Singapore Racing – Today

Affleck (Danny Beasley) strides away to an impressive win on Sunday. Picture Singapore Turf Club.20/04/14

A very solid Friday night card headlined by the Premier Racing Partnerships Stakes Open for three-year-olds, the first leg of the More Magic 3YO Championships (race 7).

It is a small field but given it’s headed by AFFLECK, it is quality. The winner of the Group 3 Juvenile Championship at his last start, AFFLECK has claims to be the best young horse in Singapore and has been touted as just that by his trainer, Laurie Laxon, before he even started.

And the affable Kiwi is a good judge with the Battle Paint gelding winning three from four career starts and losing no friends when lowering his colours to his speedy stable-mate, KIWI KARMA in the Golden Horseshoe.

The flying filly isn’t in this field but CASTOR – who finished third in both the Golden Horseshoe and Juvenile Championship – keeps AFFLECK honest and looks the benchmark for the chasing pack.

SUPER WINNER is the one that might get punter support on his dominate debut victory but obviously he meets a group winner in AFFLECK at equal weights, so this is a huge test. Elsewhere on the card, a couple of smart types in WIMBLEDON and A LA VICTORY look well-placed to continue their winning ways in race four and five respectively and likewise, SNITZEL SPIRIT in the last could prove hard to beat on what he showed breaking his maiden status at career start two.

Best Bets; (WIMBLEDON race 4, win), (A LA VICTORY race 5, win) and (BREAKING VAULTS race 1, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 6, 8 and 11), race 7 (1), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12).

Race 1

Selections; 1 BREAKING VAULTS – 3 WEOWNA FLYER – 8 SILENT POWER – 11 HONKYTONK MAN
Ugly opener to the nine race card and the tote may be a good guide to see if a horse like BREAKING FAULTS can improve dropping to Class 5. Obviously the company will see some improvement, as will a tongue-tie and the step up to a suitable trip. Corey Brown – who won on him back in February – is also a positive and he could win with stable support. There doesn’t look a lot to beat with the usual suspects in WEOWNA FLYER and SILENT POWER in the mix although both were distanced when finishing in second and third places respectively at their last starts. Throw in HONKYTONK MAN after he backed up his best run with a solid trial and the two Gray-trained emergencies with BANKERS CALL the pick if he gets a start.

1 BREAKING VAULTS *** Tongue-tie on. Form looks ordinary but trip and drop to Class 5 in his favour. 5.00
2 SHABBAT ** Maiden but not far away last start and handles the turf. Each-way. 6.50
3 WEOWNA FLYER *** Well-beaten into second last start but is due and right in this with gate 1 a bonus. 4.00
4 BB SAKURA * Could run a cheeky race with Zaki up but impossible on form. 33
5 YUGIOH ** Form reads badly but home OK last start and breeding suggests this trip suits. Improves. 20
6 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * Placed four starts back but nothing since. 20
7 NOVEMBER SUCCESS * Wait a couple of months. 50
8 SILENT POWER *** Showed last couple he enjoys the company of Munro and pay to follow. 5.00
9 WINNING SUCCESS ** Form reads badly but can run a cheeky race from inside gate. 12
10 FANTASTIC BOY * Struggles on the turf as a rule. 33
11 HONKYTONK MAN *** Coming off career best run and solid recent trial so worth though with winkers added. 10
12 DOUBLE HOCK ** Long-term maiden who is usually in the exotic mix. 8.00
13 LORD GRANTHAM ** Not a mile away last start and can include in exotics on that effort. 12
14 BANKERS CALL *** Looks due to win a race like this and pay to keep safe if he gets a start. 6.00

Race 2

Selections; 8 SUPER JOY – 5 JUBILATION – 9 SUPER JOE – 4 EN LAUDER
While there are plenty of horses that improve with race experience that should also enjoy the 1400m, three horses – JUBILATION, SUPER JOY and SUPER JOE – have their foot well and truly on the till and will dominate proceedings. While all three could have won at their respective last starts, the fact SUPER JOY will race on the pace is definitely in his favour on the E Course (short). His form is excellent and from gate 7 with tongue-tie added, Nunes should try to dictate terms out front and the pair will be hard to pass. But SUPER JOE gets blinkers and after just missing last start (where he protested unsuccessfully against the winner), he gets his chance with Juglall from gate 2. The horse that should be finishing all over the top of them is JUBILATION and hopefully he is close enough when he starts his run to play a significant part late. EN LAUDER, BIMALA, SKY ELEVEN and TOMORROW’S GOLD all in the mix.

