3 minute read
Trainer Michael Clements landed the trifecta in the Group 3 Silver Bowl on Saturday night, headed by star sprinter Bold Thruster.
Stablemate Top Knight had been installed the early favourite, but a late push saw Bold Thruster start the market elect ($2.40 Vs $2.80) in the first leg of the Singapore 4YO Challenge.
Drawn one of the outside stalls, jockey Louis Beuzelin was quick to press forward and find the front, though he did have to do some work, clocking 23.80 seconds for the first 400m.
The Leticia Dragon trained Surpass Natural kept him honest, though Bold Thruster is certainly at his best when allowed to let rip in front.
Holding a three length break passing the 600m, Bold Thruster travelled well with Duric starting to get mobile aboard Top Knight.
Cut loose inside approaching the 300m, Bold Thruster still held a decent margin, with stablemate Top Knight was starting to surge down the centre.
Although starting to tire, Bold Thruster held on with Top Knight just peaking on his run late.
A stirring race, though if you were on Bold Thruster you were never really worried.
Saluting by half a length, Bold Thruster returned a Timeform rating of 107, an equal peak performance.
His fifth Group 3 success, he is a star and is one of the highest rated winners of the Silver Bowl [1400m].
Only superstar War Affair is rated higher when running a figure of 110+ when taking out the event in 2015.
Notable past winners of the event include Gingerbread Man, Emperor Max and Elite Invincible.
The Group 1 Lion City Cup [1200m] remains Bold Thruster's main target and a figure of 107 has him right in the ballpark.
The Shane Baertschiger trained Aramco ran a figure of 109 when taking out the feature last year.
Given Bold Thruster won't press on to the next two legs of the 4YO Challenge, Top Knight now appears poised to return to the winner's stall.
Admittedly he had his chance on Saturday given the way the race was run, however he gives every indication he will relish the step up in trip.
Now rated 105 by Timeform he remains on an upward spiral and sets a decent standard to run at moving forward — stick with him.