Stablemates to fight out G1 QE 11 Cup

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Saturday with an exciting 10-race card featuring the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m.

Saturday’s $300,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kranji racecourse is the penultimate feature event before the curtain falls on Singapore racing, highlighting a key moment in Singapore's racing calendar.

So far, all four Group 1 races at Kranji this year have been dominated by formidable stablemates Lim’s Kosciuszko and Lim’s Saltoro. Lim’s Kosciuszko secured victories in the Kranji Mile and the Lion City Cup, while Lim’s Saltoro took top honours in the Singapore Derby and the Raffles Cup.

Lim’s Kosciuszko was unbeaten in his first four starts of the year until Lim’s Saltoro ended his streak with a tenacious win in the Raffles Cup.

Ironically, Lim’s Saltoro's nearly flawless record includes just one loss—handed to him by none other than his stablemate, Lim’s Kosciuszko.

Given the weight-for-age conditions, it seems highly likely that the two stars from the Daniel Meagher stable will once again battle it out for the title. However, if there's any potential for an upset, Golden Monkey and Dream Alliance, both trained by Tim Fitzsimmons, could be the ones to watch.

Quality four-year-old Super Baby was the victim of an ill-judged ride last time out, where he was ridden quietly off the pace from a good draw and then steadied near the 1300m as the tempo slowed. Despite this, he finished strongly, closing well to secure fourth place over this distance on the Polytrack.

Now dropping back to Class 4, where he won by 4.75 lengths three starts ago, he looks well-positioned to secure a Top 3 finish this week. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 5 No 2 Supreme Liner

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 4 Pacific Victory

JACKPOT

R144

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 4, 7 ,9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 2, 3, 10

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 7 SEP 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: LUCKY GOAL (1)

Although he draws wide it’s probably not the worst position for him as he can take his time to roll across for Lerner and position up. He is bringing some strong form into this field and comes from our leading stable.

2nd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (5)

He made everybody’s jaw drop with that run on the Polytrack over a sharp trip which he hasn’t usually performed well at. He has ability but has failed to produce a win this prep.

3rd Pick: LIM'S FUJI (6)

Just the one win from seventeen starts buts get a nice low draw in barrier one and can settle in a much better position then his last start where he drew wide. Watch for any late betting moves.

4th Pick: GOLDEN SENTIENCE (7)

Doesn’t get many favors from the wide draw so expect him to press forward from the wide alley. Needs to settle around the first corner as he has a bad tendency to lay out when wide.

RACE 2

1st Pick: BRAVO KID (6)

He comes as the fresh horse on the scene for the Jerome Tan stable who takes over the training for this preparation. Looked well in a recent trial and the first up 1400m is the query.

2nd Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (1)

Draws the ace for Nunes who has had a long affiliation with this gelding and if he is anywhere near where he was winning two starts back then he can right in the finish against these.

3rd Pick: BINGO MASTER (2)

Daniel Moor takes the ride, and he brings good 1400m stats including one win and six minors throughout his journey. Comes out of that Fearless Warrior race a month between runs.

4th Pick: MR HOOPER (8)

Has placed at this distance once from seven starts and has a much better record at 1200m but connections would be thrilled with how he ran through the line last start.

RACE 3

1st Pick: SUPER BABY (1)

Good run behind King Of Sixty-one last start in class 3, was wide on the home corner and was a long way of the two leaders. He should benefit from that run and comes down to class 4. Should be well-supported in betting.

2nd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (2)

He’s been racing well, last few runs in class 4 have been promising and relishes 1600m. Nunes is booked to ride and should get a good run from barrier five. Could be right in this.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (3)

Okay last start. He will slow away from the barriers and had some excuses in the home straight. He usually gets keen in the run but should get every chance from barrier four with the small field.

4th Pick: GALAXY BAR (4)

He was only fair last start over 1400m, began awkwardly and never came into contention. He could bounce back here and there has been great form lines coming out of the Group 1 Singapore Derby.

RACE 4

1st Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (1)

Back to class five for the first time since October last year where he won at 1200m by half a length. Since that win he scored twice at class four level and will appreciate the drop back in grade. The inform Pinheiro takes the steer.

2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (6)

Looked his race to win last weekend but just failed to show his usual turn of foot on his best recorded course. The way things have been going he could back up six days later and surprise here.

3rd Pick: DELILAH (4)

She is the only last start winner in this race and was heavily supported that day to score easily on the Polytrack. She doesn’t usually reproduce those winning runs back-to-back but appreciate the winning form.

4th Pick: SILVER DRAGON (3)

Finished a nice third behind Lucky Hero but both of his career wins have been on the Polytrack so would have preferred better form on the turf course to his name.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SUPREME LINER (2)

Will look to go off as a short-priced favorite for the Nunes & Peters combination after a strong second placing at Novice level. Don’t let the wide draw throw you off he looks set to earn that much awaited first win.

