Lim’s Kosciuszko hot run to continue

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with an exciting 10-race card featuring the $300,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup over 1200m.

This year’s $300,000 Group 1 Lion City Cup (1200m), the pinnacle sprint race on Singapore's racing calendar, features a small but elite field of seven contenders, headlined by the reigning Horse Of The Year, Lim’s Kosciuszko.

Unbeaten in his three starts this year since returning from his Hong Kong raid in December, Lim’s Kosciuszko, trained by Daniel Meagher, is expected to dominate this week’s feature under the weight-for-age conditions. With Singapore racing entering its terminal stages and few new horses joining the jurisdiction, it’s fair to say Lim’s Kosciuszko will likely continue his winning streak until the final curtain falls on 5 October.

However, if we look beyond the favourite, last year’s 4YO Series hero, Golden Monkey, emerges as a strong contender.

The Tim Fitzsimmons’ protégé boasts an explosive turn of foot, an asset in a race with limited runners where the pace tends to be more relaxed. Additionally, this year’s Guineas winner, Ace Of Diamonds, despite having the lowest rating in the field, shows plenty of promise and should not be underestimated.

The Jason Ong-trained Cheval Pegasus looks on track to land an overdue win in Race 4. The Flying Artie gelding has been knocking on the door since day one, being placed three times from four starts, including a fast-finishing second in a Novice race last time out.

As the highest-rated horse carrying the lightest weight in this week’s Restricted Maiden event, it will be hard for Cheval Pegasus to find a more winnable race than this in the future. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 4 No 4 Cheval Pegasus

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 8 Lucky Hero

JACKPOT

R96

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 2, 4, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 1, 6, 2, 10

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 28 July 2024

RACE 1

1st Pick: COMMANDER JONES (4)

Ran a strong second placing last start out in this grade. Curatolo sticks with him and has terrific record in these conditions. Draws perfectly to get a good run in five.

2nd Pick: VGOR (8)

Continuing his good run of minor placings. That most recent one was last weekend where he made up a stack of ground, but the winner Outfit was far too good. Needs good early tempo to finish off.

3rd Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (1)

Make his class five debut at starts number 61 with seven wins in higher grades throughout his career. Has won once over this trip and watch for any betting support.

4th Pick: HEALTHY BABY (9)

He draws perfectly in barrier one to take up a forward running if he sees fit to do so. When he won in April he led throughout in similar conditions. Seow takes two kilograms off.

RACE 2

1st Pick: HE'S MY HALO (9)

On debut ran a strong second placing behind Lucky Goal who has since placed at his next start up in grade. Out of a talented sprinting mare he is going to take natural improvement second up here.

2nd Pick: BUREAUCRAT (1)

Gets a gun draw in barrier three fresh off nice trial last week in preparation for this. Nunes booked to ride is a big draw card to his chances. Expect market support.

3rd Pick: LIM'S FABER (4)

Expect him to roll along in a forward position for the strong Meagher and Lerner combination. Only beaten 2.3 lengths to Lucky Goal two runs back is good for a race of this depth.

4th Pick: BIG MAX (7)

He has had his chances to win a race and punters are going take him with plenty of caution. From barrier eight he could be posted wide if he looks to push forward. Needs luck.

RACE 3

1st Pick: BIG DAY (3)

Looks one of the better plays of the day. His course and distance record far outweighs the rest of this field with four wins and four minors from sixteen attempts. A last start winner who will be very short in the market.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (2)

Gets a nice draw in barrier two for Pinheiro who takes the steer for the first time. Has one win to his name over the trip and can run some strong sectionals late.

3rd Pick: MY BOSS (5)

Ran a second placing in yielding conditions four starts back beaten under a length. Just needs there to be good speed on to produce a strong finish.

4th Pick: PACIFIC DREAM (6)

Hasn’t been able to fire a shot in recent runs. Not the most ideal draw in nine and will need to keep in touch with the field to figure amongst the placings.

RACE 4

1st Pick: CHEVAL PEGASUS (4)

Continues to show quality improvement in his four career starts to date. Made good ground late behind Boardroom on a leader bias track and has since trialed well in good time.

2nd Pick: BIG RETURN (5)

Big watch on this newcomer who is a rising three-year-old from the in-form Tan stable. He is a winner of all three of his trials since arriving and expect his price to shorten late in the piece.

3rd Pick: LIM'S TETON (3)

Finished third to Spieth Heroine last outing over 1400m. Drops back in trip this weekend and will take plenty of benefit from having race experience. Must include amongst your exotic picks.

4th Pick: OCEAN JUPITER (2)

His last start he was beaten eight lengths behind Ace Of Diamonds at Group 2 level. He was well out of his depth that day and this looks more to his ability. Looked nice in a recent trial.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SPIETH HEROINE (2)

After a long run of placings, she finally broke the maiden tag last start. She has strong form over 1600m on the turf and should get a perfect run from barrier three. Watch betting.

