Singapore Preview: Poly record his Goal

Gary Crispe looks at the action in Singapore.

An outstanding but small field will contest the Open Happiness 2013 Stakes over 1100m this afternoon in Singapore, the first meeting for the new season...

Racing will be conducted on the poly surface something that will not worry the likely favourite Goal Keeper who will be out to maintain his unbeaten record on the all weather surface. Goal Keeper is unbeaten in six runs on the poly with his overall career record standing at eight wins from 13 race starts, making him one of Singapore's up and coming sprinters.

Timeform rated 103, Goal Keeper has won his last five racetrack appearances, the most recent in late October over 1200m on the turf where he easily disposed of a quality Kranji Stakes A field defeating above average restricted class sprinter Texan Takeover, another galloper who will be a force this season.

Goal Keeper steps up sharply in grade this afternoon, but trainer Theodore Kieser has shown great faith allocating the ride to claiming apprentice Troy See who will take three kilos off his back thereby ensuring a luxury weight of just 50.5kgs for the consistent sprinter.

Despite not having raced for 67 days, Goal Keeper should have no worries fitness wise, Kieser electing to trial the gelding early in December in preparation for this assignment. Perfectly drawn in two, See should have no trouble leading on this free flowing sprinter and it will take a superior effort from his rivals to get past him in the straight.

The accomplished sprinters Yin Xin, Valevole and Rapido Star loom as the main dangers in a competitive line up, the latter two not that well weighted this afternoon. The talented Yin Xin Timeform rated 104 brings some excellent form lines to the race, the gelding boasting a win over super sprinter, the consistent Mr Big at this course and distance back in August.

Last start Yin Xin was run down late with 59.5 kilos on his back in Kranji Stakes A class over 1000m on the poly so he will appreciate the weight relief dropping to 55 kilos this afternoon. Like Goal Keeper, Yin Xin is a poly specialist registering all seven career wins on the surface and if he reproduces the Mr Big form lines and ratings he looks a strong winning chance against his emerging rival.

The Pat Shaw-trained Valevole has gone to a new Timeform rating peak in two runs this campaign, his figure now standing at 87p but faces a big class rise on his last start hollow victory over 1100m on the poly in benchmark 97 grade at the end of November. On that occasion he sat off the speed over the 1100m journey but quickly dashed clear on straightening to win easily from Foxtrot Hotel.

This afternoon he is weighted "out of the handicap" on 50 kgs so he will need to continue his improvement to be a strong winning hope. He is also drawn a little wide today but has the speed to handy, although the map says he could easily to get trapped wide. In this class he cannot afford to do that so his chances hinge on Greg Cheyne giving him the perfect ride.

Last start winner Rapido Star is another galloper "out of the handicap" weighted on 50kgs however there are signs this fellow is regaining his form and ratings profile that saw him runner up to champion sprinter Rocket Man in Kranji Stakes A class in March.

Timeform rated 92 on the back of his impressive victory over Mr Big last start at 1000m on the poly, Rapido Star will need to continue that form into this afternoon's race. One advantage he does have is his quick turn of foot, something he showed last and just might become a vital factor if the leaders go too hard up front early.

Top weight Ghozi is likely to be good odds this afternoon but should not be overlooked. Timeform rated 107, the onetime quality galloper has been a bit down on form in recent runs having just three starts in the last twelve months after a 329 day layoff due to injury, the last over 1400m on the turf in late November when third to El Milagro.

Ghozi is likely to find the 1100m a shade short but he will have no trouble handling the poly surface where he has registered two wins from four starts. Enjoy a very interesting race and one that is likely to be a significant form reference in the weeks ahead.

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