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The Jason Lim-trained General Command had two wins from as many starts at Kranji, but he faces tougher opposition in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1200m on the turf on Saturday.
The four-year-old son of Shalaa will carry the equal topweight of 57kgs with Moongate Star and as his two wins in Singapore were on the Polytrack; his turf credentials at Kranji will also be tested.
However, General Command , who raced 10 times in Australia, won a 1200m race on the turf at Caulfield on April 10, 2021 and he last scored in a Class 4 race (1100m) by two-and-a-half-lengths while carrying 59kgs on February 12, hence the company, track and weight should not be an issue.
The Australian-bred gelding has trained on well and topped it off with a win in a barrier trial last Thursday. Jockey Manoel Nunes will retain the ride this time, and Lim – although surprised about the top impost - was confident of a very good showing.
"I was a bit shocked when I saw that we were at the top of the handicaps," said Lim.
"It's not often you step up in Class and carry the top weight, but it's a very compact field with only 74 points as the top rating.
"It looks like an even field and my horse has won on the turf in Australia and won well at his last start, so I think he should be very competitive.
"Manoel galloped him this morning and was happy with how he went and his trial last week with blinkers on (finished first in trial no. 2 on March 9 in the time of 1 min 1.01secs) was good.
"But there is plenty of speed in this race with Silent is Gold, War Pride and Ironchamp. We will leave the blinkers off on Saturday so he's not too keen and we'll keep them (blinkers) up our sleeve for when we need them."
It will depend on how the Lordship Stable-owned gelding goes in good company on Saturday, as Lim eyes the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) on June 11 for him.
"It will be a really good test on Saturday. If he goes well or wins, we will definitely look at a race like the Silver Bowl," he said.
"We can step him up in distance before that race and also try the blinkers; so he still has options going forward."
The Silver Bowl is the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge series, which is followed by the Group 2 Stewards' Cup (1600m) on July 2, and culminates with the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on July 23.
Lim – who enjoyed a stellar start to the 2023 season with seven wins to sit fifth on the trainers' premiership table - will also saddle Grand Supreme in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1000m on the Polytrack.
He reckoned the Divine Prophet three-year-old can show up at his Singapore debut.
"He (Grand Supreme) ran second at his only start in Australia (Doomben) to a good horse (Solid Shalaa) who is now in Hong Kong," explained the Singaporean conditioner.
"I liked what I saw and bought him at the Inglis Digital Sale and I'm hoping the form from that race at Doomben holds up.
"He wore blinkers when he won his trial by five lengths back in February (finished first in trial no. 2 on February 2 in the time of 59.94secs) and he will wear them on Saturday.
"(Jockey) Krisna (Thangamani) also rode him at his most recent trial (finished fourth behind Star Legend in trial no. 5 on March 23) and he (Krisna) will stay on for the race.
"Grand Supreme was very sharp with the headgear on and I think he can win on Saturday as the race suits him.
"If he does, we will certainly look at the (Group 3) (Singapore) 3YO Sprint (1200m) in a few weeks' time."
The Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint is the first Leg to the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge series and it will be held on April 8. The Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) follows on April 29, while the Group 2 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 20 will form the third and final Leg.
