Kranji race on Sunday
Gary Crispe looks ahead to Sunday's card at Kranji.
Talented What Now will set out to redeem himself with punters when he lines up in the Admiralty Stakes over 1600m in the 3.50pm at Kranji this afternoon.
Sent out a firm $3.60 favourite last time out in the Better Than Ever Open Stakes over 1400m on turf, under Manoel Nunes he was visibly disappointing failing to get into the race at any stage dropping out meekly to finish 12th behind The Comedian.
Stewards were also unimpressed with the effort and ordered the gelding to trial before starting again.
Trainer Cliff Brown sent What Now through his paces in a recent trial and the gelding under regular rider Joao Moreira trialled like a winner over 1000m in the poly.
The engagement of Moreira for the gelding today is significant. Moreira has been atop in all six career victories and clearly has a strong affinity with What Now.
What Now will be having his fourth run back from a spell this afternoon and it is also comforting to know that he has never been beaten in that state from three runs.
Last campaign What Now made the step from restricted class to group 2 grade winning the Edward Barker Trophy over 1400m on the turf defeating Flying Fulton.
Although yet to win past 1400m I do not see that as an issue as he ticks a lot of boxes for this race, especially as he can travel handy which maybe an asset today considering the speed map for the race indicates a lack of tempo up front.
Timeform rated 104, What Now is the horse to beat on weight adjusted ratings if he runs to that form.
Leading trainer Michael Freedman is well represented in the race with Always Certain and last start winner The Comedian engaged.
The Comedian- Timeform rated 111- is not normally the easiest horse to follow however he had conditions to suit last time out coming from well back over 1400m in open class to score running away from Flax.
On that occasion he carried the limit weight but he does rise three and a half kilos today to 54.5kgs which will make his task more difficult.
That said he still holds a weight swing over others in the race that keeps him in the frame.
Today The Comedian will be third up from a spell and it is important to note that he is yet to win in that state from six attempts.
All the same his Timeform weight adjusted ratings keep him right in the frame and he still has some significant weight turnarounds on some runners in this field on past meetings.
For example he was runner up to Keep Away over 1600m here last September beaten just over a length but still meets that galloper seven kilos better for that encounter.
Always Certain deserves his top weight of 58kgs and it is a perfect winning weight for the gelding if he finds top form.
Always Certain comes into today's race fourth up from a spell and will be better suited by the step back up to 1600m from 1400m at his last start behind The Comedian when a late flashing unlucky third.
After winning impressively over Ghozi when resuming over 1400m in open class, Always Certain failed to reproduce that form second up at 1600m behind Black Ice turning in one of his worst career efforts.
Timeform rated 115 on best form, Always Certain looms as a serious winning hope if he can find that form.
While Always Certain rates as one of the better chances today, his record fourth run back from a spell is far from impressive - five runs for five unplaced efforts.
The early speed in the race looks to come from Keep Away who has been missing his form of late when coming off long breaks between races.
He does hold a win over The Comedian at 1600m here last year, but as we have already seen he meets that galloper seven kilos worse at the weights today.
Black Ice is another who tends to mix form and ratings but if we go back to his fourth last run over this course and distance, he rate as one of the better chances. The issue is whether he can find that form here.
Recommendation: Back What Now
Off Time: 08:50 BST
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий