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Singapore racing best bets, race analysis looking at the full Singapore card Saturday, 25th February with selections & information on all the contenders.
RACE 1
SUPER POSH – Speedy galloper who was a winner in this class five starts ago. Since then, has chalked up some nice runs in class four and does his best racing when up in the front of the pack. Loves this distance and will get every chance from barrier two.
FLAK JACKET – Tough as nails this 12yo who has been racing so well over the past 18 months. The last time we saw him in this class was July 2022 where he scored by a length over this distance. Will appreciate the sharp drop-in class. Wide barrier the only concern.
THE BULLET – Hasn't raced any further than 1100m in his short career. Returned a roarer at his most recent run when well beaten and has since won a trial in a nice time of 59.75. Can bounce back.
OUR SECRET WEAPON – Well deserved win last start over this distance. Just needs everything to go his way early. This distance seems his go and not a yard further. Drawn in the carpark this weekend.
RACE 2
ARYA PAKUAN – Looked impressive winning his trial under Vlad Duric who takes the steer this weekend. Settled back in the field and coasted through them to win with ease. Looks to have natural ability after placing in Melbourne before moving to Singapore.
CREATIVE DREAMS – Has had four trials to date here dating back to June last year and yet to be seen at the races. Scored a nice trial win back on the 16th and the stable are always thereabouts when debuting these youngsters. Leading rider booked.
STAR NORTH – Comes out of that Knippenberg maiden where he finished third. Should naturally improve second up and seemed to trial in nice order since that debut run. Showed nice early speed in that event. Draws very well in barrier two.
BRANSOM – Half-brother to seven-time Singapore winner Siam Warrior. Won his trial in a smooth time of 60.10 and should show natural speed. Stable with a nice hand in this event.
RACE 3
PACIFIC BAO BEI – Has worked well leading up to his second start in Singapore after a successful debut win. Can certainly win again and looks like he will improve over more ground.
HERO – Lugs a big weight this weekend but is a proven horse and races over a more suitable trip second up for the season.
AXEL – First up winner who was caught wide the trip last start and still won. It was a tough performance, and he must be considered a top three hope again.
BORN TO WIN – Absolutely no luck in the run being heeled in at a crucial stage of the race. Has since trialed, could flash home late.
RACE 4
LIM'S KNIGHT – The last time we saw this gelding in class five was his last victory back in October 2021. That was over 1100m on that occasion and brings strong class four form down into this class. His price should shorten late.
CAPTAIN SINGAPORE – Continues to collect a cheque for his connections and was hitting the line again at his most recent start. He finds it hard to win but must be thrown into selections off his most recent form. Will get that next win soon.
OUTFIT – He blew them away when scoring in this grade over this C/D back in September. Wasn't tested in his most recent trial and should appreciate the three-month break. Comes here fresh.
WIND OF LIBERTY – Still a maidener after 28 attempts here in Singapore. Showed nice early pace last start when going down by a length to Per Incrown. He's showing promise but is very costly when he is supported.
RACE 5
APRIL – Finished just over four lengths behind Knippenberg at maiden level last start. Form is very strong out of that race and will show natural improvement as he steps up in trip. Looks a nice race to get his first win.
PLUS – Making his debut this week after winning a trial in a slick time of 60.29 back on the 16th of February. Showed good speed in that heat and held on when not fully tested. Distance could be the query.
ALL IN – Not the strongest credentials by any means after nine career starts to date. However his lone placing came at this distance back in October and must be considered a top four hope.
HURRICANE MARS – Backs up rather quickly from his fourth placing in the same grade last Saturday. Was beaten a fair way but this race looks easier on paper.
RACE 6
LUXURY BRAND – Has been such a consistent horse over the journey and returns for his first run in 2023. Has worked and trialed well enough to give a sight this weekend.
SHANGHAI STAR – Two strong seconds behind Mr Black Back and Street Of Dreams before heading for a spell. Nunes on, should be in the frame.
INVINCIBLE TYCOON – Last start winner making up a ton of ground on a yielding track. Conditions won't suit here as much but winning form is a big plus.
