Singapore’s Triple Crown Series Begins

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues this Saturday (23 September) for a 12-race turf fixture, highlighted by the running
of the first leg of Singapore’s Triple Crown Series, the G1 Raffles Cup (1600m).

Champion galloper LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO looks all set to continue his big-race success in the feature event, which
will take place in race 11.

Having already secured a Raffles Cup victory in March of this year, LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO aims to make history by
becoming the first horse to win back-to-back trophies in this feature event. The Daniel Meagher-trained gelding
remains unbeaten in four starts this year, including a hat-trick of wins at the highest level. The six-year-
old was last seen winning the G1 Lion City Cup first-up for a second year in a row.

As a five-time Group 1 winner at the peak of his powers, LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO enters this week's race as the red-
hot favourite. Seeking to challenge him is top-class five-year-old GOLDEN MONKEY, who has drawn a low gate
for once, while the field also includes other prominent names such as KATAK, MR MALEK, INVINCIBLE TYCOON
and CYCLONE.

In the lower-class divisions, four-year-old gelding CREATIVE DREAMS is ideally placed to secure his first career
win when he lines up in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1400m.

Trained by champion trainer Tim Fitzsimmons, CREATIVE DREAMS has recently competed in quality races
stronger than this week’s. He was far from disgraced with a strong third-place finish in a Novice race during his
last start, where he flashed home late and missed victory by less than.

This week, CREATIVE DREAMS finds himself in a highly winnable race where he stands out as the form choice,
while PACIFIC HUNTER, trained by Michael Clements, who finished sixth in Class 4 on debut, appears to be the
main contender as he drops in class.

RACE-BY-RACE ANALYSIS

RACE 1
1st Pick: SONG OF NATURE (2)
Drops back to class five and will get plenty of support coming off his last start fourth behind Engine
Start. Has scored over this course and distance in the past. Draws well and looks hard to beat.
2nd Pick: CHARISMATIC (1)
Jumped and showed plenty of speed but beaten by a smart one in Lim’s Saltoro. Comes into this as a
joint top rater and brings good form into this class.
3rd Pick: STAR EMPIRE (9)
This six-time winner was tough making up ground from midfield last start behind Delilah where he
was very keen and got taken out wide on the turn. Will be running on late.
4th Pick: RAWENO (8)
We haven’t seen him at his best since two starts back where he finished third on the Polytrack
surface. From an inside draw look for him to show some improvement.

RACE 2
1st Pick: FIRE (1)
Gets the booking of Duric and blinkers added for the first time. He brings strong form lines behind
some good maiden wins and will be looking to fire here for the Buffalo and Fitzsimmons combo.
2nd Pick: ERUPTION (8)
Has a nice profile for this race coming off a nice second placing to Hasten at this level. Looks to have
improved with a strong trial win clocking 60.48 last week. The one to beat but has drawn out in
barrier ten.
3rd Pick: LUCKY GOAL (11)
Comes from the strong Clements stable with two impressive trials. The Shalaa breed have done well
with his runners up here in Singapore. Key player on debut.
4th Pick: LIM'S SMYTHE (9)
Has the benefit of five trials since May of this season. His most recent trial was strong as he went to
the line under a strong hold. Watch for any betting moves.

RACE 3
1st Pick: LIM'S CRAFT (1)
Career high stats with four of his eight wins coming at this course and distance. Gets back to class
four quickly where he recorded his most recent win two starts back over this trip. Lerner in hot form
and he will need to be from a wide draw.
2nd Pick: MONTANA FLASH (7)
Racing very consistently in his most recent runs. Seems to relish the 1400m and with some luck early
can balance up and look a danger in the final moments.
3rd Pick: GRAND SAGE (9)
Really making his mark at his last two starts including a win at astronomical odds two starts back.
Showed it was no fluke with a brave win at Novice level. Can continue to improve.
4th Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (3)
Looks to be a speed prospect early as he likes to stroll along early in his races. Just pipped on the line
last start and drops back in distance. Not the best barrier so will need luck.

RACE 4
1st Pick: CENTURION (5)
Finds himself in a very winnable contest where he sits six rating points than his last win back in April.
The seven-time winner can bounce back here.
2nd Pick: LIEBESTRAUM (6)
This gelding just wants further in his races but not too many available on the program. His best runs
have been at 2000m but hasn’t been far away around this mark.
3rd Pick: WAN LEGACY (1)
Gets back on the turf after an honest run on the Polytrack where he ran sixth. If you go off his run
two starts back behind Foreshadow that will be good enough to figure here.
4th Pick: ATLANTEAN (10)
Much improved run last weekend where he was catching the eye late over 1400m. If he handles the
quick backup maybe could add some value to the multiples.

RACE 5
1st Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (5)
Getting ever closer to that much awaited Maiden win. Four minor placings from seven starts are
enough to show he has ability and it’s more a matter of when not if he will win a race. Trialed in
good style last week.
2nd Pick: TANTHEMAN (7)
Gets back to maiden grade after a strong second placing behind Simon where he was slowly grinding
down the margin. Watch for any betting support.
3rd Pick: SMART ONE (6)
Comes out of that hot Lord’s Command maiden race where the winner beat the second horse by six
lengths. This gelding was forced wide and with luck can be in the finish.
4th Pick: ARABIAN NIGHTS (9)
His family stats show that he is looking for further being a half to a Group 1 sprint winner at other
siblings have won up to 1600m. He should take natural second up improvement.

