Sun Ops to make winning return

It sees lightly raced five-year-old SUN OPS make his return to the races after a 112-day break.

Formerly raced in Australia under the name Covert Ops where he was a two-time from nine starts, SUN OPS burst onto the local scene with an impressive debut win in February. The Desmond Koh-trained gelding went on to defy the rise in class when leading all the way to score effortlessly over 1100m before conceding his first local defeat last time out.

Despite failing to deliver as the odds-on favourite, there was plenty of merit to his solid third place finish as he led them up at well above average sectionals but still faired the best among the on-pace runners.

SUN OPS has looked fantastic in his two trials ahead of his return and he strikes a race where he looks the only leader. He should be proving hard to run down.

Elsewhere, trainer Daniel Meagher’s in-form mare, LADY SPRINTBOK, looks on song for a hat-trick when she contests the Class 4 1200m Handicap on the Polytrack.

LADY SPRINTBOK has shown huge improvement since finishing sixth in a quality Novice race three starts ago, winning her last two starts over this track and distance in fine style. Two back, she endured a wide trip but still fought bravely late to score by 0.50 lengths before drawing away by 1.50 lengths to land a double last start.

Meanwhile, trainer Michael Clements (49 wins) leads the trainers’ premiership by one win over Mark Walker while jockey Danny Beasely (33 wins) and apprentice jockey K Hakim (43 wins) lead their respective tables.

BEST BET

Race 10 N0 2 Sun Ops

VALUE BET

Race 11 No 1 Siam Royal Orchid

JACKPOT

R48

Leg 1: 3, 5

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 29 Aug 21

RACE 1

1st Pick: STAR EMPIRE (4)

Now 12 points lower than his last win (C/D), maps well to get a nice run here and he can offer some value in the opener.

2nd Pick: GAMELY (6)

Remains off a handy mark of 44 after some excellent runs in defeat. Will give his running again here with Hakim booked.

3rd Pick: FIRST CHIEF (1)

A grade dropper here and that will help a lot. He has run some nice races of marks well in the 60s and is the class in the contest.

4th Pick: MASTER PLAYER (2)

Very lightly raced Open Maiden winner and has trialed well since. Interesting.

RACE 2

1st Pick: BLITZ POWER (4)

Has been very brave in defeat at her last four starts. Has been trapped wide on occasions and last week the winner was far too good. Deserves a win.

2nd Pick: ENDLESS (1)

Although he is still a maiden, he is knocking on the door to win one very soon. Meets a winnable division here and has been placed at the distance.

3rd Pick: ACCUMULATION (9)

Only a one-time winner in his career and that came over this course and distance back in April this year. Top stable and deserves a look here.

4th Pick: ROMAN CLASSIC (10)

A lowly-rated galloper who has slumped down in the rating points. Going off his last-start placing puts him in with a chance in a weaker division of this race.

RACE 3

1st Pick: WINNING SPIRIT (5)

He is a former winner in this grade and loves the distance. Strung two nice wins together and looks well placed here.

2nd Pick: VULCAN (4)

Has been a consistent performer in his career and a win wouldn’t surprise here. Needs a genuine tempo to finish strongly and he just may get it in this.

3rd Pick: YES ONE BALL (8)

His last win came in Class 5 grade but he isn’t a one-trick pony. Ran an eye-opening second in this grade last start and can continue on.

4th Pick: WONDERFUL KNIGHT (1)

Hovering around the top of Class 4 for a while now and judging by his last-start placing, he will be there for a while and could be a surprise factor in this.

RACE 4

1st Pick: WALIM (10)

Had to debut on Yielding ground last time and not didn’t seem to suit and was green throughout. Now gets blinkers and a go on the All-weather, with a drop back in trip looking like a positive move in a very weak race.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN SPRINT (1)

Made his debut on this surface and ran a very good 3rd to the useful Relentless (Group placed since). This is the easiest race he will have run in, and can showed improved form here.

3rd Pick: DIMESSO (3)

A solid 3rd on the turf last time out and ranked a place chance here once again.

4th Pick: LIM’S HOPEFULLY (4)

Just behind Dimesso last start and has Each-way claims in this affair.