1 SOON N LEONG * Will improve with race experience. 100
2 TOMORROW’S GOLD *** Raced on pace with blinkers added last start and in this a long way. 12
3 BOB ** Battled on OK last start and forward showing expected. 18
4 EN LAUDER *** Blinkers on. Tongue-tie off. Battled on well on debut and improves over 1400m. Value 33
5 JUBILATION *** Looked a good thing beaten last start and can make amends if handy when it counts. 3.00
6 SKY ELEVEN *** Very green but looks to have some ability so keep safe with blinkers added. 20
7 BIMALA *** Improves on what was a very solid debut so right in this. 12
8 SUPER JOY *** Just missed last couple and in hard to pass in this with tongue-tie added. 3.00
9 SUPER JOE *** Blinkers added after being unlucky not to win last start and can make amends. 4.00
10 BRING MONEY HOME * Improves with racing and 1400m wont hurt. 33
11 SUPER FIVE * Freshened after showing little on debut. 100
12 SECRET SPICE ** Resumed with solid run and will improve for the effort. 33
13 ENTIRELY POSSIBLE * No. 100
14 ROYAL FLUSH * No. 100

Race 3

Selections; 3 RUAPEHU – 5 TERMINATOR – 8 NATION THEATRE – 10 MAJESTIC MOMENTS
Again, with on-pace runners likely to be very hard to pass on the Short Course E, the selections do weigh in favour on those who will be more than handy leading into the straight. RUAPEHU will figure prominently early and given his run of form, late as well. The 4YO hasn’t finished further back than second at six career starts and John Powell will make sure he gets every chance and is the one to pass late. TERMINATOR hasn’t got the recent runs on the board but is more than capable of a very forward run with winkers off. Dan Beasley rides and the 6YO is the type to keep safe in what is a race with depth. Of the others likely to be handy throughout, NATION THEATRE returned to racing with a solid run and should give a sight with last start winner, MAJESTIC MOMENTS, worth following with blinkers added to his gear for the first time. Keep most others involved in what is a tough race.

1 SMART IDEA *** In-form and looks very well placed this company with 2kg claim. 6.00
2 PANAMA CITY ** First-up after ambitious Derby run and does know how to win so keep safe. 20
3 RUAPEHU *** Well beaten into second last start but hard to fault form and right in this. 4.00
4 SHIPPING FORECAST *** Pay to ignore last start when never involved and take on previous good form. 12
5 TERMINATOR *** Winkers off. Form reads only fair but can run a very forward race when on song. 12
6 POLE PARADISE ** Improves with Singapore debut run under his belt and tongue-tie added. 20
7 PRINCE MAG ** Back in trip but fresh enough and form good enough to keep safe. 8.00
8 NATION THEATRE *** Returned to racing in solid form and pay to follow. 12
9 ALADDIN ** Fresh after a poor run over the mile and can show more over 1400m. 20
10 MAJESTIC MOMENTS *** Backed up KSD win with a nice trial with blinkers added and will be more than competitive. 4.50
11 CITY OF KIRKWALL *** Last run better than the result and can show his best with blinkers off. 8.00

