Friday, 25 August 2017: Below is the race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Friday the 25th of August, with selections and information on the main contenders

Mr Crowe

RACE 1
These Class 5 races over the sprint trips on the Polytrack can always be tricky affairs but there are a few in form horses. PRATT STREET (1) is one of those for Bruce Marsh who chased home the winner with the second best closing sectional of 23.59 after drawing out wide in gate 10. GREAT SEVEN (7) is having his first spin around in Class 5 after running in an open maiden last time where he was fancied at $19. He was able to make ground out wider on the track and he has competed in better races than this. LUCKY BOY (8) has shown glimpses of form coming into this, especially his last start run over 1100m with the blinker/pacifiers which were applied for the first time. SUGARTIME JAZZ (6) is hard to follow but is a previous winner in the grade as well as the distance; however they were on the turf but also handles the Polytrack, one to watch the market on.

RACE 2
Some nice youngsters step out in this contest but on paper there is one who really does stand out. That is CAPTAIN JAMIE (8) from the stable of Ricardo Le Grange. He was beaten a nose at his last start and he is still green and has a bit to learn about the racing game, he has won a trial since that effort by 4L and anywhere near his best he will be hard to beat in this line up with 49.5kgs. SAHABA (4) a recent winner at the trials has two placings next to his name from two runs; he is stepping up to 1400m for the first time. ATHENA (5) put in her worst effort of her short career last start at $11 when put under pressure she never responded, she was found to be not striding out freely and also a roarer. She has been freshened and her most recent trial for 2nd placing was encouraging. NOVA CLASSIC (2) has run behind some of the best up and comers in prior starts (Tannhauser, Magic City & Bringer Of War), but now under the guidance of Laurie Laxon won a trial nicely without the pacifiers by 2.3L in 60.64.

RACE 3
Competitive sprint race on the Polytrack and the last start winner STAR GENIUS (1) was a comprehensive winner last start carrying 56.5kgs, sat handy and raced away to win by 1 ¾L. Freshened since then but does have to lump a decent weight here. MYSTIC MASTER (2) rounded his last start effort off nicely to be beaten 1.7L into third placing in a race where the winner was .20 outside the course record; slight concerns however with a heavier weight to carry. MARINE TREASURE (4), a horse who had been threatening to win on a few occasions, was rewarded last start with an uncontested lead, more weight for this but he has carried 58kgs to win last year. HIMALAYA DRAGON (6) comes from a Kranji C last start and she wasn’t beaten overly far, only her third attempt over this trip which in the past has yielded two 4th placings.

RACE 4
IFFRAGAL (10) is a talented filly who is coming off a placing in the Juvenile Championship (G3) over 1400m. She got a beautiful run behind the leader and missed by a slender margin. The Ricardo Le Grange trained 3yo is taking on older horses for the first time here but with the light weight is weighted to win and clearly runs the distance strongly. She has trialled well since. FIRST LIGHT (6) is trying the distance for the first time after running 2 handy races over 1200m including a close 2nd when the blinkers were added. He is a lightly raced 4yo who has a lot of weight to give to Iffragal but rates a clear 2nd choice. COUNTRY BOSS (1) was comprehensively beaten last start by the winner but he actually beat the rest of the field easily. He is not shaping as a superstar but he is maturing and getting better with every run. NEW SENSATION (2) rates a quartet chance as he has performed pretty well in Singapore although would need to lift to win this. The shift back to 1400m may suit as he was getting tired at the end of the mile last time.

RACE 5
An excellent race in prospect here with four last start winners in the line as well as one of the most progressive horses in training in 2017. The Laurie Laxon trained MR CROWE (3) has risen from a mark of 49 at the start of the year to now be rated 71 and looks to still have more to come, An impressive winner on Derby day in this grade, the Alamosa gelding has now won four races this year and with conditions to suit, He can win again here on the road to potential bigger and better things. CHALAZA (4) was a very taking winner on his return recently over 1000m on the Polytrack closing off in 22.94 for Glen Boss, Stepping back up to 1400m on turf will suit him down to the ground and should be able to take the next step forward now racing in Class 3 for the first time. Cliff Brown has got his team in rude health at the moment and he fields the promising looking stayer here MR FATKID (6), far from disgraced in the 3yo Classic behind the excellent Countofmontecristo, He was able to win on his latest start over 1800m in good style and has had two easy trials coming into this start and will have the assistance of Craig Grylls. He is a strong place chance here. The first four home can be made up by LIM'S REFORM (8), having caught the eye staying well last time in a closing sectional of 22.85. He stays a bit further and will be doing all his best work late.

RACE 6
This is shaping up as a rather competitive Class 4 sprint with some promising up and coming runners including BAO SHAN MAGIC (1); ran 2nd (3.5L) in his Singapore debut. He made very good ground behind a smart horse in Splinter but on that effort he should improve and be a major player. REINE DASHER (5) who lines up in his Singapore debut has trialled ok recently for Steve Burridge, he arrived here with a record in South Australia of 2 starts for 1 win which was back in January at Morphettville over 1250m. KELTIC KARMA (2) for unstoppable trainer Michael Clements is another horse resuming off the back of a trial earlier in the month. He closed off exceptionally well when last presented in February when well backed, may pay to watch him as he’s only been unplaced twice from eight starts. DRACO (3) is resuming off the back of two trials, the winner of two races from seven starts ran in some hot races last campaign as a 3YO and he must be accredited a chance in this race first-up.

RACE 7
The best race of the night, first division of this race that is just stacked with absolute quality and CHOPIN’S FANTAISIE (1) has oodles of it! Unbeaten in four runs with margins less than ¾L to date, he faces his biggest test in this line-up. He trialled last week and looked to have a good hit-out. MR SCORSESE (3) has lined up in the Patron’s Bowl & Singapore Derby (both at G1 level), he trialled nicely on Tuesday for 2nd placing from back in the pack, he is a proven Class 3 performer. ECLIPSE SPLASH (5) showed his ability last start in Class 4 over this trip and has landed with a manageable weight and has also come into this with a trial win in 60.23. ANCIENT WARRIOR (8) is one of two in the race for leading trainer Mark Walker and was able to carry 57.5kgs to win fresh last start and must be respected in this line up with 52.5kgs.

RACE 8
Division 2 of this race but it shapes up as a nice contest to try and get out on top with JUSTICE LIGHT (1) who dealt with a Kranji D field last start, in fact completely second rated them by 2.5L. Duric had a great hold of him at the 600m and he was the only horse you wanted to be on, on that effort and his recent runs he is a massive hope. SACRED SURFER (6) ran on ok behind his stable mate Ancient Warrior last start carrying 56kgs, 1.5kgs less here is definitely going to assist his chances. SOLDADO (3) is back to 1200m which seems to be his preferred distance. He has been tried over 1000/1100m in his last two and has performed solidly. DANTE’S REPRIEVE (5) the former Australian did little in his debut Singapore run at the end of July, but since then has won a trial by 3.3L with the blinkers on, definitely one to keep safe in this line up.