Luke Middlebrook
The Group 1 Singapore Derby over 1800m heads up Sunday’s 12-race card, at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore.
Star four-year-old Lim's Kosciuszko looks all set to atone for a last-start defeat and can score his first Group race when he steps out in the Derby for the four-year-olds.
Boasting an impressive record of eight wins from 11 starts, Lim's Kosciuszko stands out as the most exciting four-year-old this season. Though the Daniel Meagher-trained gelding was beaten into second as a 1-1 favourite in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup last time, there was plenty of merit to it given that he led under blistering splits but was only caught by Relentless inside the concluding stages, faring best among all the frontrunners.
Lim's Kosciuszko is ideally placed under this week’s racing conditions and with a better-timed ride, he should have every chance to turn the tables on Relentless, who appears the main danger with champion jockey Vlad Duric remaining on board.
Michael Clements-trained Tiger Roar can make his presence felt late under the right race shape, and last but not least, Amazing Breeze – ridden by top Australian jockey Blake Shinn – could prove a place chance at value.
Shinn will be sure to attract strong support as he kicks off his four-week Kranji stint on Sunday and from his five rides has some good chances. I Am Sacred in Race 4 has strong claims while last-start winner Be You can run well again.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons (35 wins) boasts a four-win lead over Donna Logan (31 wins) while Manoel Nunes (58 wins), who is sidelined through injury, boasts a 32-win lead over CC Wong (26 wins), who gets his chance to etch into Nunes’ lead whilst absent. It’ll pay to follow returning champion jockey Vlad Duric in coming weeks.
BEST BET
Race 11 No 1 Lim's Kosciuszko
VALUE BET
Race 2 No 8 Turf Beauty
JACKPOT
R36
Leg 1: 5, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3
Leg 4: 2,3
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 17 July 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: WAR FRONTIER (1)
Another who drops to class 5 where he should be suited fourth up. Only concern is his lack of form in class 4 as he is yet to catch the eye in his three runs so far this preparation.
2nd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (4)
Quick back up off a strong second placing in behind Elliot Ness. Had no favours in running and was wide without cover most of the way. With a little more luck, he can certainly figure here.
3rd Pick: SUPER GENEROUS (3)
Cost himself a couple lengths at the gates and was chasing most of the way to go down by just over a length last start. Drops back in distance to 1200m where he blitzed them two starts back. Could surprise again.
4th Pick: BEN WADE (5)
Excuses last start copping mid-race interference. Good chance to bounce back if he can overcome the wide draw.
RACE 2
1st Pick: HENG XING (3)
Last start was a complete forgive. Settled in a nice position but couldn’t get and stayed four wide the trip with nothing to follow. Hopefully with a better run-in transit, he can find himself in the finish.
2nd Pick: SUNDAY (1)
Beaten three lengths last start and had a much better run-in transit compared to Heng Xing. In a race that falls away, he has consistency on his side and has rarely put in a bad run of late. A must include for exotics.
3rd Pick: TURF BEAUTY (8)
Off the minimum mark but looks to get enough speed here to be running on one again. Was only beaten just over a length last start, solid performance.
4th Pick: AWESOME CONQUEROR (4)
From inside gate, he has the opportunity to position up behind leaders in striking range. Recent runs over 1400m have been good enough to figure here amongst div 2 company.
RACE 3
1st Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (9)
This six-time bridesmaid steps out again for her thirteenth start. Back to non-winners company again, won’t be far away.
2nd Pick: RAHOTU (2)
He is a horse who has been plagued with issues when it comes to his behaviour, and it has brought him undone on more than one occasion. He does however have an engine and the day he puts it all together, he will blow them away so keep him very safe.
3rd Pick: CAPTAIN LEGACY (1)
Led up the field but faded to run a close third. Despite throwing a plate mid-race, it was a real eye-catching run. Hopefully he can replicate the performance again this weekend.
4th Pick: FIGHTING HERO (4)
Knocking on the door to win a maiden soon. Last three starts have been good enough to entertain in the multiples.
RACE 4
1st Pick: I AM SACRED (1)
Lead them up last start but failed to hold on. Steps up to 1200m here and despite the fact most of his form is over 1100m, he should appreciate the rise in ground.
2nd Pick: CHARMINTON (5)
Broke through for a maiden win last start in a race that has held up with next start winners finishing in behind him. Harder company here but must respect as a place chance.
3rd Pick: DEN OF THIEVES (6)
Usually around the mark and has trialled leading into his first start since April, look for market support late.
4th Pick: LIM'S SPIN (3)
Returning here from break with a quiet trial to prepare for first up run. This weekend should give us a good idea on his preparation ahead. Wouldn’t shock seeing him win.
RACE 5
1st Pick: INTREPID (1)
Back to class 5 finally, a grade where he has been super competitive in the past. Should be in the finish. Gets Moor in the saddle.
2nd Pick: WILD BEE (3)
Has been knocking on the door to win one since returning to class 5. This looks a deeper race that what he has contested his last couple but cannot be left out.
3rd Pick: RUSSIAN TWIST (2)
Impressed back down in class 5 last start going down less than a length. Shouldn’t be too far away again.
4th Pick: CAVALLA COURT (5)
Beaten last start by a tearaway winner but ran through the line better than almost anything else in the race. Keep safe.
