Friday, 27 October 2017: Sunday Singapore Race Previews for October 29 at Kranji

Sir Isaac

RACE 1
The meeting starts with a handy Class 5 event. RAPTOR (8) has been trying his luck over longer trips but should benefit now he is back to 1200m. Still lightly-raced, he has shown some talent in his brief career. He trialled without blinkers recently and hit the line with real purpose and rates a strong chance from Gate 1. Trainer Ricardo Le Grange has made some significant gear changes with the earmuffs going on and the blinkers coming off and significant improvement can be expected. AURORA AUSTRALIS (1) was ridden up most of the way last time when it raced in a prominent spot, producing a grinding one-paced effort. No surprise to see the blinkers applied as he looked a little sluggish at times. He has worn the blinkers before and the addition of the headgear looks a good move from the in-form Kiwi trainer, Stephen Gray. JACKS SECRET (3) gets the benefit of a senior rider after near misses in recent starts with apprentice riders. The handicapper has done him a favour and left him in Class 5 so he gets his chance with leading jockey Vlad Duric going on. LIM’S SIGNATURE (5) ran well last time, securing a nice run in transit before just fading at the end of the 1400m. The Mark Walker-trained gelding has won on the Polytrack over this 1200m distance. On that occasion, apprentice rider Zawari Razali was in the saddle, so his booking on Sunday is a positive sign.

RACE 2
A really interesting Restricted Maiden here with some nice progressive types in the field. The top selection has to be DON DE LA VEGA (2). Progressing nicely with every run, this Cliff Brown-trained 3yo recently won a trial in pleasing style on the bridle (62.88) having chased Silent Boss home three weeks ago. His trial time did not break any land speed records, but it did, however, confirm his well-being and given that he is on an upward curve for an in-form stable, he is chosen ahead of the field to score here. TESORO PRIVADO (8) has done nothing wrong in his two starts to-date and comes here in good form; now up in distance this son of Orpen should really appreciate the additional 200m and has the added benefit of a lovely barrier in 2. A big run is expected. One horse that hasn't been seen for a while is SEE NO EVIL (7) who on his only run to-date was seen to good effect finishing off well having shown signs of inexperience as a 2yo. It's hoped he would have benefitted from the time he has been given and goes up in trip for this, he will be working into the race where it matters. FLASH (1) has to give upwards of 5kgs away to his rivals in this and last time out slightly underperformed at only $13 but has shown enough to suggest he can run into the money here.

RACE 3
An extremely competitive-looking Class 4 over the 1400m here with the top eight only separated by 2kgs. Given the nature of this race, a chance is taken with the potentially very dangerously well handicapped THE WIND (7) with Vlad Duric in the saddle the first time. The Gorky Park 5yo recently trialled very nicely for the year's leading jockey when finishing third under a tight hold, now down to a mark of 55, he has never been able to get competitive off a handicap mark of 57 or higher and with conditions to suit and a top jockey in the plate it all looks set fair for a bold showing from Leslie Khoo's charge. ASTROJET (1) looked to relish a little confidence-booster in Kranji Stakes D last time when only just getting touched off by the lightly-race Sacred Galaxy in a great finish. Alan Munro is unbeaten on this 5yo and looks good with the fourth Tales Of Summer winning last weekend. The mare ATHENA (2) was in danger of becoming a little frustrating prior to scoring in good style last start for Cliff Brown, but with some classy form under her belt and the form of that victory being franked by Northern Sun last Sunday she is considered to run another very good race in this with Michael Rodd back in the irons. The selections are made up by STAR KING (10) who on his latest start showed distinct improvement in form, though this is a better quality Class 4 that he now tackles but can go well.

