Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues tomorrow, featuring an 11-race turf and dirt fixture.
In-form five-year-old Top Field can continue his winning ways when he lines up in the $30,000 Class 5 Handicap over 1600m on turf.
Top Field didn’t show much at his first 16 local starts, but the Jason Ong-trained gelding has been a revelation since early July, scoring three wins in a row after being placed twice. Most recently, the Real Impact gelding overcame an awkward draw to score an impressive win over 1800m at this track, winning by 1.25 lengths.
While Top Field stands out as the form choice as he remains in Class 5 this week, the main danger appears to be City Gold Friend, who finished second to Top Field three starts ago when giving weight, so a 4.5kg weight swing may present him with a good chance to turn the tables on the former.
Elsewhere, keep an eye on Flaming Migliore in Race 4, the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.
Flaming Migliore’s last-start fifth-place finish, beaten 1.75 lengths, was better than it reads. He was involved in an early three-way speed battle before finding the lead approaching the 850m, all the while setting a strong tempo which led to him feeling the pinch late, while those off the pace got into the race.
Seemingly improving with racing in Singapore, it’s not long until he finds a spot in the money. He should place ideally from barrier No 3 under jockey Benny Woodworth.
Woodworth also has a good chance to score in Race 9 when he partners Mr Big Brother in the $30,000 Class 5 Handicap over 1700m on the Polytrack. Mr Big Brother returns to Class 5 after a luckless run in Class 4 last start, racing three-wide. Given the horrid trip, it was no surprise to see him weaken.
He led all the way to score by 3.25 lengths in this class five starts ago, and if he can recapture that form, a return to the winner’s circle looks imminent. - iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 7 No 3 Top Field
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 4 Flaming Migliore
JACKPOT
R54
Leg 1: 1, 6, 8
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 2, 7. 8
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 21 Oct 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: NATURE CHIEF (2)
Jason Ong has a really strong hand in this race and his last start winner is eligible for another kill this time at class five level. He ran good time and only rises 2.5kgs in the weights.
2nd Pick: RETALLICA (4)
Returns to the Polytrack where he has recorded four of his five wins in the past. Likes to jump and run and if he puts a break on them, they will find it hard to gun him down.
3rd Pick: DRAGON MASTER (1)
Looked the winner at the furlong but King’s Gambit had the momentum down the outside. Proven he is up to the mark and market support will be the best guide.
4th Pick: SACRED SUITE (7)
Hasn’t really been in the finish recently and is finding it hard to score a win. If he runs up to his early form, then maybe a top four placing isn’t out of the question.
RACE 2
1st Pick: ROGER ROGER (2)
Two winning trials since his last start back in July where he was beaten four lengths to the winner that day. Shows speed and has clocked nice timings at his trials.
2nd Pick: WAR STAR (6)
Drops 6kgs in weight as he gets back to Open Maiden class. Two minor placings show he is knocking at the gates to get rid of that maiden tag. Expect good market support.
3rd Pick: VOLCANIC (3)
Two weeks between races where he finished four lengths away from Nature Chief. Looked to race greenly in the straight but expect him to take natural improvement.
4th Pick: CHARISMATIC (4)
Holds two minor placings to her ten-start career. Has the early speed to be up there on the pace from the start and she performs better when ridden with early vigor.
RACE 3
1st Pick: WEDNESDAY (6)
Willing to forgive his most recent run where he raced wide without cover and went down by five lengths. Go off his win two starts ago and that’s good enough to score here.
2nd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (5)
Expect him to bounce out and set a fast pace. He will be up there and look the winner it’s just about hanging on in the last 200 meters.
3rd Pick: CASH OUT (7)
Finished second two starts back behind Wednesday. Not sure what went wrong last start as he was out the back and a very out of style running for him.
4th Pick: BIZAR WINS (2)
Has been out of form in recent months but sits four rating points lower than his last win and this is a very lowly rated race. Could bounce back.
RACE 4
1st Pick: LIM'S CRAFT (2)
Massive run coming from well back a few weeks ago behind the talented Bestseller. Five of his eight wins have come at the distance, and he holds strong claims.
2nd Pick: MAKIN (8)
On the quick backup after going down by half a length in the final race last weekend. He was brave behind the winner and that first Singapore win is getting closer.
3rd Pick: KARISTO (1)
Always a dangerous runner when he returns to class four. James Peters now takes over the training and will be aided by a 2kg claiming rider. Doesn’t stay in this grade for long.
4th Pick: SUPER CONVINCE (13)
Finished in the minors at a big price behind February. Gets in well at the weights much like that day and has since caught the eye winning a trial in lead up for this. Watch betting.