SUMMER WIND – Draw could be a tad costly if he works too hard early in the race searching for the lead. Can be in front a long way though if he can dictate and control the pace.
RACE 7
LOVING BABE – His last victory back in May of last year off a rating of 37 was a tough victory from a wide draw. He is now two points lower in the ratings since then and stable finding some form.
BEN WADE – Looked the winner a long way out last start to give his rider his first career win. Relishes racing in this grade and even after that win remains in the second division to give him another live winning chance.
LIM'S SHOT – Continues to run well and finish amongst the money at the ripe old age of ten years old. He is a six-time winner and in this class must never be written off. His best could see him surprise here.
WILD BEE – Disappointed last start and finished a long way back after racing wide throughout. This is easier and go off his win two starts ago. Can bounce back this weekend.
RACE 8
MIMOSAS – Makes Singapore debut this weekend and comes here as a two-time winner in Victoria. Could make a big impression, big watch.
PACIFIC ANGEL – Proven contender and biggest danger to Mimosas with not only the form on the board in Singapore, but a win already this season. Drawn well enough to make a proper challenge.
PETROGRAD – Makes class 4 debut after a forgivable run in the Novice on January 23rd. Copped a check early and he never looked comfortable after that. Fast work this week was eye catching and carries a very light weight.
SOUTHERN SPEED – Tackles this race third up from a great gate with a big claim. A must add for the multiples.
RACE 9
SPLIT SECOND – Drops back to class five after a seven-day turnaround where he finished third over this trip in a higher class. If the rain comes it will boost his hopes with an unbeaten record on a yielding surface. Nunes on a big plus.
KING'S SPEECH – Nice run last start when catching the eye and finishing into fourth spot. If you go off his win two starts ago when Beasley made a mid-race move and left them all off the bit, he has to be considered a genuine top three hope off that.
SAYONARA – Continues to run well in this grade and although he has never won at this distance. He has never finished worse than fourth in four attempts. Strong each way play in this field.
FOOTSTEPSONTHECAR – Just the one career win to her name so far. Did trial on Tuesday in preparation for this. Holds a nice record over 2000m with three minor placings from four appearances. Could be value.
RACE 10
BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE – Has a fantastic track and distance record having only run out of the top three once (6:2-2-1). Nunes booked to ride and draws a fabulous gate, looks the pick of the lot on paper.
TRIDENT – Returns here for first up run. Has been a model of consistency so far in his career with five top two finishes in seven starts. Don't underestimate him.
BE YOU – Raced wide after being ridden cold. Despite being caught in a sticky spot, he still rattled home to only be beaten 3.1 lengths. Should be better here with a race under his belt.
FROM THE NAVY – Definitely a horse has proven in class 4 carrying weight, the question is simply whether he'll need a run or not. Top four hope first up.
RACE 11
SILENT IS GOLD – He was certainly the hard luck story last race. Struggled to get clear running and that was his race done. Can atone here with a very light weight.
SUPER SALUTE – Has done nothing wrong so far being a winner of his last three. Draws another great gate but loses usual rider due to low weight.
FAME STAR – Gets in very well at the weights here with the claiming rider on board who has won on him in the past. Should find the top here and be hard to run down, top three hope.
THE AUGUST – Has been there about his last few starts against tougher fields than this. Can run a race here with some luck in the run.
RACE 12
KASSAB – First up winner last preparation over the same track and distance in class 4. Up in grade now but proven fresh, respect.
GOLD TEN SIXTY-ONE – Comes into this with race fitness in the legs. Yet to run over 1000m in Singapore but draws well enough to run a race.
CITY GOLD FORWARD – Ex Aussie galloper who comes to Singapore with some solid overseas form. Question mark around how he will handle his first Singapore race day but if he can find some of that form, he should go close in this.
I AM SACRED – Terrible gate draw this weekend for a horse who likes to lead. Will need to jump well to be in contention but is well weighted with a claiming rider going on board, sneaky each way chance.
