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Horse Racing

Schofield has a Monkey in the Bowl

February 2024

Like Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday featuring a 12-race turf and dirt fixture.

The condition weights of Race 11, the $110,000 Group 3 Fortune Bowl (1400m) on Sunday at Kranji promise an exciting contest. Group 1 winners will shoulder 58kg, Group 2 and 3 winners 56kg, Class 1 winners 54kg, Class 2 and 3 winners 52kg, and those victorious only in Class 4 and below will carry 50kg.

Furthermore, an additional 1kg allowance will be provided to runners who have not secured a victory in their last five starts.

Golden Monkey, with a rating of 102 and Chad Schofield in the irons, will carry top weight (58kg) and looks the runner to beat, while stablemate Dream Alliance gets in well on 52kg off a rating of 89. On a rating-to-weight scale, Super Salute, at 105, looks ideally weighted at 56kg as the highest-rated horse.

The Steven Burridge pair, Invincible Tycoon and Street Of Dreams, also look well in on 54kg based on their handicap ratings of 94 and 92 respectively.

However, in-form three-year-old Bestseller, rated at 86, would have to be the 'worst off' on 56kg but is racing on an upward trajectory, while stablemate Rocket Star, rated at 91, carries just 51kg but seems to be well placed.

Elsewhere, three-year-old gelding Mission Five has the potential to secure an early win as he returns to Kranji for the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on turf.

Mission Five had two quiet trials before making his debut early last month. Consequently, it was no surprise to see him go unnoticed in the betting market. In contrast to his laid-back style in trials, the son of Invader exhibited tactical speed and finished second over 1100m on the Polytrack that day.

Following his debut, Mission Five delivered an impressive trial performance, drawing away to win by 4.50 lengths effortlessly. With the experience of his debut run under his belt, he now stands as a winning contender.

 

BEST BET

Race 2 No 11 Mission Five

 

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 4 Mr Hooper

 

JACKPOT

R20

Leg 1: 7, 11

Leg 2: 9

Leg 3: 1, 3, 9, 11, 15

Leg 4: 2, 3

 

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 11 FEB 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: SUN RECTITUDE (1)

He is very dangerous in this grade including five wins to his name. He doesn’t stay in this grade long and expect very strong market support. 4kg claim is a big plus.

2nd Pick: MY BOSS (6)

Brings very strong form lines into this including four wins and two second placings from his last five starts. Has had a bit of a freshen up since that last run and recent trial was solid.

3rd Pick: STARBOY (5)

Turned those minor placings into a win at open maiden grade last start sitting on the speed and taking the prize late. Stays in class five which is a positive for him.

4th Pick: SIMON (2)

Consistent enough runs to say he could run on into the multiples here. Lerner knows the horse well and should have a forward showing early.

 

RACE 2

1st Pick: MISSION FIVE (11)

Last seen finishing second behind the very smart September back in January. Looked well in his trial win clocking 60.41 and winning by 4.5 lengths that morning.

 

2nd Pick: FIRE (1)

This fire has been burning for a while in maiden company and must be respected again here. Just continues to run into one better on the day and has been earning good money at this level. Chad Schofield booked to ride from barrier three.

 

3rd Pick: BOARDROOM (10)

Makes his racetrack debut after three trials dating back to October last year. Very well-bred son of Justify and his mare was unraced. Watch for any market support.

 

4th Pick: JULY (3)

Some nice performances at Open Maiden grade from his last two outings with some good form coming out of those events. Improving type who can run well here.

 

 

RACE 3

1st Pick: GAMELY (2)

Gets into the easier division of this race and brings consistent form lines behind Benbo and a solid win three starts ago. Adaptable on both surfaces and will gather support with Nunes on.

 

2nd Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (8)

Has one of the best career records in this field and career best stats at the course and distance including three wins and three minor placings. Can surprise here.

 

3rd Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (3)

Has been around the mark at his last few outings on the poly track but switches back to the turf where his one career win came well over a year ago. Watch betting.

 

4th Pick: STRONG ACE (5)

It’s a raffle outside of the top three picks that bring some positive form lines. This gelding has been met with support in the past and his best could see him figure in the top four.

 

 

RACE 4

1st Pick: PACIFIC MV (3)

Powered home late last time out. Duric sticks aboard and will looking to get cover from an outside alley. Does he’s best racing on the poly track and will be short in the market. Key player.

 

2nd Pick: SURREY HILLS (5)

Always shows early pace and should be on speed or leading. Out of the same race behind Pacific MV, gets the perfect draw for apprentice Seow and will be brave in the finish. Great record on the poly surface.

 

3rd Pick: DIAZ (10)

Only has the one win but shows great ability over 1000m on the poly. Will get a soft run from barrier five and will be a danger.

 

4th Pick: PACIFIC HERO (2)

Form has been a little disappointing most recently but can find cover from a low barrier and gets the in-form Bruno Queiroz in the saddle. Could upset.

 

 

RACE 5

1st Pick: KINABALU LIGHT (3)

Still looking to score that first win and gets into the right sort of race to do so. Hit the line strongly from behind last start and repeat on that run will be good enough here.

 

2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (1)

One of many runners here who comes out of that Khao Manee mile race a month ago. He should position up nicely from the draw and look a danger at some point.

 

3rd Pick: SHEESH (6)

Has been around the mark in recent runs but is still struggling to get that next win. Seems to do his best racing when he pushes forward. Has won over the mile in the past.

 

4th Pick: CASH CHEQUE (5)

Comes into this on the quick backup after finishing second at big odds over 1400m last weekend. That was a career best run and can go on with it.

