Friday, 1 September 2017: Singapore racing best bets, race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Friday the 1st of September, with selections and information on the main contenders.

Splinter

RACE 1
A rather compressed looking Class 5 contest with just six rating points separating the whole field here, for which the top three horses all make their Class 5 debuts. The selection however will go the way of the impressive last-start winner TEMBUSU ESTRELA (5). The Stephen Gray camp have found themselves back amongst the winners of late and this 6yo won very nicely last time out and with plenty of handy form in the grade, he is taken to back up that success. SUPER ACE (4) is returning to a more suitable trip having got run off his legs recently over 1100m on the Polytrack and a return this distance and turf can see him go close with Manoel Nunes back on board. Placed in three of her last four outings is MISS WAIMATAITAI (7). The Mark Walker-trained mare looked the winner everywhere bar the last 100m on her latest run. She can once again make the frame here back up in trip. The quartet is made up by SIR REGINALD (3), like the selection, he is also trained by Gray, this two-time winner has struggled this year and will most definitely appreciate running in a Class 5 for the first time.
RACE 2
Only a small field for what looks a fascinating little race with some nicely-bred newcomers in the field. Trainer Mark Walker knows the family of HALLELUJAH (8) very well indeed having trained her dam, Paraiba to win six races during her career, this daughter of Burgundy receives a handy 1.5kgs from the colts and geldings and has trialled nicely enough leading up to her debut. Dan Meagher runs the more experienced D’GREAT STAR (1) in this 1100m event, having showed form prior to running 5th in what is turning out to be an excellent renewal of the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe; he can certainly put that experience to good use here. EASTIGER (2) has been well trialled ahead of this debut run by Cliff Brown, his most recent being very eye-catching indeed and is related to five winners. He can run a nice race here. The placings are made up by TUN O’REILLY (5). This son of O’Reilly is bred to get a little further in due course and will wear a tongue tie for this, his first ever start having trialeld and worked well for trainer Shane Baertschiger.
RACE 3
A rather open-looking Class 4 1800m contest where there is no real standout. KATE’S KEEPER (1) a two-time winner at this trip must rate as a top four chance stepping up in trip, however the negative is the weight of 58kgs. He has never carried big weights to win since earlier on in his career when winning his first race. KOKONI (2) who is only lightly tried got up in the last hop to win by a nose in his most recent start. That was in this grade with 55kgs over a mile so the step up in distance should suit him, he had a trial last week (unplaced) to top him off nicely for this race. OPTIMUS (3) was a fraction disappointing last start but he is worth a look on his run prior when placing 2nd on Derby Day. He led and boxed on solidly behind winner Easter Mate who has since won again. He is stepping to 1800m for the first time. TARGET (4) is a horse who has really improved in his last two runs, but best of all was last start when he fought nicely to run 2nd over 1600m in this grade. A little bit more weight here but don’t let that deter you at all as we are yet to see him at his best.
RACE 4
A tricky looking Open Maiden race with plenty of newcomers. However, the exposed raceday form of NORTHERN SUN (1) looks to be enough to potentially win this race. So far in Singapore he has put in a couple of good runs and looks to be getting better and the 1kg claim is a bonus. Beaten 1.5L into 3rd placing last start, the 1200m on offer here should be ideal. He came here with a record of 4 starts from the Mick Price stable. HOWL (6) from the Daniel Meagher stable has had a few trials including a tidy win back on August 1. Since then has trialled last week for 4th placing. MR HOPKINS (8) has trialled just the once in Singapore (3rd 8/8) but had 5 trials in New Zealand including a win (Oct 2016) over 1200m on a rain-affected track. CHOCANTE (12) is another newcomer to Singapore with Shane Baertschiger but has raceday form in Victoria formerly with the Hawkes stable. In two runs ran 2nd at Bendigo behind a horse who is now 2 from 2. Two trials here and 3rd in his most recent one, untested to the line and has a lovely light weight of 51kgs which is a big advantage.
RACE 5
An extremely hard race to find the winner of, the eight of them have raced 126 times for only 6 wins collectively and half of the field yet to even win a race. The very tentative selection will be RIKIOH (6), having not won for 1463 days, he has blinkers on and just one win to his name and has now dropped to a career low mark of 40 for a horse who once finished 3rd in the Group 3 Magic Millions Championship behind the great War Affair. It is a winnable race for Dan Meagher’s charge, though small stakes are advised. THOTH WARRIOR (4) was very disappointing last time out when showing early speed, he now finds himself in a class 5 for the first time for the in-form Ricardo Le Grange and having been made an $18 favourite on his stable debut it would be wise to keep a keen eye on the market here. GOLDEN SPARK (7) is the most recent winner in the field (April 2017) and he has trialed nicely since his last race start and will be the mount of the visiting Ryan Curatolo from Macau from a good barrier. FLYING MISSION (8) has won three times on this surface and could well make the frame.