Race 4

Selections; 2 WIMBLEDON – 1 AMAZEALOT – 5 INFERMO – 3 GOLDEN RABBIT
An interesting KSD Poly sprint with four horses coming into this with winning runs under their belts and one or two others that look ready to show their best. Of the last start winners, WIMBLEDON won well enough last start when blinkers were added to think he can win again. He got into a bit of trouble that day (very keen and saddle slipped) so the tongue-toe goes on and a very forward showing with a nice recent trial under his belt is expected. AMAZEALOT also comes into this with a win in a similar race and looks well-placed with an MM Firdaus 3kg claim. A handy gate suggests he also figures prominently throughout and a win would not surprise. INFERMO is the other last start winner worth following and although his victory was in Class 5, it was when blinkers were added and he should be up to this company. GOLDEN RABBIT is one that wins on his day and although disappointing since dropping down a grade or two, a recent trial suggests we keep him safe.

1 AMAZEALOT *** Won last start in similar affair and well placed with 3kg claim. 3.50
2 WIMBLEDON *** Tongue-tie added after a good maiden win and recent trial suggests he goes close again. 2.40
3 GOLDEN RABBIT *** Freshened by a good hit-out at recent trial and would win this on his day. 12
4 TROPICAL FOREST ** Can find trouble but keeps a few honest late. 12
5 INFERMO *** Backed up good blinker trial with a nice Class 5 win with support and happy to follow. 6.00
6 RICHEAST * Pulled up lame last start and might be better suited Class 5. 33
7 GOOD SCORE ** Goes very fast early and might give a sight from the ace. 12
8 VIRGIN GALACTIC * Won a weak maiden two starts back and needs easier than this. 33
9 STATE TROOPER * Won two of last four – one in this company – but wide gate suggests another day. 33
10 SINGLE STAR ** Going OK with support in Class 5 and might need similar to show his best. 20
11 BLUE LAGOON * Another with solid Class 5 field and prefer there. 33
12 ACE RICH * No. 200
13 THREE KINGS * Fresh but this is too short. 200

Race 5

Selections; 1 A LA VICTORY – 7 LESOTHO PROMISE – 8 BRANKSOME – 10 RETROSPECT
Another tough race for punters with a likely short-priced favourite in A LA VICTORY up against some in-form types that keep him more than honest. But as it stands, A LA VICTORY won too well at his race debut not to think he is a horse to follow. The 3YO had Moreira on that occasion but S Noh is the in-form apprentice and he could very well improve again stepping up in trip with experience under his belt. The only other horse with winning form coming into this is RETROSPECT and given that was in this company he has to be respected with gate 3 a factor. Of the rest, LESOTO PROMISE and BRANKSOME both look well-placed in this race/company to show their best with BLACK SNOW, ALL MY WAY and ZAC SEDUCTION all in the mix.

1 A LA VICTORY *** Spanked them on debut and hard to beat with 1400m no issue. 2.50
2 BLACK SNOW *** Showed last start he more than handles the turf and right in this. 5.00
3 STAGE BRIGHT ** Resuming and worth a tote watch on form from last campaign. 20
4 ALL MY WAY *** Coming off a solid placing but excellent win three back the run that has him under notice. 8.00
5 ADRENALINE ** Big run at odds last start suggests he is worth more than a casual look. 20
6 YOURSTOKEEP * Disappointing when blinkers added last start but capable of a cheeky run on his day. 100
7 LESOTHO PROMISE *** Excuses not to be right in the finish last start and gives this a shake. 10
8 BRANKSOME *** Shown more than enough at three starts to think he has plenty to offer and 1400m a good move. Value. 20
9 MIAGRACE ** Very much appreciates what looked a solid Singapore debut and can include in exotics. 20
10 RETROSPECT *** Won similar affair last start and has to be a huge show. 7.00
11 ZAC SEDUCTION *** Resumed with good run and happy to think he goes close in what is a suitable race. 12
12 FISCAL WINGS ** Last run better than the result and another to keep safe at odds in exotics. 33
13 DESTINY GENERAL * Coming off his best result but should need easier than this. 33

