Friday, 25 August 2017: Below is the race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Sunday the 27th of August, with selections and information on the main contenders

JULIUS CAESAR

RACE 1

An extremely tricky race to start the day with over 1100m for Class 5 gallopers. A race in which the 11-strong field have raced 373 times for 27 wins (11 wins for Cool Cat). The tentative nod just goes the way of KAISER BRIGHT (8). Not beaten far last start, this Hideyuki Takaoka-trained eight-year-old will have an extra few kilos off with the claim of apprentice Mohd Jailani and can go close if he can overcome a wide barrier. The most prolific winner in the line-up is COOL CAT (5) and he had to overcome trouble at the 600m marker last time to run home 3rd behind Uncle Lucky and also has the assistance of leading rider Vlad Duric this time around. CASSIS OOLONG (9) boxed on fairly last start and he should be up to running another solid race here and is expected to roll forward. The quartet is completed with STARSKY (6) who was seen to good effect in a recent trial, finishing 2nd. He can back that up with a good effort here back on Polytrack (debut win on surface) with Alan Munro in the saddle.

RACE 2

This looks a fascinating race on paper with a couple of very nicely-bred newcomers on show as well as two runners who ran very well behind the smart Safeer last time out. MY GOLD (8) has improved very nicely on his trial form since Alwin Tan has applied the winkers to this half-brother to 11-time winner Constant Force and won his most recent trial very well indeed. He does have to overcome a wide gate here (barrier 13) but has shown enough professionalism in his trials to suggest he can do so. There is not much between SUPER DENMAN (10) and CONATUS G (5) on their recent meeting when placed in behind the useful-looking Safeer. And it is the former who just gets the vote to fill out 2nd place here over the Sonny Yeoh-trained 3yo.Both racing on turf for the first time. One horse in the race with a very appealing pedigree for local racing fans is GALLANT ECLIPSE (6). A half-brother to 2006 Lion City Cup winner Arenti, the James Peters-trained runner has had a couple of trials leading up to this debut and they were enough positives to take out of his latest trial (5th to My Gold) to suggest he can make an impact here.

RACE 3

A tricky race over 1000m on the Polytrack for the sprinters. PREMIER FIGHTER (7) looks a decent chance, he's in good form and unlike many of his main dangers, he gets in with a lightweight with a handy 3kg claim for apprentice Krisna Thangamani. Both Premier Fighter's wins have come at the 1000m trip and despite being up in grade looks a major player. UNCONQUERED (2) was run off the track last time by Champagne Rein. He is a genuine 1000m specialist and with an ounce of luck in transit he should finish closer this time. He's drawn wide but he has been in good form. ELITE STAR (5) goes well at his fourth run into a preparation. This might be a tad too short but he loves the Polytrack and has a great record for Brazilian jockeys. QUEEN ROULETTE (8) is a talented mare trained by Leslie Khoo. She got very tired last time. Another who has got a better record over further but she is too good to ignore.

RACE 4

THE GOLDEN GOAT (2) deserves a win as he remains a maiden after 7 starts. He flew out last time before taking a sit in a fast run race. Young Pregasam Dellorto is a jockey on the comeback trail and will be desperate to kick home a winner. MAJULAH (4) ran 3rd in the same race. Simply went too hard early and did a good job to hang on for 3rd. EL TORDILLO (7) has had 7 trials in Singapore and now finally gets to the racetrack. The grey gelding won a trial in blinkers and will wear the headgear for his debut. Best watch the market on him. AMIABILITY (1) got tired last start over 1400m, he drops back in trip which should suit and from barrier 3 he should get the run of the race.

RACE 5

A quality Novice contest in prospect with Ricardo Le Grange possibly holding the key with two recent winners. MOKASTAR (8) was just one of many horses to run down the field in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (11th) and come out and win next time. He has some very solid form to his name and could not have been more taking in victory last start when beating the highly thought of Shamrock by 3.8L over 1000m. At around 447kgs he isn’t the biggest and 51kg is a lovely racing weight and barrier 4 can aid him in winning his second race. Having always looked smart, SAFEER (7) was two places behind Mokastar in the Aushorse and he also franked that form by winning nicely last time out. There isn’t much between the Le Grange pair and these two smart youngsters can fight this out. SOUTHERN SPUR (1) sets the standard on the figures with a mark of 58. He will however have to give 8kgs to the Le Grange runners. That said, he was very green last start when running second to the more seasoned Ancient Warrior finishing off in 22.72. He can improve on this his third run in Singapore and now sports blinkers for the first. The well-related son of Rock ‘N’ Pop REFRESH (10), kept up a strong family tradition of winning races by running out a ready winner on debut for David Kok. Even at $169 there was no fluke about the success and he can only benefit from those exertions.

