3 minute read

The Michael Clements trained Captivate has returned in good order this time in and appears set to peak at Singapore on Friday night.

Having bumped into the very smart Emperor Max when resuming the son of Kingmaker would go on to finish a close third behind One Smart Cat at his latest appearance when he didn't have the best of luck.

Forced to check off heels passing the 800m, Captivate looked to lose all momentum and was forced to pick up and chase again.

Working into the clear in the straight he worked home nicely in a race which was dominated by the front-runners with the first two around the turn filling the top two placings.

Stepping out over six furlongs at both starts back this time in, he appears set to relish the step up to 1400m on Friday night while also set to appreciate the return to the turf track, in four attempts he has only missed the money once and is yet to miss the money racing third up.

One of the few lightly raced gallopers engaged in the affair appears to play firmly in his favour as it is likely that we haven't seen the best of him and if able to return a new career peak on Friday he appears very hard to beat.

On Timeform weight adjusted ratings he sits just shy of the David Hill trained Cordoba however with the fitness edge on his side he does appear the horse to beat.

Adding to that he was able to record a near career peak performance last start and hence is expected to springboard off that effort again on Friday and produce a new career best.

The in-form Manoel Nunes sticks aboard having yet to miss the money aboard Captivate in three attempts and is striking at a very impressive 26% for the Michael Clements's stable.

From the awkward draw he is expected to press forward on the flashy grey and settle just on the back of the speed with the Cliff Brown trained Gold Run and the Tan Hor Khoon trained Speed Demon expected to roll forward and take up the running.

The strong time figures out of Captivates latest performance also give a strong push for his claims as he does appear to be coming out of the strongest form race leading into this.

More notably the form behind Emperor Max has obviously stood right up and if able to replicate a performance anywhere near that level he is clearly the horse to beat.

The David Hill trained Cordoba creates plenty of interest in this affair as he aims to maintain his unbeaten record on Friday night.

Unbeaten in his two career starts to date the son of Exceed and Excel was quite the eye catcher at his latest victory when fighting on strongly right to the line to salute narrowly at this track and trip.

Off the back of that performance he does rate on top in this event however he is unlikely to produce that level of performance first up as he will benefit with the run under his belt.

Nonetheless he has trialled twice in the lead up, so he is expected to be forward enough for this and does appear well placed with the limit weight.

Alan Munro continues his association with the four-year-old having ridden him to both career victories to date and is striking at 19% with the Hill stable.

Likely to settle in a similar position to that of Captivate he is expected to be right there at the finish as he clearly has shown the ability to trouble the latter.

The Cliff Brown trained Gold Run chases his fourth straight win on Friday and has to be respected in this event.

Successful in leading all the way at this track and trip last start the son of Hussonet proved successful in recording a new career peak when proving too good for the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Gold Rutile.

In what has proven a masterful training performance of late, Gold Rutile has impressively improved close to 15 pounds at his last three starts.

Apprentice rider Jamie Kah will link aboard for the first time on Friday night and will look to control the race from the outset.

While he may lack the obvious upside of his two main rivals he is racing in career best form and if able to produce his best again on Friday night he should take plenty of catching.

The Stephen Gray trained Indicio has often proved hard to catch but he is a galloper who is capable on his day.

His effort when finishing a close second behind Emperor's Banquet two starts back sees him right in the mix in this affair and with everything run to suit he can break a lengthy winning drought in this affair.

Good luck and happy punting.