Luke Middlebrook
The Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m heads up the 12-race card at Kranji on Saturday.
Star three-year-old Golden Monkey will be favoured to take out the Classic after he won the Three-Year-Old Sprint effortlessly. The youngster has built a handy record locally so far and he could not have been more impressive claiming his first feature event.
Settling just off the speed, Golden Monkey showed a devastating turn of foot and put the race to bed from the 200m, drawing away to score easily by 3.25 lengths over his peers. Recording an eye-catching winning time of 1:08.87 seconds, it was the third fastest for the feature race in the past 10 years.
“He did it so easy today so he will be even better over 1400m or even the mile,” said winning jockey Oscar Chavez after the Sprint. Therefore, the rise in distance should not pose any problem to Golden Monkey, and his rivals will need big improvement to turn the tables.
In Race 4 Lim's Pucak Jaya will be getting his best chance to shed his maiden tag in the 1600m Maiden.
The Daniel Meagher-trained four-year-old has been a big improver since blinkers were added two starts ago, as well as rising in distance. After two narrow defeats into second place, he looks set to score at his second attempt over the mile while stepping away from barrier No 1 under jockey Danny Beasley.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons (32 wins) boasts a four-win lead over Donna Logan (28 wins) while Manoel Nunes (58 wins), who is sidelined for a while through injury, boasts a 33-win lead over CC Wong (25 wins), who gets his chance to etch into Nunes’ lead with his absence. It’ll pay to follow returning champion jockey Vlad Duric.
BEST BET
Race 1 No 1 Lim's Pucak Jaya
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 6 Decreto
JACKPOT
R198
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 1, 2, 6
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 9 July 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (1)
Returned to the winners stall under a great ride from Moor last start. Remains at the top of the ratings for this grade and he only rises half a kilogram in weight. A lot lines up for him.
2nd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (3)
Having just his second start in this grade for the in-form Logan stable. Must not forget he was a course record holder when winning his maiden at this distance in April of last year. He has the ability but needs to reproduce it.
3rd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (7)
Drops back in distance to a more suitable trip for this Argentinian bred speedster. Shows plenty of speed from the barrier and should be in a prime position when turning for the judge.
4th Pick: BIZAR WINS (2)
Showed quick speed at his last start to finish fourth over this distance. His best performances in his career have come at this distance. One for the exotics.
RACE 2
1st Pick: TRIDENT (1)
Showed quick speed at his last start to finish fourth over this distance. His best performances in his career have come at this distance. One for the exotics.
2nd Pick: MARIANA TRENCH (3)
Settled just off the speed last start to go down half a length behind Flashfast. Seems to appreciate the distance and holds good form lines for this.
3rd Pick: WATERY (2)
Drops back to maiden grade after contesting a hot group three race last start. Should appreciate racing against maideners and gets his chance in this.
4th Pick: DRAGON TYCOON (4)
Lining up for start number nine and has been hitting the line nicely at his last few starts. With a solid tempo up front he could be one of the runners finishing off strongly.
RACE 3
1st Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (6)
Honest mare who rose to the occasion recording her sixth career victory over a course and distance she really thrives on. Meets a limited field and at her best she can go back-to-back.
2nd Pick: TOM CAT (2)
Makes his class five debut with some nice performances in class four level earlier in his career. Won’t be long before we see him back in the winners stall in this grade very soon.
3rd Pick: INFINITE WISDOM (1)
Another runner having his class five debut this weekend. Going back through his form he was runner up in a group three race as a juvenile and his best ability should see him figuring in this.
4th Pick: MYSTERY POWER (3)
Don’t let his last two placings in this grade fool you. He has only been beaten a few lengths at those two starts and with a good solid pace in the race he can finish off strongly.
RACE 4
1st Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (1)
Comes into this off two second placings. Last start was given a nice ride but just beaten by the fast-finishing Melody Fair who has since finished second up in grade. That form should be solid enough to win this.
2nd Pick: IBEX (3)
Steps back up in distance where he has recorded a minor placing on this course before. Finished off strongly and should be suited by the conditions.
3rd Pick: MISSILE RAIN (2)
Having his second start at the mile. Showed plenty of early speed and should adopt similar tactics. Beaten two lengths behind Melody Fair and can finish closer this time around.
4th Pick: BRIGHT ERA (5)
On the quick backup from last weekend where he was a fast finishing second placing. If he can handle the back-up he should go close.
RACE 5
1st Pick: FIRST BOWL (3)
Returns to pet distance deep into the preparation as fit as can be. Has been racing in such consistent form and at 1200m, he gets his chance to strike this weekend.
2nd Pick: WECANDO (7)
Made good ground last start with a light weight to run a solid fourth. Gets in well at the weights again, must be considered as a threat.
3rd Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (2)
Returns to preferred surface after two sub-par turf performances. Cannot be left out of the numbers when racing on the poly at this grade.
4th Pick: ARION SUCCESS (5)
Returning for first up since early February. Struck victory last start down in class 5 and returns class 4 company again where he will be more evenly matched.
