3 minute read
The Michael Clements trained Top Knight has had his colours lowered at both starts this preparation, but is tracking beautifully for the 4YO series.
An eye catcher first up behind Altair, Top Knight was left with it all to do on Sunday, when savaging the line late behind Aramaayo.
Jumping away fairly from the inside draw, Top Knight settled in the back half of the field, before shuffled back to the rear (in a line of three) approaching the 600m.
In a bumping duel with Sacred Croix passing the 400m, Top Knight forced his way into the clear and set out after the leaders, though he spotted them a considerable start.
Eventual winner Aramaayo enjoyed a dream run and took over inside the 200m, with Top Knight still two lengths off them.
Really picking up late, Top Knight put in a real dive at the line, only to miss narrowly, with Aramaayo just holding on.
In front before and after the post, Top Knight's performance was very good and saw him return a Timeform rating of 100, just a pound shy of what he produced in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas [1600m].
Conceding 6.5kg to Aramaayo, Top Knight is right on track for the 4YO series, where he will be much better suited under the set-weights conditions.
The first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old is the Group 3 Silver Bowl (1400m) – which was only introduced last year – on February 29, followed by the Group 2 Stewards' Cup on March 20 and the grand final, the Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m) on April 18.
A winner of seven of his 12 starts, Top Knight has only missed the money once, which came on debut when finishing fourth over 1200m.
Since then, he has been a model of consistency and looks to have the 4YO series at his mercy with stablemate Bold Thruster unlikely to head that way.
The latter currently heads the 4YOs leaderboard, though he is expected to be kept to the sprint trips.
Top Knight's closing sectionals in the Guineas gave every indication that he will have no trouble with the step up to 1800m and very interested to see what level he can reach this time in.
The Shane Baertschiger trained Aramaayo has a bit to find on his form in Singapore, but is certainly capable based on his form in Australia.
Formerly trained by James Cummings, Aramaayo [Old Name: Aramayo] displayed good talent in 14 starts, despite only notching up the two career wins.
He is Group 1 placed and rated 115 by Timeform on career best form.
While only able to run up to that level once, he has proven time and time again that he is a 100+ horse.
In his two starts last preparation he returned Timeform ratings of 88 and 87, so the fact he returned a Timeform rating of 91 on Sunday suggests he is trending the right way.
Suspect it won't be the last time both he and Top Knight fight out a finish.
