3 minute read
The ever-improving Bourbon Goldman proved very impressive saluting last time out and appears on track to turn the tables on the up and coming Board Walk.
Having failed to defeat the handy three-year-old two starts back Bourbon Goldman would quickly bounce back at his next start when going on to a produce a career peak performance when defeating Flash Gift.
Forced to travel three wide throughout he showed a great will to win when really digging deep over the concluding stages to hold off all late challengers.
More notably he was in fact headed inside the 200m before he fought back gamely to score by just under a length over the six furlong journey.
In what was his third win in nine career starts the son of the Gallant Guru has proven a revelation since being defeated 72.5L earlier in the year when his racing future appeared in grave doubt.
However trainer Mok persisted with the four-year-old and elected to send the horse to receive acupuncture, a proven masterstroke as Bourbon Goldman has since shown dramatic improvement.
Breaking through for his maiden win in May, Bourbon Goldman has gone on to improve 24 pounds following that victory and has continued to raise the bar each time he has set foot on the track.
It is this dramatic improvement which should see him prove successful in turning the tables on Board Walk with only one kilogram between them at the weights.
Proven to perform on both surfaces in Singapore, Bourbon Goldman's career peak Timeform figures have been achieved on the turf track and he is proven to race at his best over six furlongs having only missed the money once in seven attempts including three victories.
The barrier draw appears to play a crucial role in this affair as Bourbon Goldman has clearly fared the better of the two having drawn the rails where as Board Walk has drawn a shade awkwardly in barrier eight.
With both horses proven to race at their best when ridden forward it appears Jose Verenzuela has the edge aboard Bourbon Goldman as he should be able to bounce out and see what Barend Vorster elects to do aboard Board Walk.
If Vorster hunts him up on the outside Verenzuela should be able to push up and hold the rails and either make Board Walk use a lot of petrol to cross Bourbon Goldman or force him to take a sit two wide facing the breeze.
On Timeform weight adjusted ratings the two sit equal on their last start performances however if you take a line through Flash Gift, who Bourbon Goldman defeated two back, we have since seen the four-year-old would go on to improve a further six pounds at his following start when defeating Board Walk.
On that note given we have also seen Bourbon Goldman improve between four and seven pounds at his last three starts it is clear he is on an upward spiral is expected to show similar improvement on Friday night.
If successful in doing so then he should prove too good for Board Walk as the latter may have reached a plateau at his current mark.
While that could be the case it does appear a race in two on paper and you have to have plenty of respect for the handy three-year-old.
In 11 career starts Board Walk has only missed the money on three occasions including four victories all of which have come over 1200m.
Proven to race at his best when fresh there is some concern with him stepping out on a 12 day back up as his best form has been seen with between three and four weeks between runs.
However there can be excuses made that he was in need of the run last start when returning from a 51 day let up and should strip a lot fitter for this affair.
If able to hold his form it is clear that he is a real threat to Bourbon Goldman and if able to cross early it shapes up as a great battle in the straight.
The John O'Hara trained Bigdinero showed sharp improvement second up last start when finishing fourth behind Golden Sand Steed and if able to hold that form he is clearly the next in line.
Working home strongly from the back the son of Strada put the writing on the wall that he is due to break his long winning drought and will get a solid chance on Friday with no weight on his back.
While he still has a bit to find on the top two chances he is proven over this distance range and if the top two go too hard in front expect Bigdinero to be charging home late.
The Michael Freedman trained Savannah Dancer has proven a shade disappointing in recent outings but if able to return to her best form she is definitely capable of fighting out the finish.
The weight swing in her favour against Bourbon Goldman does see her well placed on best form and is another who is capable of working home strongly off a quick tempo.