RACE 6

MONGOLIAN CHIEF (2) is a nice enough staying type at this level. His form does not look pretty but he has been running over unsuitable distances at his last 7 runs. His handicap rating has dropped 14 points since March and he now finds himself in Class 5 over this suitable 1700m trip. He has won 1700m before and that was in Class 4 so if he finds his best form he'll be very hard to catch here. Finished last in a recent trial beaten 20L so he might be some value. SATELLITE STAR (9) showed his versatility by running well over 1600m last start following on from an impressive win over shorter. SUPER G (6) ran 4th in the same race as Satellite Star where he just peaked on his run. He trialed with the blinkers recently and they may be a very important addition here. Still unplaced after 13 starts, but he has finished 4th on six occasions. PERCIUS (7) is no world beater but with an excellent jockey like Alan Munro he is well worth putting in exotic bet types.

RACE 7

A very interesting race on paper with some talented lightly raced horses involved. MARVEL HERO (9) created a very good impression on debut by making all and scoring with what seemed a bit still left in the tank. He does have to take another step forward here, but with just 53.5kgs he can make the best of his way home again. The lightly raced Mare MAJESTIC EMPRESS (5) flew home on her local debut when the race was all over to claim 2nd in a closing sectional of 23.19. Her only win in New Zealand was over this trip on slow ground and should relish the step-up in distance she gets here. SIAMESE CAT (4) is a fascinating runner. Having had only two race starts in the last twelve months (bled on both starts) she has trialled very well since and is one to catch fresh having shown form first up in the past. SACRED GALAXY (7) boxed on well at his first run for the year’s leading handler and has definite place prospects in this contest with the first time blinkers and tongue tie applied.

RACE 8

Interesting staying event with plenty of runners eyeing off a start in the Singapore Gold Cup in November. ARHAT (5) has long been spoken as a future star of the staying ranks in Singapore. He’s been given plenty of time by trainer Michael Clements and he showed last start that his form is very strong with a closing 4th. Alan Munro continues to stick with Arhat which is a positive, as too is the feather weight which he will carry here. SONG TO THE MOON (4) was slow away last start in the Chairman’s Trophy (G2) and saved every inch of ground on the rail to run 6th. A proven stayer, the son of Savabeel previously ran 9th in the Emirates Singapore Derby. The huge weight drop is a massive positive and he will be strong at the end of the 2000m. ORDER OF THE SUN (3) is a bold front runner who was slow away last time and couldn’t lead. If he jumps better may take some running down in this. IRON MAN (8) is coming out of a race which has already produced 5 winners. He’ll be in tested in this grade but from gate 1 he’ll have an easy run in transit.

RACE 9

An absolute crackerjack of a Kranji C stakes in the offing here. Three last-start winners line up with the vote going the way of JULIUS CAESAR (10). James Peters’ charge probably didn’t beat a great deal last start (first as a gelding) but couldn’t have been more impressive in the manner of the success. Having travelled well he was able to put a widening break in the field down the straight and is certainly value for much more. LIM’S SHOT (2) has stepped up a gear since the blinkers have been added and with two good wins since (both for Manoel Nunes), he can continue on his upward trajectory still. SUPER FORTUNE (4) is unbeaten in two runs to date here at Kranji and although up in grade now, he too can run well again on the back of defeating Caorunn last time out. Stablemate of the selection BIRAZ (12) Is taken to round out the quartet on the back of a nice trial win and a decent second on his local debut finishing off well in 23.37 back at the end of July.

RACE 10

A handy Class 4 to finish the day and the promising OTTAWA (3) gets his opportunity to post another win. His only failure recently was when denied a run in the straight over a mile 2 starts ago. This 1400m trip looks perfect and the last start effort behind Magic City was excellent. The James Peters-trained gelding is going from a Novice to a Class 4 but this might be an easier assignment given the winner is very smart. El CAMINO (5) chased really hard last start but never looked like catching the winner. Drawn well with Vlad Duric to ride, he should run well again. SITUATION (4) posted his first win last time in a close finish. He was beaten home by Ottawa 2 starts back so he will have to improve to turn the tables but he is getting better with every run. WINTERFELL (1) is an honest horse who has the benefit of gate 1 and the 3kg claim for Syafiq Hazman.