3 minute read

Exciting galloper Titanium appears on the verge of collecting his first stakes success, when contesting the Group 3 Three Rings Trophy at Singapore this evening.

Highlighted as a galloper to follow following his victory in November, the son of Tavistock picked up right where he left off, when proving too good — first up over 1200m.

Identified as a likely Derby contender for next season, Titanium was vulnerable over the shorter trip, however his class rose to the occasion, when storming home to score in the final few strides.

Although only a narrow winning margin, with a further six-and-a-half lengths back to third, it appears a solid piece of form moving forward.

Using Timeform ratings, Titanium improved marginally on his previous best, which is a good indicator for the future, as he remains on an upward spiral.

While facing easily his toughest test to date, Titanium is still well placed using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, with only 49kg on his back.

Leading rider Manoel Nunes sticks aboard and is currently striking at just shy of 20 per cent with the Freedman stable.

Drawn the extreme outside, Nunes is likely to settle Titanium towards the rear, as his best form has been achieved, when adopting this racing pattern.

His closing sectionals last start proved most impressive and with Hermano Menor ensuring the race is run at a solid tempo, Titanium should prove hard to hold out in the straight.

The Hideyuki Takaoka trained Believe Yourself looms as a major threat, following her impressive victory at this track last start.

Formerly trained by Gerald Ryan, Believe Yourself displayed above average ability in her four starts in Australia, with her fourth placing in the Golden Slipper a key highlight.

A victor of the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, the daughter of Sebring took full advantage of being ridden forward, when leading throughout to score by two lengths from the Shane Baertschiger trained Best Tothelign.

Eased down over the concluding stages, Believe Yourself saluted comfortably, with more to come on best form.

Improving 10 pounds on her Singapore debut, the three-year-old still has eight pounds up her sleeve on raw form (not factoring in WFA).

This alone puts her right into contention this evening, as while Titanium is progressive, Believe Yourself has already produced form good enough to deny the latter.

Her main query is whether she can run out a strong 1400m, as her only prior attempt in Australia saw her fail, albeit in the Group 1 Sires' Produce Stakes.

However Takaoka felt the step up in trip won't be a query and has resisted the urge to apply blinkers.

“I don’t think she needs blinkers, even over 1400m and 1600m, which, to me, are the trips she will be better over later,” said Takaoka.

No question she is one of the class gallopers in the field and commands respect.

The Michael Hill trained Hughsy also holds strong claims, following his dominant win at this track last start.

Displaying good improvement third up, the lightly raced son of Henny Hughes proved a level above, and can make his presence felt.

His main query is whether he is now looking for further, given his strength over a mile last start.

Nonetheless, he is clearly a galloper heading in the right direction and looms as a major threat, from the favourable inside draw.

Of the rest, last start winner Power Lion appears the next best.

Improving marginally on his previous career peak, Power Lion now appears poised to now take that next step.

A winner of five of his nine career starts, Power Lion has only missed the money once in his career and is expected to keep improving.

All bar one of his victories have come over seven furlongs and given the way he finished off his last start, he shapes as one of the main hopes.

The decision by Alan Munro to stick with Believe Yourself, does sway you away from Power Lion, however he still must be kept safe.

Good luck and happy punting.