Race 6

Selections; 6 HAPPY MONEY – 1 GATO NEGRO – 11 DUTY FREE – 8 FLYING ZERO
The Poly dashes always make for good punting races and this should be no exception. A few stand out as genuine winning hopes though with GATO NEGRO, HAPPY MONEY and FLYING ZERO all likely to have supporters. Oscar Chavez goes on-board GATO NEGRO and after winning two from his last three – his most recent in a similar race to this – he picks himself. Gate 3 suggests he has no excuse although his best work will be late. HAPPY MONEY might be the testing material with Dan Beasley up. The 4YO has won three and been placed four times from nine career starts and with excuses not to be in the mix at his last start, he goes mighty close in what should be a very suitable race. Of the rest, FLYING ZERO is up in grade but bang in form so must be a show and one at value to keep safe is DUTY FREE who put in an eye-catching trial last week. The second emergency, APPRECIATION, is a huge show if he gets a start as he gets back onto the Poly.

1 GATO NEGRO *** Won well similar affair last start and have to follow. 3.00
2 CORONET PEAK ** Mixing his form of late and have to take on trust. 12
3 HONEST TRUTH ** Excuses last start and should strip fitter for two runs this campaign so keep safe. 8.00
4 CONGO ZANDOR * No. 100
5 SECRET MISSION ** Resuming and recent trials suggests he can show something firstup on his preferred surface. 12
6 HAPPY MONEY *** Excuses last start and happy to think he plays a big part in this on previous good form. 5.00
7 LISTEN * Will improve on first-up run but might need longer with tongue-tie off. 33
8 FLYING ZERO *** Up in grade and back in trip after last start win but form too good to leave out. 4.00
9 CODIGO ** In solid form and often gets out to value so pay to include somewhere. 12
10 SUPERB SUCCESS * Not at his best this campaign. 50
11 DUTY FREE *** Form reads badly but recent trial suggests he might be ready to show his best late at odds. 33
12 MAC VOLKS ** Won well in KSD company and gets the ace but need to be at his best in this company. 20
13 WARPATH * Improved effort last start but this should be too short. 50
14 APPRECIATION *** Ignore last start failure on the turf as the Poly is his caper. Big show. 5.00

Race 7

Selections; 1 AFFLECK – 3 SUPER WINNER – 2 CASTOR – 4 LUCKY GIANT
Without putting a damper on the feature of the day, AFFLECK starts at the minimum quote and impossible to see anything that beats him. Fresh from what was a very dominate win in the Group 3 Juvenile Championship, AFFLECK looks heads-and-shoulders above most horses in his age group and should win. While CASTOR kept the winners honest in the Golden Horseshoe and the Juvenile Championship, he would need to improve lengths to beat AFFLECK so it left to SUPER WINNER to offer any intrigue to this race. The son of Kaphero bolted in on debut and that effort will ensure he has admirers but the obvious query is the company he meets today. LUCKY GIANT keeps the exotics honest but that’s about all.

1 AFFLECK *** Freshened after winning the Juvenile Championship and extremely hard to beat. 1.20
2 CASTOR ** Placed in both 2YO Group races and keeps the favourite honest again. 6.00
3 SUPER WINNER ** Won very handsomely on debut and has to be considered although this company a test. 5.00
4 LUCKY GIANT ** Won at only turf start and should be competitive. 20
5 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE * Resuming with blinkers but had to have to have on race form. 100
6 XZUBERANCE * Struggled at three starts. 50
7 RUBICON * Impossible on trial form. 100

Race 8

Selections; 1 RUSTY BROWN – 2 ZAC HEAVEN – 3 FABER HEIGHTS – 5 TRECRATIC
RUSTY BROWN has been disappointing not to have won in 2014 but looks extremely well-placed in KSD company to make amends for supporters with 1400m ideal. The 4YO looked better than Class 4 after winning two from his first five starts but seven runs without a victory is certainly a concern. But after a solid first-up run he gets his chance in what has to be winning company and a red-hot claimer is S Noh could be what he needs. The trouble is for punters nothing else jumps off the page so he will be short which is an issue. However, if you don’t like RUSTY BROWN, you will get value as the race has depth with plenty of improvers. From the top, ZAC HEAVEN leads and will be hard to pass, FABER HEIGHTS gets blinkers for the first-time as does the maiden TRECRATIC with BEAUTY ADMIRE, HONGCHEN and GRAND VITESS all in the winning mix.

