Sunday Singapore Race Previews - November 26
  Story By Mike Lee     

Friday, 24 November 2017: Form previews for Singapore Sunday November 26.

First Light
First Light


RACE 1

A really tough race to kick things off on this ten-race card. The nod just goes the way of SIR REGINALD (3) who has been holding some good form of late and in this grade now for the fifth time. Overdue for another success and can go one place better than last time for Vlad Duric and Stephen Gray. Old timer WHITE COFFEE (5) can make his presence felt now that he is back in a Class 5 for the first time since winning one last September. His good effort three runs back will give him every chance here. RACING TALENT (11) will be well suited to these conditions back on turf and is only one point higher than his last success and Mark Ewe takes off a handy kilo. The bad barrier makes life tough for LEONARDO (8), but if overcoming it he can make the frame after a respectable performance last time.

RACE 2

A very tricky Open Maiden with some likely improvers here. CHAMPION TEAM (3) had one start with former Kranji trainer Patrick Shaw in May 2015 and displayed unsavoury manners at the start. He has had a ton of troubles and has been rarely sighted since. Recently he trialled and looked extremely impressive winning a trial in September. He is a huge risk given his record of only one run in his career as a 5yo but he is worth considering. TRIGAMY (2) looks well-suited getting back to 1100m here. He is a big strong horse who possesses plenty of early speed so if he gets to the front here he might be hard to peg back over the 1100m. The addition of blinker-pacifiers is suggestive of improvement. CLOKEY (4) has been given plenty of time and will make his debut here. He has had two trials and has shown good early pace indicating that he might be ready to run a decent race fresh. SIX EMPIRE (11) has never run in the first two from 7 starts but he is pretty consistent and with so many question marks surrounding his rivals he might have his day in the sun.

RACE 3

This is a handy Novice with plenty of winning form. JUSTICE SMART (1) flew home last time recording the quickest closing sectional behind the smart Lim’s Royal. Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, he boasts a win at Bath in the UK. His last start performance indicated that a win in Singapore is close and the claim of 2kg with apprentice Noh Senari looks a positive move. DESTROYER ECLIPSE (5) is by Alamosa out of a Zabeel mare, so the 1400m should be advantageous. Beaten by the smart Filibuster on debut, he then posted a handy win over 1200m. Further improvement is expected as he gets over longer distances. TESORO PRIVADO (7) won strongly at 1600m recently and drops back to 1400m here. The 3yo enjoys the benefit of the light weight and should prove hard to beat again. REFRESH (6) was left in front the entire straight on Gold Cup day and in the end was left a sitting shot, before eventually being run down. It was a gutsy display and warrants respect again.

RACE 4

Only a small field for this Restricted Maiden and the selection is going to be the once raced KING OF HOUSEHOLD (1) who showed a good attitude on debut to chase Harveywallbanger home in 23.53. He does have to give weight to all of his rivals here but is up in trip which should suit and can defy the weight with leading jockey Vlad Duric taking the ride. MASTER MINER (6) has run two decent races to date and could well give King Of Household something to think about and he is also up in distance. The quartet can be made up of both LIM'S HUNTER (5) and newcomer SKYDANCE ECLIPSE (7) who trialled okay in preparation for his debut.

RACE 5

The highest graded race of the day is an Open Benchmark 67. OLYMPIAN EAGER (1) is the biggest horse in Singapore and despite trainer David Kok having a frustrating time keeping the big fella sound, he sets the standard here. He won in fast time last start and has trialed well since. CONILAD (4) beat Olympian Eager in a recent trial and he looks like he is ready to run a decent race fresh. CADET (6) is another who has been training strongly with two recent trial victories. GOLDEN SWORD (8) hasn’t raced since Gold Cup Day 2016 and after 12 months on the sidelines he returns to the fray. He has had plenty of trials and was once a highly thought of younger horse. Watch for any vibes in the market on him.

