3 minute read
Star Singapore galloper Debt Collector faces his stiffest test, but with his home track advantage, he can come out on top in tonight’s Group 1 Kranji Mile.
Chasing his fifth straight win and sixth Group 1 success, Debt Collector won’t get it easy with Hong Kong duo Southern Legend and Singapore Sling very strong opponents.
Southern Legend won this race comfortably last year, while Singapore Sling boasts the best form of any runner, having finished second to Beauty Generation in the lead up.
When assessing Timeform ratings, both Southern Legend and Singapore Sling possess a peak rating of 117, while Debt Collector is rated 113.
He obviously has to improve to defeat the Hong Kong pair, however confident he is going better than ever and there is more to come.
While he never wins by a substantial margin, he only appears to do what he has to and his racing pattern rarely allows him to really gap them.
In the relatively small field (10 runners), he won’t be conceding them that big a start and if close enough, he should be able to work home into the finish.
At his best when kept fresh (48 days), the gap between runs should suit and he is sure to be charging late.
The Caspar Fownes trained Southern Legend failed to fire a shot in Dubai, but have to forgive a good horse one bad run.
His form prior to going to Meydan was very good, having finished third behind Beauty Generation two back, before a close second behind Exultant in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup [2000m].
If he was to run up to that level of form this evening, he is going to be very hard to beat.
The Tony Millard trained Singapore Sling comes into this off a new career peak and looms as a major threat.
A game effort in the Chairman’s Trophy two back, he went on to finish second behind Beauty Generation last start, when again tough on-speed.
If able to hold that form, he clearly holds strong claims, however he is 461 days (9 starts) between wins and has never beaten Southern Legend in four attempts.
Of the rest the Michael Clements trained Countofmontecristo appears the next in line.
A distinct model of consistency, Countofmontecristo has placed in 15 of his 21 starts and has trialled very well with the blinkers back on.
He lacks the class of the above three, however he is expected to put himself into the race from the outset and should be there for a long way.
Query whether he runs a strong mile at this level, however he still has to be included.
Good luck and happy punting.