Monkey to strike gold in Kranji topliner

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with an exciting 10-race card featuring both turf and dirt events.

Top-class performer Golden Monkey looks poised to make amends for his recent defeat when he competes in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on turf.

As the second highest-rated horse in Singapore, Golden Monkey experienced a tactical setback in his last race. In a small field of four, it was surprising to see last season’s champion four-year-old settle towards the rear under a sedate tempo, even trailing So Hi Class, whose optimal distance is 1600m and above.

Despite a powerful finish and the fastest final 400m sectional time, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained gelding had to settle for second place.

This week, Golden Monkey faces a similar field but with better weight terms. With a better-judged ride, he can prove hard to beat.

In Race 7, three-year-old Ben's Champion outperformed his ratings with a comfortable maiden win over this track and distance last time out, appears to have some rating points up his sleeve. He has since trialled well and is ideally placed to score a double returning to Class 5 this week.

In the final event of the day, Filial Dragon has recently been racing in tremendous form, and the only reason he did not win his last two starts was due to a lack of luck. On both occasions, he endured a three-wide trip throughout but found the line strongly to finish third and second, respectively, over 1000m and 1100m.

The rise to 1200m will suit him even better, as his sole career win occurred at this distance. Therefore, he is worth serious consideration. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 7 No 2 Ben's Champion

VALUE BET

Race 10 No 5 Filial Dragon

JACKPOT

R96

Leg 1; 1, 2, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 3, 5, 6

Leg 4: 5, 8

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 7 JUL 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: QUADCOPTER (4)

Very cheeky horse behavior wise and has been throughout his career but his last two performances have been great especially a placing behind Cheerful Baby last start. Draws wide.

2nd Pick: SUMMER WIND (3)

Drops half a kilogram from his most recent start where he was beaten two lengths behind Star Express. Very flexible on both surfaces and watch for any betting moves.

3rd Pick: WINDFALL (6)

Comes here on fresh legs for the in-form Ricardo Le Grange stable with career best stats at this course and distance including a win and three minor placings. Big player.

4th Pick: THE SHADOW (10)

Sat nice and positive up on the speed early on in the run and kicked clear to record his second win of the 2024 season. Really want to see him back that form up here.

RACE 2

1st Pick: SPIETH HEROINE (2)

This looks to be her D Day to try and kick that maiden tag at start number fifteen. Placings behind Tommy Gun and July show she is up to the mark.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN EIGHTEEN (8)

Sat just off the pace after having to steady off heels at the 600m and challenged late to run into second place. Well supported that day and watch for betting again.

3rd Pick: LIM'S TETON (1)

Ran third to Big Union last month. The winner has since gone on to win well at class four level his next start. Blinkers have really sharpened him up and this looks a nice race to figure.

4th Pick: SILVER STAR (9)

Struggling to get amongst the placings lately but there have been some okay runs to show in a field of this depth he could sneak into a quartet placing. Must respect the Ong stable.

RACE 3

1st Pick: BLUE IDOL (1)

He is a noted front-runner with plenty of ability in this grade. Should benefit with Bruno Queiroz in the saddle drawn perfectly in barrier four. Not a lot of weight disparity in this race, should be a key player.

2nd Pick: DON'T FORGET BOSS (2)

Formerly raced as Citygold Lightning, finished behind Atlas last start when jumping out of the ground late. He can hold his form but will need luck from barrier seven.

3rd Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (5)

Brave maiden win last time out over 1600 on the turf, should see out the trip with Nunes sticking aboard from barrier five. Could surprise.

4th Pick: RED DRAGON (4)

Goes up to 1600m this time, good run behind Gold Governor most recently, sat up on speed and could look to spear across for a forward position this week. Okay.

RACE 4

1st Pick: PRODIGAL (5)

Sat midfield last race and on a track that was dominated by those up on the speed and willing to give him a pass mark for that performance. Goes very well here at the distance.

2nd Pick: BIG DAY (11)

He has been costly to the favourite supporters, but he is running well without winning. He was just too far forward last, and he will be better suited taking a sit and finishing off late.

3rd Pick: RUN BUDDY RUN (6)

Was only one of a few runners to go against the leader bias trend on the day that he won and did it in good style. He has been promising to do that but curious to see if he can go on with it.

4th Pick: CROWN DANCING (4)

He will press forward as is his usual custom and all he needs to do is settle enough to skip away and give them something to catch.

