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By Ray Hickson

There are horses that can just run 1000m and those that are strong at 1000m and trainer Scott Singleton is confident Remlaps Gem is turning into the latter.

The lightly raced five-year-old has been well placed by Singleton so far in his career, winning six of 14 starts, but there have been times he’s been vulnerable at the end of the short course largely due to having had a wind operation as a younger horse.

But he’s seeing less of that vulnerability now and believes Remlaps Gem is ready for a challenge in the Schweppes Sprint (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

“He doesn’t seem to be charging in the run and he’s leaving himself a better finish,’’ Singleton said.

“The 1000m is because of his wind but the more he learns to settle the better he will run 1000m out.

“He’s always had a couple of issues, he’s had a wind op and managing that can be hard enough in itself, but he’s more seasoned and is able to cope with that a bit better.”

Remlaps Gem, $11 with TAB on Friday, hasn’t raced since a runaway win over 900m at Muswellbrook on November 2 under 62.5kg.

That’s partly by design though he was scratched from a couple of sprints on The Gong meeting at Kembla last month and went back to the trials where he coasted to a five length win at Newcastle on December 7.

Remlaps Gem wins at Muswellbrook on November 2

The gelding has been to the Randwick 1000m twice for an easy Highway win and a midfield finish in a Benchmark 72 back in July where he didn’t settle in run but Singleton feels he’s evolving into a better sprinter.

“I’m confident he’s going to run really well but you’re never too confident going into a competitive race like this,’’ he said.

“He’s lovely and fit and I couldn’t be happier from my end. When you look through the form it’s hard to get confident but I have a hunch he’s always been up to that level at his best.

“I feel like he’s gradually got better. The way he trialled the other day and the way he seems I just feel this is the best I’ve had him going.”

If all goes to plan and Remlaps Gem is as competitive as Singleton hopes, he’s aiming at a 900m dash on the Gold Coast on January 8.

Meanwhile, Singleton is assessing his options for the upcoming Newhaven Park Country Championships and says there are a couple of horses that could make the grade.

The Hunter & North West Country Championships (1400m) is run on March 6 at Tamworth.

Singleton said the lightly raced Lady River and Comonic have the potential and will be given the chance to earn their shot.

“They have to go up a notch to be that level,’’ he said.

“I’ve been thinking about a few of them and they are promising enough to maybe get there.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting