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With three meetings left in the 2020 season, table-topper Michael Clements is looking to Saturday’s duo of Iron Ruler and Pattaya for that extra cushion, even if to most observers, the title fight is all done and dusted.

It reached a stalemate last Saturday when both Clements and reigning champion Mark Walker returned empty-handed. It will now take a miracle for the 11-win margin (Clements on 55 and Walker on 44) to be overturned.

A hat-trick of wins (Tigarous, Marikh and Tiger Roar) earned two weeks ago was probably the clincher for Clements, but Singapore's longest-serving expat trainer would not say no to a bit more buffer for that greater peace of mind.

Among his eight runners (after Masked Magnate was scratched by the Stewards) this week, Iron Ruler and Pattaya, both raced by the Falcon Racing No 7 Stable, look the goods in their respective races.

"I think they will both be competitive," said the Zimbabwean-born handler who moved to Singapore in 1998.

Iron Ruler  stays in Class 4 company but rises in distance to 1700m on the Polytrack of the $50,000 event. The four-year-old son of Dissident scored his last win on October 3 on the same surface but over the mile after being ridden close to the speed by jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin.

With the Frenchman suspended for careless riding, it's champion jockey Vlad Duric, himself caught in a tussle with Brazil's Ruan Maia at the top of the jockey's premiership, who takes over.

Clements is not too worried by neither the step-up in distance nor the outside barrier.

"His form on the Polytrack is good," said Clements, who is also saddling Voluminous and EA2 McGregor in the same race.

"Barrier 13 may not be ideal, but with the extra 100m, he could have more time to get across and run handy just like the last time he won (broke from barrier 12).

"Even if he is up in weights (57kgs versus 53kgs last start), given the style he won his last race, he should be able to carry that.

"He galloped early in the week, he is happy and eating well. He has maintained his condition and I'm very pleased with that."

Stablemate Pattaya should feel at home over the 1200m on turf of the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1, having recorded his two wins over that course and distance.

A spot of rain would not harm his chances either. He boasts one win and a second (last start) on a yielding track.

"He showed improved form on rain-affected tracks," said Clements.

"We think he prefers the wet and that's why there was a turnaround in his form. We sure will be hoping for rain on Saturday.

"On breeding, his stallion (Sacred Falls) loved the wet track. Pattaya has been competitive at the handicaps at his past few runs, and has also maintained his form."

Pattaya will carry 56kgs, and will also have Duric in the plate.

The Australian jockey's lead on Maia is not as wide (63 winners against 56), but if those two Falcons deliver, the pressure might just ease a little.