3 minute read
A few talented 3YOs stepped out at Kranji on Sunday with the Leticia Dragon trained Strong N Powerful one of the stand-out performances.
Stepping up to Class 3 company, Strong N Powerful faced his stiffest test, but passed it with flying colours.
Lining up in the sixth event, Strong N Powerful has now won four of his last five starts, three of which with Juan Paul van der Merwe aboard.
A sectional star behind Yaya Papaya two back, Strong N Powerful was forced to do it the hard way on Sunday, when caught wide throughout.
After beginning well on the outside, Strong N Powerful was unable to slot in, with van der Merwe forced to go back and settle midfield, never better than three-deep.
With a back to follow coming into the straight, Strong N Powerful was under a hard ride, but started to pick up approaching the 500m.
Continuing his wide run, Strong N Powerful fanned to the centre and while wanting to lay in, he began to let down well.
Looming up strongly inside the 200m, Strong N Powerful hit the front inside the 100m and kept on to score by half a length.
The James Peters trained Destroyer Eclipse fought hard, but was no match late.
Very well treated at the weights, Strong N Powerful returned a Timeform rating of 83p, just shy of his career peak of 86.
While at first glance that may be underselling his performance on Sunday, it comes with a 'p' attached, indicating he has more improvement to come.
Following a revamp to the racing calendar, the Singapore 3YO Challenge will be held at a later timeslot ( June to July) with the first Leg, the Group 3 Singapore 3YO Sprint (1200m) held on June 13th and the last Leg, the Group 1 Singapore Guineas [1600m] held on July 26th.
The Group 1 Singapore Guineas appears the likely target for Strong N Powerful, with the Cliff Brown trained Inferno clearly the horse to beat.
He will no doubt have to keep improving, but he can't do much more than he has in recent outings — he is one to follow.
The Ricardo Le Grange trained Rocket Star has been beaten at his last two starts, but is airborne and is a must follow.
A sectional star two back behind Yaya Papaya, he again smashed the clock, despite unable to run down the Michael Clements trained Implement.
In what can only be described as a pedestrian tempo early, Rocket Star's effort was top class.
Rated 88 by Timeform, when adjusting for sectionals it suggests he the talent to reach the mid-90s, he just needs a race with a genuine tempo.
Hard to suggest we will get much of a price about him, but if Le Grange was to step him up to a Class 3, similar to Strong N Powerful, he would take plenty of beating (hopefully at a price).
We eagerly await to see where he heads next.