RACE 6
1st Pick: FIGHT TO VICTORY (3)
His run two starts ago behind Galaxy Star should be good enough form for this field. Has since won a trial in good time and looks a big danger against these.
2nd Pick: MY BOSS (5)
Copped a bit of a bump after the start when runner up behind Anpanman last start. Hit the line strongly for a minor placing. A little bit more luck will see him go one place better.
3rd Pick: ANPANMAN (4)
Returned a winner last start and it was a while between drinks for this runner. Came from well back in the field and had the momentum at the finish. Holds a good course and distance record over this combination.
4th Pick: ATLANTEAN (2)
Racing in great recently with a win and a minor placing. Worked his way up off our lowest rating and falls into the weaker division of this race. Holds strong claims.
RACE 7
1st Pick: HARD TOO THINK (3)
Finally gets out to a suitable distance. Should be getting a strong 2000m here to set the tone for a big second half to the year. Hard to beat.
2nd Pick: TRUMPY (7)
Has been enormous in his last few starts, closing off exceptionally well despite having no luck in the straight. If they set a genuine tempo in the race, look for him to be closing in late.
3rd Pick: TOP KNIGHT (4)
Like Trumpy, he requires a solid tempo up front. Last start win was very strong, and it was great to see him return a winner again in Singapore. Tough customer that cannot be underestimated.
4th Pick: CIRCUIT MISSION (8)
Solid win last start beaten the eventual Stewards Cup winner in Relentless. Should that form hold up, he looks a big chance her this weekend and has trailed since that last run.
RACE 8
1st Pick: DIAMOND RING (4)
Looks to have the best form in recent runs in this line up. Four starts over this course and distance have resulted in a win and a minor placing. The one they need to beat.
2nd Pick: DECRETO (6)
One of the veteran gallopers who boasts a very good course and distance record including five wins and ten minor placings from thirty-three attempts. Finds the easier division and gets a chance.
3rd Pick: SUPERSONICSURPRISE (11)
Lightweight contender with half of his career wins coming at this course and distance. Has earned nearly half a million dollars in prizemoney and can figure in the placings.
4th Pick: LIM'S WISH (1)
Lightly raced four-year-old who hasn’t been too far away in his last few starts. Should show good gate speed and put himself in a leading position early on.
RACE 9
1st Pick: FIREWORKS (4)
Closed off in superb fashion in his return to class 4 to run third beaten just over a length. Did enough to consider here as a major player in the field.
2nd Pick: EAGLE EYE (3)
Was a long way off them last start which seems to be his racing pattern but once again, made up a stack of ground late when the whips were cracking. Will require a rolling tempo up front but could flash late from the back again if he gets it. Keep safe.
3rd Pick: STRAIGHT N ARROW (1)
Formerly Shepherd’s Hymn who is now racing in new interests. Has been a frustrating horse to follow in recent months but always runs near the winner so must be considered again.
4th Pick: LIM'S CRAFT (5)
Scraped into the top four last start in a blanket finish. Has been beaten less than two lengths his last two starts and comes out of races where the form has stacked up, respect.
RACE 10
1st Pick: ONE WAY TICKET (2)
Last two wins have been nothing short of classy and despite the rise in distance again, another strong win wouldn’t shock for his new stable.
2nd Pick: ADIPSON (5)
Could be argued that this horse was a tragedy beaten last start, didn’t get out in time and the jockey was suspended for his race manners whilst finding a run. Going well enough to win here.
3rd Pick: SUPERLATIVE (3)
Last start ran 5th beaten less than a length in a blanket finish. Has trialed since, respect.
4th Pick: SILKARDO (11)
Coming through same form lines as Superlative. Gets well off them and charges home so requires a hot tempo. Despite having plenty of chances to win already, he has been showing enough to entertain in exotics.
RACE 11
1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (1)
Winner of the lead up 3YO Sprint in superb fashion. Should only improve here and despite the rider change, looks to be tracking along beautifully.
2nd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (2)
Streak of wins came to an end in behind Golden Monkey last start. Still ran a solid race and looks the logical danger to the favorite one again.
3rd Pick: MAJOR KING (6)
Only seen at the races once which ended up being a debut win. Over-raced and still won on raw ability. Trial suggest he has matured, look for a forward showing this weekend amongst stronger company.
4th Pick: NO MORE DELAY (5)
Hasn’t really shown his best form since being sold to new connections. Has now come over to the care of Richard Lim, hopefully we can see him race at the high quality we know he possesses.
RACE 12
1st Pick: SHANG CHI (2)
Solid on speed victory last start proving he is the real deal in class 4 company. Carries extra weight but strikes a division two field again.
2nd Pick: REVOLUTION (4)
Raced wide most of the journey due to the very wide gate last start and still closed off to run second. Hard to knock recent form, a must include.
3rd Pick: PALETAS (1)
Another who had no favors last start and really felt the pinch late in the race when the pressure was put on. Drops back to the 1200m poly where he has only missed the top three once in five attempts and has trialed well since his last run.
4th Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (6)
Has run well in his two runs back up in class 4. A narrow runner up two starts back and ran well in behind Shang Chi who he faces again this start much better at the weights. Respect.