RACE 5
1st Pick: MAGIC MASTER (2)
This well-bred son of So You Think surprised finishing second over 1200 meters last month. Should appreciate the step up in distance and holds strong claims. Nunes on and looks a key jockey booking.
2nd Pick: HEALTHY BABY (8)
Comes out the City Gold Friend Open Maiden race at the beginning of this month where he sat off the pace and grinded away to the line. That performance will be good enough here.
3rd Pick: LIM'S SINAI (7)
Last seen back in August where he finished third to Gold Governor over 1400m. Has been put away since then and stepped out with a quiet trial last a few weeks ago. Watch betting.
4th Pick: COAST (10)
Wasn’t beaten far at his most recent start over 1400m where was seen attacking the line late. Yet to place in six attempts and that could change here.
RACE 6
1st Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (1)
Took out the first race of the 2023 season back in January off a mark of 47. This is his first run back in class five since then and is always dangerous at this level. Has bled before so take with some risk.
2nd Pick: FABU (3)
Having a positive season including two wins at 1100m. He will bounce out of the gates and put himself in a position to fight out the finish. Don’t dismiss him in this race.
3rd Pick: MAZE (2)
Deserves a look in a race of this depth. Still looking for his first career victory but he is lightly raced and placed in two runs at the distance.
4th Pick: FLAK JACKET (8)
Has had zero luck with barriers at his last three starts and it has shown in the finish. At the ripe old age of 13 he can still surprise us.
RACE 7
1st Pick: TOP FIELD (3)
This horse has improved in a way not many thought he would. He was off a mark of 28 in June this year and is now looking for his fourth straight victory. That’s some improvement and expect him to score again.
2nd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (1)
Nice on pace victory to score over this distance to kick the maiden tag a few weeks ago. Would be very surprised if he didn’t finish in the money here.
3rd Pick: STAR EXPRESS (2)
Drops down in class to a division that he last won at back in July where he beat a very moderate rated race on that occasion. However, he does deserve respect in easier company.
4th Pick: ATLAS (8)
Very brave last weekend where he went up and joined the pace early over this same distance. Was entitled to knock up late in the race and all he needs to do is handle the quick backup.
RACE 8
1st Pick: LUCKY BABY (1)
Didn’t have the best barrier last start and did a huge job to be beaten one length on the line. That was after being forced wide with no cover. He looks the one here with even luck.
2nd Pick: REIGNITE (4)
Thrives at this distance with a strong course and distance record. Expect him to stalk the speed and be there at the business end.
3rd Pick: PALETAS (3)
He was eligible for this grade last start, but they ran him at class 3 level anyway. He is much better suited to this grade and his last victory was only one rating point from where he sits now. Could be the market mover.
4th Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (7)
Slowly building towards a win here. To be beaten half a length behind Renzo is strong form and sits well down in the weights.
RACE 9
1st Pick: MR BIG BROTHER (2)
He was destined to be favorite in betting before being scratched the day of his last race. Expect him to roll forward and be there to pounce.
2nd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (4)
Back in grade usually means back in business. The last time he raced at this level was in March where he won over this same course and distance. In form stable is a plus.
3rd Pick: FORT MUSTANG (1)
Jockey completely outrode his opposition last start and that’s the way you must ride him. He can perform again but the rival jockeys won’t give him the same favors this week.
4th Pick: ENDLESS (5)
He is a one paced type of galloper but most of these runners are so expect him to settle just off the pace and grind it out to be in the multiples. Was a winner two runs back.
RACE 10
1st Pick: FEBRUARY (3)
Scored a nice win last start at decent odds and down in the weights. Steps up in distance from that win but did win his maiden over the distance and looks an improving type.
2nd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (7)
Joins the Jason Ong stable after the departure of Michael Clements and is knocking on the door to score. Brings form behind Maxima who has continued to raise the bar.
3rd Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (6)
Looks the speed in the race and ran into a very good one in Grand Sage who is well above average. If he can dictate the speed to suit him, we will look a threat for a long way.
4th Pick: RED DRAGON (4)
Scored a win in the steward’s room two runs back but continued it with another nice win by two lengths at his next start. Needs to bring that Polytrack form onto the turf but has done it before.
RACE 11
1st Pick: ROCKETSHIP (2)
She went very quick with the lightweight last start and scored at well over 100 dollars. Stable are in great form and she can go on with that win and produce more.
2nd Pick: AKHTAR (1)
Gets back to class four where he scored his first Kranji win back in July. Has produced solid runs since then in class three and will gather plenty of market support with Queiroz in the saddle.
3rd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (5)
A winner of two from his last three starts. Likes to get back and storm home in quick sectionals off a light weight. They will go quick here and that will play to his liking.
4th Pick: CONDOR (12)
Steps up against the older rivals after winning his maiden in good time. Looks a speedy type but it is always a challenge winning at class four after a maiden .