Hongkong Great best in G1 QEII Cup at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

The Group 1 QEII Cup over 1800m on turf tops the 11-race fixture at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore on Saturday.

In that event, thriving import Hongkong Great will aim to further his credentials after shedding his local tag most stylishly last time. Arriving in Singapore with an impressive overseas record of eight wins from 25 starts, Hongkong Great showed vast improvement stepping up to 1600m at his third local start.

Defying an awkward draw, the Ricardo le Grange-trained gelding made every post a winning post, drawing away to score by 1.75 lengths while breaking the 1600m Polytrack record in 1:37.28 seconds.

Standing out as the highest rated horse, he is ideally placed under the weight-for-age conditions.

His main danger lies in the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained five-year-old Relentless, who was a luckless runner-up in the Group 1 Singapore Derby two starts ago and he should come on by leaps and bounds after finishing a slashing fifth first-up in a very slowly run race in which he was a real eye-catcher.

Fitzsimmons also has highly promising five-year-old Mr Black Back racing in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1800m, chasing back-to-back wins.

Mr Black Back boasts strong overseas form and he was heavily supported at both local starts. He debuted with a slashing third over an unsuitable distance before going on to open his local winning account in emphatic fashion last start. Rising to 1400m and switching to turf – both big positives – he led from start to finish easily while creating a new Class record of 1:21.35 seconds.

Mr Black Back is highly suited by the rise in distance again this week and he looks to have plenty of rating points up his sleeve. His main danger – this year’s Singapore Derby third-place getter Super Impact, who is off the back of a facile win in this class and also appears to have plenty more to come.

BEST BET

Race 6 No 8 Ejaz

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 4 Silent Force

JACKPOT

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1,10

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 15 Oct 22


RACE 1

1st Pick: WILD BEE (10)

He is a seven-time winner in his career and holds the lowest rating of this field. The last time we saw him run at this distance was in July where he finished fourth beaten a length just under a length to the winner. Nice each way chance.

2nd Pick: WHAT YOU LIKE (9)

All four of his victories have come on the Polytrack. He does however have a few nice placings to his name in similar conditions. Winning form is good form for a race like this. Nunes in the saddle a big plus for him.

3rd Pick: GRIFFIN (3)

Having his second start in this grade after a disappointing start to his Singapore career. If he can bring any of his Australian form to this, he can surprise and figure in the finish.

4th Pick: WHIZ FIZZ (7)

Has been met with betting support at his last few runs. Has since trialed nicely behind Jupiter Gold with the blinkers applied. Watch the market again for any moves.

RACE 2

1st Pick: EAGLE EYE (3)

Strikes a nice race here with good speed. Amongst division 2 company at his pet distance, he is right in the mix here. Look for him late.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC STAR (5)

Last two runs have arguably been a little disappointing after the first start victory. Draws an ideal gate this weekend to put his best foot forward, watch.

3rd Pick: FLASHFAST (4)

Looking forward to seeing another run from him in blinkers. They look to have improved him and switched him on a little more, he’s a top four chance for sure.

4th Pick: LAST SAMURAI (6)

Ensures a solid tempo in the race for back markers. If he gets an easy lead though, he could have enough in the tank to cling on for a placing. One for the multiples.

RACE 3

1st Pick: EXCEED NATURAL (1)

The only runner in this race with a touch of positive recent form. Finished second over this distance by a short margin and looks the one to beat on paper. Simon Kok riding well and looks a big hope.

2nd Pick: SUNDAY (6)

He gets to his suited long course where he tends to do his best racing. If there is solid speed up front, he can be hitting the line strongly. Looks a top three prospect.

3rd Pick: AUSPICIOUS DAY (2)

This is a much easier contest than he has faced in recent starts. If he can deliver a performance like when he won back in July that will be good enough to finish in the money here.

4th Pick: EASYLIGHTS (8)

Stable having a good run in the last few weeks and this gelding has performed well over this distance off a similar rating. Watch for any betting support late.

RACE 4

1st Pick: CON SPERANZA (1)

Finds himself carrying weight again at the top of class 4. He is the classiest runner in the race and the horse to beat, but the dead weight is always a slight concern.

2nd Pick: GLOBAL KID (2)

Been caught wide with no luck his last two races, however he draws a gate this weekend to find an ideal position. Look for an improved run.

3rd Pick: SPLIT SECOND (4)

Backing up after running 2000m last meeting. Was reluctant to improve throughout the run so it shouldn’t have taken too much out of him. Top 3 chance.

4th Pick: LAKSANA (9)

Steps back up in class but carries no weight as a result. Has a much better record in class 5 carrying weight which is a slight concern but draws to find a great position in the run with little work.

RACE 5

1st Pick: QARAAT (2)

Strong statistics that read seven wins over the 1200m on the turf. He looks well placed to add to that tally this weekend and should be heavily supported.

