3 minute read
The Benchmark 97 feature race sprint today at Kranji sees an explosive eleven paid up to match motors on the poly over 1100m, so it will be sheer pressure and pace throughout.
Nine of the field have legitimate win prospects in the S$95K event that is the tenth race on the card.
However the 'Maserati of Malaysia' in Won't Stop is still the speed of the mark yardstick and likely leader or drag racer in the field even from gate seven.
Won't Stop will carry 51.5kg after the 3kg claim by apprentice Tengku Rehaizat, who won on the 4yo gelding last start in this class over 1400m on the turf under the same weight.
He rode it confidently then and just held out a certainty beaten in Cash Luck, which has since come out and demolished a field by four lengths before his Meydan journey begins.
It is on the poly that Won't Stop can really get his wheels spinning and five times on the all weather have returned four wins and a fourth (behind the flying Dr Grigoros).
The son of Testa Rossa may not be a big horse but he has an engine that hits maximum output very swiftly and some of his rivals here are in for a serious piston test on the poly.
He came to Singapore after four runs, which saw a seventh at Penang, a second at Perak, a win at Selangor and then a second at Perak.
In eight starts at Kranji the tally so far is five wins and a placing plus a fourth.
His average winning margin is exactly two lengths and this is over 1100m up to 1400m, so he can sustain top speed for longer than most.
I do think the most telling win in regards to lining up his many challengers today is two starts ago over 1100m on the poly in a Kranji Stakes C sprint.
Won't Stop carried 59.5kg and worked up on the pace before taking over at the midway point before leaving his rivals in the all weather dust.
He defeated in that race a rival again and chance in Finders Keepers, which had 3kg less and could not get closer than a length and a quarter at the line.
Since then Finders Keeper has come out and won brilliantly in a Kranji Stakes C and beat the up until then undefeated Al's Knight.
The next start for Finders Keepers saw him in Open Class finish second beaten half a length by the super sprinter Better Be The One, which is also Meydan bound.
This is serious sprint form and today we see Won't Stop instead of giving Finders Keepers 3kg and a lesson, will incredibly receive 3.5kg from it.
It is not often you see a 6.5kg swing at this sprint level and it makes the argument of not stopping rather less likely.
Michael Freedman has such a potent team of sprinters that whatever he lines up is a threat and here he has fresh up both the super closer Mr Timely and the poly performer Dictator.
I like Mr Timely in this drawn handy with Stephen Baster aboard as the gelding first up at 56.5kg looks suited here in a surefire pressure contest to the home turn.
He has won three of his six race haul on the poly and it could have been more successes but for bad luck and being a magnet for finding traffic and trouble.
Mr Timely is G3 placed second on the poly and was beaten a whisker by Ato in that particular Woodlands Handicap last August.
Two starts ago in a Benchmark 97 over 1000m on the poly he finished a strong second carrying 57kg to the flying Coup Align.
I liked the way he looked in a recent quiet trial with Baster atop in preparation for his resumption.
Dictator has won six races and all have come on the poly.
He is nearly unbeaten fresh up and has a cheer squad of owners that really support him in the most vocal way possible.
They love their horse and they love making noise and are not afraid to show it.
You know when Dictator has beaten you as the ringing ears and feeling of what just happened takes place so quickly!
Joao Moreira has ridden Dictator four times for three wins and a third, so he knows when to leave the plugs in alright!
He is not on today but another Brazilian is in Ivaldo Santana, so whether Joao has given him warning or preparatory plug-advice depends on if he likes to play a practical joke on his countryman.
Moreira is riding the classy Merchant and that Cliff Brown prepared sprinter looked magnificent in a trial win late last month.
Merchant had a nightmare trip last start on New Years Day and all is okay now it seems.
His poly record of two wins and three placings from five starts on it is even better than that sounds, as a third came at G3 (the Woodlands Handicap that Mr Timely at the same weight finished second in and today will get 1.5kg from Merchant).
It is the two poly seconds by Merchant that make even better reading and analysis significance because both saw him carry 56.5kg and the winners were Rocket Man and Captain Obvious.
The barrier of ten ensures Moreira will ride Merchant cold then detonate him as late as possible the run home but this is a positive with the sprinter.
The two runners that cannot win today are Golden Number and Indulge but the poly power and performance of the rest gives them more than hope.
My Son from a good draw and at 50kg will give them something to either chase or beat after sitting poised to the home turn.
He is already a five-time winner on the all weather and trialled up a treat behind Merchant late last month, which is a barrier trial that may well provide a few dividend payers this weekend.
Tuxedo Moon is an eight-race winner (six of them on all weather) and is lethal fresh up plus he won the G3 Merlion Trophy (1200m) last year on the poly from a wide draw under 57.5kg.
After a 2kg claim today he will carry 57kg.
This leaves us with Viva Panata and Primera Espada, with the former a four-time poly winner and after a claim could have just 49kg on the back.
Viva Panata looked an improver after his fresh up fifth and I like his second up record of two wins and a placing from as many starts in that state.
Primera Espada is one of two runners for Leticia Dragon and her main chance having drawn gate two with 50kg.
All his five wins have come on the poly and dismiss him in this at longer odds at your peril.
He finished third behind Coup Align and Mr Timely last October in a Benchmark 97 over 1000m carrying 51.5kg.
I think you can dismiss two of his last four starts as they came on the turf and otherwise his form reads sound.
If we see Won't Stop does not then the rest are in turbo trouble.
If he does then Mr Timely and Merchant can mow down the Maserati of Malaysia over the closing metres.
Enjoy the drag race.