RACE 6
An open Class 4 here with WINNING TANGO (5) who was successful in an Open Maiden last time looking a strong chance. His victory came despite drifting right off the track, he has trialled since and proved more tractable. From Gate 1 here he is drawn to lead with Manoel Nunes picking up the ride as Oscar Chavez rides Al-Arabiya contender SHOQEET (8) who had a nice run last time when the leaders went too hard and he picked them off to score impressively. He is still extremely green and still learning but he possesses a nice turn of foot. MADE IN CHINA (4) looked disappointing last start. He was found to have sustained a cut to the leg so there were excuses. He returns to the Polytrack, where he won his previous start nicely. HADES (1) has had two recent trials including a Pacifier Test. He is clearly the highest rated in this event on handicaps so he cannot be ignored. Polytrack record is only fair but he did win on the surface on debut in 2015 when trained by Cliff Brown.
RACE 7
In a very tricky Class 5 (2) the tempo of the race will probably dictate the result. TENMA (10) does his best racing over this course and distance so the shift back to 1400m on the turf is significant. He’ll be hoping the pace is on, if it is he’ll be full of running with a nice lightweight and strong senior rider Olivier Placais in the saddle. A likely outsider is AMISTAD (11) who trialled superbly in 60.58 without blinkers. The grey gelding has only been in the care of Michael Clements for a few months. Although he is extremely limited in talent, look for an improved effort. GOOD LUCKY (5) is another who trialled well. If he jumps fast and leads from gate 1 then he is a strong chance. If he doesn’t jump fast he probably can’t win. Another runner with pace is SUPER BIG (4) who will most likely look for the front as well. Has hit a purple patch of form and loves the 1400m and rates a winning chance if he gets his own way in front.
RACE 8
A tough Class 5 here, the Irish-bred MILITARY ALLIANCE (6) has been in good form. May have found the 1800m a touch too far as he was out on his feet in the straight. PRECIOUS GEM (1) is having just his second run in Class 5. The 1200m was way too short for him last time. He’d still be better off over further and on the grass but in Class 5 he rates a strong chance. ANY RUMOUR (5) is a stable ate of Military Alliance. Visiting hoop Ryan Curatolo will be hoping that the grey can find his best form. He made an early move last time over 1200m and held on well to run 3rd. This is the most suitable race he’s been in for some time. ASPEN (3) is reaching veteran status these days but he should be good enough to win again in Class 5. Prefer on the turf but still a chance.
RACE 9
This Class 3 looks the pick of the races on the card, run over 1000m on the Polytrack. SPLINTER (6) was beaten by Lim’s Shot last time and the effort was still very good. He is having his first run at 1000m which should be suitable. He is very progressive with plenty of wins still to come and if he handles the shorter distance, shapes as the one to beat. POLE PARADISE (3) drifted off the pace shortly after the start at his most recent run and only got going when the race was over. He has trialled strongly since winning in 59.98 and shapes as a leading hope here. WEBSTER (9) faces his toughest test in his brief career. His only defeat came on debut at the hands of Chopin’s Fantaisie. Absolutely destroyed his rivals last time in a Novice event however was hit with nine handicap points which elevates him in to unchartered waters in Class 3. This is a huge test at just his fourth run but is developing quickly. RED DAWN (2) is racing in career best form. Formerly better known as a 1200m turf horse his recent racing on the Polytrack has been extremely good. Last time he recorded a time 58.22 for the 1000m, comfortably held by the winner but an excellent time and performance. The wide gate is a slight negative.
RACE 10
A tricky little race to work out with quite a few horses in the line-up coming in to this race on the back of a below-par run. BARNATO (3) had to cover plenty of extra ground when last presented. He has since won a trial and can bounce back having won a decent form race two starts back and trainer Ricardo Le Grange continues to have his team in great form. HOSHIKO (2) is a horse racing in good form recently and was seen to great effect last time out when scoring well under Derreck David in a time of 58.90, he can run another solid race here for ZL Mok, The grade dropper WINNING MAN (1) can be very dangerous in a race of this nature. Lightly-raced in Class 4 company, he has two wins on the Polytrack in this grade and should make his presence felt. Along with LIM’S SINCERE (5) now without the head gear he has been sporting lately, has his first run for Dan Meagher and is a quartet player with the 2kg claim.