Friday, 18 August 2017: Below is the race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Sunday the 20th of August, with selections and information on the main contenders.

Countofmontecristo

RACE 1
Returning apprentice jockey Troy See returns to the saddle this week and looks a big chance to win the opener with BARNBURGH LAD (3) who sat too wide recently when a fading eighth. He is drawn beautifully in gate 2 and has brilliant gate speed. He has won at Class 5 level on three occasions when leading. AMAZEALOT (1) was a little unlucky last time, copping a check in the straight when dropping back into Class 5. Previous form in harder races was excellent for this and he holds a 50% strike rate at this level. FAST JET (8) was demoted to third in the Stewards’ room last week. Holding strong form and has conditions to suit. HONGCHEN (6) has been in the market recently, 1100m might test him as he has won his 4 races from 1200m (1) to 1600m (3). But he is too good to dismiss against this field.
RACE 2
A Restricted Maiden where there looks to be handful of exciting 3yo’s. SATTAR (1) was hot favourite ($9) last start when he was a courageous runner-up in very fast time over 1100m. He has since won a trial in 59.69. The exciting EVIL ROADSTER (6) was a trial winner back in May when under the guidance of trainer David Kok. He has since changed yards to Michael Clements. His recent trial was full of merit when having to re-pass his ORT which had expired. Looks very smart and can upset his more experienced rivals. AUGUSTANO (4) ran a credible sixth in the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (G2). The form through the race is predictably working very well. The start prior on debut he ran a brilliant second to Be Bee on the Polytrack. He finished third behind Sattar in a recent trial. GLAMOROUS (7) might be an improver after a nice recent trial win in 60.69 wearing pacifiers and the gear change here may bring improvement.
RACE 3
Certainly not an easy race to try and find the winner as most of the field are out of form at present. The selection however will be the lightly-raced SPEEDY PHOENIX (4), He was disappointing last time out when too keen and a $14 favourite and could only finish fifth beaten six lengths in the race won by the useful Splinter. Vet checked after the event and having trialled well enough since this C/D winner gets the nod to lead the field home here from a good barrier. HAYTHAM (6) has boxed on well enough in his recent runs to suggest he can at least make the frame in this, Followed in by the three time Class 5 winner UNCLE LUCKY (8) who scored making all last time out in first time blinker/pacifiers. Making up the quartet is HERO CHAMPION (5). His form leaves a bit to be desired but any vibes in the market would be worth noting.
RACE 4
An extremely interesting race for the grade with two last-tart winners in the field finding a nice opportunity in a Kranji D instead of having to take on Class 4 company. It is the Ricardo Le Grange-trained REDOUBT (1) who gets the vote having scored nicely last start on his first try at the trip. He has since won a trial (won last four trials) and can continue in winning form here. BROTHER WIND (3), who is down in grade after chasing home the likeable Bear Witness on his latest run and shaping like a horse looking for this distance, will be racing on the Polytrack for the first time with Glen Boss taking over. He should run another honest race. SPUR ME ON (7) was on a roll in Class 5's winning three of his last four races and was far from disgraced last time out in better company, he likes the surface and should run well. Another who acquitted himself well last time was RACING TALENT (6), who will sport blinkers here and comes into this race having worked nicely this week.
RACE 5
A maiden race in which at least half the field would need to show marked improvement if they were to figure. It will certainly pay to side with those who have proven form already and the two newcomers in the line-up. The recent trial of O’REILLY STAR (4) was one of a horse who looks ready to break his maiden tag. Placed three times in five runs, the Mark Walker-trained runner hit the line very well indeed under a tight hold earlier this month and he gets the vote. The sizeable SABIK (5) caught many people’s attention on his Singapore debut, running second to Crazy Dreams in a closing sectional of 23.38. He should well improve nicely on the back of that effort. The first four home here can be filled by the newcomers. DUTROW (1) is having his first start for Shane Baertschiger having been placed twice in New Zealand and has trialled very nicely in blinkers that he will wear for this run, but will have to overcome the wide stall of 10. The Nova Racing Stable-owned,NOVA STORM (9) was unable to land the odds on his local debut at $18 but has trialled twice in winkers and gets in here with only 50.5kgs. He can surely improve on that debut run here.
RACE 6
An interesting and open Kranji D where CHAIRMAN WIND (5) is one of the better hopes. Ridden for luck by Alan Munro last time when the tempo was against the run was best ignored, best to go on the strong form prior. MOMENT OF JUSTICE (1) was slow away in an unsuitable race recently. Suited back up to the 1600m, with senior rider Craig Grylls to ride, he will most likely be a sharp improver. GOLD FAITH (3) has a big riding change with Vlad Duric booked. He has run some handy races in Singapore without too much reward. Gold Faith failed last time when trapped wide, however down in class here with a senior rider on, must go closer. ARR FLAIR (2) came off a fast pace to win at Class 5 level last start. Even though he is up in trip and grade there are still many positives, including Michael Rodd who remains in the saddle after the pair combined for the recent victory.
RACE 7
An ultra-competitive race on paper, this Class 3 for the stayers looks a tricky one to work out indeed. AOTEAROA (6) is only small but has a big engine and last time showed enough stamina recently over 1800m to suggest that she can win this. She has good form on the Polytrack from limited runs and has a touch of class on her New Zealand form. With only 53.5kgs she is the one to beat here even though she is poorly drawn. The Ricardo Le Grange-trained SARAAB (9) did finish in behind Aotearoa two starts back when a $12 favourite but came good last time out over 1600m on the surface and is a definite improver in this line-up. DUKE OF NORMANDY (10) is closely matched with Aotearoa on their meeting last time. The Pentire gelding who stays extremely well is more than likely to want to lead and with only 53kgs he can run a nice race in this. New trainer Young Keah Yong will be saddling only his third runner with the likeable 9yo ONE RAR (1), who was able to win his eighth race on his final appearance for Shane Baertschiger. This Group 3 winner in his prime is clearly not showing any signs of slowing down and can run a place in this.
RACE 8
In what is a tricky Class 4, the winner is not easy to find. FAITHFULLY (1) started $278 last time but suspect he may well be shorter here in this weaker event. He trialled very nicely in preparation for this. Has a class edge and will prove hard to beat if he finds his best form. NATURAL IMPULSE (9) loves the Polytrack and is now down to a mark of 47 rating points. His recent efforts suggest he is going pretty well and will not need to improve much to figure. WHY NOT (4) found the going too hot last time after a smart previous win. This is his first race on the Polytrack but given he’s won a couple of trials on the surface it may well be a big positive. RUN IT TWICE (5) made eye-catching ground last time on the turf when a closing third. Remarkably all of his 22 Singapore race starts have been on the grass making the shift to the Polytrack a hard one to assess.
RACE 9
Great race to finish the day with some seasoned high quality Polytrack sprinters against an up-and-coming star. The highly talented COUNTOFMONTECHRISTO (13) is the first emergency but may well be the raging hot favorite if he gains a run. His only defeat came in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas over 1600m. Freshened up since then and has had a quiet trial. Returning to the Polytrack and with the lightweight, he might be impossible to stop. LASER STORM (8) has run some huge races over course and distance in his career. Carried 57.5kgs last time and finished just behind the talented Distinctive Darci in the KRA Trophy. Drops in weight and looms as the main danger. Another horse coming through the KRA Trophy is DANIEL (3) who meets a few of these worse off at the weights, however his effort from gate 12 was enormous as he travelled far too wide. LINCOLN ROAD (1) is the highest rated runner in this field, he is another who had a tough run recently. He sat five wide and still was only 2.6L behind the winner over 1000m.