3 minute read
Astute trainer Mark Walker has had a lot of success with imports and four-year-old Altair is another who appears well placed to continue that trend on Friday night.
Due to contest the final event, Altair was formerly based in Australia under the care of Chris Waller and won one race from 11 attempts, including five minor placings.
A model of consistency, Altair rarely missed the money and left Australian shores rated 90 by Timeform.
Lining up in a Class 4 event in his Singapore debut, Altair appeared very well placed and had trialled nicely in the lead up.
Suspect he was far from his peak first up, but was still able to overcome a wide run throughout and certainly showed his class.
Ridden by Benny Woodworth, Altair began well on the outside and held his position on-speed despite caught wide throughout.
In a line of three facing the breeze approaching the 600m, Altair continued his wide run into the straight, before taking over inside the 300m.
While taking a while to beat off his rivals, he asserted his authority late, drawing clear to score by 2.8L.
Returning a Timeform rating of 69, he remains open to sharp improvement and suspect he was entitled to win by further given his wide run throughout.
Rising seven points off the back of that win, the handicapper hasn't missed him, however 67 is still a very winnable mark for the son of Zoustar.
When formerly trained by Waller, Altair ran his peak ratings beyond 1200m and notably broke his maiden at 1550m, hence the step up to 1200m is another tick.
Woodworth sticks and he should prove very hard to beat from the middle draw.
The Shane Baertschiger trained Galaxy Star creates plenty of interest in his Singapore debut and shapes as the main danger.
Formerly trained by Team Snowden [Old Name: Sir Owen], he displayed fair ability in seven starts and is more than capable in this grade.
The Lee Freedman trained Mr Coppola is back in good order and should be right at his peak racing third up.
Only lightly raced, he looks to be trending the right way and has to be included along with the Cliff Brown trained Despacito.
Good luck and happy punting.
