3 minute read

Promising three-year-old Nova Strike gets his chance to confirm his impressive maiden win, when due to contest the third event at Singapore this evening.

Having finished a close second on debut behind the promising Magnum, the son of Red Giant displayed good improvement at his next start when dominant on-speed.

While the bare margin was only half a length, there was close to 7L back to third and the clock also backed up the strength of the performance.

Overall Nova Strike was marked close to 1.5L faster than Vanderbilt and notably was marked 4L slower for the first 400m, emphasising his very sharp turn of foot — his last 600m was run close to 3L inside standard.

This season My Lucky Strike has been close to if not the fastest horse over the 1000m on the polytrack, his quickest recorded: 57.93 seconds.

Comparatively Nova Strike was marked just over 3.5L slower than his very talented rival.

While raw times are virtually useless when not taking weight, class or ability into account, it can still provide a rough guide as to a horses' potential.

When using sectional mark ups, Nova Strike's performance saw him record time figures 14 pounds above the bare form painting a very bright picture moving forward.

Lining up against the older horses is never an easy task, however he appears very well placed with the added bonus of Rizuan Shafiq's claim.

From the middle draw Nova Strike is expected to press forward and settle up on the speed with Fine Choice and Devi's Pass not too far away.

When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Nova Strike possesses a clear edge on his rivals and looks to receive all the favours.

He was marked up as a very promising type following his last start win and he now gets his chance to confirm that notion.

If able to follow his predicted ratings profile, he sets a decent standard and should prove very hard to beat.

The Laurie Laxon trained Lake Huka only won narrowly last start, but was entitled to win by further and did justify his short quote.

Lining up for just his third start, the son of Guillotine followed up on his solid debut performance and remains open to further improvement moving forward.

While he may now be looking for further than 1100m, not one to question Laurie Laxon.

From the inside draw he is expected to settle a bit closer to the speed this time around and will no doubt make his presence felt with the in-form Corey Brown aboard.

The Mark Walker trained Fine Choice won impressively at this course and distance last start and shapes as one of the main contenders.

Having displayed sharp improvement this time in, the son of Coats Choice now looks to be heading in the right direction.

He notably defeated Lake Huka last start and while he meets the latter worse off at the weights, he is progressive and can take that next step.

Whether he possesses as much scope as fellow three-year-old Nova Strike remains to be seen, however he is a noted flier on the polytrack and must be respected.

Of the rest the Laurie Laxon trained Devil's Pass has to be kept safe in his Singapore debut.

A solid debut winner in New Zealand, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar wasn't far off in a recent barrier trial and clearly has to be kept safe.

Best figures stack up and with Michael Rodd aboard he is likely to be right around the mark.

Good luck and happy punting.