Thursday, 10 January 2019: Singapore racing best bets, race by race analysis looking at the full Singapore card on Friday the 11th of January with selections and information on all the main contenders.

Heliosphere

RACE 1

JUMPIN JACK (2) - Clearly a horse who has benefitted from racing experience and last backend culminated with a couple of Polytrack successes over both this trip and slightly shorter. Nooresh Juglall had to nudge him out to land a trial a week ago and in a race where others have questions to answer, he looks a solid proposition.

RED CLAW (3) - With just a solitary win from 22 starts, he doesn't exactly jump out of the page! But has finished in the top 4 on 11 occasions and has been close off much higher marks in the past and was seen to best effect in the closing stages last time out. One to include.

PEGASUS JUNIOR (1) - Finally broke through at the 15th time of asking here in Singapore last time out when rattling home from the back of the field under Michael Rodd. He won with something in hand that day and is a must for the quartet.

PEER GYNT (10) - One from left of field to include could well be Peer Gynt. His latest form is nothing short of dreadful to say the least (beaten 71 _ lengths in three runs!) but he has trialled okay recently since rejoining Michael Clements who way back in 2016 trained him to finish fourth (two lengths) in the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic! He can get competitive off this mark of 47 if in the mood.


RACE 2

LINCOLN MOONLIGHT (3) - This horse is close to winning a race having been right among the placings in all recent runs late last season. Blinkers are removed here first-up off a nice trial and with any luck from barrier No 9 should go close. Top pick.

GOLD STAR (1) - Has his second run in Singapore here. Was impressive winning a recent trial in sound time of 62.15. On December 2 closed off nicely over 1200m to place 3rd behind My Dreamliner. The second horse out of that race Federation has won since. 1200m looks ideal, tricky barrier the only negative.

GAMELY (4) - Formerly trained by Ricardo Le Grange and is now prepared by Donna Logan. Has shown glimpses of talent this horse and don't leave him out. Two starts back in November covered plenty of extra ground and put in a very good run behind Ararat Lady - a horse that looks handy.

DIAMOND KING (8) - Gets the blinkers on here and trialled well wearing that gear recently. Should be considered.


RACE 3

DECRETO (3) - A plugging-on sixth (not disgraced) was the best this five-year-old could muster last time out and on the back of that effort the assessor dropped him two points to 58 (last winning mark) and he has conditions to suit here. A market watch is key and has form good enough to win this.

REIGN (4) - Not seen since winning last September over 1000m in a race that has since produced the winners of six races. Did win a trial in December and has shown form on the back of a break before. So the absence should be a big concern in what isn't the strongest Class 4.

ANCIENT WARRIOR (1) - Spent all of last year in either Class 3 or Kranji Stakes C grade (second off 70 in June) and the handicapper has now relented and that should give him the opportunity he needs to strike a blow once again. The distance is a slight question mark, but he handles the surface fine.

PLUCKY LAD (10) - Still winless in 13 starts to date but has produced some of his best form over this course and distance (05733) and the bonus of just 50.5kgs would give him a decent place hope.


RACE 4

YULONG HOLY FLYING (2) - Third off this mark in his last two runs and given that this race is as strong as hospital tea, he should be seriously considered to break his maiden tag at long last.

AVENGERS HERO (4) - Can be a very hard horse to predict at times but is showing a bit more spark recently and although he needs them to go hard up front to be best suited. If he runs to latest form he should be bang in there at the finish.

SONORAN (3) - Went close over 1400m off a two-point higher mark a few starts back, and this race and conditions should suit. Solid chance.

BERLINETTA (9) - Tentatively he can be included here, now just two points higher than his latest win off 30.


RACE 5

LOOKS GOOD (2) - The form of his maiden win took a nice boost last Sunday with both Evil Roadster (third) and Tavito (fifth) saluting the judge in front. Place over the 1200m and the rise to a mark of 52 looks fair in a race that looks winnable.

SMART INVESTMENT (1) - A fascinating runner in this line-up. Has been off the track for 959 days since winning way back in May of 2016 under Michael Rodd when rated 42 and will now be racing off an 11-point higher mark. It would be some training performance from Mohd Yusof, but he has won a trial leading up to this return. Interesting.

FIRST LIGHT (3) - Capable of better than this level judged on the pick of his form but has lost his way a bit since late 2017. He is with a masterful handler and it would be no shock to see him bounce back.

HERO STAR (5) - Ran well for second last time out and is one to include for the exotic bets in this.


RACE 6

ATHLETICA (1) - Shaped with a huge degree of promise when second over an inadequate trip on the last day of racing in 2018, closing off in the quickest sectional of 23.49 (the 6th won last weekend). Shane Baertschiger has landed a trial (61.30) with him in preparation for this and looks to be a horse to follow going forward.

CENTENARY DIAMOND (5) - Third in the trial won by the top selection on January 3. A mile winner last September and subsequently placed behind the smart Top Knight over the same trip. He is lightly-raced and should be open to plenty of improvement. Big player.

SUN ACE (2) - Trial 5 on January 3 could well hold the key to this race, as Sun Ace was another runner to contest that trial when finishing fourth (done it well). A winner on debut at Ballarat for Mick Price then failing to handle the synthetic surface at Pakenham 10 weeks later. He is with champion trainer Lee Freedman and should be watched closely.

ALAMAK (7) - Third in his most recent trial. He may want a little further than 1400m, but he could offer some value in a competitive race.


RACE 7

HELIOSPHERE (11) - This Lee Freedman-trained four-year-old looked very good on local debut to score over 1200m on the Polytrack back in December and he should prove an even better horse on turf and up over more ground in due course. He has since won a trial by four lengths and should be feared by all here. One to beat.

MELTING POINT (7) - His second to Affleck in a Kranji Stakes B in November off just a point lower mark is strong form and should be respected. Ultra-consistent of late, this Leticia Dragon-trained galloper would deserve to win another one and can certainly go close here.

LORD OF CLOUD (2) - Another in this race that is racing extremely well currently and judged on his course and distance form, he should be included in the multiples for this upwardly mobile stable.

AUGUSTUS (5) - Down the field in the race won by the useful Rafaello in December. This 'stayer' has since won a trial and it would be no great surprise to see him improve that form now up in trip and stepping out on turf.


RACE 8

I'M INCREDIBLE (10) - Appeared disappointing on face value last start but expect an improved effort returning to the turf surface. Talented type who will continue to progress and is capable of making amends. Respect.

GLASGOW (1) - Has shown ability in two career outings in Singapore. Well suited over the journey and looks to get favours from a handy draw with weight relief from Noh Senari. Expect bold showing.

THUNDER DRAGON (6) - Broke maiden status over the track/distance last start in impressive fashion winning by 6.5 lengths. Lightly raced and still open to improvement. So consider again.

SUPER TYCOON (2) - Has been struggling to capture best form in recent times but finds a suitable assignment from a favourable draw. Worth thought on best credentials.