3 minute read

Pat Comerford was the only one from the English Broadcast team that correctly picked Golden Monkey to win the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on June 18, but there is no more room on that train heading into Saturday’s feature race.

In fact, it became a unanimous decision by both the English and Chinese Broadcast teams in the $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) given Golden Monkey's dominant win then.

The son of Star Turn may have got the gun run for jockey Oscar Chavez on that occasion, but the way he put away his main rival and 3YO Sprint favourite, Silent Is Gold, was clinical to say the least.

So it would be reckless to try and find something to beat the latest (trainer) Tim Fitzsimmons' star, thus the clean sweep from the broadcasters.

Comerford is obviously staying with the likely short-priced favourite, who he called home in the 3YO Sprint.

"Even though I had him on top in the (3YO) Sprint, Golden Monkey 's performance was far more superior than I had initially expected," said the Australian.

"He gets an enforced rider change (the suspended Oscar Chavez replaced by Jake Bayliss) but I can't jump off him up against similar company with a hot tempo again expected from the stablemate, Gold Ten Sixty-One.

"A couple at odds I will be watching are No More Delay and Major King.

"No More Delay in particular, as (trainer) (Richard) Lim has been getting him to chase a rabbit (pacemaker) in trackwork and he might just find some of his old form at a price."

Scott Bailey, who made his Group-calling debut in the Group 2 Stewards' Cup on June 26 will call the feature action on Saturday too. He obviously agrees.

 "The (3YO) Sprint was run to suit Golden Monkey, but he was impressive," he said.

"I think he can put in the same performance over 1400m and be the fifth horse in the last ten years to win both the (3YO) Sprint and (3YO) Classic.

"We will watch out for Major King.

"I liked the way he won his maiden and while this is a sharp rise in class, the stable thinks he can mix it with this lot and he can only improve."

Raymond Yong, who has been in good form of late with his race selections, also thinks 1400m is no issue.

"Golden Monkey put in a much-improved effort in the (3YO) Sprint," said Yong.

"He should be suited over 1400m given his sit back and run-on style and he can win again.

"I think the danger is the stablemate, Gold Ten Sixty-One.

"He's a natural frontrunner, drawn well and with champion jockey Vlad Duric onboard, he could lead all the way.

"Flashfast has Danny Beasley and has experience over 1400m, so he could surprise."

Collin Fan, who calls the action for the Chinese viewers, suggests a 'golden trio' is the go for exotics.

"The three 'Golden horses' (Golden Monkey, Gold Ten Sixty-One and Silent Is Gold) have similar winning chances," said Fan.

"But with Duric on the pacemaker (Gold Ten Sixty-One), he can consume the others early and set it up for Golden Monkey.

"The newly transferred horse – No More Delay (now with Richard Lim) – has an impressive burst on the final stretch so he could go well this time."

The rose between the two thorns in the Chinese Broadcast box - Kew Lee Teng - is very confident.

"His last start win was eye-catching, 1400m should not be a problem and I have high expectations," said Kew.

"But Silent Is Gold has beaten Golden Monkey before and is a consistent player who still has room for improvement.

"For value, I'm looking at horses who have handled the 1400m before and Flashfast and Red Dragon have current form over that trip."

TrackTalk media guests - Suresh Ragavan and Michael Spark - are both well and truly on 'The Monkey' bandwagon.

"I anticipate the race will run in Golden Monkey's favour," said the Malaysian pundit, Ragavan.

"There will be a solid pace from his stablemate, Gold Ten Sixty-One, and Silent Is Gold won't be too far away.

"Expect both the Star Turn geldings (Golden Monkey and Silent Is Gold) to fight it out but Golden Monkey to win again.

"For value in the exotics, I expect Flashfast, Red Dragon and Super Extreme to be in the mix."

Spark agreed with Ragavan but thinks the early tempo will be the key.

"Golden Monkey was dominant last start," said the Australian.

"The extra 200m looks no issue. There looks a genuine tempo on paper and from gate one, Bayliss will be able to ride him where comfortable and with the right breaks, he is hard to beat.

"Silent Is Gold is the obvious danger.

"They went about four lengths quicker than average in the first 600m of the (3YO) Sprint and no doubt (jockey) Ronnie  (Stewart) will have this in his mind and even look to take a sit.

"Tactically, the first 400m will be very interesting in the (3YO) Classic and for value, Major King was green when winning on debut but he looks a horse to follow."

Me?

I agree with Spark and Bailey regarding the value, as Major King does have the biggest upside given he only had one race start and Silent Is Gold is the danger.

But only a brave man would tip against Golden Monkey and I'm not that courageous.

Catch the first of a four-part segment to the latest episode of TrackTalk here.

Click here for the link to our Chinese coverage, Race To Victory.