3 minute read

The progressive Euro Zone appears well on track to make a winning return on Sunday when he resumes at Singapore in the eighth race of the day.

A victor of two of his six career starts to date the former New Zealand trained galloper really started to hit his straps prior to a spell culminating with an impressive victory at Kranji over 1400m.

Successful in recording his highest Timeform rating achieved in Singapore the son of Iffraaj appears to be well in line to live up his early form from New Zealand having finished a close second behind Group 3 victor Platinum Kingdom on debut.

Going on to finish third at his following start before being sold and making the switch to Singapore the now four-year-old took a while to come to hand for Laurie Laxon having failed dismally on debut back in August last year.

Bouncing back sharply to salute at his second start in Singapore it quickly became apparent that Euro Zone was better suited when racing on the turf track.

Given a short break following his latest victory he appears to be back better than ever following an ultra impressive trial win.

Settling second throughout he loomed up strongly to the leader early in the straight quickly sprinting clear of his rivals to notch up a four-and-a-half length victory in very quick time.

More notably he didn't appear to get out of second gear with Manoel Nunes not really urging Euro Zone to extend as he looked to do it all under his own steam.

While lining up against a number of promising types on Sunday he still appears very well placed as his latest victory sees him rated clear on Timeform weight adjusted ratings.

Running up to a figure of 78 sees Euro Zone rated three pounds clear of his nearest rival Prince Gonski but more notably he also holds a far stronger time figure to go along with that performance.

Given he still has close to 10 pounds up his sleeve on his prior New Zealand form it suggests that we haven't seen the very best of Euro Zone and can expect him to raise the bar on Sunday.

Although it was only a trial, if his effort is anything to go by then it appears Laurie Laxon has him wound right up for this affair on Sunday and if successful in running up to his best form then he simply should prove too good for his rivals.

The Brian Dean trained Prince Gonski has proven quite impressive in his maiden campaign in Singapore and does appear to be Euro Zone's biggest danger on Sunday.

Formerly trained in Australia the son of Gonski has been successful in recording two ratings just shy of his previous best which is a testament to Dean who has his four-year-old in great form.

His debut performance in Singapore proved quite handy when leading throughout and was successful in recording a very strong time figure.

While unable to notch up back to back victories last start, he was only collared late in the piece and was quick to prove his first up effort was no fluke.

Trialling nicely behind Strubeli in the lead up, he does appear to have come on further following his latest performance and given he isn't rated far off the mark he is definitely capable of pushing Euro Zone right to his limits.

The poor draw appears his only real setback given he will likely have to do some work to find the front from the wide draw where as Euro Zone will have no concerns from the gun draw.

If able to receive a few cheap sectionals out in front then he should prove hard to catch and is expected to be right in the finish.

The Stephen Gray Strubeli left punters with their hearts in their mouths last start when only scoring narrowly first up.

Having burst onto the scene with a six length romp at his second career start he appeared to be well on track to take the next step however he has failed to run up to that form in two runs since.

His latest trial victory was solid enough and with further improvement expected second up he is expected to be right around the mark.

The Mark Walker trained Irish Rebel has not been disgraced in recent performances of late and if able to hold his form then he shapes as a solid knock-out hope.

Although dropping back sharply in trip he has had six weeks between runs and has placed at his two prior attempts over six furlongs.

He has placed in six of his 10 outings on the turf track and does appear to be well placed after the claim.

If the race is proven to be run at a good solid tempo expect Irish Rebel to be working home strongly into the finish.

Good luck and happy punting.