Friday, 15 September 2017: Singapore racing best bets, race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Sunday the 17th of September, with selections and information on the main contenders.
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RACE 1
These races on the Polytrack over short distances are always tricky. HERACLES (1) is another one who is dipping his toe into Class 5 races for the first time out of an in-form CT Kuah stable. The winner of two races has prevailed over this trip in the past but at Class 4 level but with much less weight, however has a 3kg apprentice claim. IMMORTAL LEGACY (2) a maiden winner two starts ago backed that effort up with a strong run last start when fancied in the market to be only beaten 1.5L into second placing, a similar effort with 57kgs again would see him a top four chance. Michael Rodd riding for Leticia Dragon is not a pairing that is often seen. PHIDIAS (3) has been the subject of a few betting plunges that haven’t quite paid off for sports lovers. The Desmond Koh-trained runner finds himself in Class 5 for the first time at his 12th raceday start. Of the rest there are a few others you can probably include but MISS STREISAND (9) looks to be certainly in off a winnable mark for Lee Freedman, although she does not win out of turn with a record of 1 from 21, she is always there for the quartet. Rated 39, her most recent win in Class 5 1400 (July 2016) came off 37 rating points.
RACE 2
Plenty of debutants to line up against horses who have either had one, three or four starts. ELITE KINGDOM (1) has the most race experience in this line-up and that sometimes does count for a lot. He is having only his third start from the stable of Mark Walker and he ran 5th behind Augustano who has come out to win a Class 4 at his first time of asking. ATEEJ (4) on debut for Ricardo Le Grange has lined up in two trials for a win and placing. He won his trial on the 29/8 and did it quite comfortably. BASILISK (5) chased home a nice type on debut in 23.46 for his closing sectional. He trialled last week to be unplaced but should be an improver. There are a number of other newcomers in this race but just to single one more out; MY GOLD (11) who was a late scratching on debut because he became unsettled in the barriers. There was money for the HW Tan first starter who had won a couple of trials leading into that day and since being late scratched he has been back to the trials on Tuesday morning to run second.
RACE 3
This Class 4 Polytrack sprint has a very competitive look to it with a number of really nice horses in the field. The suggestion is to side with the newcomer in the line-up SUN DREAM (3), the ex-Mick Price-trained gelding was placed at Group 3 level in Australia having won a 1200m race at Pakenham back in March of this year, he has trialled very smartly in preparation for this his local debut and will wear a tongue tie and blinkers for the first time here. Another to have won his latest trial is SAFEER (8), The Ricardo Le Grange-trained 3yo was able to clock a very respectable 59.37 when cruising up to the line to win stylishly; he will be suited by a return to this surface and should go close. GRAN TORINO (6) was seen to great effect last month when winning first-up for James Peters over this course and distance. Keen early on, the son of Bel Esprit galloped on well to the line (23.32) and can certainly put up another bold show now that he is racing in Class 4 company, the top four is completed by SOLDADO (3) who has the blinkers back on and has shown good form with the headgear on, he can hopefully get involved once overcoming his wide gate.
RACE 4
Pretty tough race to try and sort out with a few inconsistent types running around. NOVA SPIRIT (4) ran home nicely two starts ago in this grade and over the trip when well supported in the market but was poor on the turf last start. Back to this surface/distance he could be dangerous. SUGARTIME JAZZ (5) is a hard horse to follow, very much hot and cold but his effort in a similar race three starts ago was very good when rated on pace by his rider (the winner of that race has since won again). THE ONE (7) was able to win off 29 rating points last start aided by a nice ride from Manoel Nunes. All the same race conditions are in line for him but he has to carry 2.5kgs more. He is another dangerous horse in this grade/distance that should be watched in the market. PERCIUS (10) has been performing okay recently and has been there in the market, however a big positive for him is that he drops 2kgs in weight from his last run. Winning form does not look far away even though it has been a long time since his last victory (September 2016).
RACE 5
WALKING THUNDER (13) ran in a high-quality Kranji C last time and was no match for the winner, Sir Isaac. He was heavily supported on that occasion and is expected to improve sharply second-up. Last preparation he showed real promise and providing he can bring that form to the Turf he should be extremely competitive with the light weight. POLE PARADISE (1) has been in fantastic form including a gutsy runner-up performance last time over 1000m on the Polytrack in the very fast time of 58.21. On that occasion he was giving the winner 4 kgs. The John O’Hara trained 7yo is now on a career high mark in Singapore and rises 2.5kgs carrying the top weight of 58kgs which is a bit of a concern. AL GREEN (2) returned from a break in brilliant fashion in a slightly weaker contest on Polytrack. After the race, jockey Vlad Duric declared that he was a better sprinter than middle distance horse. His time of 58.61 for the 1000m was smart and a repeat performance would certainly have him right in the finish albeit this time he runs over the 1200m on the Turf. COULD BE PEARLS (4) returns from a spell after running creditably in the final two legs of the 3yo series. He has had two quiet trials to prepare him for this. He will settle back and will run on at the end. Unlikely to be fully tuned up first up but will be getting home briskly at the end of the 1200m.
