3 minute read

A distinct class edge should see Mr Big conquer the step up to seven furlongs on Sunday when he lines up in the feature race of day at Singapore.

A proven Group 1 performer and a victor of 10 of his 24 career starts the son of Elusive Quality will be out to fill the void left by his stablemate Super Easy when stepping up to 1400m for the first time in his career.

The former champion juvenile has only missed the money on three prior occasions and it can be argued that with the recent retirement of a number of Singapore's' stars that he is the best horse at present.

His impressive form can be highlighted with his close placings behind Super Easy in Group 1 company, his effort to carry the big weight and finish second behind Makkura two back and despite disappointing on paper last start his performance was very good when conceding the big weight and forced to travel wide throughout behind Goal Keeper.

Stepping out for his first start as a five-year-old Mr Big will be attempting to turn his recent run of form having yet to salute the judge at his past five outings.

Trainer Michael Freedman is confident and has indicated that it is the right time to try Mr Big over further due to him getting a bit older as he felt it would not have suited him earlier on in his career.

The return to WFA conditions also looks well in the favour of Mr Big as there is only one horse in the field who has beaten him home under those set conditions.

Although this defeat did come in arguably one of Mr Big's worst career performances when finishing behind Speedy Cat in this year's Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint.

A race which you can easily put a line through given he ran to 12 pounds below his average form and has defeated Speedy Cat on their two previous encounters both being by decisive margins.

Although you do have to be wary with horses stepping up in trip for the first time it is the lack of speed in Sunday's affair which should swing in Mr Big's favour.

With no real distinct leaders in the race expect Corey Brown to take up the running from the good draw and if able to pinch a few cheap sectionals out in front, it could really take the step up in trip out of the equation.

It is ability to reel off a fast closing sectional that really sets him apart and if able to bowel along out in front at his own leisure and sprint home quickly it is simple they won't be able to give him a start and beat him home.

Having put in a slashing performance last start in the Group 3 Woodlands Hcp the Alvin Tan trained Speedy Cat is clearly the main danger in the field.

Conceding a whooping 9kg to the victor Davide, Speedy Cat's performance was a new career peak and continues his upward spiral this time in.

Coming from well back in the field his performance to flash home late was a real eye catcher and gave all indications that he will relish the step up to 1400m on Sunday.

A victor of eight of his 22 career starts Speedy Cat has proven himself on both turf and polytrack and if Mr Big does prove a bit suspect over the concluding stages expect him to be right there to pounce as his record at seven furlongs is very strong.

Proven to be about two or three lengths of the top level he is still well an truly up to winning this and with any luck from the outside stall expect him to be right amongst the finish.

The Laurie Laxon trained Makkura has been racing in a real purple patch of form of late and comes into this affair off the back of a new career peak performance when finishing third behind the talented Super Ninety Seven last start.

A very consistent galloper who has only missed the money twice in 20 career starts she is the clear next pick and although facing a tough test at WFA she does possess a sharp turn of foot and if close enough in running she could prove hard to hold out.

Michael Freedman appears to hold another ace in the deck with the in-form Nandowra racing in terrific form this time in having placed at seven of his last 12 starts most recently finishing second in the Group 2 Chairman's Trophy.

While clearly at his best over further he does come into this race with five weeks between runs and has performed well at 1400m previously with three wins and two minor placings from seven attempts.

Drawn wide he is expected to roll forward and sit just off the speed and looks a nice knock-out chance for the multiples.

Good luck and happy punting.