Friday, 6 October 2017: Singapore racing best bets, race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Sunday October 8 with selections and information on the main contenders.
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RACE 1
The clues for this staying Class 5 contest could well come from those towards the top of the weights here, with MURDOCH (3) and DESTINY KNIGHT (5) fighting out a finish last time they met, with the nod going the way of the former who was beaten half a length by the Stephen Gray-trained runner having to give 3.5kgs and having travelled like the winner on that occasion and now finds himself better in at the weights here, with wins at a slightly better level and some good recent runs in Class 5. It is strongly suggestive that another win is imminent with an additional 4kgs off with apprentice Zyrul Nor Azman on board. Destiny Knight comes into this on the back of that aforementioned win and once finding racing room last time up the straight, he ran home well. He has, however, never won with more than 55.5kg and off a mark higher than 38 but he can certainly made his presence felt in this for an in-form trainer. The 3yo DREAM BIG (7) is still lightly-raced and has shown some slight improvement in two recent runs with blinkers on, he can add some value to the quartet, along with ALFONSO (6) who if returning to his better form can run in the top four here and is the mount of Michael Rodd.
RACE 2
This would probably not rank as the strongest Restricted Maiden ever run here in Singapore, with quite a few of the runners beginning to look a little exposed so early on in they careers. The selection is the progressive looking FLASH (2) for James Peters, second on his debut behind Mr Clint (third since) he was running on well towards the line and has since trialled with blinkers for a win (59.83) and should really appreciate the step-up in trip and can prove good enough even though he is giving upwards of 5kgs to his rivals here. SILENT BOSS (3) was half-a-length behind Flash when they last met and has also trialled well since then, he can once again chase Flash home in this racing off similar terms. DON DE LA VEGA (6) showed good improvement for first to second start last month when fourth in the race won by Mr Clint, the extra 200m looks set to suit this son of Lope De Vega and he can continue on an improving upward curve. SILENT PRINCE (4) lost the race last time out in the Stewards’ room when running off a straight course; the trip is ideal and he has a decent barrier to race from. Not the biggest horse in the world, so the rider’s claim will be an added bonus to his chance.
RACE 3
BIRAZ (1) looks right at home in this Class 4 after facing a tougher assignment last time in a Kranji Stakes C. He never really got warm in a leader-dominated race where he still caught the eye in the last furlong. His previous run at Class 4 was superb and now that he drops back into this grade, he should be treated with the utmost respect. The wide draw is a massive negative though and the experienced Oscar Chavez has been entrusted with the tricky task at hand. DUTROW (1) improved at his second Singapore start and handed his rivals a galloping lesson clocking a very quick 1:04.80 for the 1100m. The handicapper has been quite kind giving him just a five rating point rise for that slick time and he finds himself in a race he could well win again. This does look tougher, though, and he'll need to continue his rapid improvement. The David Hill-trained SILKINO (8) is starting to live up to his early potential recording his maiden win in a Class 4. The addition of blinkers has proved a master stroke from Hill, but the time he recorded for the 1100m was half a second slower than Dutrow. The victory, however, will do wonders for his confidence and a similar run can be expected. DECRETO (6) had a very tough time sitting four deep on the Polytrack but boldly stuck on and was beaten in a close photo finish. He has been a little erratic through his career and can be a bit hit and miss but a repeat of his most recent effort will make him a strong quartet contender.