RACE 4
On paper this Open Maiden doesn’t look too hard with a handful of leading hopes and then the talent falls away. The in-form THE ODDS (2) looks like he has been screaming out for the extra ground and he will relish the 1400m. He has a half-brother racing in Australia who performs well over further. He raced on the Short Course E last time which wasn’t suitable and the Short Course D here probably isn’t ideal but the move to 1400m should lure punters to have another crack at this son of Casino Prince. He hasn’t had much luck through his career and if he gets a solid tempo his finishing burst might be too much for his moderately-talented opposition. HOWL (5) looks like the main danger and with his on-pace racing pattern he may well be significantly clear of The Odds in the early stages. Frenchman Olivier Placais will be well aware if he can get slow sectionals, it will make it hard for the backmarkers to catch him. PARADOR (9) is by the British stallion Poet’s Voice and the move to 1400m should prove a massive positive. He drops in weight and with Manoel Nunes in the saddle he rates a winning chance and a must for the quartet. SNAGGLE PUSS (10) should get a nice run from the inside gate. His form has been reasonable and should benefit from this barrier position.

RACE 5
The fifth is a race for the sprinters on the Polytrack. MOKASTAR (4) absolutely bolted in when winning over a 1000m on the Polytrack three starts back. He ran pretty well with blinkers last start on the Turf but was no match for the talented Yabadabadoo when finishing third. Back in trip should suit and expect him to roll forward and sit close to the lead. BRINGER OF WAR (6) has a nice light weight considering she placed at Group 2 level last time. There is no doubt that the filly was at an advantage from an inside barrier but it was still a great performance when racing on the pace in the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe. The Mark Walker-trained filly trialled recently finishing third and will have the pacifiers on for this first-up run. The speedy EXCEED EXPRESS (1) has the pace to win this. The massive negative is that he hasn’t won a race since November 2014. Now in the care of Lee Freedman, this 6yo has had two recent trials including a trial win in 60.61. He has explosive pace and most likely will lead the field turning for home and if he finds his best form first-up from a spell he will be hard to catch. SOLDADO (3) cast a plate last start and was subsequently vetted after finishing last. Forgive him for that and going on past efforts would see him a top four contender in this.

RACE 6
An interesting Open Maiden with quite a few exposed horses in the race and it should pay to stick with those that are much lighter-raced. The nod will go the way of the once-raced DARC BELT (8) who on debut was doing all his best work at the finish to close off in 22.32 when sixth to Gold City. He is value for much more on that evidence and the step-up in trip should be right up his street for an in-form stable. He can continue Stephen Gray's good recent record with maidens. The interesting runner in this is the only newcomer ZA'EEM (1) for the Al-Arabiya Stable and Ricardo Le Grange. This son of Sakhee's Secret has raced eight times for five placings between 1200 and 1600m in New Zealand when racing as Blue Twilight for Robert Priscott with a lot of his form on slightly softer going but has trialled really nicely here in Singapore, closing off very well in his only trial outing. He should make his presence felt in what looks a soft race to start him off in. With the minor placings up for grabs it would seem, the best of the rest could prove to be SILENT PRINCE (10) who was demoted two runs back after drifting off a true line up the straight, he has run ok since and will now have the services of Barend Vorster. BANGKOK BOY (11) has a blue-blooded pedigree but was just too green on debut in July. He has had a nice break since with three trials and with hopefully general progression on his side, he can improve from first to second start.

RACE 7
This Class 5 is an absolute minefield of a race! And a rather tentative selection is the grey ANY RUMOUR (7) who has now dropped to his lowest career mark of 35 and there were some positives to take out of his last start run to think he can go well in this. The trip and surface will suit and for a horse who was once rated higher than Class 4, he should be able to run a decent race here but small stakes are very much advised. BONJOUR BOB (10) clearly enjoyed stepping up to the mile last time out to register his second career win in what wasn't the deepest race run all year. He could do no more than win and does remain on a light weight. ZAHIR (11) was also able to score last time off the basement mark of 22, but will have to prove himself on the Polytrack and so too will CHEETAH KING (8) whose record on the all-weather reads 0-22 but chased well enough when third to Zahir and Glen Boss now jumps into the saddle this time around.

