Luke Middlebrook
The Grade 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint over 1200m tops the 12-race card at Kranji Racecourse on Saturday.
The feature race sees 11 three-year-olds do battle, with talented Silent Is Gold standing out as the one to beat among his peers.
Silent Is Gold has built a handy record of two wins and one placing from four local starts. Two starts back the son of Star Turn defied the rise in class and smashed the class record to win a Class 4 race, which has yielded multiple subsequent winners.
Thereafter, he won again in a Novice race over this track and distance while his winning time of 1:08.77 was faster than the Kranji Stakes A race that day.
Silent Is Gold has since been transferred to Stephen Gray’s stable from Donna Logan’s and is ideally placed to claim his first Black-Type win as the joint highest-rated horse – with Renzo – at level weights.
However, with many of the youngsters still improving, respect must be given to the Clements-trained Alqantur, who posted two impressive wins on end before he raced with no luck last start after he bounded out of the gates.
Tim Fitzsimmons plays a strong hand with proven Class 4 performer Gold Ten Sixty-One and Golden Monkey, who finished second to Silent Is Gold last start and looks to have improved leaps and bounds if his recent trial win is something to go by.
Meanwhile, trainer Tim Fitzsimmons (29 wins) boasts a five-win buffer over Donna Logan (24 wins). Manoel Nunes looks virtually unstoppable in the jockeys’ premiership and sits atop the ladder with 58 wins, 35 ahead of Oscar Chavez (23) and 37 ahead of CC Wong on 21 wins.
BEST BET
Race 6 No 5 King Zoustar
VALUE BET
Race 12 No 3 Nowyousee
JACKPOT
R60
Leg 1: 3, 8
Leg 2: 1, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 18 June 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: LOVING BABE (9)
Narrow winner last start turning around previous form and received no favors in the run. Expecting a similar performance again.
2nd Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (5)
Wide without cover last start and struggling to finish off. More luck in running sees this horse in the finish this weekend.
3rd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (2)
Yet to run out of the top three in two start to date over the track and distance. Place chance once again.
4th Pick: LIM'S WISH (8)
Early collision cost him a couple lengths at the start of the race. Managed to recover and run fourth, beaten 2.4 lengths. Keep safe.
RACE 2
1st Pick: IRON RULER (1)
Two of his five career wins have come over this course and distance. Looks a nice race for him to bounce back and get that next career victory.
2nd Pick: AMORE AMORE (2)
Hard to get a guide on his previous start in very wet conditions. Willing to forgive that run. If he turns up like he did two starts ago when beating a hot field, he can measure up in this.
3rd Pick: POROSHIRI (8)
Nunes has found the key to this galloper in his last two wins. Can be a difficult horse to handle and rises in grade. Winning form is good form, but this is a new test.
4th Pick: FIREWORKS (5)
Consistent form at his last three starts in two different grades. Comes into this on a lightweight and with a touch of luck in the run could be hitting the line strongly.
RACE 3
1st Pick: SUPER GENEROUS (3)
Wide throughout last start and didn’t have much luck. Has since caught the eye at the trials and looks in a good headspace to perform well this weekend.
2nd Pick: RICH FORTUNE (10)
Nudged out of victory by the slimmest of margins last start and could threaten here once again with some luck. Top three contender.
3rd Pick: LIM'S UNIQUE (2)
Performance last start was strong enough to entertain a selection this weekend. Has been running well the last couple and could figure again, a must for exotics plays.
4th Pick: ALEXANDER (1)
Comes into this division as the highest rated runner and has performed well at this distance in the past. His best can see him figure in the finish.
RACE 4
1st Pick: BOOMBA (2)
Huge run last start and just got pipped on the post in what was much needed return to form for Fitzsimmons trained runner. Has had a quiet trial between runs and looks a leading player in this field.
2nd Pick: BE YOU (5)
Had a great run in the early stages and looked a danger to grab third at his last run. That was behind Stenmark who has since won again and kept that form line strong. Doesn’t win often this galloper but could surprise.
3rd Pick: BILLY ELLIOT (6)
A horse with plenty of ability who decides when he wants to bring that to race day. Can mix his form and has had issues in the past but at his peak he must be a top contender for this.
4th Pick: ROCKET RYANE (11)
Came from well back with an electric turn of foot to claim a win at big odds in this grade. Still comes in well with a lightweight and going back-to-back isn’t impossible.
RACE 5
1st Pick: TONY'S LOVE (2)
Downgrading back to class 5 where he has been deadly over the journey. Expect him to be able to carry the weight and be very competitive amongst more suitable company. Big chance.
2nd Pick: KSATRIA (1)
Always runs an honest race at the top of class 5. Proven to carry big weights, must respect.
3rd Pick: BIG DAY (11)
Raced wide and closed off super in behind Leggenda. With no weight on its back, he could be flashing late into the minors.
4th Pick: CITY HALL (12)
Coming out of a weak maiden field where he finally broke through. Keep him safe in the numbers as the win could have done wonders for his confidence.
