3 minute read
The Singapore Guineas appears all but over following War Affair's dominant display in the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic on Sunday.
Having put the writing on the wall in the first leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge when toying with his rivals over 1200m, the son of O'Reilly proceeded to take the next step when relishing the step up to 1400m.
In what proved his eighth win from 11 career starts the New Zealand bred galloper has quickly reaffirmed the claim he could be the best in Singapore with his latest display notching up a new career peak.
Going on to improve eight pounds from his second up victory, War Affair was rated the second highest victor of this event since Better Than Ever in 2010.More notably his victory saw him rated higher than both Stepitup ('13) and Super Easy ('12) and given he is expected to improve further up to a mile, he is in line to be one of the highest rated Guineas victors in recent years.
In comparison his victory on Sunday also saw him rated equal to that of talented sprinter Zac Spirit and just a few pounds shy of leading gallopers Johnny Guitar and Super Ninetyseven.
Jumping away well from the outside stall, War Affair showed good early speed to settle down fifth on the outside of the Laurie Laxon trained Goodman.
Settling beautifully in-running for Danny Beasley, War Affair always appeared to travel well and upon straightening he quickly pulled himself up to the lead passing the 400m.
Given full bore inside the 300m, the talented three-year-old showed a dazzling turn of foot to leave his rivals standing still and kick two-three lengths clear inside the 200m.
While Goodman showed a good return to form stepping up in trip, he was clearly no match for War Affair and battled on well to finish second two lengths away.
With a further three lengths back to third, it was a more than dominant display and the clock further pushed the strength of his performance.
Recorded to be just outside standard, War Affair's performance was comparatively between two and three lengths quicker than anything on the night.
Another way of dissecting his performance was through the second placegetter Goodman who too recorded a new career peak on Sunday.
Improving five pounds on his previous best, Goodman's effort would have seen him only narrowly beaten by Stepitup and Super Ninetyseven in previous renewals.
While the Guineas is not yet a foregone conclusion, however with the likelihood that War Affair will improve a further four-six pounds at his next start it is quite clear the beaten brigade have plenty to find on their talented rival.
The build up to the Singapore Golden Horseshoe heated up on Sunday with debutant Affleck upsetting the hot priced favourite Barnato in the fifth event.
It what many felt would prove a sit and steer job for Barend Vorster aboard Barnato, Danny Beasley had other ideas with the son of Battle Point proving very impressive when saluting by close to three lengths.
Albeit he did have the drop on Barnato after the latter raced ungenerously early on in the piece, the Laurie Laxon trained juvenile showed a great turn of foot in the straight and proved the ultimate professional in his debut.
Now rated the highest juvenile in Singapore by Timeform, Affleck appears well on track for the Golden Horseshoe on the 16th of May.
Former Australia based galloper Hakamgong (Old: Greenwich) notched up his maiden victory in the fourth event on Sunday and does appear open to further improvement this time in.
In what was just his second start for new stable Desmond Koh after previously being trained by Team Hawkes the son of Lonhro proved too good for his rivals when leading throughout over seven furlongs.
The beneficiary of a great tactical ride from David Flores, Hakamgong still has a fair bit of improvement up his sleeve on his prior form in Australia and given the penny looks to have finally dropped he is a galloper worth following this preparation.
The Michael Freedman trained Bogart broke back into the winner's stall on Friday night and appears to be in for a prosperous campaign this time in.
Boasting formlines around the likes of Tiger Bee and Thumping the son of Darci Brahma proceeded to show good improvement up in trip when defeating the capable Turangawaewae.
Working home strongly from just off the speed, his performance also recorded strong Time figures in comparison to the rest of the night which further pushed the strength of his effort.
In what proved his third victory from nine starts, he is expected to keep improving this time in as he has close to six pounds up his sleeve on career best form.
His career peak performances have been achieved beyond 1200m and he does appear a galloper worth sticking with in similar events.