Friday, 17 November 2017: Form previews for Singapore Sunday November 19
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RACE 1
The opening race of the day is not one of the easier ones to find the winner in, but MOON CHARM (6) could well prove the way to go in this. Having only her second run in this company and her only previous one resulted in a narrow defeat to Flying Winner in June, her trackwork has been good with the useful Gold Faith and the fact Manoel Nunes jumps on board is also a huge positive for her chance here. CERDAN (1) is perhaps not one to rely on too heavily but he didn’t run too badly last time out, still in search of a win and connections have added blinkers in the hope it will help him break his maiden tag. LUCKY BOY (10) won a slightly lesser race last time, but he won it nicely enough and should be up there from the get-go and DICAPRIO (4) is one to include for the exotics.
RACE 2
The second race is a Maiden over 1400m. KING OF WAR (2) had a beautiful run in transit last time before getting himself in a bumping duel with a rival runner in the straight. He stuck on well and from a good barrier with William Pike, he is well worth sticking with here in what is a pretty weak Maiden. RACE FOR FAME (9) has had a 7 month lay-off and returns after two very handy trials. The booking of Nooresh Juglall looks a good one as is the application of blinkers. He can run well fresh. PARAGON STAR (8) looks a danger, constantly just behind the placegetters in his recent races. This is not strong so he will be one of the fancied runners. THREE LIONS’ (7) form reads well but he has had a break and there is a question mark about his level of fitness. The Japanese-bred gelding has been back to the trials twice and looked a little plain recently tailing out the back in his trial beaten 19L. He might need the outing and the market is best observed.
RACE 3
LIM’S ROYAL (5) is a promising 4yo who faces his biggest test in this event. He has won three races from six and has the services of William Pike. He won impressively on Gold Cup day and is running seven days later. He has a turn of foot that it is yet to be matched at a lower level and trainer Steve Burridge will have a better idea how good his promising gelding is after he takes on this handy Class 3 line-up. With good pace in the race he should get the tempo he needs. CHAIRMAN (1) was on a Gold Cup campaign but narrowly missed out on making the field for Singapore’s most prestigious event. Furthermore, he would have been one of the leading hopes if he’d run. His form is terrific having finished second in the Group 3 El Dorado Classic last start after drawing gate 16. Prior to that, he won easily over 2000m. The concern will be the drop back to 1600m but Lee Freedman has a fit horse who needs to run. On class he should win but the drop back from 2200m to 1600m at this stage of his campaign is not ideal. He ran over 1600m in September and July and on both occasions was narrowly beaten. Another interesting fact is Chairman’s regular rider Alan Munro has opted to go with Murrayfield. DEE DEE D’OR (3) was placed in an Italian Derby over 2200m and showed that he was in good form at his first Singapore run closing in to finish fourth. On that occasion he finished alongside Clarton Super who has since won at Group 2 level. The gray stallion will love the extra ground and should be treated with respect. SHOW FAR SHOW GOOD (4) should keep the pace true as he likes to lead. If he gets left alone in front he may be hard to catch and his chances will improve if the track is rain-affected.
RACE 4
An interesting Polytrack Initiation with some decent-looking newcomers in the field. The top pick here is CHOCANTE (6) who showed enough last time in defeat behind Lim’s Blast when racing without the blinkers he sported first time out. This Shane Baertschiger-trained galloper has been well in the market at two starts to date ($23/20) and on the figures he is nicely in here with only 52.5kgs. He can improve once again on his previous start and will be a tough nut to crack here. Best of the rest could prove to be NOVA CLASSIC (1) for Lee Freedman, now embarking on his third run for his third trainer of 2017. He has put together two decent runs of late with his best performance to date coming on this surface when a half-a-length second to Danzeb. He has to give 5kgs to the selection, which won’t be easy but can run a solid race for a stable that has been amongst the winners recently. The newcomers could have a part to play in proceedings and the best of them can prove to be DYNAMIC EAGLE (2) for Steven Burridge, albeit second to ELENA OF AVALOR (5) in his only trial. A NZ$42,500 purchase, he has an attractive sprinter’s pedigree, being by the mighty Showcasing and out of dam Spanish Fling who was a winner six times over 1000 and 1100m and there was plenty to look about his trial. She can complete the quartet having won that trial in 62.11. She is by the same sire (Echoes Of Heaven) as the extremely useful Countofmontecristo and is out of a 1600m winner (Zahtui). This Michael Clements-trained mare might just be one to follow next time.
RACE 5
Division 2 of a Class 5, these are always fun! MASTER BANGER (6) finished third last start when Leslie Khoo applied the winkers. The form through that Class 5 has worked out extremely good with the winner Heracles, having won twice since and the runner-up Jacks Secret, winning last week. A terrible draw is a massive negative so jockey Olivier Placais will need to produce a terrific ride. MILLION ROUND (9) has placed two of his last three starts and seems to be running well for Saifudin Ismail. It has been a costly combination in the past with the duo still yet to win when paired together. However, the horse is in form and should be treated with the utmost respect. OCEAN GENERAL (2) rarely runs on turf but the recent Polytrack runs have been good. He was a handy type many years ago and a glimpse of that form would have him winning here. EVERTRUST (8) continues to hold reasonable form, his effort last start was not too bad and has been back to the trials since to get him ready for this.