RACE 6
1st Pick: RELENTLESS (1)
This runner will be potentially facing many of the group 1 contenders in this year’s Gold Cup when
handicap conditions return. Until then, he faces lesser opposition in the hope to build up some
confidence and earn a few rating points. Hopefully sets the tone for the end of the year here.
2nd Pick: BESTSELLER (5)
Consistency will see this horse in the finish more so than not. Has been knocking on the door his last
couple of starts and his best would see him going close, if not winning this.
3rd Pick: ISTATABA (2)
This mare is super tough and is a recent winner in this grade which should hold her in good stead.
She fights to the line and although she earnt some points for that last win, that winning form is gold
in a race like this.
4th Pick: ROMAN CHIEF (9)
Lightly raced and this looks a big jump. Nevertheless, he is a classy horse, and you must back the
stable confidence to through him the deep end here, each way.

RACE 7
1st Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (6)
Was supported in betting last start with Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Wanted to over race in the
middle stages and has since trialed strongly between runs. Big watch again with Duric on.
2nd Pick: BLUE IDOL (3)
Three minor placings in a row at this grade puts him right into calculations for a race like this.
3rd Pick: TAVI WILL DO (11)
Scored a strong win fresh under Louis Beuzelin after doing it tough up on the speed. Should improve
second up and will need to against a stronger field than his last win.
4th Pick: GEMILANG (1)
Gets back to class five where he recorded his last win back in May over 1400 where he carried 59kgs.
Needs to improve on recent runs but will appreciate the drop-in class.

RACE 8
1st Pick: ASIF (5)
On speed performance last start saw him do it at both ends of the race with a solid enough weight.
Proved class 3 is not out of his grasp.
2nd Pick: JANUARY (2)
Strong win over 1200m last start which has been a great distance for this horse. Looks a nice horse
for the future and one that can rise to the task in a race of this depth.
3rd Pick: LUXURY BRAND (4)
Great to see this horse back in the winner’s circle last start letting down will to real in the leaders
late. The win was a step in the right direction for what could be a profitable campaign for
connections, top three hope.
4th Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (1)
The drop from 1400m to 1200m is a little concerning as this runner is a get back run on type who
requires time and ground to reel in his opponents. However, his last start win cannot go unnoticed
and rest assured, this horse will be running on and catching the eye late.

RACE 9
1st Pick: SPLIT SECOND (8)
He is a horse that thrives in the wet but has been known to put in a good run every now and then
over this trip of 2000m. With a light weight this weekend, he looks a genuine each way contender in
a field of this quality.
2nd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (11)
These lower grade staying contests so far this season has very much favoured horses down in the
weights. Tony’s Love is very close to a return to class 5 but has flashed home in the final seconds in
recent races to catch the eye. Very capable of winning this race with no weight on his back.
3rd Pick: WIND TRAIL (1)
Return to class 4 wasn’t bad after being slow away. Provided he jumps on terms and finds a spot
behind the leaders, he possesses a great knack of shutting off in the run and conserving energy for
that final effort. A few things need to go right for him though, take on trust.
4th Pick: RODA ROBOT (5)
Returns back to the turf after going down last week as a short-priced favourite. The run was
disappointing, but he’s fit and the conditions are much more favourable here, each way contender.

RACE 10
1st Pick: SUPER SALUTE (1)
Proven to carry weights and with his main rivals in recent features heading to the group 1, he meets
beatable company here. He looks to have a few rivals, the main ones being from his own yard but
looks to have a class edge on most of these.
2nd Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (2)
Has done better work on the all-weather surface so far and that means he may be a tad vulnerable
against smart opposition, top three contender.
3rd Pick: MR BLACK BACK (6)
Should ensure a solid tempo in the race. Look for him to lead and be hard to run down if
uncontested in the run.
4th Pick: KHARISMA (3)
Winner of a recent group feature who has recently found himself racing at his best again. This will be
a tough assignment for him, but he makes a genuine each way case.

RACE 11
1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)
Comes into this event the class horse who remains undefeated in season 2023. A mile is arguably his
best distance, if they couldn’t beat him last start in the Lion City Cup, they will struggle to beat him
here, even with the awkward draw.
2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (4)
Returns to middle distance racing and should appreciate the rise in trip also. Whether he has the
class of Lim’s Kosciuszko or not, he’s one of the horses that could be there to pounce from a good
draw if the race wasn’t to go to suit for the short-priced elect.
3rd Pick: KATAK (2)
His grand final is later this year in features over more ground. However, in the running of this race
earlier this year he was the horse closest to Lim’s Kosciuszko, and that makes him a must for exotics.
4th Pick: MR MALEK (5)
Has had a wonderful season since returning from poor health. Tries hard every race and is rarely far
from the winners if he isn’t taking the race out himself, each way.

RACE 12
1st Pick: SOUSUI (5)
Possesses ability and drops from Group 1 company back to class 4. Last time at this grade and
distance he was a winner, another horse in this race who makes a good case to be taking this race
out.
2nd Pick: FLAMING MIGLIORE (1)
Will find this easier than group company which he faced last race. Still finding feet here in Singapore
but conditions should see him put in a career best run this weekend since arriving.
3rd Pick: MAKIN (7)
Poor race manners have seen him disappoint in his only two Singapore runs to date. There should be
enough pace in this race for a get bac and run on type like himself, hopefully he can flash late into
the minor placings.
4th Pick: ARTILLERY (10)
One of the juveniles in the field who has caught the eye without much luck in recent features against
his own age group. He gains a light weight in this which is made even better with the claim of the
stable apprentice. A top four finish is certainly not out of the question.