RACE 6
A small but competitive line-up for this novice race on the turf. WHY NOT (3) produced a sound finish last start for second placing in a Class 4 contest. He is a horse that likes to race up on or near the speed and that can definitely be advantageous. MARVEL HERO (6) comes into this race with a record of two starts for a win and a second placing. Last start when placed second was in a Class 4 contest and for this assignment he will carry a further 2kg but back in the grade he must be rated a chance. CAPTAIN JAMIE (7) continues to get better with each run and is slowly gaining plenty of ringcraft for Ricardo Le Grange but looks extremely talented. His win last start by 5L from where he came from in the race was exceptional and he looks to be one of the better bets on the Sunday card. METALLOCENE (8) was pretty impressive last start when he won by 3.3L. A horse who is still yet to put it all together but when he does he looks a smart type going forward, with 7kg less on his back and Glen Boss he must be a quartet player
RACE 7
If you thought the Division 1 race was tough, this 22 to 39 rated race is exceptionally tough! OCEAN GENERAL (3) for Leticia Dragon (second run in the stable) has run some ok race since his last two starts; however he has been well supported in his last three runs. The concern is that he has never won over 1200m in the past (8 times placed). He is now on his lowest ever rating of 38 (career high of 66). FAST JET (5) for HK Tan seems to have improved a bit in recent runs, especially with that second placing last time out over 1100m. His only win was over 1200m in a maiden race which was back in 2015. FORTUNE SPIRIT (8) is another runner for Leticia Dragon who produced a much better effort when last presented to the races over 1100m but is inconsistent, his best performance in this grade/distance was quite some time ago for second placing when with HW Tan. 3kg claim an assist. TURQUOISE SON (9) from the David Hill stable has run well enough in his last two runs to suggest he could be a player in this weak line-up. Last start he placed second in what was pretty much a Division 1 line-up, but it is hard to get excited about a 23-start maiden.
RACE 8
A cracking renewal of the Committee’s Prize this year with last year’s winner Twickenham returning in a bid to hold on to the prize, but with some top class opposition it won’t be easy for Stephen Gray’s charge. The weights will certainly play its part with only three horses winning with 55kgs or more in the last ten years, LAUGHING GRAVY (2) ran a mighty race in the Queen Elizabeth II cup behind Qeuchua when bidding to make all, he will carry 53.5kg here and Craig Grylls will ride for the first time, from a nice barrier and a very attractive weight to carry he looks as if he can add to his tally of wins for Cliff Brown. JUPITER GOLD (6) was an extremely disappointing favourite last time out in the QEII cup when running last at $17, he has been given enough time to overcome that and with only 50.5kg and a decent to hopefully aim at, he can bounce back to something like his best form here and should go close. ABSOLUTE MIRACLE (11) looked exceptional in a recent trial, clocking a time of 59.92 with a number of race rivals behind him that morning, far from disgraced in the Singapore Derby in July when finishing 8th behind Infantry, he is a horse who could well be good value to outrun his odds in this Group 3. The quartet is made up by QUECHUA (1), one of Singapore’s best on his day, the QEII Cup winner will have to shoulder a massive weight of 59kgs, but does have a good barrier in gate one and since the blinkers have been added he has won another Group 1 and placed in the Chairman’s Trophy last time out. He should run his usual honest race here.
RACE 9
CHOPIN’S FANTASIE (2) is shaping as a topliner for the future in Singapore. The full brother to Hong Kong’s Ambitious Dragon was a shade unlucky last start when getting too far back and narrowly missing out. That was his first defeat but expect punters to rally behind him to get it done here. This is his first look at 1600m but he’s giving every indication that the distance will be ideal. The Cliff Brown-trained MR FATKID (5) looked impressive when resuming last time. He was ridden patiently and took full advantage of a narrow opening when bursting through on the fence. He is most likely on a Gold Cup campaign but he looks very progressive and shapes as the main threat to Chopin’s Fantaisie. MAKANANI (9) is proving quite frustrating but she has talent as shown with her fourth in the Singapore Guineas. She can have flat patches in her races but she is a must for the exotic bet types. MAGSTOCK (4), much like his stablemate, Mr Fatkid is probably going to attempt to push for a berth in Singapore Gold Cup in November. In his most recent run he lacked the class at the end of the Derby but his recent trial was really strong and he should be considered for the top four.
RACE 10
This last race on the card could well prove to be a very informative race for the future with few unexposed and very progressive horses turning up for what looks set to be a ultra-competitive heat. The nod however will go the way of the impressive son of Dream Ahead, SIR ISAAC (4), so dominant in victory last time out when dropped down in distance by trainer Cliff Brown, the Michael Rodd ridden 4yo finished wide and fast in a closing sectional time of 22.90 to score by just under 2 ½ lengths at the line, he performed with plenty of credit in the first two legs of the 3yo series when 3rd in the sprint and 4th in the classic before finishing 7th in the Guineas. He has a touch of class and back up in trip and reverting back to the turf he can take this Class 3 en route to better things in the future. The horse that can certainly give him most to do is BAO SHAN MAGIC (10), trained by the champion trainer-elect Mark Walker. This likeable 5yo produced the expected progression from first to second start when able to defeat a nice field of Class 4 gallopers last time out in a time of 1:10.19, closing off in 22.87 over the 1200m. He has 1.5kgs less to carry here and looks a horse on an upward curve. The wide barrier shouldn’t inconvenience CHALAZA (7) in this, given his running style he is likely to be held up for his run by Glen Boss and is a horse holding very good form of late and on only his 7th start here, he can continue in good form with a solid run expected in this. MAJOR TOM (11) was bitterly disappointing last time out when only able to finish 9th behind Eclipse Splash on August 25th, now sporting blinkers for this assignment, tentatively he is taken to fill the frame in the hope the headgear has a positive effect on Mark Walker’s charge.
