Friday, 17 November 2017: Form previews for Singapore racing Friday November 17.

Deimos

RACE 1

Nice even race to kick off this Friday night meeting. GREAT SEVEN (8) has got the foot on the till. Was a lot sharper with the shades on last time out. Will probably vie for the lead from his low barrier. Top pick. GOLDEN SPARK (7) flew home from the ruck to finish just behind the placegetters at his last run. Been tried over a variety of distances but his only two victories were recorded over 1000m. In the hunt for a long way. Blinkers replaced by visors. Manoel Nunes has a great affinity with BEST JADE (9) having been the winning partner at his two wins. This is a Class 5 race and he is no way a shoo-in, but he certainly ranks among the more reliable sorts lining up here. OCEAN MASTER (4) ran on late for second but could never have caught the winner Dayuan on that day. Not without claims.

RACE 2

The second event is a moderate Restricted Maiden over 1400m with many of the runners in desperate need of a form reversal. In-form trainer Ricardo Le Grange has the promising SUPER POWER (9) in action. This 3yo gelding has had two recent trials to get him ready for this and appears to be moving well on the training tracks. He is by Irish 2000 Guineas winner Power, and looks well suited at this trip. There will be no-one more nervous than recently-licensed trainer Young Keah Yong who remains without that elusive first victory. In this contest Young saddles up CROWN GIFT (5) who chased the speedy Filibuster on the Polytrack at his first run and stuck on gamely to finish third albeit well held. The gelding went back to the trials and closed off strongly at the end indicating that he is now looking for the 1400m. ZULU WARRIOR (10) settled a long way back last start from a wide barrier but is drawn to take closer order here for Vlad Duric. Showed more than enough first-up over the same trip and is sure to strip fitter here. BURGUNDY PRINCE (4) was only beaten 4.8L with blinkers last time. Looks limited but this is not a strong field.

RACE 3

Fairly open BM67 event where no runner jumps out of the paper. On his last-start resounding win, it’s hard to get past BLACK SWAN (5) who has improved out of sight since the blinker-pacifiers have come on. Solid claims. MR SCORSESE (1) is dropping in grade. Hard to trust on current lacklustre form but the easier company, step-up to 1800m and switch to Polytrack might be variables which can work in his favour. Keep safe. TURQUOISE KING (2) has run against better horses of late and will be competitive in this. Scored over 1900m on Polytrack at his maiden win eight months ago. Blinker-pacifiers on. Should go close. Even if GOLD FAITH (6) was aiming high in the El Dorado Classic, much better things were expected than his moderate 12th. Out-and-out stayer who needs a jockey who knows him inside out. The re-appointment of only winning partner Vlad Duric is a plus. Place claims.

RACE 4

Newcomer WAITAHANUI (9) has two solid barrier trial wins under his belt. Has drawn off the track, though, which may make it tricky for him. Will still have his fair share of admirers at his debut. After two decent starts, AROUND THE WORLD (6) should be ready to show his wares now. Six furlongs will be more up his alley. Blinkers on. Only query is the awkward gate. GRAND CANYON (2) didn’t live up to his barrier trial form at his last outing. Not without ability but probably needs more time to find his bearings. Can sneak into the minors with an ounce of luck. Well drawn. AMIABILITY (1) showed toe with the blinkers on at his last run over 1600m but compounded in the straight. Drops back sharply to 1200m. Blinker-pacifiers instead of blinkers. If he can settle better for Nooresh Juglall, he should be a force to reckon with, especially from the nice barrier. Tongue-tie and pacifiers on.

RACE 5

Not a race with many chances to pick from. OBSTACLES FREE (3) showed he could muster early speed when required two runs back. From barrier No 2, he will probably roll forward. If left alone in front, he may well go all the way. D’DON (1) is always around the mark in this type of race. Wide barrier against him, but is working well and can pop up at good value. PETITE VICTOIRE (9) is not the easiest of horses to ride. Not a bad sort on his day. If in the mood, must be respected. INVINCIBLE MAN (2) ran an improved race at his last start when donning blinkers, but that gear is dropped again. Marble one. Blinkers and earmuffs off. Can make the board.

RACE 6

Impressive debut winner PAPARAZZI’S (2) second-up run left a lot to be desired. Maybe it was the second-up after rest syndrome but anyway, the gelding seems to have bounced back to his usual countenance since and should not be disregarded in this Class 4 race over 1400m. SOUTHERN SPUR (6) seems to respond better to the blinkers. Has stacks of talent and there is a race for him soon. Resuming after a six-month spell, WIJAYA (4) was the only one to chip away at the commanding lead on easy winner Filibuster last time out. Bound to have improved further. Major threat in this. Irish-bred GOLDEN KINGDOM (1) plugged away for an encouraging fourth last time out. Looks in impeccable order on the training tracks. Pays to follow here.

RACE 7

The much-improved LIM’S RIPPLE (4) flew home like a good thing at his last outing. Extra 200m will suit to a tee. The Lim’s Stable colours are in red-hot form. This may well be another one for the leading owner. Big finisher EL DON (3) should find this a lot easier. If they roll along in front, he can finish right over the top of them at the business end. Blinkers on. DISCRETELY RED (8) showed fighting qualities to open his account in a close finish at his fifth run. Pitted against tougher opposition this time but he is not without a say. Commands respect. SUN SCRAPER (9) ran a belter on Polytrack last time out. Reverts to turf. Drawn in one. Worth keeping in calculations if he reproduces the same burst here.

RACE 8

It is very hard to get away from DEIMOS (1) in this and he certainly makes the most appeal. A very good winner last time out when closing off in 22.77, this son of Showcasing has trialled since that run and looked in great well-being for Michael Rodd that morning, He was highly tried in the 3YO series and didn’t get much luck in a couple of those races and even up in grade here and one point higher than the Benchmark of 67, he should be far too good for a lot of those that take him on here. LUCKY STRIDE (4) has never looked the easiest to deal with in the past but last time out he ran a mighty race to chase down an in-form race rival in the shape of Dream Comes True over slightly shorter with hood for the first time, travelling well throughout. Should the headgear have the same affect again, he can prove best of the rest and will benefit from stepping up in trip, too. Recent trials could prove informative here and one such trial was that of KOLOMBIA (2) for Daniel Meagher, winning his latest trial in a time of 61.77 and it suggested that he might be able to improve on his recent form now he is back in to a BM67 (only run in grade was a win). He, however, does have to prove as effective on this surface, but does have blinkers back on which is a massive plus. Making up the quartet is EN CIVIL (7) who last time out ran a creditable third behind Certainly and won’t mind a return to the Polytrack as his most recent success was over the course and distance, and he now has start number five for Desmond Koh.