3 minute read

A sharp step up in grade failed to halt the progress of Wonderful Prince.

The son of Elusive City made a winning return at Singapore on Friday night.

Wonderful Prince

Trained by Desmond Koh, Wonderful Prince picked up right where he left off, when saluting in the seventh event.

Formerly based in Australia under the care of Team Hawkes, Wonderful Prince made his first public appearance for Koh's stable in February.

Bursting onto the scene with a dominant four length victory, the now four-year-old went on to notch up a hat-trick of wins, before finishing second prior to a break.

Tried for the first time over a mile, Wonderful Prince proved game in defeat when finishing behind the Shane Baertschiger trained Blue Lion.

Wonderful Prince improved 11 pounds during his maiden preparation in Singapore and appears set to better that mark this time in.

Arguably at his best over 1400m, Wonderful Prince always travelled strongly over the 1200m journey on Friday night.

Within striking distance on straightening, he was hampered heavily when awkwardly placed on heels passing the 400m.

Forced to wait and come across heels, Wonderful Prince showed a great will to win — balancing up and hitting the line powerfully down the centre.

Recording a Timeform rating just shy of his career peak, the gelding is expected to springboard off that mark at his next outing.

Wonderful Prince improved four pounds between his first up and second up runs last campaign, and is tipped to follow a similar progression this time in.

A victor of four of his five career starts in Singapore, Wonderful Prince is definitely a galloper to follow in the future.

Northern Boss

Though little depth to the form, trainer Michael Clements does appear to have a very promising galloper — in Northern Boss.

Stepping out on debut in the second event, the son of Postponed was most impressive, leading throughout.

Revved up to the front from the wide draw, Northern Boss proved far too slick for his rivals over the 1200m journey.

Kicking on strongly in the straight to score by two-and-a-half lengths, the New Zealand - bred galloper's victory was backed up by the clock.

Only Huka Falls comparatively recorded a quicker time and hence his performance was very impressive.

Northern Boss returned time figures well ahead of the form and should only progress further with that race experience under his belt.

Trainer Michael Clements indicated that he would be better over further and judging by the strength of his maiden victory, he should spike in his ratings at his next start.

Spanish Bay

Michael Freedman looks to also have unearthed a promising type — in Spanish Bay, who saluted easily in his debut on Sunday.

Leading throughout in the fourth event, the son of Nadeem produced a devastating turn of foot when saluting by four lengths.

Though favoured by the slow tempo, Spanish Bay simply gave his rivals little opportunity to run him down.

His closing sectional was marked close to five lengths inside standard with the overall time well ahead of an average initiation victor.

Defeating the Shane Baertschiger trained Gadawon comfortably, there was a further three lengths back to third, and a further four lengths back to fifth.

This is a further push for the performance, given the margins of a slowly run affair are generally clumped.

Likely to be seen at his next start in Class 4 company, we expect Spanish Bay to have little trouble measuring up.

While somewhat guarded with debut victors, Spanish Bay has displayed the right indicators moving forward and should be followed closely.