3 minute read

They may have less skin in the game than the owners, trainers and jockeys involved, but bragging rights are well and truly up for grabs for the media experts with two Group races at the 12-card Singapore Derby-Singapore Golden Horseshoe meeting.

But while the $110,000 Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1200m) looks a wide-open affair that is reflected in the selections, Golden Monkey is all but the unanimous top pick in the $400,000 Group 1 Singapore Derby (1800m).

This also gives popular bilingual racing presenter, Raymond Yong, a chance to slam dunk the competition if his standalone top pick in the Singapore Derby – Super Salute – wins the iconic feature race.

"I think he (Super Salute) went too quickly in front in the Stewards' Cup and was vulnerable late," explained Yong.

"(Jockey) Manoel (Nunes) will learn from that and he (Super Salute) can atone in the Derby.

"The obvious danger is Golden Monkey, who won the Stewards' Cup after a change of strategy. He finished that race off strongly, so it seems he will appreciate the extra distance of the Derby."

Super Salute's win would certainly send Yong home happy, with his top pick in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe – Silo – a more popular selection among his colleagues, albeit having to jump from barrier 15.

"Silo won his Restricted Maiden (race) in a decisive manner despite being caught in traffic in the last furlong. He will be hard to beat but Bakeel covered a lot of ground and still won on debut, so he would be the danger."

Collin Fan and Suresh Ragavan agree with Yong on Silo's winning chances in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe, but they will share bragging rights with both pundits on likely favourite Golden Monkey in the Singapore Derby.

"(Jockey) Hugh Bowman will give punters confidence in Golden Monkey," said Fan.

"He (Golden Monkey) won well in the Stewards' Cup but you have to watch out for Super Salute as I think Nunes will optimise his running position early and that could turn the tables.

"For value (bet) in the Derby, I think Elite Legend is fresh enough to run a good race and Silo is the horse to beat in the juvenile race."

Ragavan is bullish on both his top picks, although he conceded that luck will play a part in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe with some of the fancies drawn wide.

"Silo won comfortably at his last start and I like (jockey) Bernardo Pinheiro who retains the ride," said the tipster from across the causeway.

"I expect them to get the job done but the barrier (15) is an issue for him; as well as Bakeel (10) and Pacific Commander (11), so keep Lim's Jinba safe from gate four.

"He was drawn wide last start when he ran third but now he will be wearing blinkers so he could surprise.

"If it all goes to plan early in the Singapore Derby, I expect Golden Monkey to explode to victory with the highly-rated Bowman taking the ride.

"Two horses by I Am Invincible in Super Salute and Invincible Tycoon do pose a threat, but Golden Monkey is hard to beat if he's on song."

Pat Comerford agrees with most on Golden Monkey but stands alone with his pick in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe – Greatham Boy.

"Golden Monkey proved at his last start that he can drop the bit and settle," explained Comerford, who will call the highlight race for the English audience.

"That's a big plus and with one of the classiest riders in the world - Bowman – I think they will go in with full confidence that he (Golden Monkey) sees out the 1800m and he can get the job done.  A raffle for the forecast but Invincible Tycoon will be value as the trip will suit.

"In the Golden Horseshoe, Greatham Boy was very impressive on debut. He comes up in weight (six kilos more) but is back to his own age group. From a middle gate (seven) with a senior rider (Daniel Moor) on board, I think he can go very close."

Kew Yew Teng – who will be calling the Singapore Derby action for the Chinese audience - is also hoping to call Bowman home on Golden Monkey in the Group 1 race, but she will be cheering for Nunes on Bakeel in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe.

"Golden Monkey  showed stronger momentum over 1600m in the Stewards' Cup to finally overpower Super Salute," said Kew, the only female presenter at Kranji.

"I think Cavalry is the danger at value. Despite his limited preparation, his win over 1400m was impressive and the Singapore Derby is where he has his sights set. And trainer – Michael Clements – can win the two-year-old race with Bakeel."

Presenter Scott Bailey agrees with Kew in both races and cannot wait for what looks a huge day of racing.

"Probably the best day of racing we have seen for a long time this weekend," said Bailey, who will be interviewing the winning connections in both the Singapore Derby and the Singapore Golden Horseshoe.

"Golden Monkey looks to be thriving and it was a superb training effort to get him to switch off and run out the strong mile in the Stewards' Cup.

"That gives me confidence that the 1800m won't be an issue and having Bowman on doesn't dampen the confidence levels either.

"The Golden Horseshoe is wide-open on paper with a lot of the fancies drawn wide, but I'm sticking with Bakeel who I had on top at his Restricted Maiden (race) win.

"The stable have an opinion of him and if he lobs a good spot early from gate 10, he should have the turn of foot to get past them."

As for me, I think Cavalry is the wildcard in the Singapore Derby but like most of them, I think Golden Monkey is the horse to be on after the turn of foot he showed in the Stewards' Cup.

And I will stick with two good judges in Bailey and Kew in the Singapore Golden Horseshoe with Bakeel and Nunes staying on the sealer.

Enjoy the day.