MAJESTIC MOMENTS looks the winner at some stage very late (Pic by Singapore)
Racing doesn’t get better than days like this and all eye’s are on the Singapore Turf Club and the running of the 2016 Dester Singapore Gold Cup.
The race has a rich history and no doubt Pat Shaw – who has won the past two Cups – has had a quick glance at the honour board and is aware that he could join the likes of Ivan Allen, Malcolm Thwaites and the Breukelen brothers, who have all three consecutive wins in this race to their name.
Shaw has four runners in this year’s small field including QUECHUA and COOPTADO who won in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Of the two, QUECHUA has the runs on the board this campaign but weight has not be kind to the top-rated horses in this race although the handicapping changes for this race are in his favour.
MAJESTIC MOMENTS and TIME ODYSSEY round out the Shaw quartet and don’t be surprised if 
MAJESTIC MOMENTS looks the winner at some stage very late.
Stephen Gray could be the fly in the Shaw three-peat ointment.
The Kiwi handler has three runners – all near enough on the minimum weight – with the El Dorado winner, BAHANA, his best hope on paper.
Gray has booked Craig Williams for the ride and that could be a winning move.
Enjoy the day and a Dester!
Best Bets: (LIM’S SAMURAI race 9, win), (ARHAT race 6, each-way) and (GOOD NEWS race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 4, 7 and 8), race 9 (8), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 9) and race 11 (1, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 11).
Race cards in Singapore 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 5
Selections; 3 QUEEN ROULETTE – 5 WAIPAKIHI – 1 ASTROJET – 10 CLASSIFIED
A Class 4 over 1200m with a big field but only a few major chances. QUEEN ROULETTE ran on to win a Graduation narrowly last start; she is consistent and should be in the finish. From the same race, WAIPAKIHI, who won one of these three starts back, is in form, well drawn and will be handy throughout with Vlad Duric to ride. ASTROJET is resuming after running a good race in the Dester 3YO Sprint. He can race well fresh and with Craig Williams up should be running on. Of the rest, CLASSIFIED comes off a very good trial so keep safe while the blinkers go on ELUSIVE EMPEROR and his trial was also solid so another to include in exotics.
1 ASTROJET *** Resuming after running a good race in the Dester 3YO Sprint. Can race well fresh and with Craig Williams up should be running on. 5.00
2 ELUSIVE EMPEROR ** Blinkers on and trial was solid. Drops in Grade and should get a good run throughout. 10
3 QUEEN ROULETTE *** Ran on to win Graduation narrowly last start. Progressive and should be in the finish. 5.00
4 THE GREAT GREY * Did not show up when resuming after long break. Best form is over longer. 33
5 WAIPAKIHI *** Won one of these three starts back and form is consistent. Well drawn and will be handy throughout. 4.00
6 WONDERFUL KNIGHT * Resuming. Recent trial was solid and gear comes off. Could show up. 12
7 SHOW FAR SHOW GOOD ** Won twice in NZ up to 1300m. Local trials OK. Gets a claim and could show up. Watch market. 8.00
8 RICH FORTUNE * Best form is on poly but has won a Novice on turf over this trip. 20
9 ZIPPY GENERAL * Won KSD over this trip when resuming. This is harder but has won in the grade and should be running on. 12
10 CLASSIFIED *** Fought on well when resuming on poly and has trialled well since so keep safe. 20
11 LUPITA * Former Kiwi who has not shown up at trials. Watch market. 33
12 NOBLE LIAISON * Won Maiden two starts back over this trip. This is harder and gate no help. 25
13 EXQUISITELY SWEET * Racing soundly but poorly drawn and wants easier. 33
14 DOMINY * Maiden who wants easier. 33
15 WONDERFUL PRINCE * Hasn’t won for a long time. Wants easier. 33
16 LADRONE * Led and just missed in KSD last start. Will find this harder. 20
Race 6
Selections; 3 ARHAT – 1 GURU-GURU – 2 GILT COMPLEX – 4 MAGSTOCK
A Consolation KSC for those who did not have the rating or ability to get in the Gold Cup. ARHAT disappointed in a BM89 over 2000m last start but did have excuses in running. His previous form was strong and he can get in the finish. GURU-GURU has been very consistent and just missed in the El Dorado; he gets a claim for CC Wong and will be hard to hold out. GILT COMPLEX was on his heels in that race when running on nicely and he meets GURU-GURU at the same weights. They could fight out the finish. MAGSTOCK resumed with a solid effort and his recent trial was sound, he has won over 1800m and his breeding suggests this trip may suit; he can also get in the finish. SONG FOR THE MOON ran on from well back to win over 1800m last start and has trialled well since, he shows promise and is bred for this distance.
