Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Saturday featuring an 11-race turf and Polytrack fixture.
Talented sprinter General Command is poised for a return to the winner’s list when he tackles the $85,000 Class 2 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.
General Command boasts an impressive local record of five wins and three placings from 10 starts. The Shalaa gelding has recently been racing in much tougher competition since leading all the way to score an easy win in this class three starts ago, finishing seventh in the Group 1 Lion City Cup two starts ago before enduring a wide trip and checking into sixth in Class 1.
General Command is highly suited by returning to the Polytrack, where he is five from six, coupled with a 100% Top 3 strike rate over this track and distance, both of which hold him in good stead to bounce back.
Elsewhere, Jason Ong unveils newcomer Nature Chief in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1000m on the Polytrack, and he looks good enough to score on debut.
Nature Chief is well prepared with four local trials for his debut and in each one, he showed tactical speed and travelled smoothly.
But if you have to rate his most impressive trial thus far, his final trial in New Zealand would most likely be the one as he let down well to cross the line first, while the second and third place getters have both turned out to win multiple races since.
"He’s a laid-back type of horse and has a bright future but 1000m on Saturday looks like a good starting point," said Ong of Nature Chief in a recent interview.
So, in a moderate field this week, he can prove hard to oppose on debut. - iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 9 No 2 General Command
VALUE BET
Race 1 No 2 King's Gambit
JACKPOT
R12
Leg 1: 2, 4, 7
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 7 OCT 2023
RACE 1
1st Pick: DRAGON MASTER (1)
Comes out of the race where stablemate Song Of Nature was far too strong for them but there was plenty to like about that performance. Nunes on and from the inform stable.
2nd Pick: GALAXY STAR (8)
Proven performer at this level in the past and has been working his way down the ratings now off a mark of 39 rating points. Draws well in barrier two and should sit handy early on.
3rd Pick: BINGO MASTER (3)
Finally draws a barrier after a string of wide gates over slightly further. Was catching the eye late last start but just gave the field too much of a head start.
4th Pick: TANTHEMAN (5)
Remains a maiden but continues to show signs of an improvement that will see him claim that first win soon. Needs luck early from the barrier.
RACE 2
1st Pick: WINS EIGHT (11)
Gets in well at the weights with Queiroz taking the ride at 52kgs and will look to take advantage of the handy barrier draw (1) he has been dealt. He will need to be sharp out of the gates.
2nd Pick: NATURE CHIEF (7)
Comes here on debut for the Ong stable after four trials including a nice win last week in a good time of 60.53 showing good early speed. One to follow.
3rd Pick: VOLCANIC (8)
These Fitzsimmons debutants usually gain plenty of support on debut and this gelding will be no exception and brings forward five nice trial performances dating back to May this year. Duric on and will gain plenty of attention.
4th Pick: SMART GAMBIT (2)
Ronnie Stewart riding in great form and takes the steer here for the Lim stable. Has the advantage of two runs and should be able to take some experience from that.
RACE 3
1st Pick: ATLANTE LEGEND (1)
The horse formally known at Moongate Star steps out this weekend for his first run under his new name and for his new owners. Last start was promising sitting a little bit handier to the speed, big watch here.
2nd Pick: BIG TIGER (4)
Racing a few points below the top of the grade which means he doesn’t have to carry top weight. This has been his biggest issue in the past and with 56.5kg this weekend, he looks a top three contender.
3rd Pick: BABY TWINS (3)
Draws a good gate to find a forward position in running. The last start second to War Room was a great run, and the inside gate gives him every possible chance to replicate last start, respect.
4th Pick: MAY (9)
It’s fair to say his first run up in class 4 was far from terrible and he had genuine excuses in the run. App Clyde Leck jumps back on board who won on him two starts back and at the weights, looks a live chance in this event.
RACE 4
1st Pick: LIM'S EVEREST (11)
Gets in with a lightweight for CC Wong again after the pair teamed up for a second placing a few weeks back at this distance. Should show speed early and give them something to chase.
2nd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (3)
Doesn’t get many favours from the wide barrier but a string of minor placings at this level has him well in contention. Nunes to take the ride is a big positive.
3rd Pick: WINDFALL (5)
This well-bred son of Justify rises to 1600m for the first time and will carry no weight. Stuck it out well last start and warrants a top three profile.
4th Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (2)
Had every opportunity to try and gun them down last start but just looked a bit one paced at the end. There is still something there to improve on.
RACE 5
1st Pick: WAR FRONTIER (1)
On the quick backup after finishing third last weekend. There is an inquiry pending into the ride that day and Wong has been booked again. He was strong to the line that day and can win here.
2nd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (5)
Nunes takes the ride on the Argentinian bred sprinter who looked the winner last start but found one better on the day. Should show good early speed and kick at the end.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (8)
Gets the blinkers added this weekend. Has placed over this course and distance in the past and draws nicely in barrier one. Could surprise.
