3 minute read

Emerging sprinter My Lucky Strike passed his toughest test with flying colours on Friday night and was the clear stand-out performance in Singapore over the weekend.

Having demoralised his rivals first up, the three-year-old was then pitted against some of Singapore's leading sprinters, including the likes of both Huka Falls and Faaltless.

My Lucky Strike

Heavily supported in the lead up, My Lucky Strike jumped an astounding $1.20 favourite, but duly saluted when too strong on-speed in the seventh event.

Jumping away well from the outside stall, My Lucky Strike pressed forward to sit second, with noted speedster Southern Boss taking up the running.

Under a full-nelson upon entering the straight, My Lucky Strike loomed up strongly passing the 400m, before letting loose inside the 300m.

Quickly hitting the front, My Lucky Strike powered away displaying a very impressive turn of foot.

The consistent Cavallo worked home well to finish second, however he was clearly no match with My Lucky Strike drawing away to score by two-and-a-half lengths.

For just the second time in his career My Lucky Strike broke 58 seconds for the 1000m and was only marked marginally outside standard.

Improving 10 pounds on his previous best, My Lucky Strike has clearly taken that next step this time in and appears open to further improvement, given the decisive beaten margins.

On average My Lucky Strike has improved more than five pounds at each start in Singapore and remains one of the more promising three-year-olds in the country.

Only Affleck, Jimmy Rea and Kiwi Karma sit above the talented sprinter in the three-year-old pecking order.

Formerly based in Australia My Lucky Strike has only tasted defeat once since arriving in Singapore, which came three starts 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 10kg lighter on that occasion than what he was on Friday night, which also helps to suggest that he was coming to the end of his tether.

Using Timeform predictive ratings, My Lucky Strike is expected to improve between four and five pounds at his next outing and must remain in your blackbook.

Castor

Another impressive winner on Friday night was the John O'Hara trained Castor who proved too sharp in the eighth event.

Although unplaced in both starts since joining O'Hara's care, the son of Greenwood Lake now appears back on track, when notching up two impressive victories in a row.

As a two-year-old Castor boasted two Group placings behind Affleck and proceeded to showcase his class when making light work of his rivals over the 1000m journey.

Ridden by Nooresh Juglall, Castor travelled well just off the speed in the third before peeling out to make his run on straightening.

Lengthening beautifully Castor hit the front inside the 200m before powering away over the concluding stages.

Saluting by two-and-a-half lengths, Castor improved eight pounds on his last start win and recorded easily his best Timeform rating of 2015.

On career best form he still remains open to further improvement and now O'Hara looks to have him right, he is definitely one to follow.

Jay Eff Express

The final event on Friday night produced two gallopers worth following: Jay Eff Express and Home Run Hero.

Both formerly trained in Australia, the two gallopers appear to be acclimatising well to their new surroundings and on best form remain open to good improvement.

Jay Eff Express put the writing on the wall at his first start in Singapore when finishing second behind the promising Hermano Menor.

On the reasonably quick back up, Jay Eff Express proved too good when leading throughout for the Steven Burridge stable.

Favoured by the slow early tempo, the three-year-old was simply too sharp for his rivals and should keep improving when tried over further.

Formerly trained by Mick Price (Old Name: Seenaan), Jay Eff Express displayed good ability in his six career starts and now looks set to build on that record in Singapore.

Home Run Hero

Home Run Hero, now under the care of Mark Walker really caught the eye late in the piece, when working home strongly to finish second.

A key sectional star, he too remains open to good improvement on his previous best form in Australia and is unlikely to reach his peak until tried over a mile or beyond.

Although he possesses just the sole victory to his name, he is clearly capable and is one to stick with moving forward.