RACE 4
This looks a nice Open Maiden with plenty of interest surrounding the debutants. HOWL (6) began like a bullet on debut before handing up the lead to the eventual winner Nimitz. He ran a gallant second on that occasion with the promising Lim’s Magic finishing third franking the form strongly. Furthermore Howl cast a plate in running. His recent trial was very quiet and punters can expect further improvement with the barrier draw in his favour. If he jumps like he did last time they might not catch him. ONE KINABALU (2) is a 10-start maiden galloper who boasts some handy form. He has had a lengthy spell but returns to the racetrack on the back of two quiet but strong trials. Jockey John Powell has chosen One Kinabalu over the stablemate Cape Lincoln, which also gives a positive lead. DARC BELT (5) looks one of the more interesting newcomers. The Stephen Gray-trained gelding won a trial in New Zealand in October 2016. Since arriving in the Lion City, Darc Belt has trialled nicely in Singapore on two occasions. Unfortunately he has drawn terribly, so he will need to be talented to win on debut. NOVA CLASSIC (1) seemed to show further improvement with the blinkers on. He was inclined to overrace in the middle stages but his effort was good and he should run well again
RACE 5
Another tricky Class 5 race where finding the winner could be difficult. There doesn’t look to be much natural pace in the race, particularly if the first emergency doesn’t get a run. CHEETAH KING (7) is a horse that will relish the lightweight. The inexperienced apprentice Zyrul Nor Azman will have to be at his best but if he can give this 7yo a troublefree run he will be finishing hard at the end with such a light weight. Cheetah King hasn’t raced since March but has had four trials in preparation for this. EDEN GARDEN (1) sprinted well for French jockey Ryan Curatolo last time when suited by a strong tempo upfront. His turn of foot was impressive for a Class 5 galloper but his inclination to lay in badly is a worry. He’ll need to do everything right here getting back to the Short Course with an extra 4kgs and a wide stall. SHE’S THE ONE (4) has been getting back and finishing hard. If the track is playing to the frontrunners she will be severely disadvantaged but the addition of the blinkers is a positive move by leading trainer, Mark Walker. The pick of this mare’s runs was with the headgear two starts ago when sprinting strongly to finish second. She has talent but if the tempo is slow she’ll struggle to pick them up with 58.5kgs on the Short Course. PERCIUS (8) is honest and rates a chance if Michael Rodd can overcome a poor barrier.
RACE 6
With not too many opportunities for the stronger stayers here at Kranji, we get a nice race to get stuck into here with some really nice progressive stayers in action. CHAIRMAN (7) ran a mighty race to chase home the ultra-talented Chopin’s Fantaisie last time out (23.34) despite jockey Alan Munro having his whip struck out of his hand in the closing stages. Already with a 2000m win on his CV, the Lee Freedman-trained son of Galileo should relish getting back up in distance and is down in grade from that OB83 last time. With the 53.5kgs and conditions to suit he is the one they all have to beat here. Another horse that has proven stamina is DUKE OF NORMANDY (8), a victor over 2200m back in March of last year when with Steven Burridge, the 6yo was a little keen last time but did challenge down the straight before his run petered out in what is turning out to be a very decent form race. He has trialled well recently and conditions should be ideal for him here, he can give Chairman the most to think about and will now race without blinkers. MR FATKID (3) is one that can be forgiven at his last-start performance when a disappointing $12 favourite, he is better than that and connections are potential plotting a path to the Gold Cup in November. In what is still early days in his career, he has shaped as if this trip will definitely suit him well and he now gets an opportunity, he can bounce back to his best in this. Making up the top four is EL DON (11), another of the 2000m winners in the race, Stephen Gray’s charge has a great record at the distance (3-2-0-0) and getting back to the turf will be beneficial as he didn’t seem to enjoy the Polytrack last time. Expect a much better showing here and cannot be left out of calculations.
RACE 7
Quite possibly the hardest race to work out and find the winner of on this Sunday afternoon card. The tentative selection is RORY (6) who for the first time will have the assistance of Michael Rodd and was able to run well last time out behind Hee’s Forte. Very much a 1000m specialist (7 wins), he is in good form and can add to his tally with victory here. COOL CAT (7) is certainly not showing his years at present, the 11yo has been in good form and on the back of a good 2nd last start, he can chase Rory home for David Hill. The quartet is completed with BARNBURGH LAD (4) who is currently dangerously well handicapped on his best form and DOUBLE CASH (1) who is now back in his right grade having struggled in Class 4 races of late.
