The $1,380,000 Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m at Kranji racecourse on Saturday marks a significant moment in Singapore's racing history, capping off an impressive 182-year tradition.
With a full field expected, the race promises to be an exhilarating showdown among the top contenders.
Muzi Yeni has been invited to ride at the meeting and he will be aboard Smart Star for trainer David Kok. The six-time winner is a regarded as an outsider in the race and forecast betting puts him at 40-1
However, Yeni’s best hopes could come in Race 1 where he rides Sabah Star. Sabah Star is down in class and with Yeni jumping in the saddle, could surprise.
Leading the charge in the Gold Cup (Race 10) is champion Lim’s Kosciuszko, who has been in exceptional form this year with three Group 1 wins, including the Kranji Mile, Lion City Cup and QEII Cup.
Despite carrying top weight, he remains the one to beat, having previously triumphed in this feature under similar conditions.
His stablemate, Lim’s Saltoro, is also a strong contender. The five-year-old boasts two Group 1 victories this season and notably defeated Kosciuszko in the G1 Raffles Cup, earning a solid record of 10 wins from 12 starts.
Another contender to watch is Makin, who finished runner-up in this year’s G1 Singapore Derby (1800m). With only 51.5 kg on his back, he has the potential to cause an upset if he delivers his best performance. Meanwhile, Dream Alliance, known for his explosive turn of foot, will look to capitalise on the genuine pace expected in the race.
Adding to the excitement is Hole In One, who is coming off an easy Class 4 win and exceeded expectations with a fourth-place finish in the G1 QEII Cup—his first attempt at the Open G1 level. With Australian jockey Taylor Marshall flying in for the ride, he commands plenty of respect and could be a dark horse in this historic event. – iRACE Magazine
BEST BET
Race 4 No 11 Lim's Shavano
VALUE BET
Race 9 No 15 Amazing Breeze
JACKPOT
R256
Leg 1: 6, 8, 9, 10
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 5, 7, 15
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 12
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 5 October 2024
RACE 1
1st Pick: CHEERFUL BABY (1)
Finally gets back to winnable grade in class 5. Pinheiro is back onboard and has a great strike rate with the horse and trainer. He should be looking for the lead from the outside gate. Hard to beat.
2nd Pick: CIANGO (2)
Dropping back to class 5 with in-form jockey Bruno Queiroz taking the ride. He should be well-supported in the market. He will get a great run from barrier two and should be somewhere in the finish over 1200m.
3rd Pick: COLONEL SON (3)
He was huge last start in class 4, flashing home from near last and now comes into a weaker race. Should be very dangerous if he can find cover from barrier nine. Watch the market.
4th Pick: BEHIND PLAYER (14)
He’s had a few weeks off since winning at a huge price, was strong to the line and now draws out against tougher opposition. Could surprise at a price but will need luck.
RACE 2
1st Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (8)
Strong win last start over 1400m with Nunes in the saddle. He will find it harder here, now Curatolo takes the ride from an outside barrier. Should be in the market. Watch betting.
2nd Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (9)
Led the field up last start over 1400m off a very slow tempo and just feel short. Could be a speed influencer in this race and Henrique stays aboard. Could improve off that last run and surprise here.
3rd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (11)
A 1400m specialist with plenty of upside. Apprentice Seow takes the ride from an outside barrier but should look to get back and run on anyway. He is well-weighted in this race and could storm home late.
4th Pick: SALAMENCE (13)
Been racing in such great form of late. Australian jockey Will Price will take the ride from barrier three and should get a soft run over 1400m. Could go close again.
RACE 3
1st Pick: SUPER BABY (5)
Was very dangerous when dropping back in class and scoring well over this distance carrying 59kgs last month. He has a terrific record at the mile and although he rises in class, he looks prime to perform here.
2nd Pick: FLYING NEMO (1)
Talented get back and run home style runner who will be hoping for some strong early pace in what is our smallest field of the afternoon. The distance is his big test.
3rd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (4)
If you weigh up his race that he won on Derby Day that will play well to his chances here with Aussie rider Blake McDougall booked to ride. Has a way of performing well at a big price.
4th Pick: TE AKAU BEN (3)
He will need some luck from barrier eight, but he has had a terrific season with a few wins and some strong minor placings. The distance is a query as he does better over shorter.
RACE 4
1st Pick: PACIFIC ATLANTIC (6)
Strong win last start in the same grade. He should take natural improvement out of the that run and comes onto the turf, he performs well on the long course.
2nd Pick: LIM'S SHAVANO (11)
An improving type with plenty of scope. He’s matured since his first run in Singapore and won impressively last time out. Jumps cleanly and should be up in the leading division.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC VICTORY (7)
Stormed home to home last start. Stays on the long course and has built a handy record so far in Singapore. Still a little green but should be somewhere in the finish.
