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Singapore racing best bets, race analysis looking at the full Singapore card Sunday, 20th August with selections & information on all the contenders.
RACE 1
SUN RECTITUDE – Drops back into class five for the first time since his last win back in April where he won over this distance. Showed speed that day and should adopt similar tactics in this. Right in this.
BINGO MASTER – Just nailed on the line last start behind King's Gambit in this grade. Looking for redemption and with Woodworth on can be amongst the numbers.
THE WILD PRINCE – Probably better suited to the Polytrack surface but has recorded a victory and a few placings on this surface. From a wide draw if he pushes forward and gets there easy could give them something to catch.
GALAXY STAR – Failed to fire in his last few attempts at this grade and just struggled to gun down the winners. Working his way down the ratings and in so will be carrying a lighter weight.
RACE 2
GEOBELS GLORY – Fifth on debut over the same track and distance and was only beaten 2.7 lengths. Has since returned to the trials and won amongst a heat of class 4 and above runners, could surprise here.
LAST SUPPER – Trained and owned by James Peters, this son of Grunt has been impressive enough without blowing anyone away. Has recorded wins in his two trials to date under Vlad Duric and this weekend's race will give us a real guide on his abilities, keep safe.
EMPOWERING – The Takaoka yard have this son of US Navy Flag step out this weekend for his debut run in Singapore. He is certainly bred on his father side to run a strong 1200m, hopefully we can see him put on a show and back up his two nice lead up wins at the trials.
BIG MAX – Draws a middle alley heading into this weekend's race with Pinheiro to ride. Lead them up in the G3 last start, this looks an easier task.
RACE 3
GRAND SUPREME – Holds superior form lines to anything else here racing against much stronger company his last start, hard to beat here with any luck under Manoel Nunes.
LIM'S FUJI – Speedy type who returns to the races for the first time this year. Looks the main threat to Grand Supreme and has the speed to lead and win over 1000m.
SMART ERA – Debuted in a very strong RM race that was taken out of the G3 Golden Horseshoe winner in Greatham Boy. Has been back to the trials, this looks a much easier task, each way.
MAGIC MASTER – Caught the eye in a couple trials which ended up being run in okay time. May need the run on debut, but a top four finish wouldn't shock.
RACE 4
ALWAYS INNOCENT – After a narrow loss to Sirius under the guidance of Manoel Nunes, he comes into this event with a nice weight swing and can win, big chance with the leading rider in the saddle again.
SIRIUS – Carried 53.5kg to win last start and will cop 57kg this weekend. Could be slightly up against it at the weight but the win deserves enough respect to be considered a winning hope.
HAPPY FRIDAY – On the quick back up this weekend after a fair performance on Sunday. Should enjoy division 2 company and 1100m, respect.
KISS YOUR SONG – Wasn't too far behind the Sirius and his stablemate Always Innocent last start, can repeat and fill the minors.
RACE 5
TOP FIELD – Narrowly beaten his last two starts and with a feather weight he is surely going to win one soon. Nothing else has form like his that jumps off the page and as a result he must be the top selection and horse to beat.
CITY GOLD FRIEND – Led them up last start over the same trip and faded to run third once again. Hasn't missed the placings for a while, should be around the mark again.
BINTANG SIXTY-ONE – Coming through the same race as City Gold Friend where he had some excuses due to the position in running. The wide draw made it tough for him last start, can atone.
LIEBESTRAUM – Crowded late in the final stages and went down a narrow margin. Would have loved to see him over 2000m again but he drops to non-winners company and a mile here, place hope.
RACE 6
MAXIMA – Former Hong Kong trained galloper on debut here in Singapore. Didn't set the world on fire but did look to handle the all-weather track at Sha Tin and his trial leading into this was quite sharp. Will be aided by the inside barrier.
GRAND AVANTE – Just the two minor placings in his career thus far and brings good form from the Bestseller race two runs ago. This isn't an overly strong field and prepared by the strong Meagher camp.