RACE 6
1st Pick: GREEN STAR (2)
Two wins in a row for this eight-year-old who has really hit a nice patch of form. Has only been winning by small margins but can be tractable in the run where it suits him.
2nd Pick: WIND TRAIL (1)
Continues to run nice races without winning in recent months. One of his four wins has come in these conditions and could turn the tables giving him another victory.
3rd Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (3)
Working his way through the ratings since winning his maiden three starts ago. Since then, has been runner up to a Group two winner and won in this class last start. Improving galloper.
4th Pick: GLOBAL KID (6)
Has been met with support on a few starts since his surprise win six starts ago. Seems to prefer the long course which gives him plenty of time to wind up and finish. Each way claims.
RACE 7
1st Pick: BE YOU (3)
Finds his way into a nice division of this race. Given a nice ride to beat the fast-finishing Boomba by half a length and will be aided by Blake Shinn taking the ride. Can go back-to-back here.
2nd Pick: DANCING TYCOON (5)
Lightly raced gelding who has run in some very strong form races since winning his maiden back in February. Should be nice and handy in the run and has shown a fair amount of talent in his short career so far.
3rd Pick: LUCKY IMPERATOR (4)
Beaten just half a length behind Be You last start. Had a comfortable run from a wide barrier and should adopt similar tactics. A repeat performance will see him in the finish again.
4th Pick: VGOR (1)
Drops back in class after failing to fire a blow in the Steward’s Cup over a mile. Will appreciate these conditions and with good tempo early he could land a winning blow late.
RACE 8
1st Pick: SAVVY COMMAND (2)
Holds strong course and distance statistics with a win and a minor placing from his three appearances so far. Should appreciate the rise in trip and looks well placed in this grade.
2nd Pick: SO HI CLASS (1)
Strong result last start when running second behind Sky Eye beaten half a length. Showed good early speed and steps up to a more suitable distance for this weekend’s assignment.
3rd Pick: CHEVAL BLANC (9)
Just over a month since his last run where he won in very wet conditions on the Polytrack. Has nice turf form around these distances and that should see him being a threat in this event.
4th Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (6)
Not seen since winning back in February when winning over 2000m in nice style. Should be fit after a couple of trials and his best performance could see a surprise finish.
RACE 9
1st Pick: KING ARTHUR (6)
Looking to make it three on the trot after silencing his critics who said he was just a synthetic horse. Has been running slick times and has the form coming into this as a main danger. Stable going very well in recent weeks.
2nd Pick: GOLD STAR (3)
Drops back to his suited distance after competing over a mile which didn’t really suit him. His run two starts ago was full of merit when he defeated Lim’s Kosciuszko who looks the favorite in the derby. Big watch on him in this.
3rd Pick: FAME STAR (4)
Has been racing up against some handy gallopers in recent runs and is proven in this grade previously. Should show plenty of early speed and holds a strong course and distance record with three wins and four placings from nine starts.
4th Pick: HONGKONG GREAT (2)
Making his Singapore debut after competing in Hong Kong where he was a three-time winner over there from fourteen starts. So far has shown some ability in his trials and must be kept safe.
RACE 10
1st Pick: FORTUNE CHANGER (1)
Returned with an impressive minor placing behind Speedy Missile after racing wide last start. Should strip fitter second up and recorded a slick 21.78 for his 400m. Big watch on him here.
2nd Pick: FIGHTER (3)
Lines up for his Singapore debut after winning three races in Australia for the Tony & Calvin McEvoy stable. Well bred son of Lord Kanaola and looks to have some ability from his overseas runs.
3rd Pick: PREDITOR (2)
Lines up in class 4 for the first time since January 2017. Since then, he has competed at the highest level here headlined by a group 3 win a few years ago. Could be a surprise winner down in class.
4th Pick: FIREWORKS (5)
Came from well back last start driving up the inside fence to finish a credible fourth in a good form race. Strong track and distance record will help his chances as an outside chance.
RACE 11
1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)
Gallant in defeat last start in the lead up race behind Relentless. Had to do plenty of work in the early stages and still maintained a strong run off a hot speed. Should be a more genuine run race and gets his chance for glory.
2nd Pick: RELENTLESS (2)
Assisted by a great ride from Duric in the Steward’s Cup a few weeks ago. Sat midfield and timed his run to perfection running home in very strong time. The distance shouldn’t be a problem and stable has had this on the radar for some time.
3rd Pick: TIGER ROAR (3)
Struggled to hold his position in the early stages last start and finished off for an eye catching third behind Relentless. Should strip fitter third up and must be considered a leading player against his own age.
4th Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (6)
Caught the eye running on last start over 1600m and the step up shouldn’t be an issue. Has always had a bit of wow factor and Blake Shinn takes the ride. He looks to be a contender who could add some value to the exotics should he finish off like last start.
RACE 12
1st Pick: WAR PRIDE (2)
First up run was a pass mark and should be improved here with that run under the belt. Big watch this start.
2nd Pick: QUADCOPTER (1)
Dislodged rider last start at the gates. Most recent trial was a pass mark to suggest that he is back on track.
3rd Pick: DR KARDO (4)
Last start winner who impressed running on well late in behind a fast tempo. Over a month between starts but has trialled in between in nice fashion. Keep safe.
4th Pick: WEALTH ELITE (3)
First up performance back in class 4 coming off a long break showed us he needed the run. Has won a trial since and should be more forward second up.