3 minute read

Former New Zealand and Australian based galloper Warhorse appears set to make winning debut in Singapore when he lines up in the eighth race of the card on Friday.

A previous Group 1 winner in New Zealand the son of General Nediym was transferred to the care of Sydney powerhouse trainer Chris Waller during this year's Sydney Autumn Carnival and proved very competitive.

On debut in Australia he finished a close fourth in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes before finishing a narrow second in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes and then rounded out his campaign finishing eighth in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas behind It's A Dundeel.

Formlines which in comparison you'd expect to see him leave his rivals all in his wake on Friday however despite the obvious class edge there is still the issue of whether or not he can reproduce that form in Singapore.

One of the greatest obstacles faced by gallopers making the switch is not their opposition but the mere challenge of acclimatising.

In saying that his recent trial on the polytrack was very encouraging when leading throughout to score in quite slick time.

While having only featured first up on one prior occasion the form guide may be a touch misleading as this is the easiest first up assignment he has faced since making his debut at Ellerslie back in October 2011.

Proven to race at his best over seven furlongs his form at 1200m is also very good having only missed the money once in four prior attempts collecting two wins.

Champion Singapore jockey Joao Moreira will continue his association with the four-year-old having ridden him to victory in his recent trial.

While no secret Moreira boasts an impressive strike rate for a number of Singapore based trainers his record with the Mark Walker team is very good at 22%.

Drawn a touch awkwardly in the small field expect Moreira to roll forward on Warhorse and settle just off the speed with the speedy Petrenui expected to take up the running from the inside draw.

Having been in Singapore for over two months now it is well worth taking the risk that he has acclimatised because even a below par performance would see him taking a power of beating.

The ultra consistent Boundless Glory has been racing in very good form this time in and appears the main threat to Warhorse.

Continuing to improve with each start this time in his second placing at this track last start actually recorded a new career peak and has seen him make a five pound improvement on his previous best.

Having simply run out of straight last start he should get the race run to suit on Friday as he has proven to race at his best when the race is run at a good solid tempo.

In the small field he should settle closer to the lead than in previous outings and the reengagement of Manoel Nunes proves the key as he is yet to miss the money on the six-year-old in two previous attempts.

On raw form he obviously has a bit to find on Warhorse however in comparison to the rest of the field he appears very well placed and has run to the same figures as Petrenui.

If able to reproduce this form or in fact improve further if Warhorse does appear to have a chink in his armour than expect Boundless Glory to be right there to take advantage.

The speedy Petrenui appears the next in line having only been beaten narrowly at this track last start.

Another galloper who has continued to improve with each start this time in, it is his ability to bowl along out in front at a good tempo and then quicken that is very impressive however the only query on Friday is the decision to stick to 1200m.

Proven to race at his best over 1000m with four wins from six starts he does seem a slight query seeing out the trip especially against this level of company.

Corey Brown returns to Singapore and does link back aboard which is a bonus and if able to stack them up out in front he could pinch it.

The Michael Freedman trained Texan Takeover must be kept safe in the multiples as he should be closing in on his peak racing third up.

Dropping back from Group 3 company after finishing fifth behind Davide in the Woodland's Handicap he does appear well placed with the claim and on best form is capable of filling the minor placings.

In eight attempts on the polytrack he has only missed the money on two occasions and has placed at six of his last 10 starts.

Drawn favourably on the rails he should be able to possie up nicely just off the speed and be somewhere around the mark.

Good luck and happy punting.