1 GURU-GURU *** Very consistent and just missed in the El Dorado. Gets a claim and will be hard to hold out. 3.50
2 GILT COMPLEX *** Ran on nicely in the El Dorado and should be in the finish. Meets Guru-Guru at the same weights. 3.50
3 ARHAT *** Disappointed in a BM89 over 2000m last start. Previous form was strong and can get in the finish. 7.00
4 MAGSTOCK *** Resumed with a solid effort and recent trial was solid. Has won over 1800m and breeding suggests this trip may suit. Can get in the finish. 4.50
5 KEEP SPINNING ** Battles away and appreciates solid first up run. 14
6 SONG TO THE MOON ** Ran on from well back to win over 1800m last start and has trialled well since. Shows promise and is bred for this distance. 6.00
7 CITY OF KIRKWALL * Dour and will be running on. 16
8 FELICHE * Argentinean who needs to improve on recent efforts. 25
9 RAMZES * Tested. 50
Race 7
Selections; 1 ELITE EXCALIBUR – 4 GOLDEN SWORD – 5 OPTIMUS – 2 IKING
Another good field for a BM67 over 1400m where the interesting runner is ELITE EXCALIBUR. The 4YO won three times from eight starts in Australia and ran 5th in the Rosehill Guineas and 4th in Australian Guineas, both Group 1 races. He trialled well and should be up to this Grade. GOLDEN SWORD ran on well last start in Class 3 and may be suited by this distance; he will enjoy the company and can get in the finish. OPTIMUS is resuming after winning in Class 4 over 1200m. His recent trial was quiet and he can show up fresh with Craig Williams to ride; watch the market. The one to keep them all honest is IKING. The iron horse is very consistent and with a 2kg claim can be in the finish. Others that could show up in a strong race are DREAMWEAVER and PENTAGON.
1 ELITE EXCALIBUR *** Former Australian who has Group form to his name. Trialled well and should be up to this Grade. 5.00
2 IKING *** Iron horse who is very consistent and with 2kg claim can be in the finish. 5.00
3 BACH’S AIR ** Argentinean whose only Singapore win has been on the polytrack. Recent trial was sound and could show up. 12
4 GOLDEN SWORD *** Ran on well last start in Class 3 can get in the finish stepping up to 1400m. 4.00
5 OPTIMUS *** Resuming after winning in Class 4 over 1200m. Recent trial was quiet. Can show up fresh with Craig Williams to ride. Watch market. 5.00
6 DREAMWEAVER ** In form in Class 4 company. Awkwardly drawn but should be prominent throughout. 12
7 PREDITOR * Former Kiwi who has also raced at Group level back home. Local trial was moderate and should want longer. 20
8 PENTAGON ** Ignore last start and has won at both attempts at this distance the most recent in Graduation company. 12
9 BIT OF A SCHILLER * Won twice at provincial level from 20 starts in Australia and did not show up at Singapore debut. Looks tested in this field. 33
10 ABSOLUTE MIRACLE ** Held up before running on well last start in Class 4. Keep safe. 16
11 ANY RUMOUR * Resuming with tongue-tie off after changing stables. Has been racing on poly and best form is over longer. 33
12 PLATOON * Needs easier. 33
Race 8
Selections; 4 RAFAELLO – 3 GOOD NEWS – 8 HIP HIP HOORAY – 1 WIMBLEDON
The usual suspects will head to the starter for this Kranji Stakes A sprint with trainer Pat Shaw likely to have a big say with RAFAELLO and THE GENERAL both ready to win. The pair are in very solid form and should figure prominently throughout with perhaps RAFAELLO the pick of the two given he looks better suited in this than the Landex Cup. If the track is suiting back-markers (and no reason to think it won’t) GOOD NEWS may get his chance. The 6YO is a dead-set swooper but looks ready to show his best and should be each-way value. HIP HIP HORRAY is the interesting runner. The former Kiwi won well at his Singapore debut and while this is tougher, he should be up to the challenge. The top weight in WIMBLEDON also wins without surprising.