4th Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (1)
Stuck on nicely behind Pacific Atlantic, comes onto the long course this time around and carries top weight. Could surprise.
RACE 5
1st Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (1)
Huge run last start, was offering more in the finish but was green in the straight and was caught a long way back. Should get every chance this weekend.
2nd Pick: SUPER BOWL (3)
Got a sweet last start on the all-weather poly track. Should appreciate 1600m and is in great form. He is a key player here.
3rd Pick: THE WILD FIRE (7)
Flew home from the back of the field last start and should look to do the same this week. He will need a strong tempo in running but could go back-to-back.
4th Pick: ROOK'S GAMBIT (14)
Was bumped in the straight last start but presented at the right time and couldn’t keep up with the gallop, he stuck on well and will see out a strong 1600m.
RACE 6
1st Pick: LIM'S SMYTHE (6)
Failed to secure a spot in the Gold Cup but gets his chance for a victory in a distance that he is well proven at. He can settle back and whip around with a strong finish.
2nd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (4)
This will be his first test at 2000m and has performed well at 1800m to show the journey shouldn’t be an issue. Both leading jockey and trainer combine well on this horse.
3rd Pick: GALAXY BAR (2)
Expect some betting support to come in for this gelding as he beat Lim’s Smythe last start and drew away easily in the finish. He has placed over 2000m at his lone start.
4th Pick: JUNE (12)
He is on the quick backup after last weekend where he ran a solid sixth and gets in with no weight for Will Price. Could be a quartet filler.
RACE 7
1st Pick: RAVALLI (6)
Backing up after a huge run at class three level where he was forced to swing around the field and was the run of the race behind Asif. Nunes goes on and he will be all the rage here.
2nd Pick: MT NISEKO (9)
Off a mark of 73 he will carry 50kgs for Taylor Marshall. A strong minor placing behind Big Union looks great form for a race like this. Still looking for his first short course win.
3rd Pick: LIM'S BIGHORN (8)
Gets the ace draw in one where he should be able to find the front for CC Wong. If he can get away with cheap sectionals and kick, he may give this field a scare.
4th Pick: ASIF (4)
Scored a very strong win last weekend where he was travelling strongly on the corner and stable wouldn’t run him if he wasn’t at 100%. Not an ideal draw but winning form is strong.
RACE 8
1st Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (1)
Drops back to class four after a moderate four-year-old series campaign. This looks more up to his ability and last won in similar conditions last December.
2nd Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (5)
He is yet to win beyond 1400m, but recent runs have been encouraging and is saddled up by the strong Peters stable. Clocked good sectionals in his last run.
3rd Pick: TENNET TENTENNET (2)
Still looking for that first win on the turf and trying to turn those minor placings to a win. Expect him to be supported in the market as he has plenty of form to his name.
4th Pick: SUPREME LINER (8)
From barrier six he should be able to get rolling along and was good to see him finally break through for that win. If he sustains a steady gallop, he will hold that until the finish.
RACE 9
1st Pick: OCTOBER (1)
He’s been in a purple patch of form in the last few weeks. The weight would have played a part last start when finishing second to Pacific Warrior. He is a 1400m specialist and should be the one to beat.
2nd Pick: AXEL (3)
Things didn’t go to plan last start, he got shuffled too far back and never came into the race. He now gets back onto the short course and could surprise.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC GOLD (6)
He showed plenty of ability last start when bouncing back after a poor performance prior. Goes back up to 1400m where he hasn’t won.
4th Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (7)
A last start winner in the same grade over 1400m and should be respected in this race. Had a moderate trial behind Mt Niseko but could see betting support on race day.
RACE 10
1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)
Singapores champion and last year’s winner carries the same weight and gets a beautiful draw in barrier two. The last three years this race has been won by the topweights and this ten-time group one winner has continued his dominance at the top of the ratings. He is Singapore's best and what a race it would be if he took out the final Grand Singapore Gold Cup.
2nd Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (2)
He has been the rising star of 2024 including a Derby win and a Raffles Cup win at weight for age. He comes into this six kilograms lighter than his stablemate and champion Lim’s Kosciuszko. He has just improved through the year and is still developing.
3rd Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (4)
Finished second in this race last year and gets in well again at the weights. Although he has two group one minor placings to his name he has not won since October of last year. Gets a low draw but will need to get out and make a run around the field.
4th Pick: MAKIN (3)
Finished second to Lim’s Saltoro in a Derby and recently scored a win two weeks back in a strong finish to put his hand up as a contender in this race. Aussie rider Will Price takes the steer from barrier 16 and will need plenty of luck from there.