Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Saturday with a 12-race fixture and the running of the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Guineas over 1600m.
Leading trainer Michael Clements has a great chance to win a third Singapore Guineas as he sends out a strong team of four runners in the feature event.
Leading the pack is Coin Toss, who is yet to miss the frame from three starts this preparation, and he was most impressive last start when claiming the Grade 2 3YO Classic (1400m) in emphatic fashion. Travelling patiently off the speed as usual, the son of Flying Artie produced a sharp burst once he saw daylight near the 250m, before going on to comfortably score by 1.25 lengths.
Based on his pattern of racing, the extra distance will suit Coin Toss even better this week.
However, stablemates Pacific Warrior, who finished a slashing fifth in the Classic and is a proven winner over a mile, and Takanini, who checked into a luckless sixth in the same race after being held up in the straight, both can play a key role, while Pacific Star is on the quick back-up after a Class 4 track-and-distance win last week.
Ricardo Le Grange-trained Bestseller, who raced wide but still finished second behind Coin Toss last start, warrants plenty of respect.
Elsewhere, keep an eye on King’s Speech in Race 9, the Class 5 Handicap over 2000m. The Stephen Gray-trained gelding had no luck in his last start, finishing second, beaten by 2.25 lengths. He was held up from the 500m until passing the 250m, while the winner, Engine Start, had a clear run throughout with all the favours.
This week, he is stepping up to his preferred distance of 2000m (14-2-3-2), and he can bounce back for a win at this level anytime. He is a well-rated, proven Class 5 performer. – iRACE Magazine
BEST BET
Race 3 No 3 Pacific Emperor
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 6 Qaraat
JACKPOT
R120
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 3, 5
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 27 May 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: OUR SECRET WEAPON (1)
Narrowly defeated by Supermax last start after coping some mid race collisions and interference. 1000m looks his ideal trip, can bounce back here. Draws very handy in barrier three.
2nd Pick: SACRED ORDER (5)
Beaten a very slender margin by Lim’s Denali last start and returns to the race two weeks later. Hoping to see a clean get away, her poor beginning made the job much harder than is should have been.
3rd Pick: VALERIE (3)
Returning to the races for the first time since early January. Return trials have been passable, has each way claims.
4th Pick: SUPERMAX (9)
Got the win last start and did it in nice time to. Although he increases in weight, he should be much fitter here for his second up run.
RACE 2
1st Pick: IMPERIAL PARADE (2)
On the quick back up after the last start didn’t go to plan. Became unbalanced at a crucial stage and didn’t overdo himself late in the race. Can bounce back here and will most likely be short in the market, had excuses.
2nd Pick: MEWAR (4)
Showed enough in recent trial between runs. Drops back in distance after contesting the mile last start in a restricted maiden who looks stronger than this weekend’s field on paper.
3rd Pick: HEALTHY BABY (5)
Back to non-winners company after contesting a class 4 affair last start. Had a tick over trial in between runs which was very quiet, respect.
4th Pick: STAR EXPRESS (3)
Another horse coming out of deeper races in previous starts. Could be the easiest contest so far and must be respected as an each way prospect.
RACE 3
1st Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (3)
Finds his way into division two after a big win in this grade back in April. Copped seven points for that win. Ran second in a trial where they clocked a nice time, and he is right in this.
2nd Pick: WATCH OUT BOSS (2)
His performances have been very brave since returning to this class. He just runs into one or two better and a win would not surprise this weekend.
3rd Pick: AMORE AMORE (1)
Gets back to this class for the first time in just over a year where he last won off a rating of 63. First up since October and has good course and distance stats. Could be value. Moor to take the steer.
4th Pick: OPUNAKE (9)
Consistent without winning in recent runs. Comes into this with a lightweight yet again and is slowly working his way to class five very soon.
RACE 4
1st Pick: DIAZ (4)
Strikes an easier affair than what he has faced his last couple. 1000m looks his ideal trip and it is the distance he has performed best at so far to date. Should get a gun steer from the gate.
2nd Pick: STRONG ACE (7)
Raced wide and cast a plate last start so definitely had excuses. He has been heavily supported most starts and win doesn’t look too far off.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC SONIC (3)
Didn’t handle his first day at the races in Singapore and was restless the entire way around to and in the gates. Race was run and done before they even jumped, hopefully the experience with see him behave before. this weekend.
4th Pick: GROOVY (6)
His run three starts ago at the track and distance was his best so far to date. A similar performance would see him in the top three here, keep safe.
RACE 5
1st Pick: DANCING TYCOON (1)
Finally gets back to class 5 for his debut at the grade. This looks the class drop they have been waiting for with this two-time winner, can bounce back into the winner’s circle here.
2nd Pick: THE WILD PRINCE (2)
Another horse back to class 5 this weekend who should appreciate the drop back in class after heading back up to class 4 last start. Hopefully he can find the lead where he is most comfortable and kick away at the turn.
3rd Pick: RETALLICA (4)
Racing quite consistently at the moment and 1200m looks his ideal distance to put his best foot forward. This looks a slightly tougher assignment but a top three or top four finish doesn’t look like a tall order.
4th Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (8)
Division 2 company would be preferred for this mare, but she comes into this event with 53kg and is due to run another great race. Form suggests she rarely strings up two winning performances together and after two passable runs since that last win, she is ready to fire again.
