Singapore Sunday Preview: Another coup for Joe

Gary Crispe turns his attention to Singapore on Sunday

Champion Singapore rider Joao Moreira, already sitting atop the premiership on 14 wins, has a strong book of rides at Kranji, one of his better mounts being the Mark Walker-trained Coup Da Vinci who tackles the Class 4 handicap over 1100m on the poly at 3.25pm...

The lightly raced Canny Lad gelding looks very well placed on Timeform-weight-adjusted ratings and after two runs back from a spell should be ready to produce a peak rating performance. Coup Da Vinci will be racing third up today, a state he has performed well in previously, and the fact he is already a winner on the poly is a distinct advantage.

The four-year-old resumed over 1000m on the poly in this class early in December and caught the eye with a strong effort. After missing the start and getting back early he finished the race off resolutely in the last 100m. Then last time out contesting this class after a 33 day break over 1100m on the poly, he was handy most of the race but forced to cover ground early on. Getting in closer on the home turn, Coup Da Vinci ran on well to be beaten under two lengths by Caiyaya who he meets again today but three kilos better at the weights.

Last start saw a slight drop in rating performance, however I am expecting him to bounce back to top form today. Moreira and Walker have a high strike rate together striking at 26% from 65 match ups. From barrier eight, Moreira should be able to position him just off the speed- and on paper there looks to be plenty of that- and then produce him in the straight.

A horse who is peaking at the right time is BM Win. Timeform rated 80, he is also having his third run back from a spell. The Choon Bok Chua-trained gelding has been improved by two runs since a spell, the most recent in mid December over 1000m on the poly. On that occasion he was slowly into stride but travelled worse than mid field throughout, making up good ground in the closing stages.

All of BM Win's 14 race starts have been on the poly where he has won two races, the most recent last June over 1000m. The extra 100m in distance over his recent runs is likely to suit better and usual rider Davy Bonilla should be able ride him closer from his good barrier. He rates as one of the better chances.

The ultra-consistent Indulge has been runner up on each of his last three starts, all on the poly and all in this class 4 company. Two back he disputed the lead early over 1100m before running just over a length behind Give Way. Then last start just ran out of ground late failing to reel in Angry Cat who had led throughout. Once again Indulge has drawn low in two, which should be an asset if the speed battle eventuates up front as expected.

One runner who will be right in the speed up front is the lightly-raced Angry Cat, a last start winner in this class over this distance. That victory was his second from only six race starts all on the poly. While he meets Indulge a kilo and a half worse for beating that galloper a head, he does give every indication that he could still have more to give. In all six race starts to date Angry Cat has improved his Timeform rating on every occasion and currently sits with a 71p rating.

The issue for Angry Cat today is his high draw on the outside of the field. There looks to be plenty of speed drawn inside him and there remains a query over him being able to produce his best if he cannot lead. That will require a super ride from former champion Macau-based rider Manoel Nunes who has taken Singapore by storm since gaining a licence this season.

The query runner is another speedster Taichi Master who is resuming after nearly twelve months off the racing scene. The son of Testa Rossa has raced just three times for two wins and a second placing on debut back in December 2011. The debut effort was his only start on the poly chasing Terminator home, that horse subsequently progressing to an accomplished class 3 horse so that form line now looks very solid.

Taichi Master has not raced since winning effortlessly on the turf in class 4 company back in January last year running to a Timeform rating of 75 but has trialled just once coming into today's race. Fitness rather than ability is the query for Taichi Master and it will be worth checking out his condition in the parade ring before committing.

From many aspects an intriguing class 4 awaits decision. Sit back and enjoy the race.

Recommendation:

Back Coup Da Vinci in the 15:25 (local time) at Kranji on Sunday

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