Lim Kosciuszko for G1 Raffles Cup win

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with an exciting 10-race card featuring the $300,000 Group 1 Raffles Cup over 1600m.

This year’s Group 1 Raffles Cup (1600m) features an elite field of 10 contenders, with a spotlight on reigning Horse of the Year LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO and the rising star LIM’S SALTORO.

Both trained by Daniel Meagher, LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO has dominated this classic feature, winning the last two events in 2023. Given his impressive form, he appears to hold an edge over his stablemate.

In the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy in April, LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO, carrying 7.5kg more than LIM’S SALTORO, narrowly defeated him by a short head. With both horses now set to carry equal weight under this week’s Weight For Age conditions, the champion seems well-positioned to maintain his advantage.

However, LIM’S SALTORO continues to defy expectations and improve, potentially overcoming any weight- related disadvantages. He’s certainly a horse to include in your forecast bet. Besides this formidable duo, GOLDEN MONKEY and DREAM ALLIANCE also possess a rating edge over many rivals, making them strong candidates to finish in the Top 3.

In Race 4, promising five-year-old HOLE IN ONE looks well placed to score his third career win.

Having shown commendable form in the final two legs of the 4YO series, HOLE IN ONE appears to be ahead of the handicapper. After a strong fifth-place finish in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup two starts ago, he followed up with a solid third in the Group 1 Singapore Derby.

The drop to Class 4 and the presence of a small, moderate field work in HOLE IN ONE’s favour. With in-form jockey Bernardo Pinheiro aboard, he stands out as the horse to beat. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 4 No 2 HOLE IN ONE

VALUE BET

Race 10 No 8 ARTILLERY

JACKPOT

R72

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 3, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 4

Leg 4: 1, 5, 8

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 11 AUG 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (3)

Heavily supported to score under a nice ride last start and won with some authority that afternoon carrying 59kgs. Stays at the same trip and looks to be in a good space.

2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (4)

Gets back to his favourite Long Course here over his pet distance of seven furlongs. He is on the quick seven-day backup and watch for any betting moves.

3rd Pick: SUPER CONVINCE (1)

One of a couple of Jason Ong’s who holds a good hand in this race. He makes his class five debut and has won both of his victories at this distance. Will appreciate the weaker grade here and Seow takes the claim.

4th Pick: VGOR (6)

Continues his run of minor placings and has been settling back and getting out of the pack late to just find one better at his last two starts. If the speed is on he can figure late.

RACE 2

1st Pick: DANCING SUPREMO (2)

Strong win last start in the same grade. Now goes up to 1400m with Curatolo staying onboard. He loves to roll along and should be hard to beat. Will be short in the market but can a little one-dimensional.

2nd Pick: AXEL (3)

Huge chance on the weekend. Now gets in-form jockey Bernardo Pinheiro in the saddle and draws well in barrier five. Should look to sit towards the tail but won’t be as far back due to the smaller field.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (1)

Last two runs have been very positive, sat up on speed and continued to hit the line. He is a strong 1400m competitor in this grade and had a recent trial which was just fair. Draws the inside gate. Watch betting.

4th Pick: WINS ONE (5)

Returning from a long break. He’s last race was back in mid-March finishing second to Sabah Ace who’s come out and won in class 3. He is a tough customer to catch, and Bruno Queiroz is onboard again.

RACE 3

1st Pick: BIG DAY (5)

Very dangerous at this distance and when he finds his way into division two of these races. Just found Fortune Wheel too good last start but he holds the best form here.

2nd Pick: SALAMENCE (1)

Looks a real value player. We haven’t seen him at this distance since February 2023 and he has recorded two wins at the trip in the past. Watch for any betting moves.

3rd Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (6)

Comes out of the same form race as Big Day where they both finished behind Fortune Wheel. Expect him to position up in a forward role and look a threat with Nunes taking the ride.

4th Pick: BEHIND PLAYER (8)

Won at huge odds of over $400 last start and improved on average of seven lengths to score his maiden win. Now he has a taste for it time will tell if he can repeat that run.

RACE 4

1st Pick: HOLE IN ONE (2)

Great run in the Group 1 Singapore Derby last start, continued to box on into a minor placing, he is a very strong horse with plenty of ability. He will be hard beat in this race and could see a lot of betting support.

2nd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (1)

Had to carry top weight last start in behind Boardroom who got a dream run and just faded in the last 200m. Will need to hold his form but should be respected. A little one-paced. Key player.

3rd Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (3)

Race didn’t go to suit last start in the small field over 1400m and backs up from last Sunday. Goes up to a more preferred trip of 1600m and should appreciate more tempo in the race. Watch betting.

4th Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (6)

Progressive horse who’s been slowly gone through the grades in the last couple of months. Great to see him in the winner’s circle again after another strong victory. Now comes up to class 4 and will find it much harder.

RACE 5

1st Pick: LUCKY GOAL (1)

This big sized galloper who races over 550kg in bodyweight has been holding his form since we won his maiden two starts ago. From a leading stable who is in a good patch of form.

