Friday, 9 November 2018: Singapore racing best bets, race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Sunday the 11th of November with selections and information on all the main contenders.
 | | Siam Blue Vanda | |
|
RACE 1
ZAHIR (9) - Experienced campaigner who must be respected on best credentials. Showed good improvement at trackwork throughout the week and is capable of fighting out the finish. Major player.
GOLDEN STATES (6) - Yet to break through but has been racing well in recent times and is certainly ready to win. On-pace type who will likely go forward from the alley and can certainly give a sight.
GREATBALLS OF FIRE (5) - Experienced campaigner who is worth thought on best credentials. Finds a suitable race and must be considered from the good draw with Michael Rodd to take the ride. Don't ignore.
BIG REGARDS (10) - Returns from an extended break but does bring residual fitness to this affair. Well suited getting down in the weights and is capable of figuring on best efforts. Must be included.
RACE 2
GAIN ECLIPSE (6) - Raced up on the speed last start and knocked up in a Class 4 Non Premier 1400m on August 3. She has not raced since and been freshened up. Looked good winning a barrier trial recently on October 30 and should be ready to go here first-up back in grade. Looks really hard to beat.
DREAMER LEGEND (7) - Looks close to a win on the back of some good recent efforts. Been hitting the line well. Not everything has gone right for the horse in his past three runs. From barrier No 3 should get a nice trail and will be hard to hold out in this class of race.
HIGH STREET (5) - This six-year-old gelding has never raced better and looks some sort of danger. Has won two of his past three starts and showed good determination to run down Paperback Trooper last time. Should be included here.
METTLESOME (2) - Has to carry the 58kgs here but will appreciate the drop in class from Class 4 Non Premier to Kranji Stakes D. Has not been beaten by long margins in recent starts and is worth keeping in mind here as at least a place chance.
RACE 3
HUGO (9) - Nice horse from the Stephen Gray yard that has only had the two starts. His performances in both of those races have been very good. Comes out of some strong Maiden races behind Mach and Siam Vipasiri (has won again since). He's drawn to get a perfect run and should go very close to breaking through in this with Craig Williams to do the riding.
ARARAT LADY (14) - Has been kept up to the mark with a recent trial since running second to My Big Boss on debut in an 1100m maiden Polytrack on October 7. Should only keep improving and looks the danger to Hugo. This filly has ability and should be respected.
LINCOLN MOONLIGHT (5) - Ran in the same race as Hugo two starts back when third behind Mach. Bit disappointing in one run since but is capable of bouncing back. Can improve here, worth keeping in mind.
GOLDEN YEARS (1) - Has had three starts and been placed in each of those. Consistent horse that is creeping up in the weights now but has a good rider on board with Olivier Placais to mount, and, although drawn wide, can run into the placings again.
RACE 4
MY BIG BOSS (9) - Is a three-year-old trained by premiership leader Lee Freedman. This horse was game winning his maiden two starts back and was solid in a Class 4 Non Premier race last time behind an in-form horse in King Of War. He didn't get a lot of room early in the straight there and will appreciate getting out to 1400m. Top pick in a competitive race.
LIM'S REFORM (3) - Comes out of the same race as My Big Boss and actually beat that horse home. He powered to the line strongly over the concluding 250m and looks back in form now. Can run well again, should be included as one of the better chances.
QUANTUM (6) - Was disappointing last time when ridden closer to the leaders but his effort two starts back when on debut in Singapore has him right in the mix here. Has drawn a wide barrier so would expect Glen Boss to take him back in the field and allow the horse to balance up before pulling to the middle of the track. This horse should hit the line well.
KING'S SPEECH (5) - Is first-up from a break here but has been trained up with two barrier trials. Won his last trial in impressive fashion and looks to be going well leading into his return to the races. Worth keeping safe.
RACE 5
PAPERBACK TROOPER (7) - Has been racing well in recent times without winning. Well drawn to be hard on the speed and will certainly take beating. Expect bold showing on best efforts.
PEGASUS JUNIOR (9) - Showed good improvement last start and certainly finds another suitable assignment. Will take benefit from the inside draw and will appreciate the booking of Michael Rodd. Contender.
ABSOLVIDO (2) - Returns for this affair after a freshen-up. Has been racing well and looks primed for this first-up assignment over 1200m. Will likely race off the speed but is capable of finishing over the top with a genuine pace.
ON PARADE (8) - Was well beaten last start but is capable of making amends in this affair. Will likely race handy to the speed and is certainly capable of giving a sight stepping back in journey. In the mix.
RACE 6
CHOCANTE (10) - Performed gamely last start when starting handy in the market against Siam Blue Vanda. Well drawn to perform and certainly finds a suitable assignment. Well suited over the journey and appears hard to beat.
MADE IN RUSSIA (1) - Won very impressively on his Singapore debut in August. Returns from a break but has had two trials leading in this and looks primed for a bold showing yet again. Destined for bigger and better things.
