kg) since May last year and he notably was 16kg heavier than when he contested the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint.

Prior to leaving for Hong Kong little separated Spalato and War Affair as to who was the best horse in Singapore.

While it still obviously remains a heated debate, Spalato's performance over the weekend suggests he can edge clear in the coming months.

A highly anticipated clash is likely to take place in either the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile [1600m] or the Group 1 Raffles Cup [1800m], with Spalato now tipped to reign supreme over his very talented rival.

Spalato remains one of the highest rated sprinters in Singapore since Rocket Man and given he has won in Group 1 company at both a mile and in the prestigious Derby, he is no question versatile.

What is Spalato's pet trip? That remains to be answered, however the clash of both War Affair and Spalato is unprecedented.

Barring the International races, Singapore racegoers have never witnessed such a clash between two of their heroes.

No doubt some will side War Affair, however given he is likely to be spotting Spalato a start on straightening we lie firmly in Spalato's corner.

So who is the best horse in Singapore? Hopefully all will be answered in the near future.

Gold Peregrine

In the final event on Sunday debutant Gold Peregrine impressed when too sharp stepping out for the Steven Burridge stable.

Formerly trained by John Murtagh the son of Intikhab displayed good ability in his six career starts and came over to Singapore with some handy form in the book.

In what was a superb training performance, Gold Peregrine returned from a lengthy 433 day break and was simply too good on-speed.

Ridden by Michael Rodd, Gold Peregrine jumped away well on the outside before pressing on to settle outside the lead.

Travelling strongly for Rodd, Gold Peregrine sprinted quickly to hit the front passing the 300m before drawing away to score by one and a half lengths.

Marked considerably below his best, Gold Peregrine remains open to good improvement moving forward and is definitely one to place in your blackbook.

Using Timeform predictive ratings he has more than 10 pounds up his sleeve and if placed in suitable company, he is more than capable of notching up back to back wins at his next outing.

Kam's Comet

On Friday night My Lucky Strike further stamped himself as one of the best 1000m polytrack horses in Singapore when saluting easily in the ninth event.

Having already been a frequent entry in the Singapore Weekend Review, My Lucky Strike's stablemate Kam's Comet is another galloper worth following.

A winner of four of his six career starts, Kam's Comet clearly wasn't suited in the 1000m scamper, however he acquitted himself well and is one to stick with when tried over further.

Kam's Comet has continued to make impressive ratings spikes and is a galloper clearly heading in the right direction.

Only lightly raced more wins definitely appear in store for the son of Danroad.