Friday, 20 October 2017: Singapore racing best bets, race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Sunday the 22th of October, with selections and information on the main contenders.

Debt Collector

RACE 1
A rather open looking affair to start the day on Raffles Cup day. The selection however will be MAJOR ADVANCEMENT (4) for David Kok and Vlad Duric. A striking son of O'Reilly this 4yo has clearly not been the easiest to train having won on his debut here in Singapore, but last time out run a nice enough race to finish 3rd to the useful Paparazzi and he should have come on for that outing and now finds himself in a Kranji Stakes D for the first time and can get his year back on track in this. LIM'S ARCHER (2) raced keenly and had a wide trip last start, again drawn wide here but a return to 1200m should suit him and if able to get forward in the run he can run very well like he did two runs back. There are places to play for in this outside of the predicted top two and the horse that collect 3rd place prize money is SPECIAL RAIN (8), a Polytrack winner when downgraded in August he ran a nice race on turf last time out and drops back to his winning distance for this. A bit of a chance is taken for 4th with MOON CHARM (13), although a disappointment on her latest start this mare has been unlucky on more than one occasion recently and a strong tempo could allow her to outrun her mark.

RACE 2
Race two on the card looks a nice little opportunity for the Cliff Brown trained EASTIGER (10) to get off the mark at the third time of asking. The winner of his blinkers trial recently in a time of 61.16 this travelled well throughout and hit the line well on the bridle in typical Cliff Brown style for Michael Rodd, he will on race day be the mount of Manoel Nunes and looks the type to continue improving for an inform stable. MISS PORTMAN (6) is a half-sister to group 3 winner Daniel and will represent James Peters here on her debut; she has trialed very well in preparation for this and is related to 6 individual winners, she looks the best of the newcomers. MY MONEY (12) showed distinct signs of greenness on his first run having had Eight trials leading up to his debut and the form of that race is working out well with the 3rd (Silent Boss) winning since and the 4th (Don De La Vega) finishing 2nd in the same race, he should step up on that performance here. The quartet is completed by LIM'S PERSHING (1) who will now sport Winkers for the first time and has trialed adequately since his last start.

RACE 3
This Open Benchmark 74 could prove to be a winning race for the one lady in the contest over the boys with the nod going the way of the Guineas 4th MAKANANI (6) who is coming through a very strong form race last time behind the now Raffles Cup contender Chopin's Fantaisie, the 2nd, 4th and 8th from that day have all won since and this daughter of Black Tide was finishing off her race well (23.54) enough to suggest she can follow suit in this and on her best form most certainly can. THE CAPITAL (8) for Ricardo Le Grange will much prefer racing over this trip having run okay over 1400m earlier this month and run very well when last seen over this distance in a better race in June behind Nazir, he looks set fair to run a big race here. the selections are made up by SHOW FAR SHOW GOOD (4) who's stamina may have run out over 2000m, he is back in distance and would relish any rain beforehand having bolted up on a wet track on Kranji Mile day and MIGHTY KENNY (1) another for Ricardo Le Grange, he has trialed nicely leading up to this and would rate a chance from a good barrier.

RACE 4
Not the greatest Maiden but it might well be easy to put the pen through half the field. NORTHERN SUN (1) had to work from a wide stall last time and only battled in the straight after leading early. Perhaps the biggest positive for him is getting back to the 1200m as he was running on empty last start over further. Drawn favourably and should run a decent race. D'GREAT STAR (7) has been racing well and the booking of Barend Vorster is a positive move by trainer Dan Meagher. Very unlucky not to win two starts ago when he raced wide and last time seemed to have his chance when he bumped into a stronger field. He goes well on the grass, with his last run on the Turf a fifth at Group 2 level in the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe. SIX EMPIRE (8) is limited with talent but he battles away bravely in his races. The son of Big Brown should benefit from racing over further and he should really run the trip out strongly from a good barrier. He has two recent trials which have been acceptable and shapes as a each way player here. BURGUNDY PRINCE (9) might be a rough place hope. On his last start he is a little hard to warm to but he went off at $13 so there certainly was some interest, from someone! His trial with Blinkers was back in May and he closed to finish third. Has been freshened up and given a quiet trial recently. He will sport the Blinkers here and rates a quartet hope.

