Fitzsimmons holds strong hand in Gold Cup

Luke Middlebrook

The Grade 1 Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m heads up the 12-race card at Kranji card on Saturday and champion trainer contender Tim Fitzsimmons plays a strong hand in the race. The ace of Fitzsimmons’ troop seems to be Mr Black Black, who boasts strong Australia form and has done little wrong with two wins and one placing from three local starts since arriving at Kranji.

The Snitzel gelding is ideally weighed (51kg) in this year’s event and looks a big winning chance with two-time Gold Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams flying in for the ride, the pair drawing ideally low to ensure a smooth run in transit.

However, stablemate Relentless, who had zero luck when being badly held up in the Grade 1 QEII Cup last start, deserves another chance with champion jockey Manoel Nunes remaining in the saddle. He is expected to be making a late bid and will relish a bit of speed in the race.

Other winning chances include trainer Donna Logan’s pair Super Impact and Minister, who was third in the G1 QEII Cup, while top weight Hongkong Beat warrants plenty of respect under reigning Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra.

He has a wide draw and the weight to defy, however.

Elsewhere, talented four-year-old Street Of Dreams looks on song for a hat-trick of wins in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. Street Of Dreams broke his maiden with an astonishing win over 1200m on the Polytrack two starts ago when he travelled wide throughout but still drew away to score by 6.25 lengths.

Despite the subsequent rise to Class 4, he landed another impressive win, drawing away by two lengths and clocking an eye-catching winning time of 1:21.47 seconds over 1400m despite being eased down late.

Street Of Dreams has since trialled well to maintain his form and based on the manner in which he won his last two starts, he can prove mighty hard to beat remaining in Class 4 this week. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 4 No 2 Street Of Dreams

VALUE BET

Race 12 No 8 Savvy Command

JACKPOT

R12

Leg 1: 3, 8

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 10, 15

Leg 4: 6, 8, 9

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 19 Nov 22

RACE 1

1st Pick: FIREWORKS (3)

Has been runner up his last two starts and is certainly knocking on the door to win. Proven to carry weight at the top of class 5 and gets leading rider M.Nunes in the saddle.

2nd Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (10)

Serial bridesmaid who has been a little off the boil of late. With a low weight here though, she could give a sight with the right run in transit.

3rd Pick: BIONICS (2)

On the quick back up after last week where he looked the winner at the turn, only to go down a head on the line. Backs up and provided he is sound and well, a top three again wouldn’t be out of the question.

4th Pick: EASTIGER (5)

Gets weight relief this weekend after gutsy performance last week. Backs up but is weighted well to lead for a long way here.

RACE 2

1st Pick: WIN WIN (1)

Form in behind South Of The River looks strong enough to be winning well here, looks very hard to beat even as the top weight.

2nd Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (2)

Was unlucky early finding no room and when the runs came at the 300m, he had nothing to give. Backing up here but didn’t have a gut busting run last week so he could give a sight here.

3rd Pick: DECEPTION (4)

Solid win last start to burst through and get the money. WH Kok stays on board, draws well, top three player.

4th Pick: FADABOY (5)

Last start was a tad disappointing after the form suggested he wasn’t far from a win. The blinkers have made an obvious difference and he worth giving another shot with Mick Dee booked to ride.

RACE 3

1st Pick: SEE YAH (2)

Has consistent ran well at this grade and division all year and should go close again. Respecting here as a top contender in a race that falls away quite heavily.

2nd Pick: AUSPICIOUS DAY (3)

Another eight year old in the field who has had plenty of starts in 2022 and can occasionally pop up with a big run. Looks a strong top three hope.

3rd Pick: SUPER TALENT (6)

Draws a solid gate and gave a sight two starts back. R.Stewart on board who has had some good success with the stable, respect each way.

4th Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (5)

Prefer this mare over 1200m but runs into a weak field and her best would see her winning this if she gets enough speed up front to be running on late from the back.

RACE 4

1st Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (2)

Has been ultra-impressive scoring in nice style at his last two starts. Since he had his wind procedure, he is a completely different horse and will continue to improve as he rises in distance.

2nd Pick: BORN TO WIN (4)

Racing very consistently in this class and distance at his previous runs. Gets in well at the weights and should be nice and prominent in the run. Gun hoop Jamie Kah has been booked to ride. Watch for him late.

3rd Pick: LEGACY FORTUNE (1)

Looks to be one of the leaders in this field and heads the top of the ratings with 58.5kgs. If the course is playing to those on the speed, he could surprise.

4th Pick: PRODIGAL (5)

Was well supported late in betting to score in a tight finish and record another win in his short career. Can race greenly at times but when he puts it all together, he has the ability.

RACE 5

1st Pick: EJAZ (4)

Classy youngster who looks to work his way up the ratings in his career. Form looks nice and strong around his previous win with Deception (2nd) winning at his following start.

2nd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (1)

Settled midfield at most recent start in this grade and had to settle for a midfield finish behind the talented Street Of Dreams. This looks a bit easier on paper and could bounce back.

3rd Pick: CHAMPAGNE FINALE (7)

Finds a suitable race to figure in the money. Surprised punters two starts ago to win in this grade. If we get enough rain and the sting comes out of the ground, he could be a top each way hope.

4th Pick: CONGAREE (9)

Looking to back up on the six-day turnaround after an eye catching second placing behind Revolution. Rises in distance where he has two wins to his name over this course and distance.

RACE 6

1st Pick: BILLY ELLIOT (1)

Margin last start tells a different story to the placing. Beaten less than a length carrying weight and lines up again with conditions to suit. Horse to beat.

