3 minute read

Despite unable to win for his new stable, the Michael Clements trained Bold Thruster gets his best chance in the ninth event at Kranji on Sunday.

Formerly trained by Shane Baertschiger, Bold Thruster won seven of his first eight starts, before safely held in the Group 1 Lion City Cup [1200m].

Sent out at 3-1, it all came a bit too son of the son of Turffontein, before switching stables thereafter.

In three starts for Clements, Bold Thruster is yet to win, however his first two efforts were very game with the big weight.

Rated 102 by Timeform when winning the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint [1200m], Bold Thruster has gone to another level this time in, now rated 109.

That figure puts him near the top of the tree in Singapore and he is certainly a very promising type.

Failing at his latest attempt, Clements elected to freshen up the 4YO, lining up off a 49 day break on Sunday.

Clements took the blinkers off last start, however they notably go back on and he has trialled very well in the lead up.

Ridden by Vlad Duric, he was given a solid hit-out saluting by 8.25L and gave the stopwatch a good starting and a beating (58.81).

If you break 1:00:00 over 1000m at the trials, you are running some slick time, so to go >6L faster than that, you are indeed humming.

To place that trial time into perspective, Nova Swiss is the current track record holder (57.70) and did it carrying 55.5kg, Bold Thruster carried 68kg.

The only concern I have is that it could flatten him a touch for Sunday's race, given it was only 10 days ago.

Nonetheless he is thrown in at the weights and if up to his best, he should take a power of beating, it only looks a matter of time before he gets his first win for Clements.

The Mark Walker trained Sacred Rebel is a flier on the polytrack (won 4/7) and he has to be respected in his return.

While mixing his form last time in, he is more than capable and with Woodworth aboard, he looms as a major threat.

The James Peters trained Skywalk is also a flier on the polytrack (won 6/10) and he too has trialled well in the lead up.

Leading rider Daniel Moor links back aboard and with even luck, he is sure to make his presence felt.

Of the rest the Mark Walker trained Distinctive Darci appears the next in line.

Good luck and happy punting.