RACE 5
Nice little Class 4 here with the progressive CAPTAIN JAMIE (1) going for a hat-trick of victories after consecutive wins over 1400m. Last start he proved far too strong, however he did have a few things in his favour mainly receiving 7.5kgs from the runner-up. He made his own luck in front and ran handy time in doing so. He looks better than Class 4 and should handle the 57kgs. Currently he is going through the grades and many will be keen to cash in, he looks the likely punter's elect again here. Last start, GALILEOH'S APPROACH (6) had to work early from a wide gate and then was pressured strongly before the turn. His effort over 1400m to hang on to second was fantastic. He looks the logical leader from gate 1 in a race where there is not too much natural early pace. The Shane Baertschiger trained runner has had unlucky gate 13 the last two starts but has drawn beautifully here. LIM'S RIPPLE (9) is probably better than his 51 rating points suggests. He ran really strongly with Blinkers on Kranji Mile day on a deteriorating wet track, unlucky to bump into a genuine wet tracker who was too strong. But his performance was very good and despite a horror draw here he will appreciate having 4kg less than Captain Jamie. MURRAYFIELD (5) seemed to lose his spot in running when contesting much tougher race last time at Kranji C level. This looks easier and horses who race in these colours tend to peak on feature race days. He is a definite improver.

RACE 6
SPEEDY PHOENIX (3) has found a perfect race after his terrific run last start behind the promising Yabadabadoo. The only negative is a terrible barrier draw. His rider Vlad Duric will need to be at his absolute best to get him home from the extreme outside gate but this 3yo gelding has the talent to figure strongly. THE GOLDEN GOAT (4) trialed nicely recently and with a claim and barrier 1 he has plenty in his favor. In his recent trial finishing fifth, he flew out so he may be a candidate to sit close to the lead here. He can be a bit of a handful but he is maturing with time and rates a strong chance. REDOUBT (2) completely floundered last start over the 1600m on the Polytrack. The Vet report revealed nothing but he has had a freshen up and looks better suited here dropping back to 1200m. PAPERBACK TROOPER (6) has the blinkers going on and may improve. He boasts a win over Sir Isaac earlier in his career so he clearly has the talent. Last start he was friendless in the market and finished down the track but with a riding change and blinkers it is worth keeping an eye on the market.

RACE 7
A real decent renewal of this Group 3 El Dorado Classic with some very promising, potentially Gold Cup bound runners on show. The Lee Freedman trained CHAIRMAN (12) will have to race from a shockingly wide gate in this but was impressive in victory last time out when beating Mr Fatkid over 2000m. An ex Aidan O'Brien trained son of Galileo this 4yo is really stamping himself as a serious Gold Cup contender and the stats over the last 7 years speak in his favour and with just 50.5kgs he looks as if he can take this notable Gold Cup trial en route to the blue ribbon next month. MR FATKID (9) can once again chase home his conqueror Chairman in this group 3, he is another on the Gold cup trail and should really relish the extra 200m he will encounter here and with the Cliff Brown yard firing on all cylinders at presence he can give the selection most to think about in this quality contest. Over the years the record have shown that horses with light weights have fared best in this race and one horse who is holding good form is SARAAB (10) who has won two of his last three races and continues to progress nicely, he is likely to try and lead from a good barrier in three and on the back of a 3rd placing in a quick trial behind Nova Swiss recently he can run a good race in this. One horse that has been working very well indeed is GOLD FAITH (13), he will need more than a bit of luck from his wide gate position! But if able to find a spot early this 2400m winner when trained in the UK can add a bit of value to the quartet.