2nd Pick: MAY (3)

Came from just off the speed and attacked the line well but Ciango was off and gone and found it too hard to catch him that day. Just the one win to his name but his last few turf runs have been positive.

3rd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (4)

Has been hurtful to favourite punters at his last two starts but the form is holding up for him. He finished a close second to Onemorefortheroad who has since won again. Draws well in barrier No 2.

4th Pick: THE WILD FIRE (9)

Won well back in June in yielding conditions. Has since had three runs in similar races but hasn’t been too far out of the mix. Watch for any betting support late in the piece.

RACE 6

1st Pick: GREATHAM BOY (4)

Great win in class 3 two starts back over this distance, had an attempt in the Group 1 Lion City Cup last time out and never came into contention. He’s really turned he’s form around and will be short in the market.

2nd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (5)

Great win in class 3 last start on Derby Day giving Tyler Schiller his very first international win. Daniel Meagher has got a great handle on this horse. He likes to be up on speed and should give a great sight.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (2)

Wasn’t beaten far in the Group 1 Lion City Cup last start, Daniel Moor sticks aboard and should still be competitive in class 3. Will be the likely leader in this field and could surprise. Watch the market.

4th Pick: KNIPPENBERG (10)

He’s trackwork suggests his been improving since his last run behind Always Together. Now gets back to a more suitable distance at 1200m and is a terrific value play. Goes well on the Long Course.

RACE 7

1st Pick: NAVY SEALS (4)

Comes into this off the back of two strong performances. Proven at the distance and had a nice blowout at the trials on Tuesday morning. Expect support.

2nd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (2)

He finished second to Navy Seals back in June over this same trip and has had just the one other run since then on the Polytrack. Stable going well and give him respect here.

3rd Pick: SCREEN SHOT (1)

Gets back to class five where he recorded his most recent win back in March over 1800m. Will appreciate the easier contest and ran very well two starts back up in grade.

4th Pick: TONY'S LOVE (7)

Hasn’t been able to fire at his last two outings but his record over these trips are too good to ignore. If he rocks up to the track at peak fitness a top four finish is well in reach.

RACE 8

1st Pick: SABAH ACE (1)

He’s been off the scene for a while now, he won well back in April and had to take the mandatory three months off after bleeding. He has one of the stronger form lines in this field. Key player.

2nd Pick: TE AKAU BEN (6)

Looking for three straight wins, he’s had a great preparation so far, keeps fronting up and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Now comes up to class 3 which will be a big step up but could go close. Espindola rides.

3rd Pick: SO HI CLASS (2)

A strong class 3 galloper with plenty of racing under his belt. He prefers a longer trip but wasn’t beaten far behind Ghalib and Golden Monkey in Kranji Stake A races over 1200m and 1400m recently.

4th Pick: BIG UNION (7)

A nice upcoming horse for Jerome Tan, couldn’t handle the 1400m and the turf track two starts back, then came back to a more suitable race last start on the Poly track and put in a career best performance after a wide run. Watch betting.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

Dominant win from the local champion in his third straight Lion City Cup last start. He is having the same preparation as last year and hasn’t changed his routine. He will the short price favourite in this week Raffles Cup. He’s had a small break of two weeks since that last Group 1 victory so he should be very fit and should get a great run from barrier four. He is without a doubt the horse to beat.

2nd Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (3)

Things didn’t go to plan for him last start in class 2, he had to carry top weight in a small field which resulted in moderate factions and being dictated to, just finishing into the placings. He will be suited under these race conditions and needs a strong tempo.

3rd Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (4)

He is the wildcard in this race and one of the threats to some of the top horses in this field. He conquered the Four-Year-Old series and is very strong over 1600m. CC Wong has come back to Kranji and will take the steer on the weekend. The plan will more than likely be to go forward and sit up on speed. He can work across from barrier six.

4th Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (2)

An honest competitor still with plenty of good racing in him. He still needs to be respected in this race seeing that he finished fourth to Lim’s Kosciuszko in last year’s edition and hasn’t been beaten far behind the champion all throughout this year. Will go back from the outside barrier.

RACE 10
1st Pick: RAVALLI (1)

He headlines the ratings for this class four and comes off the back of two wins in nice style. Does have to carry the topweight and will be giving some kilograms to those down in the weights. Curatolo will have to be at his best from barrier eleven.

2nd Pick: COOL SIXTY-ONE (2)

Just had no luck from the wide barrier being trapped four wide without cover in a big field. He thrives in these conditions and the more you watch that last start he was better than it reads. Draws well in No 2 for Moor.

3rd Pick: CHARMINTON (5)

He ran a much-improved race last outing where he had the advantage of a better barrier. Draws wider this weekend. Thrives at this course and distance and will be looking to settle in a similar spot.

4th Pick: ARTILLERY (8)

Finished behind Ravalli back in May and has had a freshen up since then including winning a trial in lead up for this race. Track statistics are strong and looks like a quartet filler first up.