Wyong preview: Trainer Scott Singleton expects Remlaps Commander to prove a real force as he continues his comeback

With a solid first-up run from a long injury lay-off under his belt, trainer Scott Singleton expects Remlaps Commander to prove very competitive when he heads at Wyong.

Remlaps Commander will make his presence felt when he heads to Wyong. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainer Scott Singleton was far from disappointed with the comeback run of Remlaps Commander and is looking for a solid performance from the gelding when he heads to Wyong.

Remlaps Commander started a $4.20 second elect when he resumed from a 21 month lay-off at the Gosford meeting run at Scone on February 6 where he finished just over three lengths behind Zouprince in sixth place in the 1100m Benchmark 64 Handicap.

“He travelled up like he was going to do something before the corner but he just peaked on his run late and wasn’t beaten far,” said Singleton.

“People expected him to win because he had won three from his first five starts but that was in 2023. Form that is that old is fairly irrelevant. I thought it was a pass mark considering he was first-up for nearly two years.

Remlaps Commander takes out the Highway with a super steer from Jenny Duggan. pic.twitter.com/HQ7Ncnzgjc

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 6, 2023

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“It was always going to be a hard task for him to win off that sort of break.”

The son of Extreme Choice takes the next step in his return where he contests the Star 104.5 Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) where he has 59kg after the claim of Mitch Stapleford and an ideal draw in barrier 2.

“He has come out of it nicely. He has come on a lot from it and I’m happier with him heading into this race than we were heading to Scone,” he said.

“I think the barrier is a big plus. He’s got good racing manners so, he will put himself in the right spot. That in itself around a track like Wyong gives him an advantage over some of the others.

“He’s definitely an each-way chance.”

Lightly-raced filly Kantishna is looking to continue her hot form when she steps to provincial grade for the first time in the Mercure Kooindah Waters Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m).

The daughter of Headwater joined Singleton’s stable after he debut at Dubbo last June and was a second at Tamworth before a seventh at Scone.

She has pleased Singleton right through this preparation starting with consecutive wins at Tamworth and Gunnedah before a second to Fuld’s Doubt at Tamworth.

“She spelled really well after her first campaign and has come back a bit stronger,” he said.

“She ran good time when she won first-up and won again at her next start. I thought it was a good win that day.

Kantishna makes it back-to-back wins for @singletonracing! 👏 pic.twitter.com/oMikyhYB5P

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 20, 2025

“The other day, she ran into one of Rod Northam’s who doesn’t go too bad.

“She hasn’t gone backwards at all. She has done really well in the stable and I can see her running cheeky race.”

Singleton’s day at Wyong started with Zoomorphic in the TAB 4YO and Up Maiden Handicap (1200m).

Although unplaced in six starts for his previous trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Singleton expects the gelding to run a bold race.

“He’s got his quirks from what they told me before he come into the stable,” he said.

“I find him to be an intelligent horse. Maybe a too intelligent.

“I feel like he is going well and ready to be at the races. I wasn’t going to take him until I thought he was ready to run well.

“He is the sort of horse have to make do his work and keep at him so he won’t look impressive but this is very suitable race.

“He’s got good speed so he will put himself in a handy spot from the inside gate. I think he will be in the thick of things.”

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The old saying ‘horses for courses’ certainly applies to Little Prophet who returns to one of her favourite tracks ready to bring up win number six of her career.

The Colt Prosser-trained mare has raced at Armidale three times for a win, a second and a seventh although that failure wasn’t her fault.

“She nearly got put through the fence when the leader came back on a couple of them so it certainly wasn’t he fault that day, said Prosser.

Little Prophet recorded her Armidale win two starts back when she came with a strong run around the field to beat Takemine and Up The Country with Luke Rolls aboard.

She then finished sixth in the Walcha Cup after being taken on in front.

The daughter of Divine Prophet drops back in grade in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1400m), the same grade and distance as her last win.

Little Prophet finishes strong to win in a photo finish for @ColtProsser! 📸 pic.twitter.com/5lrtLHB3YB

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 28, 2025

“She went super when she won here two starts ago. I was really rapt with that,” Prosser said.

“She had a nice lead at Walcha then another horse decided to go around and take her on a fair way out which put some speed in the race and it set it up for those couple of backmarkers coming over the top.

“I thought she was game. She kept trying and was only beaten a couple of lengths.

“We love her here at the stables. She’s a little ratbag but is a good horse to go to the races with because she always puts in for you.

“This is a nice race for her, for sure. She’s got a nice draw and Luke is back on.”

Prosser has seen more than enough from Northern Boogie in trackwork to know the gelding should win a couple of races but the gelding is still a maiden after 16 starts.

After some feedback from leading jockey Ben Looker, Prosser has changed some gear on the five-year-old and hopes he can show his best in the opening race, the Maiden Plate (1100m).

“He has a few tricks and Ben has come up with the idea that he is holding his breath in races,” he said.

“We have changed a few things and have put a tongue tie on him now.

“If we can work out that kink, he will win a race or two.

“I’ve also brought back in trip to the 1100m and this looks a nice race for him.”