3 minute read
Rafaello has produced a strong effort to take out the Kranji Stakes A over 1100m on the Polytrack last Sunday.
Runner up to Skywalk in the KRA Trophy the start prior, Rafaello made full use of the weight swing and found himself in a decent spot up on the speed from barrier 9.
Taking a little bit of time to wind up, Rafaello was able to make good ground over the final 200m, running out a one length winner over the resuming Distinctive Darci with Special King and Skywalk not too far away.
The Ricardo Le Grange-trained runner, who has now won nine of his 33 starts, ran to a new career peak Timeform rating of 101, his highest since running second to Mr Luck in a Kranji Stakes A in June.
The resuming Distinctive Darci was good in second, running to a Timeform figure of 104 with the 59.5kg and he certainly appears to have a good preparation ahead.
Both Special King and Rafaello came into the race off good form and neither would have lost any admirers in what was a fairly close finish between the top four runners.
Earlier in the program Siam Blue Vanda made a very good start to his career, winning the Restricted Maiden (1100m) by just under five lengths.
Settling off the leaders with Glen Boss on board, the Michael Clements-trained runner took the lead at the 200m before kicking well clear to blow his rivals away.
The three-year-old Echoes Of Heaven gelding ran to a Timeform figure of 74 which is handy for a debut winner and he has certainly shown enough in this outing to keep an eye on going forward.
On Friday night, Silkino was able to make it two wins on the bounce when taking out the Kranji Stakes C over 1000m on the polytrack.
Settling in third for much of the race, Silkino was able to get the better of his rivals to secure a half length win over Sir Isaac who ran on from back in the field with Elite Power over two lengths further back in third after leading.
Silkino ran to a new career peak Timeform figure of 83, well above the 74 he ran to when winning a Class 4 over 1100m the start prior.
The David Hill-trained runner is certainly racing in career best of form of late and is making his way through the grades nicely with the second placegetter Sir Isaac indicating he is back in good order this campaign.