1 WIMBLEDON *** Will be prominent throughout and wins without surprising with winkers off. 6.00
2 FAALTLESS ** Returned to form at two runs this preparation and in this a long way. 6.00
3 GOOD NEWS *** Swooper who will make his presence felt at the business end. 12
4 RAFAELLO *** Solid last start in the Landex Cup and better suited at the weights in this. Can win. 5.00
5 HAPPY MONEY * First up run on Poly was solid but prefer to watch in this field. 50
6 DRAGON FURY ** Honest and a must for exotics but should need longer than this to win. 12
7 THE GENERAL *** Hard to fault honest Poly form and should figure in the finish. 6.00
8 HIP HIP HOORAY *** Won well enough at Singapore debut to think he is up to this Company. 5.00
9 POSEIDON ** Handy enough type resuming but should need longer to show his best. 20
10 KNIGHT WAGER ** Progressive type resuming and pay to keep safe with no weight. 12
11 FLAK JACKET ** Hard to fault his endeavor of late but long time between wins. 12
Race 9
Selections; 8 LIM’S SAMURAI – 2 ROBIN HOOD – 7 KELTIC KARMA – 1 NAZIR
Some very progressive types will head to the start for this BM67 mile which is a must watch affair given a couple of these will be featuring in better races than this in 2017. Case in point is the Japanese 3YO, LIM’S SAMURAI, who looks to know a bit about this racing caper. He did have a crack at Group racing in the 3YO Classic but while failing on that occasion, his two runs this campaign suggests he is worth following. ROBIN HOOD also looks a horse with a bright future. The 5YO had excuses last start (respiratory) so happy to ignore that effort and take on excellent for prior. KELTIC KARMA is another lightly raced 5YO who will win races like this while last start winner NAZIR also wins without surprising. For value keep KATE’S KEEPER honest as his form is better than it reads and this race suits.
1 NAZIR *** Broke through for first win in Singapore last start and well worth following. 5.00
2 ROBIN HOOD *** Excuses when resuming (respiratory) and would give this s hake on best for with blinkers off and tongue-tie on. 8.00
3 STORM TROOPER ** Won at long odds last start and pay to keep safe again with best work expected late. 12
4 KATE’S KEEPER *** Form better than it reads and will play a part late with step up in trip in his favour. 12
5 SUN EMPIRE ** Will race handy and should be thereabouts when the whips are cracking. 33
6 TERMS OF REFERENCE ** Always a show but a better winning option on the Poly. 10
7 KELTIC KARMA *** Very progressive type who will be more than competitive in this Company. 5.00
8 LIM’S SAMURAI *** Another very progressive individual who will win races like this. 4.00
9 MCGREGOR ** Can mix his form but last start Class 4 win was good enough to keep safe. 20
10 LITTLE BIG MAN ** Form better than it reads this campaign and worth a look at each-way odds. 20
11 LIM’S ARCHER * Needs to show more this campaign before considering. 50
12 ELITE BEAST ** Looked solid at Singapore debut and step up to the mile should see improvement. 20
13 SATELLITE PRINCE ** Should need easier to win but will be prominent throughout. 20
Race 10
Selections; 9 BAHANA – 4 MR SPIELBERG – 2 MAJESTIC MOMENTS – 1 QUECHUA
It’s safe to say that trainers Pat Shaw and Stephen Gray will be busy lads on Sunday afternoon with the pair saddling seven of the twelve runners in the Dester Singapore Gold Cup. Shaw is obviously no stranger to having multiple runners in this iconic event and has three Gold Cups on his mantelpiece. QUECHUA won this race last year but has top weight to contend with but the new weight allocation (1kg for 4 points) is in his favour. However, his best hope may be MAJESTIC MOMENTS who is honest as the day is long and looks well placed with 55kg. Gray has BAHANA as his main hope. The canny Kiwi has the 5YO in red-hot form and more importantly gets him in with just 50.5kg with C Williams to ride. LAUGHING GRAVY and MR SPEILBERG two that win without surprising in what looks an intriguing affair.
