3 minute read
Emerging 3YO Bluestone stamped himself as a horse to follow when winning first up and appears well placed to go back to back at Kranji on Friday night.
Due to contest the seventh event, Bluestone steps up to Class 3 company, but gets his chance down in the weights and is trending the right way.
Successful in notching up his third win from five starts, his closing splits were very impressive and he looks to have plenty of promise.
Sent out the $1.40 favourite, Bluestone settled towards the rear with Rodd happy to settle in the three-wide line.
Peeled the widest runner on straightening, Bluestone set his sights on the leaders and once cut loose, he really launched, with his best work over the concluding stages.
The race shape clearly favoured those on-speed, so his win was far better than it first appears.
When adjusting for sectionals, it's easy to make a case he could have won by ~4-5L, had he run his race more efficiently.
This ability to finish fast over 1200m suggests he should have no concerns with the step up in trip and has drawn to get a lovely run for Alysha Collett.
With not a lot of obvious speed on paper, do expect Bluestone to settle a lot closer in the run.
He led throughout when winning on debut and sat second when winning at his second start.
Bluestone has won two of three attempts on the turf track and Collett is unbeaten when aboard the son of Hallowed Crown.
This is by far his biggest test, but do expect him to pass it with flying colours.
Stablemate Pax Animi has been very good in his first two starts in Singapore and should be right at his peak racing third up.
Unbeaten in his sole attempt over 1400m, he rates well when assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings and looms as a major threat.
The Michael Clements trained Quarter Back has been below his best in recent outings, but has to be kept safe dropping back to this grade.
He did catch the eye late over 1100m last start and if anywhere near his peak, he is sure to be very strong late.
Of the rest the Mark Walker trained Federation appears the next in line.
Not beaten far first up behind Siam Warrior, he has won 2/4 attempts second up and has drawn to get a lovely smother.
Powell legs back aboard (4:2-1) and he cannot be taken lightly.
Good luck and happy punting.