RACE 6

This is a Class 5 Division 2 which means that this is most likely going to be a tricky race to work out. For those who like backing grey horses, then ANY RUMOUR (6) might be the ticket to success. Unfortunately he hasn’t won for over two years, when formerly trained by Cliff Brown. He showed last start with a good third over 1700m that there was still some life in the ageing legs and he should take some beating here. Well drawn with Vlad Duric to ride he should get every opportunity. ROCKET FIGHTER (5) has shown some promise from time to time and is another that would rate a chance if things go his way. RIVER FORTUNE (7) raced against a far stronger line-up in a maiden last time over 1200m. The 1400m and the wide gate will test him as he got tired after leading. He will appreciate competing in this grade but the big worry is the stamina issue. METTLESOME (4) improved last time and is not the worst in this.

RACE 7

A competitive heat in prospect with the vote going the way of top weight MELTING POINT (1) who is racing on turf here in Singapore for the first time having run two nice races in defeat so far. Twice a winner in Western Australia, he will appreciate now getting on the grass and has Vlad Duric on board which is a positive booking on Leticia Dragon's part. A decent tempo upfront will enhance his chance here. Cliff Brown has two excellent chances in the race and his recent winner HARVEYWALLBANGER (6) can fare best of the pair. Improved plenty for pacifiers last time when making all to score over course and distance and if able to overcome the wide gate he should be bang there at the finish. The mare MAJESTIC EMPRESS (3) has trialled well recently and is still open to more improvement and expected to be involved also is COPACABANA (4) who was close up last start and has some solid form to call upon.

RACE 8

An extremely tricky Class 5. TRIGGER MAN (3) has now found himself across to Letica Dragon and comes into this race on the back of a staying on third placing behind Phidias over slightly further last month. His track has been good and coming back slightly in trip can help him get his head in front for the second time. SATELLITE MASTER (2) is another that has been playing musical stables and has now joined the James Peters team and did trial really well to win in blinkers earlier this month but the headgear is left off for this but is lightly-raced compared to most of the field and should feel more at ease in this grade. Expect a much improved showing. COOL CAT (6) will sport winkers for the first time in his life at the grand old age of 11 and has been boxing on well of late but does lack a finishing kick nowadays and WAR STORY (4) certainly wasn't the worst of them last time out when going down by just over 2l to Southern Chief.

RACE 9

The selection in this staying Polytrack event is the last-start winner JUSTICE LASS (4). She was good in victory over the course and distance last time out and the form of that win has taking a nice boost since with Shoqeet (2nd) winning recently in BM67 company. She can prove her worth once again and make it back-to-back successes. FUEGO (1) is taken to chase Justice Lass home in this on the back of two very good efforts of late under Vlad Duric and he is another whose form is working out nicely. He is improving with every start and can continue on an upward curve. LIM’S ARCHER (2) was very good from the front last time out but is unproven on the surface and at this distance but can make an impact as he is in good form and should help force the pace, AMAZING MAN (7) completes the quartet here having scored last time out but has slightly struggled off marks this high in the past, so is a place chance at best.

RACE 10

A Class 4 which has plenty of depth. FIRST LIGHT (3) protested unsuccessfully when beaten narrowly last start. He had a very rough run up the home straight and was unlucky. With a few of the fancied rivals drawing wide he looks well suited from a perfect barrier draw. MAGIC WAND (5) is an inexperienced horse with plenty of talent. However, he was all at sea at times in the straight when posting a promising first-up victory. Interestingly, he has changed stables after previously being trained in the Bruce Marsh manger. He now resides in the barn of Ricardo Le Grange. The barrier draw looks nasty and he will need to do everything right to score. DUTROW (1) has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving in Singapore and maintained his strong form with a creditable second last time. He is another who has terrific form and shapes as one of the better hopes. IMPERIAL FALLS (4) is a full brother to the prolific Sacred Falls, who won four Group 1 races. He has had just one run in Singapore, after racing well in Australia. He