RACE 8
A cracking Class 3 Polytrack sprint over the flying 1000m here! With some very talented horses in the line-up. Recent trial form could prove the way to go here and one horse who has trialled extremely well of late is SIR ISAAC (3). Sporting a visor in a recent trial, this likeable son of Dream Ahead hit the line very nicely for Michael Rodd in 60.44. He is now back on the Polytrack and drops down to a 1000m for the first time and with the stable of Cliff Brown in excellent form having taken out the Group 1 Raffles Cup last weekend, it is thought that Sir Isaac can continue the stable’s good run. CADET (10) is another to have won a trial (60.10) leading into this race and will relish getting back to this distance as he barely gets 1100m and also has the luxury of a lovely post position in barrier two and 52.5kgs on his back. The James Peters-trained SKYWALK (4) is a classy type having finished fourth in a 3yo sprint and should definitely strip fitter for his first-up run last time out on yielding turf. He has a bit going for him, he has won second-up in the past and has a perfect record on the surface as his only run was a winning one when scoring on debut and beating a handy field in the process. He needs to overcome a bad barrier but is a big player if doing so. The quartet is made up by RED DAWN (1) who has proven to be very consistent in the grade and can once again run a solid race and bag some more prizemoney for connections.

RACE 9
The ninth is a really interesting race at Kranji C Level. CLARTON SUPER (1) is a talented 5yo who is now under the guidance of first-year trainer Tan Kah Soon. He absolutely rocketed home behind the talented Aramco last time and gave the indication that 1400m will be suitable. His recent trials have been sound including a smart win in 60.05. The massive question mark was the 59.5kgs so the 2kg claim for the talented apprentice Amirul Ismadi is a massive bonus in this high-weighted race with the minimum allocated weight being 55kgs. He is such a robust, strong type he will lump the 57.5kg without a problem. The in-form BAO SHAN MAGIC (2) took on a really strong line-up at Class 3 level last time and ran another super race. He was only fairly away from a wide stall and sat deep throughout and gallantly fought on. He meets Dinghu Mountain equal at weights but does benefit from the addition of jockey Vlad Duric and importantly a better barrier draw. In this current form he is a good chance to add to his wins in August and September. DINGHU MOUNTAIN (6) finished just ahead of Bao Shan Magic last start and certainly will enjoy stepping up to 1400m. Trainer Shane Baertschiger had hoped to prepare this horse as a Derby contender as a 4yo but he now is looking like a better 1200m to 1400m galloper so this looks absolutely perfect. The much travelled DEE DEE D’OR (5) is a newcomer who won at Listed level in Italy before placing in the Italian Derby over 2200m. He raced unsuccessfully in Hong Kong and now finds himself in Singapore. His work and trial have been outstanding and anything is possible with this 4yo grey stallion first up in Singapore.

RACE 10
As so often is the case in Singapore, the last race is worth hanging around for. YABADABADOO (11) has shown a touch of class to overcome terrible barrier draws so far to remain undefeated in his first two runs. Trainer Michael Clements has found a suitable race for this son of Makfi and from a better barrier draw and a lightweight he may well be short-priced favourite in the last race of the day. BIG MAN (4) drops back a half grade into a Benchmark 67 and he has the arsenal to dictate this race from the front under excellent front runner’s jockey John Powell. The short Course D should suit his strengths and he could make Yabadabadoo’s task a little harder up on the pace. NOBLE LIAISON (10) is worth forgiving after finishing down the track on a wet surface on Kranji Mile day. He has been a little costly, having been rolled at short odds but has had plenty of promising efforts in his career to suggest he is a strong contender in this. JUSTICE LIGHT (2) found a purple patch of form to win three in a row before tasting defeat for the first time since May on the Polytack. His three wins all came at 1200m on the turf, so the move back to the grass is a positive. The winner of his last start, Elite Star franked the form, winning last weekend. Well drawn and with a 2kg claim, he should prove competitive.