3 minute read

Promising sprinter Ghost appears well placed to return to the winner's stall, following an impressive return behind Jimmy Rea last start.

Unseen since October last year, the son of Exceed and Excel proved game in defeat, when attempting to lead throughout.

Travelling strongly entering the straight, Ghost kicked clear inside the 300m, before swamped late by the talented Jimmy Rea.

The latter remains one of Singapore's leading three-year-olds and the form reads very well moving forward.

Despite a six-year-old, Ghost steps out for just his fourteenth start and just his eighth in Singapore.

Formerly trained in West Australia (Old name: Rebel Call), Ghost has obviously had his issues, however he now looks to be in great order for the Leslie Khoo stable.

Ghost is yet to finish outside the top two placings from his last four starts and wasn't marked far off his peak first up.

Last preparation Ghost continued to make impressive ratings spikes and looks to be heading in the right direction.

Prior to a break, he recorded time well ahead of the bare form and is expected to display good improvement racing back on the polytrack.

Leading rider Manoel Nunes links back aboard and although yet to win aboard the gelding, he has placed in two of three attempts.

Overall Nunes is striking at 24 per cent this season and more notably he is striking at 33 per cent with the Khoo stable.

The Shane Baertschiger trained Pioneer Seven and the Desmond Koh trained Secret Mission are likely to take up the running, with Ghost enjoying a good trail, just off the speed.

Over 1000m Nunes may not want to hand up and could press on and take up the running, as Ghost has the ability to lead the above pair.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Ghost rates clear of his rivals and a return to his best sees him set a very high standard.

Secret Mission shapes as the main danger, in what was surprisingly his maiden victory last start.

From 23 starts, the son of Easing Along has placed on seven occasions and is rarely far off the mark.

Stepping up sharply in grade is obviously a concern, however he gets in with only 50kg on his back and appears capable of crossing from the wide draw.

Although he may lack the class of Ghost, he measures right up using Timeform weight adjusted ratings and the penny looks to have finally dropped.

Pioneer Seven has struggled with consistency, however he is clearly capable and remains under strong notice.

Safely held behind Peace No War last start, the son of Flying Pegasus should appreciate the drop back in grade and gets in well after the claim.

He has placed in 10 of 17 starts on the polytrack and placed at his only prior attempt over 1000m.

Drawn just outside Ghost, he is likely to follow the latter across and should be right around the mark.

Of the rest the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Tou Shou Bright appears the next best, following an impressive victory last start.

Only lightly raced, the five-year-old has continued to make impressive ratings spikes and although thrown in the deep end on the bare form, he can take that next step.

From the gun draw, he is likely to settle midfield and if the speed is on up-front, he should prove hard to hold out late.

Good luck and happy punting.