3 minute read
The Mark Walker trained My Lucky Strike was arguably the performance of the weekend after he dominated his rivals on Sunday evening.
Making his return from a short three month break, the son of Charge Forward brought up his fifth career win when upstaging the well supported Sebas.
Formerly based in Australia, the son of Charge Forward came over to Singapore with some handy form in the book and has only tasted defeat once since joining Walker's care.
On average My Lucky Strike has improved more than four pounds at each start in Singapore and is clearly heading in the right direction.
With regular rider Manoel Nunes suspended, apprentice rider Rizuan Shafiq took over the reins and settled My Lucky Strike just off the speed in fourth.Tracking favourite Sebas on straightening, My Lucky Strike quickly peeled off its heels levelling up inside the 300m.
Displaying a sharp turn of foot My Lucky Strike quickly drew clear, putting the race over in a few strides.Ridden out to the line My Lucky Strike saluted comfortably by four-and-a-half lengths with seven lengths back to fourth.
In what was clearly his most dominant display since arriving in Singapore, the three-year-old appears set for a bumper preparation.For the first time in his career My Lucky Strike broke 58 seconds for the 1000m and was only marked marginally outside standard.
Comparatively he was marked over 12 lengths faster than promising two-year-old Genius and averaged 11.15 second 200m sections for his last 800m.Using Timeform ratings My Lucky Strike improved five pounds on his previous best and creates plenty of interest moving forward.
My Lucky Strike tasted his first defeat two back when finishing fifth behind Peace No War over 1200m.Two conclusions may be drawn from this instance — either he didn't see out the trip or he was simply coming to the end of his preparation.
In regards to his racing weight My Lucky Strike was 9kg lighter on that occasion than what he returned on Sunday, which also helps to suggest that he was coming to the end of his tether.He remains one of Singapore's more promising sprinters moving forward and is a must for your blackbook.
Given his extensive winning margin, we do expect My Lucky Strike to improve again at his next outing and we suggest you stick with him.
Another galloper who impressed on Sunday was the Leslie Khoo trained Fastnet Dragon.
Lining up in the fifth event the son of Fastnet Rock was chasing his fourth straight win and duly saluted continuing his upward spiral.Unbeaten over 1400m, Fastnet Dragon always gave the impression he would improve over further and easily confirmed that notion on Sunday.
Lining up against a few handy types in the Class 3 event, Fastnet Dragon still proved too good and doesn't appear to have reached his respective mark at this point.Fastnet Dragon has proven a revelation since joining Khoo's stable with connections now eying off a tilt towards the Group 1 Singapore Derby.
Whether he can make that quantum leap to tackle the likes of War Affair and Quechua remains to be seen, as he will clearly have to make sharp improvement.All in all he is nice galloper moving forward, though a race like the Derby is obviously ambitious and may come all too soon for the lightly raced four-year-old.
Nonetheless if placed in more suitable company at his next outing he is expected to take another step forward and can acquit himself well.
On Friday night the John O'Hara trained Castor was back on track with a dominant victory in the sixth event.
Unplaced in both starts since joining O'Hara's care, a recent barrier trial suggested the Group 3 placegetter was back on track and he quickly cemented these claims.Travelling beautifully just off the speed in third, Castor loomed ominously on straightening and put the race to bed in a few strides.
Sprinting well clear over the concluding stages Castor went on to score by close to four lengths and recorded his best Timeform rating of 2015.On career best form he remains open to further improvement and now O'Hara looks to have him right he is definitely one to follow.