2nd Pick: CHOSEN ONE (4)

Won last two races in weaker fields than this. Steps up in quality but has winning form on the board and that must always be respected.

3rd Pick: INTREPID (8)

Runner up in two of its last three starts. Strikes a nice race with a lowish weight at her pet distance, big place chance.

4th Pick: EXCEED NATURAL (9)

Ran a solid race to be beaten by Chosen One last starts. Meets him much better at the weights, shouldn’t be too far away.

RACE 7

1st Pick: LUCKY CHARM (2)

Mark Zahra jumps on board this son of Maurice who raised some eyebrows with his last start win. Looks to be an exciting horse on the rise.

2nd Pick: STAR VICTORY (3)

Strong win last start at Open Maiden company. This looks much harder but the race experience and win help him find a spot in the top three.

3rd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (4)

Struck bad luck last start after being caught wide without cover and had limited chance to get into the race. Third up here with some more luck should aid his chances to run well here.

4th Pick: MARIANA TRENCH (1)

Last start winner looking to go on with it after a little break. Has had a couple preparation trials ahead of first up return, one of the multiples.

RACE 8

1st Pick: LUXURY BRAND (2)

Winner of last two starts and is shooting for three in a row here. Not an ideal draw but has the class to keep winning so still looks the clear horse to beat.

2nd Pick: KICK (3)

Runner up his last two an is itching for that first win in Singapore. Aided by the booking of M.Nunes once again and from the inside gate, should be a big hope.

3rd Pick: MY DETERMINATION (4)

The unknown factor in the race who is coming out of some solid trial performances into his Singapore debut. Very well bred and should improve as he gets out over more ground but this looks a nice starting point.

4th Pick: AFTERMATH (5)

Narrowly denied last start by a tough Greatham Girl in a hard fought contest. Carries 4.5kg’s more this time around with a senior rider on board, but the run cannot go unnoticed. Solid place chance.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (3)

Multiple Group One winner who has won from 1200m to 1800m in a dominant season that puts him into Horse of The Year contention. He had a solid trial in preparation for this and the stable knows how to have them spot on for a big day. Should have a nice run from barrier 3.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (8)

Promising up and coming galloper from our leading stable who ran a cracker in the Group One Lion City Cup earlier this year. Has had a freshen up since that run where he was caught wide and finished strongly for third. Craig Williams takes the steer with 50kgs.

3rd Pick: KING ARTHUR (2)

Top sprinter who has had a strong season including a strong second placing in the Group One sprint behind Lim’s Kosciuszko. He was very brave on that occasion, and this looks a nice race for him to be in the finish again.

4th Pick: ROCKET STAR (5)

Talented gelding who has been off the scene since March where he finished second behind Fame Star. He has had his fair share of issues but has had two trials under his belt and look for him late.

RACE 10

1st Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (2)

Looking to make it three wins on the bounce for the strong Fitzsimmons stable. Should settle just off the pace and proved he can mix it in this class. Rises in weight but looks a progressive type.

2nd Pick: TRIDENT (1)

Finished runner up last start behind Dream Alliance who he must try and tackle again this weekend. Strong course and distance stats with two wins and a minor placing from three starts. Can go one better with the claim from our leading apprentice.

3rd Pick: EAGLE EYE (4)

He can be a tricky horse to follow but when he brings his best, he can mix it with these class four gallopers. Thrives at this distance and stable should have him fully wound up for a big run.

4th Pick: ON LINE (3)

We haven’t seen him win since October of last season but has caught the eye in a few runs in much higher rated races. Recorded the fastest sectional time when finishing fifth and could surprise.

RACE 11

1st Pick: MR BLACK BACK (15)

He has been the subject of many stories in recent months working his way from a rating of 67 to be a live chance in this group one feature. Connections have chased a world class rider in Craig Williams for the mount and he continues to improve with every run. Very strong lightweight chance from barrier 2.

2nd Pick: HONGKONG GREAT (1)

He is the highest rated galloper and in such will have to carry the topweight of 57kgs for Mark Zahra who flies in fresh off his recent Melbourne Cup win. He was a nice winner two starts ago and finished hard on the heels last start at group one level. Should roll forward from a wide gate as many live chances have drawn wide.

3rd Pick: RELENTLESS (10)

Top jockey and trainer combine with the Steward’s Cup winner. He has had plenty of bad luck in his previous runs and if things finally go his way, we could see the orange and blue silks in the finish. Steps up to 2000m for the first time. Will just need a master ride from the tough draw.

4th Pick: MR MALEK (4)

Managed to finish in third position last year off the same rating he lines up with this weekend. Has been a horse with his fair share of problems but he has proven in the past he can step up in these feature races.

RACE 12

1st Pick: IRONCHAMP (5)

Looks the tear away leader again as is his custom style. Thrives at this distance with four of his five career wins being recorded. He will give them something to catch turning for the judge.

2nd Pick: STENMARK (3)

Seems to have a much stronger record at 1200m but the look of his last start says he is crying out for a bit further. Can be prone to miss the start at times but regardless he will be finishing off strongly.

3rd Pick: WEALTH ELITE (4)

Consistent galloper from the in-form Burridge stable with a strong minor placing last start on a yielding track. Yet to win at this distance but can measure up at his best.

4th Pick: NEPEAN (1)

Former group two winner who gets back to Class 3 for the first time since November 2018. He has a great record over the distance and if the rain comes will only help his chances.