Racing: Tropaios looks good for 'Marsiling' date

Singapore Gold Cup winner Tropaios caught the eye at the gallops at Kranji on Wednesday morning and now looks like the one to beat in Sunday's Marsiling Classic.

The five-year-old went into many notebooks when he disposed of the mandatory 600m in a smart time of 37.7sec.

He had top apprentice S Noh on the reins. Tropaios, who is prepared by Michael Freedman for China Horse Club Stable, has had just one run since he captured the time-honoured race in November.

That last start was in mid-February when he ran third to Wild Geese over the 1,600m on the turf.

TOP PICK

Sent off as the top pick in the $125,000 race, he was his customary self - slow to begin before charging home over the final stretch. It worked a peach on Gold Cup Day when he revved up at the furlong mark to romp home by half a length.

However, it didn't pan out that way last month. Although he did begin his charge halfway down the stretch, the winning post came up just a tad too soon.

The extra 200m that he will have to cover in Race 9 on Sunday could be just what he needs and it will be a good thing to focus your glasses on Tropaios when the runners fan out for the run home.

Given the form he is in, those red and yellow silks - to be worn by David Flores on race day - should be flashing home ahead of the rest.

Incidentally, Tropaios was to have been partnered by Nathan Berry in Sunday's feature event but with Berry currently in hospital (see report on Page S7), Flores was offered the ride.

Get The New Paper for more stories.