3 minute read

The Mark Walker trained Single Act appears set to peak racing third up on Friday night and shapes as the hardest to beat in the fifth event at Singapore.

Formerly trained in New Zealand the son of Bachelor Duke has proven quite handy in his first two starts in Singapore and is likely to improve further stepping out onto the turf for the first time since joining Walker's stable.

Having only been narrowly defeated by Coronet Peak on debut, Single Act would go on to finish a credible third behind the impressive Italian Job in his latest effort.

In what proved a leader dominated affair, Coronet Peak remained the only horse to make up any ground on that occasion with the first three horses around the home turn filling out the rest of the top four placings.

Although finishing four lengths astern of Italian Job his performance had plenty of merit which was evident in the strong time figures recorded out of the event.

Overall it was easily the quickest time of the night as it was the only race recorded to be run quicker than standard.

Proven to race at his best when kept fresh in New Zealand, Mark Walker has since followed suit with Single Act giving his four-year-old almost seven weeks between runs.

Another key pointer which looks to boost his chances is the engagement of senior rider Corey Brown with Walker previously electing to engage apprentice rider Rizuan Shafiq at his past two starts.

While tried over further in New Zealand he is proven to race well over six furlongs having placed in three of his four attempts, including his maiden victory.

From the favourable draw expect Corey Brown to try and settle a bit closer to the speed then in his previous efforts as there doesn't look to be a great deal of speed engaged in the race, given the Mok trained Bourbon Goldman and the Michael Freedman trained Empire Bay appear the only likely leaders in the race.

Undefeated at his only prior attempt racing third up also pushes his claims as he still has plenty of improvement up his sleeve on his prior good form in New Zealand.

A Listed placegetter over the mile leaves him with close to 10 pounds of improvement up his sleeve on Timeform ratings and he is expected to take the next step on Friday night.

On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he sits clear and given he is expected to raise the bar again on Friday makes him clearly the horse to beat.

The ever consistent Bourbon Goldman wasn't disgraced behind Italian Job last start and while he does face a hefty weight carrying task he does appear the main danger to Single Act.

Having placed in seven of his 11 career starts to date he has really proven a model of consistency and is a noted performer on both the polytrack and turf surface.

The fact there doesn't appear to a be a lot of speed in the race does play well into his hands and while he will have to cross the field from the wide draw if able to get away with a few cheap sectionals out in front he should prove hard to run down.

All three of his career victories have come over this trip and if able to run up to his effort from two starts back behind Savannah Dancer then he does have the ratings to trouble Single Act.

David Flores links aboard for the first time and notably did win aboard his only other mount for the Mok stable.

The Shane Baertschiger has begun the New Year in good order striking at 24% and will be hoping the capable Solitaire can make his presence felt on Friday night.

While he only has the three career victories to his name he has placed on a further 12 occasions and clearly has the ability to trouble the leading bunch.

Although tried over 1700m prior to a spell he has placed in nine of 10 starts over six furlongs and is proven to fire fresh.

Also wouldn't read too much into his two trials leading up to this as he clearly wasn't knocked about and has never been one to set the track alight in his trials.

Another who is likely to roll forward from the wide draw expect Danny Beasley to position him just off the speed and be right there at the finish.

Of the rest the Michael Freedman trained Empire Bay appears the next in line as he hasn't been far off the mark of late.

The form behind Emperor Max and Bendicion reads well for this and if able to settle up on the speed he is expected to be right around the mark.

Good luck and happy punting.