1 QUECHUA *** Always a tough ask to carry weight in this race but in form and will figure in the winning mix. 8.00
2 MAJESTIC MOMENTS *** Super honest and deserves to win a Group race with 55kg a fair weight. 5.00
3 LAUGHING GRAVY *** QEII winner who will appreciate the step up in trip and should very prominent throughout. 8.00
4 MR SPIELBERG *** More than handy stayer who is in form and looks suited at the handicap conditions. 8.00
5 TITANIUM ** Blinkers to winkers after racing keenly in front last start and looks a good value option from gate 1. 33
6 COOPTADO * Won this race last year but form has been very patchy since so take on trust. 20
7 BLUE SWEDE ** Query at the trip but can run on very strongly when having a good day. 20
8 TIME ODYSSEY ** The fourth of the Pat Shaw runners who is too honest to leave out of calculations. 20
9 BAHANA *** Very progressive stayer who won the El Dorado and looks a live chance in this with no weight. 4.00
10 CHEETAH ON FIRE ** Veteran stayer who will be running on at odds late with blinkers removed for this. 33
11 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON ** Ran on well in the El Dorado and will keep a few honest late. 20
12 NEWLANDS ** Improves for two runs this campaign and another Gray runner that has a say with no weight. 20
Race 11
Selections; 1 ARAMCO – 11 MACARTHUR – 6 MR SCORSESE – 3 GATO NEGRO
A fitting way to finish what should have been a very good weekend of racing in Singapore but a tough one for punters with many winning hopes. Starting at the top, ARAMCO won well at his Singapore debut and looks a horse with a bright future. The 4YO was racing in handy Company in Australia before arriving and connections would be confident of another win in Class 4. But MACARTHUR resuming could be the danger. Now three, MACARTHUR had a very promising 2YO campaign that netted two wins and two solid runs at Group level. That form has held up since and he can be followed. Plenty of others to consider including MR SCORSESE who appreciates his first run back and will win in this Company while BE BOLD, QUICKSILVER and PAPERBACK TROOPER all win without surprising. Keep GATO NEGRO safe as he appreciates the drop to Class 4.
1 ARAMCO *** Won handsomely at Singapore debut and looks better than this Company. 3.00
2 FIRST PRECINCT ** Former Australian whose two career wins were over this trip with market best guide. 20
3 GATO NEGRO *** Significant drop in grade and going well enough to win sooner than later. 12
4 LIM’S KNIGHT ** Did it tough last start and well worth another look in this Company. 12
5 BE BOLD *** Very honest and will play a part in this finish. 12
6 MR SCORSESE *** Slightly disappointing when resuming but appreciates the run and will win in Class 4. 8.00
7 THE JEUNEYMAN ** Just missed last start over 1400m but wide gate may test. 12
8 THUNDER CAT * Yet to win Hard to fault recent form but does look a better option on the Poly. 20
9 QUICKSILVER *** Excuses last start (respiratory) and can win on best form. 12
10 BILLY MOJO ** Will improve with racing and recent trial was good so keep safe. 50
11 MACARTHUR *** Resuming after very good 2YO campaign and must go close. 5.00
12 PAPERBACK TROOPER *** Resuming and did win on debut so worth a look first-up. 12
13 GIORGIO * Did not show up when resuming. 50
14 GENIUS * No. 200
15 PROUD PINOY * Appreciates first-up run but like to see something more before considering. 50
16 O’REILLY BAY * Ran on well when resuming but like to see over longer. 33
