Quechua looks well weighted to give this a bang (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
For some, Sunday’s Longines Singapore Gold Cup meeting is the best weekend’s racing of the year.
Obviously it’s Group 1 status and $1.35 million in prizemoney makes the race itself one not to be missed but it’s more so the history of this iconic event that captures the imagination of the punter and once a year race-goer alike.
And it’s also a great time of the year for trainers Pat Shaw, Laurie Laxon and Hideyuki Takaoka who between them have trained eight of the last 11 winners of the 2200m Classic.
However, with only an emergency runner in BELIEVE YOURSELF in this years edition, Takaoka will struggle to add to his tally but both Shaw and Laxon have four entries apiece and will have a big say come Sunday evening.
Laxon’s best hope looks the Kranji Mile and Raffles Cup winner in STEPITUP but the little champ has a big weight to carry and may be tested.
Shaw on the others hand has four horses bang in form – QUECHUA, PERFECT P, EMPEROR’S BANQUET and COOPTADO – and all look well weighted to give this a shake.
Plenty of other trainers can also have a say including local Leslie Khoo who saddles the nominal favourite in FASTNET DRAGON and Mark Walker who has Eldorado Classic winner, SEBROSE.
May the best man win.
Sunday 15 November
Best Bets: (EXCELLENT ONE race 7, win), (LAKE HUKA race 11, win) and (ORDER OF THE SUN race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 7, 10, 12 and 13), race 9 (2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10), race 10 (2, 3, 12 and 15), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 11).
Race cards and Larry Foley’s synopsis follows and for updates on all runners go to www.kranjiracing.com
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 7
Selections; 9 EXCELLENT ONE – 10 MARK ECLIPSE – 12 PEER GYNT – 3 STICK SEEKER
A tough Novice over 1200m. EXCELLENT ONE is racing well in much better company and with Manoel Nunes from a reasonable gate should be hard to beat. MARK ECLIPSE showed speed to win in Maiden company last start and should be hard to run down. CUARON is resuming after placing in this company at last start and should be handy throughout. Of the others, STICK SEEKER showed plenty of fight to break through last start, PEER GYNT was run down in this company last outing after a good Maiden win on the poly, MURRAYFIELD ran on to win over 1400m and whilst ELISE is green he has ability and can show up. But EXCELLENT ONE looks one of the better winning options on the day.
1 CUARON *** Resuming. Placed in this company at last start. Should be handy throughout. 7.00
2 NOMERCY * Won a weak race over 1150m in NZ from four starts and has shown nothing at trials. 33
3 STICK SEEKER *** Resumed with a gutsy effort to narrowly win an Initiation. Should be on the speed throughout. 7.00
4 MORALES * Resuming. Showed promise earlier but may need the run. 20
5 KIRKUS * Has been battling away but only win was on poly and not in well at the weights here. 20
6 NUMERO UNO * Still a Maiden and can find easier. 33
7 SATCHMO * Shows some promise but still a Maiden and can find easier. 25
8 DASHING * Needs to improve. 50
9 EXCELLENT ONE *** Racing well in much better company and should be hard to beat. 3.50
10 MARK ECLIPSE *** Showed speed to win in Maiden company and should be hard to run down. 5.50
11 MURRAYFIELD ** Broke through with solid win over 1400m last start. Poorly drawn but should be running on late. 12
12 PEER GYNT *** Run down in this company last start after good Maiden poly win. Likes to lead and gate no help. 12
13 ELISE ** Was green but ran on well to win narrowly last start. Should continue to improve. 10
14 BIG MAN * Resuming. Showed plenty of ability at earlier preparation but recent trials ordinary. Watch market. 16
Race 8
Selections; 7 NOVA WARRIOR – 2 LIM’S RALLY – 10 RAFAELLO – 13 RUN IT TWICE
Another great race on arguably Singapore’s best day of racing and again it will pay to look at some very progressive types who look set for bigger victories than Class 3. Case in point is NOVA WARRIOR who has burst on the racing scene winning three from his first five starts. His last win was very strong and while up in Class here, that form should see him prove hard to beat. LIM’S RALLY also looks very well placed to knock in another win. The 4YO has already won twice over 1400m and given a terrific first up run over 1200m in good company, he is right in winning calculations. You can make a case for most others but down in the weights, RAFAELLO and RUN IT TWICE both look like going through the grades and both come into this race with strong performances in BM83 company. Keep POSEIDON safe and go even wider again in exotics.