2nd Pick: BURGUNDY LAD (7)

He was well supported behind Cizen Lucky last start and went down by one and a half lengths. Meets a weaker field this weekend and gets his chance to score his first win.

3rd Pick: FIGHT TO VICTORY (8)

He ran second behind Cizen Lucky to go under by a length. Should settle on the speed and has consistent form to figure in the placings this weekend.

4th Pick: SILENT FORCE (4)

Just the one win to his career and that came over this course and distance back in 2019. He has had some nice placings since then and looking for an improvement against this field.

RACE 6

1st Pick: EJAZ (8)

His two starts have been impressive with his last start victory really catching the eye. He comes into this with a lightweight and a small field is big advantage. He is an exciting youngster. Nunes on and jumps from barrier two.

2nd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (3)

Started his career in winning style on the Polytrack last start. Looks to be a nice horse who should work his way up the classes. Duric takes over the reins and will get plenty of support from that.

3rd Pick: MONTANA FLASH (1)

Scored an Open Maiden win two starts ago and was defeated by his stablemate Trident at his next run. Has since trialed nicely and one of the few strong Logan hopes in this field.

4th Pick: DECEPTION (4)

Just the one win to his name but does have plenty of strong form around his name. Must be considered as an exotics finisher if he brings his best performance this weekend.

RACE 7

1st Pick: FIREWORKS (1)

Back to class 5 where he scored his last victory back in May of this year. Loves this distance with all seven of his victories recorded at 1400m. He looks ready. The Nunes and Fitzsimmons combination is a strong formula.

2nd Pick: JUST BECAUSE (5)

Caught the eye running second to Malibu Beach last start and stays in this grade. Should be nice and handy in the run and watch any betting moves on him.

3rd Pick: RUSSIAN TWIST (2)

He has had four runs in class 4 since his last victory in this grade back in July where he scored a narrow win over this same distance. As a class dropper must be well noticed in betting.

4th Pick: ST ALWYN (4)

Yet to win on the turf in thirty-three career starts. He does have two minor placings from three attempts at this course and distance so cannot be overlooked.

RACE 8

1st Pick: SUPER IMPACT (1)

Carries top weight for his second up run after blowing them away first up. Should find a position one back the fence with cover and be peeling off at the right time to make his run. Respect.

2nd Pick: MR BLACK BACK (2)

Looks one of the likely leaders for this event. Impressed in first run on turf last start. Third up here and up to 1800m looks ideal. He is the horse Super Impact has to get past and he won’t make it easy to do.

3rd Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (3)

Loves 1800m on the long course as he takes forever to wind up. Should be okay fitness wise here, he just wouldn’t want to be spotting them too much of a lead at the turn.

4th Pick: AMORE AMORE (4)

Looks the horse that will be up with Mr Black Back on speed. Arguably a better poly track horse but looks the next likely contender in this six horse field.

RACE 9

1st Pick: TRIDENT (2)

Draws a good gate once again and looks to be a horse progressing through the grades nicely. Should be in the finish again.

2nd Pick: IRONCHAMP (1)

Hasn’t drawn a gate once again and will have to work early to find the top but he should be in front for a long way, maybe all the way if he gets an easy lead.

3rd Pick: IMPLEMENT (7)

Great performance in behind Mr Black Back. Race was run in good time so it should hold up, looks a big lightweight threat.

4th Pick: NO MORE DELAY (8)

If you like Implement and the form behind him, No More Delay comes out of the same race. Has been knocking on the door to win again, place hope.

RACE 10

1st Pick: RELENTLESS (10)

Drawn a sticky gate for leading rider Manoel Nunes. Concerns are he will be three wide with a back but he has still run well from that position in the past. On form so far this year, he is the horse to beat.

2nd Pick: HARD TOO THINK (4)

Timing I everything with this horse. He seems to bob up when he needs to and run a big race. He is the defending champion and has drawn very well to get one of the runs of the race.

3rd Pick: BIG HEARTED (7)

His barrier should allow him to find a great spot in behind the leaders early without having to do much work. Vlad Duric booked who is a three-time winner of the race, the stars are aligning to see him run a big race here.

4th Pick: MR MALEK (2)

Work this week has been great leading into this event. A versatile horse who can certainly bob up in the minors.

RACE 11

1st Pick: AFTERMATH (4)

His two most recent runs in class 4 since heading up to the grade have been solid despite poor barrier draws. Great chance to win here now he finally draws a gate and gets a senior rider in the saddle.

2nd Pick: BRUTUS (1)

Weight relief could come in handy here for Brutus who has been racing incredibly well of late in the grade without picking up a cheque. Draws well, respect.

3rd Pick: DR KARDO (5)

Last start performance was a pass mark. 1100m would be better than 1200m but with a rolling tempo in the run, he should be looming late, big watch.

4th Pick: MINI FORCE X (2)

First run for new stable, track work and preparations have been solid. Good enough to win at class 4 but just hasn’t found his best form since arriving in Singapore.