2nd Pick: BIG MAX (5)

He has had his chance being supported on many occasions and draws well in barrier four for Queiroz who should position up nicely from there.

3rd Pick: CHEVAL ARTIST (1)

This former New Zealand trained four-year-old failed to figure in his career there and is by Trapeze Artist out of a mare that won up to 2500m. Trial was okay and betting support is your best guide.

4th Pick: PACIFIC DREAM (7)

Very surprised that he hasn’t had a win to his name just yet after a few eye-catching starts in his career. Has the motor and you must have him in the numbers.

RACE 6

1st Pick: SACRED BUDDY (3)

He will be the one to beat here. He has been a great horse for connections in class 4 and is proven on both the turf and Poly track. He draws out wide but could push across to sit up on speed.

2nd Pick: DANCING SUPREMO (1)

He was only fair last start over 1400m and now gets back to a more suitable trip here. He should get a soft run from barrier four.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (8)

She was very good behind Filial Dragon last weekend. Now on the quick-back up and Daniel moor gets the ride. She runs some real fast sectional timings and now comes onto the turf.

4th Pick: PER INCROWN (7)

Continues to hold his form with plenty of consistent racing. He appreciates a strong tempo and should look to get back and power home. Goes well on both surfaces and obtains an okay draw.

RACE 7

1st Pick: PACIFIC BEAUTY (4)

Continues to hold her form having won three starts back and placed in her following two outings. CC Wong riding well and can put her in a nice position from barrier two. Expect support in the market.

2nd Pick: NAVY SEALS (5)

He is on the quick six-day turnaround but failed to make an impression on the Polytrack last week. Give him another chance as all of his career best runs have come on the turf.

3rd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (3)

Had no luck last outing checked at the mile and raced wide covering more ground than the early explorers. He can bounce back here with Nunes taking the ride.

4th Pick: EMPOWERING (9)

Made up a stack of ground coming from seventh to be beaten a neck to The Wild Fire. He is holding form and expect some betting support late in the piece.

RACE 8

1st Pick: WINS ONE (2)

A noted front runner with plenty of ability, he took natural improvement out of his first-up run and finished in behind October most recently. He is very dangerous over 1200m on the turf. Should go close.

2nd Pick: CHARMINTON (7)

His last two performances have been great, flashing home. He will look to get back and run on. Nunes takes the ride form barrier five and should get every chance. Watch betting.

3rd Pick: STOP THE WATER (1)

He was in the race behind October just under a month ago. Gets the apprentice four-kilogram claim and should look to push forward from the outside gate. Should be in the mix.

4th Pick: GRAND AVANTE (6)

Huge run last start over 1400m behind October, now comes back down to 1200m and goes well on the long course. Finds it hard to hold form.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

A surprise upset in the Group 1 Raffles Cup last start finishing second to stablemate Lim’s Saltoro. He was very game in defeat and was flashing home only beaten a nose. Now stepping up to 1800m, he should improve off that last run and will have more time to wind into the race. He will be the horse to beat.

2nd Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (3)

The new kid on the block here in Singapore and has now won at weight-for-age. He conquered the four-year-old series and is proven over 1800m after winning the Group 1 Singapore Derby. He is still going to be a huge threat to stablemate Lim’s Kosciuszko and needs to be respected. Draws out but he is a natural go-forward type.

3rd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (2)

He’s been racing in such great form this preparation, thanks to consistent racing throughout. He should get every chance this weekend from barrier four and gets the services of Brisbane-based jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor who will make his Singapore riding debut. Should appreciate a genuine tempo over 1800m.

4th Pick: MR BLACK BACK (5)

Massive performance from this guy last start in the Group 1 Raffles Cup, lead the field up and stuck on well finishing fifth, only beaten just under two lengths to Singapore’s top two horses. He will need to settle now that he’s racing over 1800m and gets Nunes in the saddle. He draws wide but that should suit, noted front-runner.

RACE 10
1st Pick: SHOW ALL SIXTY-ONE (3)

Solid form lines in behind October who’s made it three straight victories most recently. He sat up on speed and continued to stick on for a minor placing last start. Going well. Watch betting.

2nd Pick: SWEET N SOUR (7)

His first run in class 4 was great in behind Arya Pakuan. He is still lightly raced here in Singapore and the stable is in great form. CC Wong was aboard in a recent trial and takes the steer on race day.

3rd Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (11)

Things didn’t go to plan last start behind October, was dragged back to last and was working home late. He draws the inside gate this week and could surprise in this field. Okay.

4th Pick: JULY (8)

He’s been so consistent in class 5 for a long time, and he broke a long string of placing last time out over 1200m and now steps up to 1400m. Key booking of Bruno Queiroz taking the ride.