4th Pick: THE STAR (13)
Currently sitting as first emergency. Connections will be hoping he gains a run coming off a slick trial showing he is ready to go should he make his way in the field.
RACE 6
1st Pick: PACIFIC HUNTER (7)
Open maiden winner who broke through impressively. Provided he has come on from that run, a class 4 win looks within his grasp.
2nd Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (1)
It was a tough watch if you were on last start as he never got a crack at the leading chances buried away in the pack. With more luck this weekend, he can win.
3rd Pick: ENGINE START (2)
Manoel Nunes continues his association with this runner who is finally starting to get some consistency in his form. His last start win was impressive enough to entertain as an each way prospect in a field of this quality.
4th Pick: ROCKY (5)
Lost last start on protest laying out late in the race when under pressure. Vlad Duric jumps in the saddle this week as the runner drops back to 1600m, a distance he has won at in the past.
RACE 7
1st Pick: TOP FIELD (6)
Looking to make it three on the bounce this week after being scratched from his most recent start two weeks ago. Brings strong form for a race like this and will be at the top of many punters’ picks.
2nd Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (2)
Makes his class five debut looking for his first win since February last year which was at class four level. Nunes has a great record on this gelding and would be great to see him bounce back here.
3rd Pick: NINEONEONE (9)
Get back and run on style runner who has four minor placings from his most recent starts shows he is treading in the right direction. His best is good enough to take this out.
4th Pick: JUNGLE CRUISE (4)
Scored a nice win last start over the mile to kick start his winning record. That was from barrier two and draws out wide in sixteen this week so Lerner will have to pull out some magic to go back-to-back here.
RACE 8
1st Pick: RUN BUDDY RUN (6)
Former Waterhouse/Bott runner in Sydney who has won a race at this distance of 1400m. Trials have been good enough leading up to his first Singapore start, expecting a forward performance.
2nd Pick: FEEL THE FIRE (8)
Former QLD galloper with the Chris Munce yard having his first run in Singapore. Another Singapore debutant in this race who has won at the distance in the past and should be in the finish with any luck.
3rd Pick: JEWEL SIXTY-ONE (2)
Although last start brought his win streak to an end, he had genuine excuses racing wide without cover throughout. Has the recent winning form on the board and that should take him a long way in this race.
4th Pick: TE AKAU BEN (1)
He has been a touch disappointing his last couple of starts but he is certainly a horse with ability. His great runs are few and far between, but he is a must included for exotics in case he decides to show up.
RACE 9
1st Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (2)
He returns this weekend to his preferred surface with aims at contesting a Merlion Trophy over this track and trip at the end of the year. He has five wins and a second from his six starts on poly, don’t overlook.
2nd Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (4)
He returns this weekend to the 1200m distance which has been a much more successful trip in his Singapore racing career. His recent trial was sharp enough to suggest he’ll be competitive here if he can find his usual forward position in running.
3rd Pick: MAJOR KING (6)
Class 3 winner last start stepping up in grade. The lightweight should bring him right into this event, despite the fact it’s one of his toughest tests to date.
4th Pick: SURPASS NATURAL (1)
Headlines the ratings with Super Salute not taking part in this event. Has been some time since his last win but his best could see him bounce back at big odds.
RACE 10
1st Pick: BESTSELLER (6)
Led them up early last start and raced very keenly. Couldn’t sustain the gallop and faded late. Usually quite consistent and can certainly atone for it here.
2nd Pick: SABAH ACE (8)
Last start he came from a long way back to only go down 2.7 lengths. To the eye it looked like a great run and time sectionals back that up, winning chance.
3rd Pick: LUXURY BRAND (4)
Lightly raced at 1400m but comes into this event hitting this distance at the right time fitness wise, could be a bold showing.
4th Pick: GHALIB (11)
Undefeated in both class 4 starts stepping up here to class 3. Looks to be a horse with plenty of talent and in his first run for the new stable, he may impress. Each way.
RACE 11
1st Pick: REIGNITE (1)
Raced well last start despite late interference to run a placing. The 3kg claim of Apprentice S.Jamil aids his chances and his recent trial between runs was good to the eye, top hope.
2nd Pick: LUCKY BABY (2)
Beaten narrowly behind Renzo last start who franked the form by heading up to class 3 and winning the following start. He gets back in his race usually but should be catching the eye late.
3rd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (5)
He looks the speed influence as always and should lead this field up. Hard to see him winning but if he can hold on until late, a top three finish shouldn’t be out of the question.
4th Pick: ROMANTIC (9)
Getting right down in the ratings now and comes into this race with a lightweight. He is a truly capable horse on his day and should be winning a race soon.