SAFEER (3) - On-pace type who fought on gamely last start. Will likely have to use a bit of petrol from the wide alley but is capable of giving a sight with cheap sectionals in front. Worth considering.
UNCONQUERED (5) - Hard to knock on recent efforts and finds another suitable task. Gets all the favours from the inside draw and will appreciate the booking of Karis Teetan. In the mix on best efforts.
RACE 7
DICTON (1) - Gets back up to 2000m here and this horse will appreciate the added distance. He is a real staying type and from barrier 1 should be able to hold a nice position just behind the leaders. With a run at the right time in the straight, he should be in the finish.
LIONROCKSPIRIT (3) - Led all the way back on October 21 in a Class 3 over 1800m. He should strip fitter for that run and will again give them something to run down. Has a good racing style and should be able to take any bad luck out of the equation by taking up the lead again.
SOLO SUN (6) - Finished second to Lionrockspirit last time. Not sure if he can turn the tables but should be competitive again on a repeat of that performance. Worth including.
EXCELLENCY (2) - Is an interesting runner here. Drawn wide in barrier 12 but this horse is capable when right and looks to be coming out of strong races behind King Louis which is the favourite for the Gold Cup. This horse should be kept safe.
RACE 8
VIVIANO (2) - Has raced throughout his career somewhat suspect at 1600m but the decision to do so must be respected. Worked extremely well on the course proper in preparation for this and certainly gains respect.
WHAT'S NEW (11) - Talented mare who has developed a serious record in a relatively short career. Has the upside to improve yet again and finds a winnable race to make it three on the trot. Major player.
MIGHTY KENNY (4) - Ran well last start when ridden further forward from the better draw. Expect the same yet again from the inside alley and certainly must be considered. Capable of running well if he doesn't gain a run in the Cup.
SONG TO THE MOON (5) - Hasn't been far from the mark in recent times. Well drawn to find a handy spot and is worth including in the mix on best efforts. Don't ignore.
RACE 9
VERIZON (4) - Has been racing well in recent times without winning. Appears well suited remaining over the same track/distance and is well drawn to perform with Glen Boss retaining the ride. Expect bold showing.
LIM'S PRIDE (10) - Broke maiden status in impressive fashion over 1400m when well supported. Has the upside to improve again and the rise in journey appears no issue. Major player from the good alley.
CRACKING TOTTIE (7) - Was well beaten last time out but is capable of making amends stepping back to a suitable trip. Poorly drawn out wide but is capable of figuring with the right breaks. Don't ignore.
ALAMAK (6) - Caught the eye last start when charging home into second. Likes to race off the pace so will appreciate a fast speed on upfront. Can finish over the top of this field with conditions to suit over an ideal journey.
RACE 10
KING LOUIS (12) - Looks every bit a Gold Cup horse and has had the perfect preparation leading into this - his 'grand final'. Super impressive winner of the Group 3 El Dorado Classic two starts ago where he showed a great turn of speed and sprinted away from his rivals. Showed he could tough it out also with a good fighting win in a Class 2 last start. Gets Glen Boss - a proven big-race rider and no weight. Clearly the horse to beat.
MR CLINT (11) - Singapore Guineas winner and another horse getting in very nicely at the weights with 51kgs. He looks much better suited here under handicap conditions and if he runs 2000m he can win this race. Jay Ford flies in from Australia to ride and he's in the right stable. Must respect.
SKY ROCKET (13) - Another horse that looks to have been aimed at this race. Stephen Gray has four runners in this year's Gold Cup and has won this race already with Bahana. Sky Rocket could be his best chance this year after drawing the perfect barrier. He was only beaten a neck by King Louis last start.
CIRCUIT LAND (1) - Will have to somewhat defy history by carrying topweight in this year's Gold Cup. It's not easy to do but this horse is all class and a proven Group 1 performer. Has placed behind Debt Collector in his past two runs and from barrier 1 can get a nice run and conserve energy for the business end.
RACE 11
SIAM BLUE VANDA (4) - Looks a serious galloper and has been very impressive winning his first three starts. Looked in a hopeless position last start but with the guidance of Glen Boss, was able to weave through and finish too strongly. Will get back in the field and be storming home at the finish, hard to hold out.
ELITE POWER (1) - Is second-up from a spell here and will strip fitter for his second behind Flak Jacket in a Class 3 on the Polytrack. Gets barrier 1 here and is a very honest and genuine racehorse. Can't see him doing anything but run well. Should be included.
CAPTAIN JAIMIE (3) - Has trialled brilliantly since his last race and looks a sharp improver back to 1200m. Has drawn wide but will look to press forward anyway and if he can find a position, this horse can be very effective.
CALCULATION (9) - Has his first run on the turf here but it's hard to leave this promising three-year-old out. Has won both his starts to-date and has looked very impressive in doing so. Has the ability to measure up in this grade.