RACE 6
A really interesting Class 4 coming up with a couple of last start winners in the field. The tip is for the Mark Walker-trained STORM TROOPER (3) who in his last two starts has flashed home to run 5th and 4th only a week ago. He was just $25 last time out and came from a long way back to pick up 4th place under Vlad Duric. He needs a lot to go right for him given his running style and the wide gate might just be a help and not a hindrance. Can go a few spots better this time. NOBLE LIAISON (2) had some nice form earlier on in the year but was only just fair last start but does have a perfect one from one. Third-up record and a step back up in trip look a positive move by connections. He is coming down a grade and will have the assistance of William Pike to overcome the wide gate and he can be expected to finish off well in this. ON ELECTRIC AVENUE (1) looked really good when scoring last time out over 1400m and in the process clocking a closing sectional of 22.20 under John Powell. He does, however, now step up in trip to the mile for the first time and that would be a slight concern from the wide post position but he is in excellent form and must be considered. KATE'S KEEPER (5) on the face of it only had an easy trial in blinkers recently but the way in which the Stephen Gray-trained gelding galloped right through the line was eye-catching and will now sport the headgear for the first time. Should it have the desired effect he can run a nice race at potential value.
RACE 7
This is a rather weak-looking affair and is a gilt-edged opportunity for PEACE WANTED (1) to get off the mark but it isn’t without risk. Only three horses in the field are eligible to race at a higher level than Class 5 and with a mark of 50, Peace Wanted is one of those. He is gradually getting closer with every run to-date and last time out boxed on well to claim 3rd spot. The negative, however, is the 59kgs he has to carry in this race and weight can most certainly stop a train! But there isn’t a great deal to beat and for perhaps small stakes only, he is the one to be with. BRING ME JOY (3) has shown a glimmer of promise since he has been here in Singapore and is to be the mount of Vlad Duric, a change of rider that would speak volumes, but would need to put two poor efforts behind him. YULONG HOLY FLYING (2) has been going around at big prices and last time out didn’t run too badly all things considered. This isn’t a strong race and perhaps he can improve a spot or two and WALTERS BAY (10) could fill 4th place.
RACE 8
The eighth of the day is a high-weighted Class 5 which on paper looks quite tricky. It might pay to stick with some of the senior riders in this. TOOBIGTOFAIL (9) has William Pike riding and rates a chance on his best form. He is now on a rating of 31 which he can win off. With many of his rivals carrying heavy weights he will love the 53kgs. The Bruce March-trained gelding sat wide throughout last time and has subsequently gone back to the trials. He rates a big chance if he can overcome the awkward draw. Alan Munro is partnering GALAXY EXPRESS (5) who closed in pretty well last time. From Gate 1 he should get a handy run and be in the finish. QUETZAL (2) will benefit from a 2kg claim from Noh Senari. The 7yo is no world beater having won just the one race from 20 but his form is reasonable. RED RIDING WOOD (7) is holding solid form and appreciated getting up to the mile last start. Drawn wide and burdened with more weight, she still may play her part with Manoel Nunes in the saddle.
RACE 9
This penultimate race on the card features one of the most exciting horses in Singapore at the moment and he should take the world of stopping. NOWYOUSEE (9) was so impressive on debut when smashing the opposition at $12 for Ricardo Le Grange and Nooresh Juglall and since then has won a trial by 9.5l in a canter (60.02) to just confirm his well-being in no uncertain terms. He looks high class and is receiving weight here from talented gallopers. He should prove a very hard horse to beat and can take this on the road to bigger and better things for sure. LIM’S SINCERE (4) ran an opening sectional last time of 23.51 when 2nd to Shaqraa. He is one of many on-pace runners in the field here and will have William Pike in the saddle which has to be a big plus and now wears blinkers first time from barrier 1 having had an easy trial leading up to this. CRAZY DREAMS (1) is another that will more than likely race forward from gate three and has been in very good form recently when running third behind the useful Olympian Eager, never out of the first three in his races and should be included in multiples once again. HOSHIKO (3) can round out the quartet here on the back of a solid effort last time out.
RACE 10
A terrific Class 4 with plenty of interest in two former Australian gallopers. DUSSELDORF (2) closed in pretty well at his first run in Singapore over 1200m. He has a terrific Australian resume including a second at Group 2 level at Caulfield over 1800m. The move up to 1400 is going to suit him and if he finds his best Australian form he will be very hard to beat. FORTUNE SIX (3) is well related to some handy gallopers and fetched $330,000 when purchased in 2015 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales. He showed promise with victories in Australia at Newcastle and Wyong with four minor placings from 10 starts. He raced in Australia as a colt but now in Singapore he has been gelded and looks an exciting addition to the David Kok barn. The booking of Vlad Duric is a real positive as is the use of blinkers for his first outing in Singapore. He has had three recent trials with the last of them a closing effort coming from last. The 1400m first-up might be a good idea as he did take a while to warm up in his trial. Best watch the market on this newcomer. LIM’S ELUSIVE (8) has the blinkers and pacifiers removed after failing last time over 1600m. The son of Elusive City has been back to the trials twice and if he finds his best form he will be hitting the line hard. ATHENA (5) was a nice 2yo a few seasons ago but has taken time to find her best form. Her recent efforts have been very good including her Maiden victory in October. Whether she has the scope to rise out of Class 4 remains to be seen but she is fit ready to go.