RACE 6
1st Pick: SHANG CHI (4)
Trial winner on June 9th. Returns to the 1200 for the first time since the Novice run where he impressed behind No More Delay. Anything close to that sees him winning this race.
2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (5)
Beaten less than a length last start in behind Siam Royal Orchid. Has trailed well since that start, a major player here.
3rd Pick: ROCKETSHIP (6)
Caught in the kickback last start and resented it. Look for them to press forward here, recent trial was nice.
4th Pick: SESON (7)
Not a bad run last start when running fifth in similar conditions and gets in well on a lightweight. With good early speed can produce a strong charge late.
RACE 7
1st Pick: FLASHFAST (3)
Over raced early and still got the job done in a small and compact field. Looks a logical next target for this horse and should be hard to beat.
2nd Pick: ISTATABA (7)
Her best form sees her winning this Novice event, but she can be known to space her good runs. Recent trial behind Shang Chi was nice, seems to be well.
3rd Pick: TOP FIELD (8)
Ex kiwi stepping out for his second run and is on the quick back up. Trackwork has been solid, seems to be settling in well, keep safe.
4th Pick: SONG OF NATURE (4)
His last couple class 4 runs have been a tad disappointing. His best effort would see him in the finish amongst this company and the drop back to 1400m looks ideal.
RACE 8
1st Pick: RUNMINDERBINDERRUN (3)
Put line through last start, never got opportunity. With a little more luck, this horse is getting down to a winning mark again, so a victory doesn’t look too far away.
2nd Pick: SUMMER WIND (1)
Has had plenty of chances to win but is never too far away from the winner. Should be the speed influence once again. Nunes on is a big plus.
3rd Pick: NATE'S HONOUR (7)
Another pace influence in the race. Should get a spot just outside of the leader if he jumps well and be in the right place to strike at the turn. Far from disgraced last start.
4th Pick: ONE WAY TICKET (8)
Huge winner last start by over six lengths. Finds itself in tough field and must back up after a week, but another win wouldn’t surprise at all.
RACE 9
1st Pick: REVOLUTION (4)
A polytrack specialist who was a long-awaited winner at his last start. Likes to get back and should have enough speed on to produce his turn of foot for another win here.
2nd Pick: PROOF PERFECT (1)
A winner in these conditions last start and rises in weight from that victory. He brings a lot of winning form from his last three starts and is a main player in this race.
3rd Pick: WAR PRIDE (2)
Impressive trial winner back on the 9th of June and looked in nice order from the Ong stable who is having a big season so far. Performs well off this rating and could be an improver.
4th Pick: WEALTH ELITE (3)
Comes here first up since October of last year and two easy trials under his belt for fitness. Likes to get back and run on. With fresh legs could add some value to the prices.
RACE 10
1st Pick: STARLIGHT (5)
Last year’s Group 2 three-year-old classic winner finds himself in an open field with a lightweight of 51.5kgs and at his best with a strong turn of foot. He could round this field up.
2nd Pick: KING ARTHUR (4)
He has been very lightly raced on the turf in his career and flies around the Polytrack. If he can bring that winning form here, he must hold some consideration. Speedy galloper with plenty of ability.
3rd Pick: FAME STAR (1)
Drops back to a distance that will suit him better and if you go back to his win four starts ago in a higher grade, he could throw up another surprise.
4th Pick: SACRED GIFT (3)
Consistent form on the Polytrack surface and needs to transfer that to turf against this field. Only a few starts on the turf but has performed well in the past. Don’t dismiss.
RACE 11
1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (7)
Classy galloper with some strong performances in his last few starts. The barrier was his undoing last start but still charged the line strongly. Goes close in this.
2nd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (2)
Looking for three wins in a row and brings good form for a race like this. He won well in Class 4 two runs back and took out a strong novice last start. With a spot up the front of the field he will be there in the finish.
3rd Pick: MONTANA FLASH (9)
Switches to the turf for just his second start here in Singapore after an eye catching fourth where he came from a mile back to fly home. Can improve second up. Looks value.
4th Pick: RENZO (1)
The highest rated runner in this field who has very consistent form in all of his career runs. His toughest test to date but can make his presence felt.
RACE 12
1st Pick: SUN OPS (4)
Lightly raced five-year-old who has made quite an impact in his runs so far. Course and distance suits with a strong trial win since his last start. Big watch.
2nd Pick: DARC BOUNTY (1)
Drops back sharply in grade after contesting in open class at his last two starts. Holds good form over this distance and will benefit hugely from the drop-in class.
3rd Pick: ENTERTAINER (2)
Looking to bounce back to form after a few disappointing runs. Over the last twelve months he was dominating these races on the Polytrack and at his best can figure here.
4th Pick: ARARAT LADY (9)
Has been costly to date for backers at her last few starts when well supported. She goes well at this trip and if the stable can get her back to her best she could surprise.