3 minute read

The Michael Clements trained Top Knight has had his colours lowered in both starts back this time in, but is tracking beautifully for Sunday's Group 3 Silver Bowl at Kranji.

An eye catcher first up behind Altair, Top Knight was left with it all to do last start, 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 in transit 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 winning the Group 1 Singapore Guineas [1600m].

Conceding 6.5kg to Aramaayo, Top Knight is much better placed under the set-weights conditions on Sunday.

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 while likely to be better at a mile and beyond, he's drawn to get a lovely run.

With even luck, he should prove hard to hold out.

Stablemate Bold Thruster brings different form and has to be respected off the back of his last start Group 3 win.

The fact Duric chooses Top Knight over Bold Thruster is a swing in the favour of Top Knight, however it's hard to knock winning form and he should lead from the wide draw.

A winner of eight of his 15 starts, he's won two of his last three and Clements looks to have him back on track.

If able to hold his form, he is sure to make his presence felt.

The Shane Baertschiger trained Aramaayo  meets Top Knight 6.5kg worse off at the weights, but has more to come on best form and cannot be taken lightly.

He too should be better over further, however he's in winning form now and can raise the bar again.

Of the rest last start winner Siam Blue Vanda appears the next in line.

He went like a bomb fresh and can take that next step.