RACE 8
The Racing Guide Classic is a great race with the barrier draw planting many of the leading hopes in the car park. MR FANTASTIC (4) is now at a career-high mark of 91 courtesy of his gutsy second in the Committee’s Prize over 1600m. He has now finished either first or second in 50% of his 30 runs in Singapore and looks even better suited getting back to 1400m. He carries weight well so the rise of 7kgs shouldn’t be a concern. The Ricardo Le Grange-trained South African-bred gelding has since gone back for another trial and continues to hold his form. POSEIDON (1) won this race last year when it was run in March. On that occasion, Derreck David produced an inspired frontrunning ride from barrier 11 to win. Ironically, Poseidon has drawn the same gate again this year so the task for Michael Rodd will not be easy. The conditions of the race suit him as he is the highest-rated runner in the field and drops 1kgs from his last start. He trialled superbly in late August before taking on a top-notch field in the Jumbo Jet Trophy where he sat four deep the whole way. This looks more suitable and he should be competitive in this race again. LIM’S SAMURAI (7) is on a Singapore Gold Cup campaign and he seems to be flying if his recent trial is anything to go by. His effort to run second to Infantry in the Singapore Derby was tremendous and he is shaping as one of the leading hopes for the Gold Cup. Now trained by Lee Freedman, he’ll be peaking in mid-November for the Gold Cup but he looks forward enough to run a big race here over the 1400m. ARAMCO (5) is coming off a 1400m win in a Benchmark 83 where he got a lovely run through on the fence. The Shane Baertschiger team are in hot form at the moment but the barrier draw here will test Aramco for sure and he will need everything to go right from a wide gate over 1400m.
RACE 9
A slightly tricky puzzle to solve here with quite a few of these needing to bounce back from poor efforts in their last few runs. The tentative selection is ETTIJAH (3) who when last seen in action on September 8th weakened rather quickly after setting brisk early sectionals (24.46) over the course and distance, he has won a trial since (61.41) by 3.3 lengths and that was certainly a key indicator to the horses wellbeing and can get back to winning ways in this. The interesting grade dropper is OXBOW SUN (2), another to have trialled well since his last run, he trialled in blinkers on the morning of September 26th to run 2nd to Melting Point in a time of (61.19). A Class 3 winner back in March over Arhat, he can improve on recent performances having been tried as high as Group 2 level. The James Peters-trained ex-Irish winner SEBASTIAN BACH (6) has also been at the trials after running fifth behind Kratos on his local debut. A winner at Dundalk (Ireland’s only AW track) over an extended six furlongs, this 3yo will enjoy getting back up in distance and a bold show is expected. One horse you can rarely leave out of the quartets is BOARD WALK (5), in the first four on 33 of his 71 runs here in Singapore, he once again can run another honest race and make it into the frame.
RACE 10
A brilliant class 3 to round out a big day at Kranji. The James Peters-trained SKYWALK (5) has not run since injury interrupted his 3yo campaign. His most recent run was in March where he ran fourth to one of Singapore's finest in Countofmontecristo in the Singapore 3yo Sprint. After an enforced layoff he has done well at two recent trials, the latest of those he lumped 68kgs and cruised to an impressive 59:71 for the 1000m. Has plenty of scope for the future and will be hard to beat. Oddly enough, the horse that finished just ahead of Skywalk in the 3yo sprint was SIR ISAAC (2) and the pair will lock horns, here albeit with Skywalk 1kg better off. After a blistering return to racing on the Polytrack, Sir Isaac was knocked badly off balance in the home straight on the turf last start and only managed a frustrating sixth. He clearly has plenty of talent and he is likely to bounce back strongly with more luck in running. The horse that beat Sir Isaac last time was BAO SHAN MAGIC (1) who is absolutely flying currently. He clearly is thriving in Singapore and poses a serious threat again but he meets the luckless Sir Isaac 3.5kgs worse off which might be the difference. Weight aside, he is going too well to ignore and should run another mighty race. SUPER FORTUNE (6) has been fantastic in his only three outings in Singapore. Last start he had to sit a little wide and could not run down two handy types in the home straight. Since that game last-start effort, he has gone back to the trials and produced an impressive 59:82 trial victory where he looked as though he may have made further improvement.
