Cru Bourgeois has thrived and Gray’s expecting to crack the bubbly on Sunday

Singapore trainer Stephen Gray is expecting big efforts from both his Lincoln Farms’ runners this weekend, with Cru Bourgeois the standout winning chance.

Cru Bourgeois lines up in the fourth race on Sunday at 7.50pm NZ time and will be a commanding favourite.

And Lucky Enough runs in the opening race at Kranji tonight at 11.20pm, Gray tipping him as an improver who can run in the first three.

Gray reports Cru Bourgeois has done really well since his last start second on February 3 when he came up less than a length short behind Sacred Croix, in his first race for two and a half months.

It was his second runner-up position in as many career starts and a red flag that his first win was not far away.

“I don’t do a lot with him as he’s a little guy but he’s really thrived and seems in great order.

“He’s run super duper in both his starts and will definitely be favourite. He just needs a little luck from barrier eight.’’

The Burgundy four-year-old, who will again be ridden by champion Singapore jockey Vlad Duric, has a bright future, says Gray.

“He’s got a great heart, he can run, and he tries hard. I wish I had a lot more like him.

“If we look after him, he’ll develop into a really nice horse. You’ve got to remember this is his first preparation here. I know it’s taken a little while, and he’s a four-year-old, but he’s really like a little three-year-old.’’

Cru Bourgeois is one of a three-horse package Lincoln Farms put together earlier in the year, the others in the partnership being Rock Me Easy and Miracle Time.

Stephen Gray … Lucky Enough has improved massively on his last run.Gray says Lucky Enough drops from class five into a weaker race tonight, run for a stake of S$30,000.

“He’s improved massively since his last run which was pretty good, he has a nice barrier (five) and I expect him to travel third or fourth, with a bit of cover this time and run into the first three.’’

Gray said it was understandable that rider Daniel Moor reported Lucky Enough blew out in the last 200 metres on February 8, his first race for nearly three months.

“Dan said he jumped well and had to go forward but he went a bit keen and was pressured to be there, on the pace between two other horses. I thought the horse did well to hold on for sixth under the circumstances.

“He put his head down and tried. There’s a win or two in him for sure and I think he’ll pick up a race pretty quickly.

“We’ve got a couple of nice chances this weekend.’’

Lincoln Farms’ third starter of the weekend, O’Reilly’s Dancer, runs in the eighth race on Sunday at 9.55pm.

A 16-start maiden he is having his third run back from a near five month spell for trainer Shane Baertschiger.

The 1600 metre race will again be too short for him - his only three placings have been over 1800 metres and 2000 metres (twice).

O’Reilly’s Dancer, who beat only three home last start, six lengths from the winner, meets a strong line-up on Sunday and will be at very long odds.