RACE 5

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (1)

Solid run behind Ghalib in the same grade last start, settled last off a very slow tempo and made steady ground in the start. Should take plenty of improvement out of that run and is still the best horse in this race. Main danger.

2nd Pick: GHALIB (2)

Great front-running display last start beating Golden Monkey. Nunes controlled the race and never looked like stopping. Will be the biggest threat to Golden Monkey again. Still needs to be respected here. Key player.

3rd Pick: SO HI CLASS (5)

Always has the ability to pop up in a race like this, continues to produce in higher grade races. Finished third to Ghalib in the same race last start. Will find it sharp over 1200m but could surprise.

4th Pick: ASIF (6)

A lightly raced 5yo for the Al-Arabiya and Burridge stable. He’s been very competitive around class 3 in the past and has a terrific record over 1200m. He will be first-up for over five months on the weekend but should be a danger.

RACE 6

1st Pick: BOSS HENG HENG (3)

Consistently placed in his last five starts including four third placings at this level. He was absolutely rocketing home and made the run look better considering he was crowded at the start.

2nd Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (5)

He has been poking around at this grade without a win but not being beaten too far. In his three starts at this course and distance he has two top four finishes.

3rd Pick: CENTURION (4)

Performed well on a wet track last weekend but had to settle for a second placing. The concern is the seven-day turnaround, but he is tough.

4th Pick: KINABALU LIGHT (1)

This gelding can bounce back in a big way and usually pays well when he does. Now sits two rating points higher than hi last win back in April.

RACE 7

1st Pick: ATLAS (1)

He is in some rare red-hot form that has seen him win three times and placed once from his last four starts. He does rise up in the weights, but form is solid around him.

2nd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (4)

He has been running out of his rating and depth at his last two starts. This looks more like a suitable race for him and has two wins to his name at the course and distance.

3rd Pick: ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (6)

He was given a nice positive to score a few weeks back making win number two in Singapore. The runner up from his recent start ran strongly into the minors last week.

4th Pick: BEN'S CHAMPION (2)

Cracked the maiden which he thoroughly deserved and has since won a trial in 60.60 in between runs. Stable in good form recently.

RACE 8

1st Pick: TENNET TENTENNET (5)

First-up on the weekend from a lengthy spell. He is a very capable galloper for the Jason Ong stable. Had recent trial which was encouraging and looks like a key player in this.

2nd Pick: FREE AND HAPPY (6)

Disappointing last start behind Longevity, got crowded in the race and finished off into fourth. A terrific record over 1600m and should be one of the main dangers.

3rd Pick: SUPREME LINER (9)

Continues to improve with each run, solid run behind Flying Fighter last start finishing third. Could go close in this race but will need everything to go his way. A likely leader in this field.

4th Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)

Has some okay stats over 1600m, should see betting support on Raceday but has just fallen short in recent past.

RACE 9

1st Pick: AXEL (1)

Tenacious win last start in torrential rain, came from near last and stormed through the middle. Now will carry top weight, Jamil claims three kilograms this weekend and takes the ride from barrier four. Had a recent trial in slow time.

2nd Pick: HASTEN (5)

Just beaten last start behind Te Akau Ben, stuck on strongly and is a proven competitor over 1400m. Draws out wide this weekend but could surprise at his very best. Want to see him hold his form.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC GOLD (3)

Great win last start, was very tough to the line and continues to improve with each run. Still a lightly raced 5yo but should get a good run from barrier three with Daniel Moor onboard.

4th Pick: GOLD GOVERNOR (7)

Got into the winners’ circle last start after a long time between drinks. Appreciated a slow tempo up front and dictated all the way but now comes up to class 4. Should find it harder.

RACE 10
1st Pick: SACRED BUDDY (8)

Building up a nice record in class 4 and won well last start, got to the line at the right time and should be near favorite in this race. Similar conditions as last start and draws well.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC ATLANTIC (6)

Could bounce back here, drew wide last start, and never came into contention. Should strip fitter from that run and could be supported late in betting. Key player.

3rd Pick: STRIKE GOLD (9)

Solid win last time out on the turf over the same distance, he is a proven sprinter that’s yet to show his best, obtains a perfect draw with Bruno Queiroz in the Saddle. Could surprise.

4th Pick: GROOVY (1)

Will carry top weight this weekend after two strong performances, hasn’t been beaten far in the past but draws wide. Will get back and run on late.