Singapore Sunday Preview: Corey The Man

Corey Brown can win on Mr Mani at Kranji

Champion Australian rider Corey Brown made a successful start to his riding stint in Singapore last week, booting home a winner on Sunday's big Lion City Cup meeting...

Brown again has several good mounts at Kranji which is likely to generate great theatre for punters as he battles it out with local champs Joao Moreira and Manoel Nunes for his share of the winning spoils. Brown will team up with leading trainer Michael Freedman in the 3.15pm, a class 3 handicap over 1200m on the turf when he partners the consistent Mr Mani.

The son of Lonhro has raced just ten times for three wins and four placings and although all his wins has been on the poly, his only effort on turf yielded a close second to Feisty Leo in this class last October. Mr Mani runs off a Timeform rating of 74 and on weight-adjusted figures looks hard to go past today. Having his fourth run back from a spell, Mr Mani should now be close to peak fitness. Interestingly it was his fourth run back last campaign that saw him run second to Feisty Leo in this class.

Last time out Freedman elected to remove the blinkers from Mr Mani when tackling a Kranji Stakes C over 1200m on the poly. After an average start, Mr Mani soon mustered speed to be co-leader at the 800m and into the straight. He wilted over the final 50m to finish fifth but with the stronger Brown taking over today from apprentice Zuriman, Mr Mani can be expected to perform much better. Nicely drawn in two, Brown will have options. He should never be out of a winning position.

Top weight Sichuan Ruler looks the main danger although the lightly raced Philanthropist is the query runner. Sichuan Ruler has been a model of consistency in recent starts and was most impressive two runs back leading throughout in progress class over 1200m on the poly to hold out Super Kenny. Then last time out in this class tracked the speed before finishing third to Touch of Gold again on the poly.

Timeform rated 81, Sichuan Ruler returns to the turf today and that presents no issues as he has won three races on that surface and regular rider John Powell stays aboard. From the ace barrier, Sichuan Ruler should get the run of the race and take holding out.

Philanthropist from the Mok stable is the unknown factor in the race. The lightly raced three-year-old has raced just four times for two wins both on the poly but he has also shown ability to handle the turf, just going down on debut behind Super Ready over 1200m. A huge maiden win on the poly over 1200m followed before going for a spell. That win did catch the eye of a galloper above average. After covering plenty of additional ground, Philanthropist loomed up at the 200m to take control and win narrowly.

Philanthropist had just one run last campaign for another impressive win, this time in class 4 grade again on the poly over 1200m. After a slow start and getting well back, he was in traffic approaching the turn before getting into the clear up the middle of the track, looming large with 200m to travel. Philanthropist chased down the leaders like a good horse to again win in a close finish, displaying a rare brand of courage and a definite will to win.

Mok has given Philanthropist two trials to prepare him for this assignment and although he looks out of his class, don't be surprised if he is the horse getting home fast at the finish. Timeform rated 73, he comes into calculations on weight-adjusted ratings and looks one of the most interesting runners all afternoon.

Two value chances for the multiples are Tenuponten and Dynasty Knight. From the John O'Hara stable, Tenuponten resumes from a 114 day spell but the six-year-old has been well prepared with two trials leading into this race. The gelding's fresh up record is sound and it would not surprise to see him get into the frame.

Dynasty Knight's recent form does not look flattering on paper but his effort last time out in Kranji Stakes B class was good enough to consider him for the multiples. All the gelding's five career wins have been on the turf and with no weight on his back could easily be a trifecta play.

Enjoy Corey taking on the dynamic Brazilian duo.

Off Time: 08.15 BST
Recommendation: Back Mr Mani

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