2nd Pick: CENTURION (10)

Gritty win last start on the Poly track, one of the most honest older horses here in Singapore and could go back-to-back this weekend. Pinheiro sticks aboard and should look to push forward from the outside gate.

3rd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (9)

Been racing so well in recent past, was in the same race behind Centurion last start and was very green in the straight. He hasn’t got the best statistics on the turf but could surprise. Key booking of Bruno Queiroz who take the ride.

4th Pick: ENGINE START (6)

Good run last time out behind Pacific Scout over the shorter trip on Poly track. Draws out wide in barrier nine but could be amongst the placings. Watch betting.

RACE 6

1st Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (1)

Looking for three straight victories in the same grade, won well last start defeating Lim’s Smythe and looks to be in ripping form right now. Draws perfectly in barrier two and Nunes sticks aboard.

2nd Pick: BOARDROOM (3)

Strong win in Novice grade last start over 1400m. He loves to get out and run, he trialled behind Ace Of Diamonds most recently. Should go close.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (2)

Okay run behind Great Warrior last time out, was able to settle in the mid stages of the race and continued to stay on. Could be right in this but draws out. Watch betting.

4th Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (5)

He is very strong over 1600m and now get Curatolo in the saddle. Sat up on speed last start but he is very dynamic. Could surprise. Good value play.

RACE 7

1st Pick: BOSS HENG HENG (3)

Last two performances have been very strong form lines leading into this race. Hit the front a long way from home last time around and now comes back onto the turf. Okay.

2nd Pick: SKY EIGHT (9)

Usually, a front runner with plenty of ability in Class 5. Was in the same race behind Kinabalu Light last start on the All-weather Poly track. He has terrific statistic on the turf and should be in the market.

3rd Pick: SHIHAB (6)

Hasn’t been far off in his last couple of performances, only a one-time winner from his 27-start career but now meets a weaker field and gets Nunes in the saddle. Could be in the finish.

4th Pick: MY DETERMINATION (2)

Key booking with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle. Draws out in barrier ten but should look to get back and finish off late. Key player.

RACE 8

1st Pick: QUADCOPTER (2)

Stable apprentice will take four kilograms off this old boy who has been showing good promise since making his way into this class. Course and distance stats are strong to figure here.

2nd Pick: GRAND SUPREME (1)

Gets back to class five where he recorded his last win at 1000m on the Poly track surface. Would probably appreciate the Poly track more but this is his class to figure.

3rd Pick: KICK (4)

He looks a great each way play in a race like this. He is struggling to get a victory under his belt but is very rarely far from the winner. Draws well and stable is in form.

4th Pick: OUTFIT (5)

Well supported late in betting to not only win but absolutely demolish that field last weekend. The big question mark is the quick turnaround, and the winning jockey has taken another ride.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

The local champion is looking to make it three straight victories in Singapore’s only sprint feature. Last year he won this race with authority and is undefeated so far this year. He hasn’t raced since his dominant win the Group 1 Kranji Mile back in May but has been kept up to the mark with a solid hit out in a recent trial. He should be able to slot into a comfortable position from barrier five. Local champion.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (2)

He once again measures up against his old sparring partner (Lim’s Kosciuszko). He is going well this year and will have fitness on his side after competing in two Kranji Stakes A races most recently and winning one of them. He will look to get back and run on but won’t be as far back as he has been in the past due to the small field of seven.

3rd Pick: GHALIB (3)

Been drastically jumping up in the rating points over the last few months from his success in Kranji Stakes A sprint races on both the Turf and Poly surface. He should get every possible chance from barrier four but will need to lift to another level here. Key player.

4th Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (5)

Always looked like a Lion City Cup horse ever since he’s first two impressive wins, however, he’s been disappointing in his last few attempts over both 1400m and 1200m. He loves to run along and gets very keen during the early stages. Looks to be the pacemaker and should come across from the outside gate.

RACE 10

1st Pick: LIM'S BIGHORN (1)

He looks the leader on paper and should be respected in this field. He draws out wide in barrier eleven but will be very slick out of the gates and is an impressive 3yo for the in-form Meagher stable.

2nd Pick: STENMARK (2)

Looks like the clear danger to Lim’ Bighorn now that he is in class 4, last time he was in this grade he won well and now gets one of the leading riders Bruno Queiroz in the saddle. Awkward draw but should be right in this.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC GOLD (3)

Could be a major threat to the top two in this race, stays in class 4 but now backs up from last week after a disappointing run. He could bounce back here and draws well. Watch the market.

4th Pick: TOMMY GUN (6)

He was only moderate last time out in Novice grade behind Boardroom. Still a young lightly raced 3yo here in Singapore and now meets a strong field but gets some weight relief and an okay draw. Watch betting.