1 RUSTY BROWN *** Appreciates first-up run, slight gear change, and easier company. Hard to beat. 2.50
2 ZAC HEAVEN *** Will lead and it may be a case of whoever passes him late wins. 5.00
3 FABER HEIGHTS *** Blinkers on and could show up given last run a lot better than the result. Value. 20
4 FAT BOBO * Hard to have on form but capable on his day. 100
5 TRECRATIC *** Maiden who gets blinkers after what was a solid Singapore debut. Keep safe. 16
6 HAKAMGONG ** Form better than it reads and only win was on turf at 1400m. 33
7 BEAUTY ADMIRE *** Maiden resuming with winkers and looked comfortable at recent trial so pay to watch tote. 12
8 HONGCHEN *** Led them up and battled on well last start similar affair and expect much of the same. 8.00
9 GRAND VITESS *** Coming off Class 5 win and looks up to this sort of race. 8.00
10 KINGSLEY ** Showed his best to place in similar affair last start but will need luck from wide gate. 8.00
11 ENZO * Showed last couple he needs Class 5 to show his best. 33
12 ROMA ** Resuming after breaking long-term maiden status at her last start and cheeky run expected. 20

Race 9

Selections; 12 SNITZEL SPIRIT – 2 LUCKY DAPPER – 8 JOE – 6 HOW HUGE
As usual, a very tough race to finish the night and the winner might come from down in the weights with the promising SNITZEL SPIRIT on just 53kg. Freshened since a strong 2YO win back in July, SNITZEL SPIRIT looks extremely well-placed by Michael Freedman to knock in another early win in what should be a good career with the red-hot Manoel Nunes a smart booking. But SNITZEL SPIRIT will have to be on his game (and he looked it at a recent trial) as the field is a good one from top to bottom. LUCKY DAPPER doesn’t win out of turn but a recent trial suggests he is in this a very long time with winkers added to his gear. Plenty of value about as well with JOE some hope at each-way odds, DREAMCATCHER due as is COOL CAT. TWODOLLARMUPPET is chasing a hat-trick but will need luck again with PRIMITIVE INSTINCT and DRAGON FORCE also in the mix. The newcomer, HOW HUGE, is also worth a look on his nice trial.

1 DREAMCATCHER *** Look due to win and claim is a good move. 7.00
2 LUCKY DAPPER *** Gets winkers after close-up placing similar affair last start and recent trial strong. Big show. 5.00
3 COOL CAT *** Excuses last start so ignore and keep very safe at value. 16
4 DRAGON FORCE *** Obviously nothing last start but right in this on best form with gate 1 a bonus. 12
5 THE OMEGA MAN ** Pay to ignore last start and follow at likely each-way value. 20
6 HOW HUGE *** Won two from eight in Australia and trails like he has plenty to offer at Singapore debut. 15
7 TWODOLLARMUPPET *** Got all the favours to win last start but hard to fault the form and must be respected. 6.00
8 JOE *** Can race handy and certainly up to a winning a race like this with J Powell onboard. 10
9 PRIMITIVE INSTINCT *** Resuming. Trialled very well recently and could show up at odds. 33
10 HARDEN UP * Hard to have on recent form. 100
11 SCIENCE FICTION ** Singapore debut in maiden company was good enough to follow with 53kg. 20
12 SNITZEL SPIRIT *** Broke maiden status in fine style and has been freshened with a string trial. Hard to beat. 3.00
13 MEAISIN *** Has looked due and recent trial suggests we can have a look if he gets a start. 10
14 SILVER AND GOLD ** Back in trip but worth some thought at odds in exotics. 33

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