RACE 5

1st Pick: LEATHERHEAD (1)

Coming back to hand. If he reproduces his last-start closing second to Sound The Siren, he’ll be hard to hold off.

2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (8)

On a roll and showed he was not out of his depth in Class 4 company last time. Will be in the firing line for a long way.

3rd Pick: SPECIAL OPS (9)

Showed a return to form at his last outing. Needs more ground and will relish extra 100m. Can topple them in this.

4th Pick: IRON RULER (4)

Encouraging first-up run after a four-month let-up. Goes well on Polytrack and will be thereabouts when the whips are cracking.

RACE 6

1st Pick: RED ROAR (4)

Comes in to this in the best form of any in the contest. Hard to beat.

2nd Pick: RED CLAW (3)

Well handicapped on the pick of his form and is now 9 points lower then his last victory.

3rd Pick: PLUCKY LAD (6)

Has form good enough to make the frame.

4th Pick: DUSSELDORF (8)

Another who has place claims on the balance of his form.

RACE 7

1st Pick: MIGHTY VAIN (1)

Still a maiden in his career but has been placed on eight occasions and that first win isn’t far away. This looks an ideal race to grab it.

2nd Pick: LEMON SQUASH (2)

This stable must always be respected in these races and this runner is a reason why. Well performed over the distance and will be somewhere in the finish.

3rd Pick: HOSAYLIAO (12)

Meets similar conditions here from his last-start victory. Stable is in very good form lately and no reason why he cannot go back to back.

4th Pick: HELUSHKA (9)

Is a former two-time winner over this course and distance. His best runs have come from when he gets to the front and gives them something to catch but has drawn wide.

RACE 8

1st Pick: WATER ROCKET (3)

Ran a much improved race last outing back in Class 4 grade and will meet the same conditions here. Has the ability to take this out.

2nd Pick: KISS YOUR SONG (2)

Always dangerous at this distance and you can never overlook him in this grade. If the tempo suits he will be there at the business end.

3rd Pick: HEADHUNTER (5)

Is a proven performer at this level and trialled in very good order last week in preparation for this. Can surprise.

4th Pick: SNIP (6)

Hasn’t been too far behind the action in his last few outings. Can play a part in this small field.

RACE 9

1st Pick: HELLO MICHELLE (4)

In super form of late and ran home very powerfully after missing the start last time out. She can continue in good form here.

2nd Pick: UNCLE LUCKY (7)

The form of his win has been franked since and should go well again now 5 points higher.

3rd Pick: WAWASAN (3)

Can be strongly fancied here but the draw is far from ideal.

4th Pick: PERFECT MISSION (6)

A couple of good efforts recently give this 4yo an Each-way chance with Oscar Chavez booked.

RACE 10

1st Pick: SONGGONG HERA (1)

Seems to be a horse who has finally hit his straps. Always showed ability but trainer Jason Lim has found the key to him. Has drawn an alley. Horse to beat.

2nd Pick: SUN OPS (2)

Back from a spell. In blistering form at his last barrier trial last week. Drawn awkwardly but he can go well fresh.

3rd Pick: ARARAT LADY (3)

Polytrack specialist who is back up in Class 3. Found that level a little rich last time but she has improved and can measure up this time. Place chance.

4th Pick: ON LINE (4)

Second to stablemate Big Hearted two runs back. May find the speed too slick for him but if they run along in front, don’t be surprised to see him storm home late.

RACE 11

1st Pick: LADY SPRINTBOK (3)

On an upward spiral. Rising in weights but should be able to shoulder that 57.5kgs impost without any issue. Nice handy draw. Three-in-a-row on the cards.

2nd Pick: FIELD MARSHAL (2)

Rising star who found the going tougher in open company. Coming back after one year with last start producing a win with blinkers on. Not pushed at his barrier trials. Can go well on his class, especially after drawing marble one.

3rd Pick: SIAM ROYAL ORCHID (1)

Didn’t disgrace himself in much better company not too long ago. Will find this easier. Wide barrier is a query but he can still finish in the money.

4th Pick: UNIVERSAL EMPIRE (6)

Not a bad sort at his best. Blinkers come on. Can bounce back. Outside chance.