3 minute read
Progressive gelding Lincoln Road can send punters home on the right note with a win in the final event at Kranji on Friday night.
The former New Zealander has really hit his straps since arriving in Singapore and is shooting for a hat trick of victories in race nine, a class four over 1200 metres.
A son of Redoute’s Choice, Lincoln Road raced three times in New Zealand where a third placing in a maiden was his best result but he has been a revelation at Kranji winning both his appearances to date.
He impressed in making his Singapore debut last month when winning a 1000 metre initiation by 2.3 lengths where he sat just behind the leading pair in the run before putting them away easily in the straight.
He returned on November 1 when leading throughout to win a class four over 1100 metres.
On that occasion he showed real fight to win after being pressured on the bend but dug deep to hold The Cosmos at bay with a gap to the rest in a race that should stand up as strong form.
Lincoln Road’s Timeform ratings are rapidly on the improve and with the horse still having improvement to come he looks destined to return figures beyond the scope of his rivals.
Importantly both of Lincoln Road’s two Kranji wins have been on the all weather track so he will be right at home on the surface.
John Powell reunites with the gelding tonight after guiding him in his first Kranji win and as one of only a handful of speed horses engaged he should have no trouble settling him in a position to strike.
If there is one niggling concern it could be whether Lincoln Road can stretch his brilliance to 1200 metres and continue his fresh form into his preparation so if his performance is to dip tonight there are a few rivals here who are knocking on the door of a victory.
Captain Blondie has the highest recent rating in the field and he looks primed to break through soon after three solid runs this campaign.
At his latest appearance he was slow out of the gates before pushing up on the fence then running into a traffic jam early in the straight.
Hooked to the outside to gain clear running he drove to the line late for second beaten a head.
Captain Blondie is yet to win in Singapore, with his lone career victory coming at Geelong, but he has been runner up at both appearance on the all weather track.
Another former Australian, White Hunter, is a likely improver on his Kranji debut when he was beaten for early pace but ran on late for third over 1000 metres.
He was beaten 4.3 lengths on that occasion but will be improved by the experience and will find the extra 200 metres tonight in his favour.
He was a Sandown winner over 1200 metres earlier this year and while he has drawn the outside gate it may allow him to come wide and sweep home late in the straight.
Stirling produced a welcome return to form last start when second in this class and distance and he may go on with it here.
He was always prominent in the run and fought on strongly in the straight, only weakening in the final stages.
Jockey Manoel Nunes knows Stirling well, having won on him twice from four rides, while the horse is at home on the all weather surface, having only missed a place once in five attempts.
