3 minute read

Best Tothelign can gain revenge for a narrow last start defeat when he tackles a smart field of sprinters at Kranji this evening.

Best Tothelign was beaten for the first time in his last four outings when nabbed late by Good News last start but with the five-year-old now at peak fitness third up he should take beating in the ninth event over 1400 metres.

Best Tothelign has really become a model of consistency as he has matured and after finishing his last campaign with back-to-back victories at 1600m and 1700m has shown a sharpness of foot so far this campaign.

First up his class shone through when coming from midfield for a dominant win over 1400m then was at the same trip last time when he looked set for victory until grabbed in the shadows of the past.

He will be hard fit now, has two wins and a third form his previous three third-up runs and with four weeks between runs will be fresh enough to still be suited at this trip.

Matthew Kellady stays aboard Best Tothelign after suffering his first defeat aboard the gelding last time, having been aboard in his two previous victories.

Best Tothelign can successfully mix turf and all weather racing and as a Group 3 winner does possess a touch of class.

Good News spoiled the Best Tothelign party last start and must be a big hope of repeating the dose this evening.

He produced an impressive Timeform rating when winning that race but it must be noted he was second up there and is unbeaten that way, while his third up form isn’t nearly as impressive.

That was also the first time he has been able to win at 1400m and his maiden victory on the turf but now that he has proven it can be done he may be able to give this race a shake again.

Daniel has the highest season Timeform figures in this event and he could be one that is ready to improve plenty third up.

He has been getting back a long way so far this campaign but making late ground so the step up to 1400m looks to suit him.

His record at the trip is strong winning three of his seven attempts and Corey Brown sticks with him.

Daniel is a Group 3 winner and has placed up to Group 1 level to show his class so if he can produce that sort of form is certainly capable of blowing them away.

Slew Of Lode dead-heated with Best Tothelign last start so it’s certainly feasible to think he can be right in the finish.

That effort was a big improvement on what he had been producing, including a last place beaten 25 lengths when resuming but all was clearly not right there and with a freshen up and a couple of subsequent trials, his last start showed he may have turned the corner.

He has landed better races than this, winning twice and placing three times at Group 3 level and he should be able to lob into the box seat from gate one.

Spanish Bay looks the leader here and could be hard to catch if they let him get away with some cheap early sectionals.

He has a duck egg next to his name but that came in the Group 2 Stewards Cup so will find this evening’s company more to his liking.

He was runner up at his three previous outings, including when 1.3L behind Best Tothelign, so a repeat of that effort would see him in the finish.

Good luck and good punting.