Caspar Fownes has battled to keep Lucky Nine and Military Attack on the track at times this season, but left Singapore content yesterday after a lightning visit to Kranji racecourse to watch his veteran pair work impressively at their "home away from home".

Lucky Nine is chasing three straight wins in the S$1 million (HK$5.8 million) KrisFlyer Sprint and Military Attack is aiming for a second win in the S$3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup (SIA Cup) after a dominant success in 2013 and a third last year.

"That's the reason we are here. They obviously love the place and there is some big prize money on offer," said Fownes, who also visited his horses earlier in the week.

"I'm happy with both of them. They seem to be over the niggling issues that have held them back in their preparations recently and I am expecting a bold showing."

Lucky Nine is the only horse to win two KrisFlyer Sprints, let alone in consecutive years, but the gelding is now eight and coming off two subpar performances in a mostly disappointing season - not that Fownes has lost an ounce of faith in his seven-time Group One winner."We are coming in as the back-to-back champ, but he was never going to get any respect this year because he has arrived after some ordinary runs," Fownes said.

"I really believe he still has a Group One left in him and he wouldn't be here unless I thought he did. I respect him too much to push when he has had enough, and while some of his recent runs haven't been great, he has had his niggling issues. Maybe he is looking after himself.

"He has had excuses at those last few starts, but we have no excuses this time around. He has to be in the first three and he will get his chance from the draw."

Lucky Nine jumps from barrier four, the same gate as two years ago in a race where low draws and handy race position have proved vital over the years.Fownes is hoping barrier three can also help Military Attack replicate his 31/2 length win in the SIA Cup two years ago.

"We all know he has been a challenge just to get to the track," Fownes said of the seven-year-old, who loomed ominously, but faded to seventh in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup after battling hoof soreness in the lead-up.

Jockey Zac Purton, who was aboard Military Attack in 2013 when the horse was with trainer John Moore, said a low draw was key to his chances.

"A couple of speed horses have drawn wide and I hope he jumps well but I am not going out with a set plan of where he needs to be. I'll just ride him by feel.

"If he is 100 per cent, he will be incredibly hard to beat," Purton said. "He really needed the run last start and he didn't get beaten far."