3 minute read
While disappointing on paper the Stephen Gray trained St Alwyn appears well placed to finally break through at Kranji on Saturday.
Due to contest the sixth event, St Alwyn has been beaten as favourite his last three starts (3L, 5.9L and 12.4L).
Hardly a glowing recommendation, however he has had clear excuses at his last two starts and is sure to relish the drop back to Class 5 company.
In 12 starts he has placed in eight and the fact Duric sticks is as good a push as ever.
Gray has kept him fresh (41 days) and while drawn wide, he is versatile and trust Duric to weave a bit of magic.
Since arriving in Singapore he has never raced horses as slow as the ones he'll face on Saturday.
He is certainly more than capable and looks well suited at 1200m.
Always like to find horses that have performed at a better level and then find themselves against weaker opposition.
St Alwyn has already placed a number of times in Class 4 company, generally a great recipe for success when dropping back to a Class 5.
On average the difference in ratings, is usually around 10kg, yet St Alwyn only rises 7kg at the weights.
This gap is why these horses are so lethal when they drop back in grade, it also highlights why it is so difficult for Class 5 winners to then make the jump to Class 4.
He'll need a bit of luck, but he should be too good.
The Shane Baertschiger trained From The Navy hasn't been far off the mark in recent efforts and should be right at his top fourth up.
Drawn well, Maia links aboard and if able to hold his form, he shouldn't be far away.
The Mark Walker trained Lim's Rhythm disappointed last start, but is more than capable and has to be kept safe with the winkers going on for the first time.
Another drawn well, he should be fairly prominent from the outset and is expected to run well.
Of the rest the John O'Hara trained Awesome Conqueror appears the next in line.
Good luck and happy punting.