 

 

RACE 6

1st Pick: LIM'S SINAI (2)

Finished a close second behind Starboy who holds good claims in another race this Sunday. The distance looks his go with three minor placings from four starts. Leading player.

 

2nd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (3)

A much-improved run last start behind Pacific Snoopy over this distance which should give good confidence. This former Australian trained galloper lines up for start No 10 in Singapore. Will need luck from the wide draw.

 

3rd Pick: GOLDEN EIGHTYONE (4)

Looking to kick that maiden tag at start number nine this weekend. If you go off his last start third, then a selection for the exotic bets is a smart play.

 

4th Pick: SILVER WARRIOR (12)

Gets in very low at the weights with some okay performances from his last two outings including a solid fourth over this same trip last month. Queiroz on is a big plus.

 

 

RACE 7

1st Pick: LEGACY FORTUNE (6)

Impressive win last start over the mile. Has early toe and can push forward from a middle gate. Great record over the 1600m on the turf and the short course will suit. Hard to go past and will be one of the main dangers.

 

2nd Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (10)

A handy record 9-1-1-1, goes down to 1600m and has a great barrier. He ran well behind Easy Breezy last start in late January. Good value play.

 

3rd Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (4)

Raced wide last start over this distance and couldn’t make up the ground late. He will need to lift his form but can always improve.

 

4th Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (5)

Loves to storm down the middle of the track in he’s races. Can be slow from the stalls and gets a long way back. Has flew home in the past and will likely do the same from the wide gate.

 

 

RACE 8

1st Pick: MR BIG BROTHER (2)

Racing in consistent form recording three consecutive minor placings showing that next win is very nearby. Proven at this mark and loves the surface.

 

2nd Pick: NINEONEONE (6)

He is a get back and run on style galloper who was well supported that day and getting the cash with a well-timed ride from Queiroz. He has the profile to win again.

 

3rd Pick: LONGEVITY (1)

Makes his class five debut and has found it quite tough in class four grade since winning his maiden back in November over this course and distance. Will find this easier.

 

4th Pick: WAN LEGACY (10)

Caught the eye boxing on well behind Khao Manee just over a month ago. Has a good space between runs and finds himself an each way chance with no weight.

 

 

RACE 9

1st Pick: SACRED BUDDY (11)

Draws perfect in barrier three and will get a good run. He can be slow from the barriers but storms home. 1200m is the ideal distance and has had a short spell since he’s last run behind Strike Gold in mid-January. Lightly raced with a good record 3-1-1-1.

 

2nd Pick: WAR PRIDE (1)

Ran on well last start behind a promising 4yo Aniki and gets the Nunes factor again. Shows great speed from the gates and will push forward from barrier nine.

 

3rd Pick: V'INVINCIBLE (3)

Good win last time out carrying no weight. Might prefer the poly track but has ability and should get a soft run from barrier three.

 

4th Pick: BIG TIGER (9)

Has been slowly improving in class 4 and hasn’t been beaten far behind some sharp gallopers. Will likely kick up from barrier one and sit in the first half of the field. Gets apprentice claims.

 

 

RACE 10

1st Pick: BLACK STORM (9)

Scrapped into the winners circle last start over this distance on the long course. Nunes sticks aboard and will be looking for the lead or box seat. He could continue to improve now attempting class 3 company.

 

2nd Pick: ISTATABA (1)

She is first-up from last year’s G1 Singapore Gold Cup finishing third and had a recent trial. Will be the top weight but gets apprentice claims with Jamil from a middle gate. Has a terrific record in Class 3 over the 1600m on the turf and has competed against better horses in the past.

 

3rd Pick: EASY BREEZY (5)

The 7yo has been a model of consistency and now steps up to Class 3 and switches back down to 1600m. Will look for cover and gets a great barrier.

 

4th Pick: SMART STAR (8)

Won well last start up on speed when racing keen. Gets a good barrier and should be on pace. Has a solid record over this trip on the poly track with two starts for two wins but comes onto the short course this time around.

 

RACE 11

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (1)

He ran enormous first-up behind Silent Is Gold flashing home with top weight. He now steps up to he’s idea distance against Group 3 company and can expect improvement second-up with a great barrier draw.

 

2nd Pick: SUPER SALUTE (3)

He is in red hot form, won well in the Group 3 New Year Cup last start from a wide barrier. He is very adaptable around the 1400m with a great record and should push forward from the wide barrier. He continues to improve with each run and will be one of the main dangers.

 

3rd Pick: BESTSELLER (6)

The Colonial Chief Stakes Group 3 winner in early December, had a dream run stalking the speed with a gutsy ride from Ronnie Stewart who also returns this weekend riding Street Of Dreams. Bestseller switches back onto the turf and down to 1400m with barrier 13. The 4yo is looking for four straight victories.

 

4th Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (10)

A daring ride from apprentice Jamil last start holding off Golden Monkey with the minimum weight. Has be proven in Class 1 with multiple wins against Group horses. He should be able to roll forward from barrier 11 and is a key player.

 

 

RACE 12

1st Pick: MT NISEKO (1)

He was very brave behind Knippenberg in early December last year finishing second, he had a lot of cheap sections in the early stages but will give a great sight out in front. Draws out wide this time and should scoot across to the leading division.

 

2nd Pick: LAST SUPPER (3)

An exciting prospect for the 3yo series this season. He will start his preparation off the back of two fitness trials.

 

3rd Pick: WINS ONE (7)

Won well last start, now steps up in class and the in-form Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz sticks aboard. Has won over this trip on the short course previously and will be prominent early.

 

4th Pick: ENGINE START (6)

Goes well in class 4, gets a great barrier and will be suited on the turf. Works home well and keeps improving for last year’s champion trainer Jason Ong.

 

 

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