Shadow Of War for hat-trick
Friday preview
SHADOW OF WAR looks a horse on the upgrade and is set to complete a hat-trick from as many starts in the final race at Kranji tonight.
What boosted my confidence was the way he galloped on Tuesday. He clicked up by himself in the straight and went full throttle, giving his regular jockey, Manoel Nunes, a good workout on his calves and biceps.
Prepared by leading trainer Alwin Tan, the three-year-old chestnut Australian-bred gelding pulled up wanting more.
The horse is now bursting out of his skin and he should go on to make it three off the reel in the Class 4 Div 1 event over the flying Polytrack 1,000m.
Shadow Of War's main threat is the Daniel Meagher-trained Super Warrior, a winner of his last two starts.
The two are expected to engage in a speed duel but I think Shadow Of War should prevail as he is jumping from a better barrier and will be carrying 1kg lighter. The only concern is they end up killing each other, paving the way for an outsider to rush home first.
The two horses capable of upsetting the apple cart are Red Dawn and Pure Justice.
Red Dawn just failed to catch Shadow Of War in his last start and will receive 3kg from his conqueror for a one-and-three-quarter-length beating. But he is drawn widest of 12 runners.
Pure Justice is also getting 3kg from Super Warrior from their last encounter, in which Pure Justice finished three-and-three-quarter lengths behind.
The night's value bet is the Leslie Khoo-trained MAGIC PAINT in Race 4. Magic Paint's last two runs were pleasing and he will appreciate apprentice CK Ng's 3kg claim tonight.
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