RACE 8
The eighth race is a high quality Open Benchmark 89. WHITE HUNTER (5) is a capable on pace runner who won’t get an easy lead but with form over 1400m recently he will be very strong at the end of this 1200m race. He’s had a nice freshen up and a couple of recent trials have him ready for this handy contest. ABSOLUTE MIRACLE (3) has his fair share of weight but perhaps will be suited getting back in trip. He campaigned over further in some terrific races including a creditable eighth in the Singapore Derby. Trainer Alwin Tan has decided not to press on to the Raffles Cup instead dropping Absolute Miracle back in trip. He needs a fast tempo to show his electric turn of foot late and he should get the early tempo he needs in this. ELUSIVE EMPEROR (9) looks well placed down on a nice light weight. He had to work hard early in a very strong Class 3 before getting tired. He has trialed strongly since, winning in 59.71. With many of the fancied runners lumping heavy weights, FLAK JACKET (7) should give some cheek on the pace. The veteran galloper is drawn to lead, but might get some early pressure from White Hunter. But with great front running rider John Powell in the saddle from gate 1 he rates a quartet player.

RACE 9
The 2017 G1 Raffles Cup is the 2nd Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown and promises to be a super race. 2016 Champion Horse Of The Year, DEBT COLLECTOR (1) has found the going a little tougher this year but he continues to race well as shown with his last two runs producing his customary big finish. The Cliff Brown trained 5yo gelding has many things in his favor. Firstly, the shift to the Long Course is critical, allowing him time to run his opposition down. Another factor is the slightly smaller field. His biggest weakness is lack of early pace but as he showed last year no one can match him when he has the leaders in sight. The absence of Kranji Mile winner Infantry is a huge boost to his chances, as to is the fact he meets Countofmontechristo at 1800m, a distance which probably hands Debt Collector his chance to go back to back in the Raffles Cup. CHOPIN’S FANTAISIE (11) faces his toughest test but he has only been beaten once in 6 runs to date. Just how good this full brother to Ambitious Dragon is, is unclear as he only ever does enough to win. He is being set for the Singapore Gold Cup in 3 weeks’ time but a big effort here wouldn’t surprise. He trialed well enough with Blinkers and will wear the headgear for the first time in the Raffles Cup. ELITE EXCALIBUR (4) didn’t appreciate the wet conditions of the Kranji Mile. He has shown with his efforts in 2017 in races like the Patron’s Bowl and Jumbo Jet Trophy that his best is right up there with the elite but some horrendous barrier draws in the Derby and Kranji Mile have hindered his efforts. He has the perfect draw here in gate 2 and should run a huge race. COUNTOFMONTECHRISTO (9) has not won beyond 1400m and is still a query at 1800m. He has had a super year in Singapore and deserves a Group 1, but this is going to take his absolute best. He was outpointed by Infantry over shorter but was well clear of the others in the Kranji Mile, but the reservations about him winning at this trip still linger.

RACE 10
A really nice class 4 to finished the day with a potential star on show in the shape of LIM’S MAGIC (7). He was very impressive in victory last time out when beating Ace Harbour on a softer racing surface at the beginning of the month, he has a wide barrier to overcome but did manage it on debut when closing off in 23.26 in the manner of a very talented horse and with bigger things expected of this Stephen Gray trained galloper he can take this on the road to greater glories. The Raffles racing stable are doubly represented here and vote of confidence will go the way of SACRED SURFER (6) who was always handy last time out when giving 2kgs and only going down by 1l to Moment Of Justice, conditions suit him ideally here and since the headgear has been applied he has run two very good races in defeat, the same can be expected in this. MR EXCHEQUER (4) is better than the form of his most recent outing where he could only finish 7th and with looking in need of the run he should strip fitter for this. The last start winner SACRED GALAXY (2) now meets some stronger company here having won a Kranji Stakes D on the first day of the month but he is in good form and has a nice barrier to work from in this, he could add some value to the quartet.