3 minute read

Lightly-raced gelding Splinter can atone for a narrow defeat last start when he finds a suitable race at Kranji on Sunday evening.

The three-year-old lines up with encouraging ratings in race eight on the card, the class 4 over 1100m.

Runner-up at three of his five runs this campaign, Splinter’s latest effort was strong when he chased hard and got within a length for second to Terms Of Reference at this course, distance and class.

On that occasion he copped a bump at the start that saw him eased to settle midfield before improving to third on the turn.

Splinter wound up strongly and although he couldn’t catch the winner he kept to the line in a manner of a horse that has a win in store.

That was his first attempt on the all weather so the experience should have done him the world of good and it was also his first try at tonight’s distance.

He is clearly ahead of this field on last-start Timeform ratings and also holds the equal highest figure for the past 12 months.

Duric sticks with the three-year-old having placed at both rides on him and should be able to find a handy position in the run from gate six.

Super Hero comes through the same race last start where he was 2.3 lengths behind Splinter but it wouldn’t surprise to see a better performance.

He jumped awkwardly and was keen in the run so the effort to box on for fifth had some merit.

Super Hero had won well when resuming at his previous start over 1000m and he can be expected to be at his peak third up.

The all weather surface suits him having two wins and a placing from six attempts but he may just need a touch of luck early on from a potentially tricky gate.

Speedy Phoenix is the most lightly raced runner in the race but he has good upside, his three career runs including a strong maiden win on this surface two starts back before a brave third last time.

He has been kept up to the mark with a trial placing since and his last start Timeform rating suggests he is up to a race like this, particularly with expected improvement so early in his career.

He has drawn the outside stall but does possess gate speed so jockey Manoel Nunes should be able to slot him into a good position.

Bao Shan Magic could be the wildcard at his first Singapore run.

The four year-old has two wins and two placings from six starts in his native New Zealand and while he hasn’t raced since February he will be fitter for two Singapore trials - winning the latest – and his Timeform ratings stack up well in this field.

Good luck and good punting.