1 HIGH BLADE * Improves for Singapore debut effort but like to see support before considering. 50
2 LIM’S RALLY *** First-up run a beauty and hard to beat stepping up to 1400m. 5.00
3 TURQUOISE KING ** Former Australian who has been solid at the trials and worth thought at local debut. 33
4 MAC VOLKS ** Usually seen over shorter on the Poly but honest and could run a cheeky race at odds. 33
5 ROOM FOR EXCUSE ** Just fair last start but happy to forgive and take on honest form. 12
6 LEE BANK ** Improved effort at long odds last start and pay to keep safe. 20
7 NOVA WARRIOR *** Very progressive type who won too well last start not to be a big show here. 4.00
8 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK ** Showed last start he handles the turf and will figure somewhere late. 12
9 MY BROTHERS KEEPER ** Supported and had excuses in similar affair last start and must be considered here. 12
10 RAFAELLO *** Almost pinched on in very good company last start over the mile and hard to beat on that run. 5.00
11 RUSTY BROWN ** Last run better than the result and could be a good each-way option at odds. 33
12 POSEIDON *** Foot on the till and another that plays a part in this finish on recent form. 9.00
13 RUN IT TWICE *** Another progressive type who just missed in better company last start and looks a leading hope. 8.00
Race 9
Selections; 2 IDEAL GUIDE – 3 POWER PLAY – 6 ODE TO JOY – 10 NEWLANDS
As we start counting down the minutes towards the Longines Gold Cup, another race with numerous chances and good luck if you can find the winner. As it stands IDEAL GUIDE is due and will find this easier than recent outings. In fact his recent placings behind PERFECT P and KNIGHT WAGER will more than hold up here and he could be hard to beat with any luck in running. POWER PLAY looks to have got his act together in Singapore and might be the testing material. The former Argentinean took a few sighters before getting up to the right distance and connections must have been eyeing a sneaky start in the Gold Cup. But he fell a win short and while back in trip today, he has been freshened by a couple of nice trials and can win. You can also make a winning case for the in-form ODE TO JOY, ROCKFAST, LAUGHING GRAVY and NEWLANDS just to name another four.
1 EMPRESS WU ** Solid effort when resuming from a bleeding attack and mile suits. Value. 33
2 IDEAL GUIDE *** In terrific form and can get a much deserved result over his most recent winning trip. 8.00
3 POWER PLAY *** Smart type freshened by recent trials and can show up dropping back to the mile. 5.00
4 WAR TIME ** Not a mile away last start over 2000m but need to be on his toes early. 50
5 ZULULAND ** Looks very well placed to show his best but lack of winning form remains a concern. 5.00
6 ODE TO JOY *** In form and the mile in this company looks his caper. Can win. 12
7 ANY RUMOUR ** Took a campaign in Class 4 to win again but always competitive. 16
8 ROCKFAST *** Excuses not to finish closer last start in similar affair and might be value. 10
9 LAUGHING GRAVY *** Never left the gates last start but goes OK when he does. Keep safe. 12
10 NEWLANDS *** Very progressive type who should figure somewhere in this finish. 7.00
11 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT * Competitive but this race looks tough and only wins have been on the Poly. 33
12 INVICTUS ** Better than what he showed last start and can include in exotics for value. 20
13 DRAGON G ** Competitive on his day and another that could be value in a race with depth. 12
14 HEE’S A MAVERICK ** Progressive type facing biggest test to date but pay to keep safe. 12
15 BLADEMEISTER * Needs easier. 200
Race 10
Selections; 3 FASTNET DRAGON – 2 QUECHUA – 12 PERFECT P – 15 SEBROSE
Crazy as it may seem, the “little bulldog” that is STEPITUP doesn’t get a run in our top four selections. Yes, we will be cheering him on as he attempts to become the first horse to win the Singapore Triple Crown, but 58kg looks too big an ask especially given all bar QUECHUA (55kg), carry the minimum. And the weight pull looks ideal for a horse like FASTNET DRAGON who has fought it out with the best of them at set-weights previously. The 5YO will most likely lead them up and will give them all something to pass with just 50kg and the experienced Alan Munro to carry. But QUECHUA won this race last year and also has the Derby on his CV so 55kg looks doable although the wide gate is some concern. His stablemate’s PERFECT P, EMPEROR’s BANQUET and even COOPTADO are also all in the mix and hard to fault Pat Shaw’s form in this and other big races. SEBROSE and ORDER OF THE SUN just two more that can win and expect a very busy finish.