PRESTIGE STAR – Drawn wide this weekend after a brave run where he looked the winner turning for home but couldn't run down Renzo. If he gets in from the wide draw, he stands a chance.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS – Some of his best performances have come at this course and distance in the past. If they go hard up in front early, he can motor home with his turn of foot.
RACE 7
CONDOR – Last start was wide without cover and in an impossible position to improve. Debut run was solid behind now G3 winner, Greatham Boy. Race day experience should take him a long way in this if he can overcome the wide alley this weekend.
TOH GUAN TREASURE – Brave on the inside of May a fortnight ago to only just go down a short margin. He must translate that form to turf, but he will be in a forward position and that should take him a long way.
ERUPTION – Has had four lead up trials to this weekend's debut run. Stable and connections have taken their time with him, should be forward enough to be competitive here from a nice gate.
HASTEN – Recent trial win was conducted in okay time. Debut trial was the one where he impressed. Can't see him winning, but certainly capable of a top three or four finish.
RACE 8
GOLD KINGDOM – Back to winning ways last start in his usual fashion coming from behind. Has since had a quiet trial in lead up for this and gets CC Wong in the saddle.
LION SPIRIT – He holds a very strong record at this distance including a record that reads (20:4-3-2). Wasn't able to get near Gold Kingdom last start but must be included.
NINESIXTHREETHREE – Sits five points higher than his last win and draws comfortably in barrier four. Will carry no weight after the claim for apprentice K. Faiz.
SAYONARA – Form has dropped off in his last few attempts but in a race of this depth his best can see him figure in the multiples. Has won once before over this course and trip.
RACE 9
FIRST BOWL – On the quick back up here in class 5 after a below par return run. Despite market support, he was behind the eight ball all race after being slow away. Out to 1100m will be a plus, winning hope.
DOC HUDSON – 1100m has been the most successful distance for this horse, big chance of running a race here in his second run back at class 5, top three contender.
CLONE MAN – Comes into this event after quite a few unsuccessful attempts in class 4. Drops in grade but will need to lift off those last couple of runs, keep safe.
CAPTAIN SINGAPORE – Closed of late as usual to run a narrow placing behind Elliot Ness. That is strong enough form to figure here, a must for exotics.
RACE 10
BLUE IDOL – Has been racing very consistently in his last two starts including a second placing behind Exceed Natural. He draws a much better than the horse that beat him last start and aided by a 4kg claim.
EXCEED NATURAL – Great turn of foot to score his first win for a while with an enormous turn of foot over the final stages. Rises in weight and will need luck from the wide draw.
SAND BOX – Makes his class five debut after some good and bad runs since he won his maiden back in November of last year. Watch for any market moves.
MYSTERY POWER – Racing off this mark for some time. Finds it very hard to win but if you are looking for one to put in the exotics, he could be the value play.
RACE 11
ELITE LEGEND – Dropping back sharply after finishing down the field in the G1 Singapore Derby. Looked sharp in trackwork and with Nunes on from barrier three looks a big threat.
LUCKY HERO – Not the most ideal draw in barrier 13 and will have to settle back from there. Looked strong in a trial where they clocked 60.56. Will need luck early but looks a player.
SEE YAH – This galloper is airborne now from a stable that is in hot form. Should spear across and take up the early running. Will look a danger upon turning for home.
DANCING SUPREMO – Duric has been booked to ride here second up after an honest performance behind City Gold Star. Watch for any market support in this.
RACE 12
BRANSOM – Up and coming sprinter who continues to improve with racing. Draws the gun here in barrier four and will carry 56.5kgs after Yusoff's claim. Looks the one to beat.
KASSAB – Looked the winner when first up last start but had to settle for a minor placing. He has only missed one top four placing from six starts at this track and distance.
ROCKETSHIP – Draws well to get a run up on the speed without having to do too much work. If she is at her peak her ability is more than capable of taking this out.
DIAZ – He has held his own in this grade since winning his maiden a few starts ago. This is a tough race but with a good run in transit could fill a minor spot.
