3 minute read

Talented sprinter Magneto appears primed to perform well first up when set to contest the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy this evening.

Trained by Patrick Shaw the son of Footstepsinthesand makes his return following his third placing behind star galloper War Affair in the Group 1 Patron's Bowl.

Twice Group 1 placed, Magneto has displayed plenty of ability since transferred from Argentina to Shaw's care.

A winner of three of his 11 starts, he notably has placed in seven of nine attempts on the turf track and has never missed the money fresh.

One his biggest scalps to date remains the defeat of War Affair in the 2014 Group 3 Committee's Prize.

With the supremely talented Spalato compressing the weights scale, Magneto appears to fair the best — his peak form leaves him very well placed.

Magneto started the $1.80 favourite in this very race last year and looked home passing the 200m only to tire late and finish second.

On that occasion the Stephen Gray trained Born To Fly proved too strong swamping the latter in the final 100m.

Beaten only a length, Magneto was rated marginally below his best and now carries 5kg lighter this time around.

Last year he conceded 2.5kg to Born To Fly whereas this year he only concedes 0.5kg.

Spalato, Magneto and Born To Fly are the only gallopers within the handicap, hence it is likely to favour those towards the top end.

Drawn favourably on the inside Magneto is expected to adopt a forward position with Spalato, Spanish Bay, Raise No Doubt, Goodman and Bale Star also likely to press forward.

His two trials leading into this campaign have both been solid enough and if able to run up to his best he looks to set a decent standard.

When using Timeform weight adjusted ratings he possesses a distinct edge based on his best form and should prove hard to beat.

Superstar galloper Spalato failed to live up to expectations in the Group 1 Kranji Mile last start, facing his first domestic defeat.

Sent out the raging $1.40 favourite the son of Elusive City was expected to win the feature event in a cakewalk, however it was the Laurie Laxon trained Stepitup who clearly shone.

Although possessing a distinct class edge, favourite backers looked to have been dealt their fate early with Spalato unable to find the front.

While appearing to travel well, when asked for his full effort Spalato failed to display his trademark acceleration when only hitting the front briefly, before fading out of contention.

Unseen since that disappointment he creates plenty of intrigue, as it is hard to know which Spalato will line up.

If Spalato was to return to his best form then he no doubt presents a strong winning chance, however a repeat of his last start effort will obviously see him fall well short.

By all reports he pulled up well from the Group 1 Kranji Mile and trainer John O'Hara had no excuses, except that he cast his off-fore plate.

Unbeaten in both prior attempts over this trip, he is clearly the class galloper in this field and while conceding upwards of 8kg to a majority of his rivals, he still cannot be taken lightly.

Emerging sprinter Jimmy Rea was back to his best last start when a dominant winner of the Landex Cup.

Quite clearly one of the "boom" horses in Singapore, Jimmy Rea's racing pattern has continually worked against him and has often seen his form misinterpreted.

Beaten as the odds-on favourite at his three starts prior, the son of Thewayyouare rewarded his faithful supporters when too strong under new rider Alan Munro.

Ridden further forward his effort saw him return a new career peak surpassing his effort in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas.

In what is his sternest test to date, his last start effort sees him right in the mix using Timeform weight adjusted ratings and he obviously commands respect from the good draw.

Highly touted early doors Jimmy Rea gets his chance to reaffirm these beliefs.

Of the rest the Michael Freedman trained Spanish Bay appears the next best following his close fourth placing in Group 3 company last start.

A winner of five of his 12 career starts, he has gone to a new level this time in and from the favourable draw he has to be included.

Good luck and happy punting.