1 STEPITUP *** In career best form but facing a huge test giving weight to all and sundry. 12
2 QUECHUA *** Draw a concern but impossible to fault form and 55kg looks a winnable weight. 6.00
3 FASTNET DRAGON *** Shown he can match it with the best and will be extremely hard to run down with 50kg. 4.00
4 WILD GEESE ** Underrated and could run into the places at odds with blinkers removed. 33
5 EMPEROR’S BANQUET *** Ran second in this race last year and gets to carry the same weight so in the mix. 12
6 CHEETAH ON FIRE ** Just fair last start but placed in this race last year and will be thereabouts if on-song. 33
7 COOPTADO ** Solid since arriving and gets blinkers to find the length or two needed at this level. 20
8 VALBUENA * Gets a tongue-tie after struggling at his last two so take on trust. 33
9 HUGHSY ** Gives the impression he has been set for this race and will be working home late. 20
10 BLUE DANUBE ** Won two starts back over 2000m before solid hit out over the mile. Keep safe. 12
11 MARTIN * Hard to have on recent form. 100
12 PERFECT P *** Biggest test to date but hard to fault form and trainer knows how to win this race. 7.00
13 TWICKENHAM * Blinkers back on but yet to win past 1800m and could be tested. 33
14 ORDER OF THE SUN *** Yet to win in Singapore but will be prominent throughout and could surprise. 10
15 SEBROSE *** Burst into calculations with a strong El Dorado win and that form has to be respected. 7.00
16 TROPAIOS * Blinkers on. Has a terrific record in this race but no form in-between. 200
17 A LA VICTORY ** Tested at the trip but hard to fault honest form and can include in exotics. 20
18 BELIEVE YOURSELF ** Query over this trip but trainers knows a bit about the staying caper. 33
19 IMPERIAL MARCH * Disappointing in the Raffles Cup and have to take on trust. 100
20 MR SPIELBERG ** Out-and-out stayer who would have kept a few honest if he got a start. Next year. 33
Race 11
Selections; 2 LAKE HUKA – 3 LIM’S BULLET – 7 MANGATOETOENUI – 1 ASPEN
We can only hope we have had a few wins on what is a notoriously tough day for punters as the lucky last gives us no respite with at least seven horses with genuine winning hopes. And with the mantra of “winning form is good form” ringing loudly, four last start winners in LAKE HUKA, LIM’S BULLET, MANGATOETOENUI and BAHANA all come under serious consideration. It will be interesting to see what the tote tells us but LAKE HUKA won too well last start not to be the one to beat. The 4YO had excuses in running and was green so he should improve again which is ominous for his opposition. But you can make a similar case for the others and LIM’S BULLET does look a very progressive type and like MANGATOETOENUI, is gunning for a hat trick of wins. For value look at ASPEN down in grade, NORTH ATLANTIC ICE and SILVER STAR.
1 ASPEN *** Ignore poor recent form as this company and trip suits. Value. 33
2 LAKE HUKA *** Coming off a strong win and still looks to have some upside. Hard to beat. 3.00
3 LIM’S BULLET *** Very progressive 4YO who will go through the grades. Big show. 3.50
4 SILVER STAR *** Just missed behind Lim’s Bullet last start when blinkers added and has to be respected. 8.00
5 THE GREAT GREY * Resuming and have to take on trust. 33
6 HORSE WARRIOR ** Drawn awkwardly but showed last start how well he goes when right. 20
7 MANGATOETOENUI *** Another progressive type who could be worth following through the grades. 8.00
8 NATION THEATRE ** Always thereabouts and will add value to exotics. 33
9 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE *** Excuses last start in similar affair not to finish closer and looks a solid each-way option. 16
10 FREE HAPPY ** Usually in the mix but wont win out of turn. 16
11 BAHANA *** Draw badly but maiden win this trip was very good and another to follow. 16
12 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Will be doing best work late at long odds. 33
13 SOCOTRA * Former Australian who may need the run. 50
14 TERMS OF REFERENCE ** Resuming after breaking maiden status in August and trials suggest he is ready. 20
15 ZHUHAI * Blinkers off but no. 200
16 POLE PARADISE ** Could run a very cheek race at odds. 20