RACE 6
1st Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)
Surely this weekend can be his day. He hasn’t quite hit the mark we all though he would after his first win, but his form is good enough to take this out.
2nd Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (2)
He can pose as a big danger to the topweight after a massive performance last start. Rider had to take him back and was one of the quickest sectional stars out of that race. Big watch.
3rd Pick: CITIZEN (6)
Stable have been busy sorting this guy out with his manners but have been rewarded by two recent performances. He was beaten half a length to a smart horse in Sousui.
4th Pick: AHORSEWITHNONAME (5)
Second run for the new stable and comes off the back of a nice run when beaten four lengths to Italian Revolution. If she brings her manners she can finish in the money.
RACE 7
1st Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (1)
He is a horse who rarely spends more than one start in class 5 when he drops in grade. On previous form he is the clear horse to beat here the son of Kaphero. Pinheiro looks a good booking.
2nd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (2)
Strong win last start after racing in such consistent form in the lead up. A follow up victory would not be out of the question over the same track and distance, looks one of the main threats to Lim’s Knight.
3rd Pick: BEN WADE (4)
1100m looks his ideal trip according to his form. Apart from last start, he was rarely too far away from the winner. After a month freshen, a top three finish looks likely.
4th Pick: RED ROAR (8)
Coming into this weekend first up and in the care of a new stable. Respect the yard ability to get their newbies firing fresh, a must for exotic plays.
RACE 8
1st Pick: IRON RULER (3)
His last win was just two rating points lower than he carries in this contest. Three of his six wins have come at this course and distance. Saddled up by our leading stable. Stable apprentice Mamat back from injury and claims four kilograms.
2nd Pick: LEATHERHEAD (5)
We haven’t seen this guy win since April of last year off a much higher rating than what he is going around with now. Didn’t really suit leading the field last start but his recent starts show he is ready to win very soon.
3rd Pick: RAISING SIXTY-ONE (8)
Beaten two lengths to Free Fallin’ who has gone on to win three in a row so form looks positive for this guy. Good stats at the course and distance.
4th Pick: GEMILANG (7)
Lightly raced gelding who looks to be a progressive type. Does have some race day manners that need sorting out but could be the up-and-coming kid in this field. Strong win last start.
RACE 9
1st Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (1)
Looks a horse who will eat up the 2000m. Only contested the distance on one occasion but should be much improved here with more race experience under the belt this time around.
2nd Pick: KING'S SPEECH (2)
Whenever there is a 2000m class 5 event, this horse must be given a ton of respect. He eats up the track and distance and is rarely far away at the line, each way claims.
3rd Pick: JUNGLE CRUISE (3)
Stepping out to 2000m for the first time in his career. From the right stable to absolutely eat up the distance and put in a career best performance.
4th Pick: NINEONEONE (9)
Proved he can handle the distance two starts back with a strong finish coming from well back in the field. Will have to lift off that performance but the distance is in his favor.
RACE 10
1st Pick: CITY GOLD FORWARD (3)
Has done nothing wrong in his three starts to date never finishing out of the top three since arriving early in the year. Nunes on and has had the benefit of a nice trial coming into this.
2nd Pick: MIMOSAS (5)
Big strong galloper who has held his own in this class since making his way from Australia. Has been the victim of bad luck on a few occasions especially last start where he was forced to race wide from a bad barrier.
3rd Pick: WIN WIN (8)
Talented galloper who has been plagued by issues throughout his career. Got back to his old style and beat a solid lineup for his first win in nearly a year. Now he has a taste for it again.
4th Pick: LIM'S DREAM (4)
Third run back in this class and gets to the short course where he has recorded some nice wins in the past. Has been a while between wins but is a very speedy customer. Watch any betting moves.
RACE 11
1st Pick: COIN TOSS (2)
Strong performance to take out the second leg of this series under Aussie rider Daniel Moor. He takes the reigns again and all signs point to a big performance here over the mile. Perfect draw in barrier two.
2nd Pick: BESTSELLER (5)
Has finished runner up in both legs of this series and rises to the mile for the first time like so many do in this field. You just have to look at his last three starts to know he will be there at the business end.
3rd Pick: MAXIMUM CONTROL (9)
Comes into this off a very impressive Restricted Maiden win where he came from well back in the field. Form is very strong from that race with three runners scoring at their next start.
4th Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (4)
One of the big eye catchers out of the three-year-old classic. Had to settle well back from the wide draw and rocketed home to be beaten just under two lengths. Can improve more here.
RACE 12
1st Pick: PACIFIC GOLD (6)
Formerly raced in Victoria, Australia where he scored on a heavy surface at Donald. His most recent start saw him run second at Sandown beaten half a length. Liked the way he trialed up. Same sire as our champion horse Lim’s Kosciuszko.
2nd Pick: THUNDER LEGEND (3)
Second start on the island here for this Irish bred four-year-old. Brings very good form that Italian Revolution race and will strip much fitter having a nice trial between runs.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC HERO (1)
Dropping back from the G2 Three-Year-Old Classic where he led from a wide draw but dropped off sharply at the end. His performance before that will see him as a leading player in this lineup.
4th Pick: IMA (7)
Can pop up when you least expect him to. Will settle back in the field and if they go hard up in front early on he can rattle over the top of them late. Multiples player.