Singapore Racing – Friday

Kiss Me (Danny Beasley, No 1) gets the better of Vitally Secret (Joao Moreira) over the concluding stages to break his maiden status on Friday night. Picture Singapore Turf Club 20/09/13

Some good punting races mixed with some absolute shockers greets race-goers on Friday but there certainly looks something for everyone.

Early in the card, a good Initiation (race 2) will get to the track early with at least four newcomers showing enough at the trails to win on debut.

Leading trainer and a master of the fillies, Laurie Laxon, has HELEN ready to show her best and could show the boys a clean pair of heels carrying less than 50kg. But while her trial was good, SILVER STAR probably comes into this with the best exposed trial form and happy to think the 4YO by FREEZE can win on debut and hopefully at a
decent price given an unfashionable hoop in HK Cheng will be steering.

LIM’S GREETING and ABOVE DE PINNACLE can also make an impression at their debuts with VITALLY SECRET – resuming after a very good debut almost a year ago – also in the mix.

Hopefully there is some money in the pocket early as HIMALAYA DRAGON should be hard to beat in the next (race 3) but given the form she has shown at four career starts, a short price is expected.

CORDOBA in race six on the card could also be a nice banker for punters but the talented Northern Hemisphere-bred 4YO will have to be at his best up against the likes of STRUBELI – who ran second to subsequent Group winner Magneto at his last start – and the bang-in-form SPUN GOLD, the only last start winner in the field.

Best Bets; (HIMALAYA DRAGON race 3, win), (CORDOBA race 6, win) and (SPARKLING STAR race 2, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 5 (Field), race 6 (1 and 2), race 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 11), race 8 (1, 2, 4 and 5).

Race 1

Selections; 2 TOP OF THE TOWN – 1 CELESTINA – 10 EISHIN BRIGHT – 8 DESTINY GENERAL
TOP OF THE TOWN will not get one easier than this and God help him if he doesn’t break though today. In fact this race is so weak you could make a winning case for CHINESE TYCOON at start 54 but as it stands, TOP OF THE TOWN should start the short-priced favourite and should win on exposed form. Who can challenge him? An improver might be the top-weight, CELESTINA. The 4YO mare backed up a nice trail with a solid (if somewhat green) run with the tongue-tie added and she looks suited by the 1400m with a claim and nice gate in her favour. EISHEN BRIGHT has been going forward of late with Zaki engaged and expect much the same again and it will pay to keep him very safe. Blanket goes over the strugglers for exotics.

1 CELESTINA *** Improved effort last start and gives every indication 1400m suits. 10
2 TOP OF THE TOWN *** Over-due to break maiden status given form and hardest to beat. 2.00
3 ELEVEN UP * Well-beaten after forward showing early with blinkers added last start and needs to improve. 33
4 NOVEMBER STAR ** Form reads terribly but best run was on the turf so look for improvement. 33
5 BIG BANG KING * Gets senior hoop but almost impossible on form. 50
6 MYSTICAL DIAMOND * Not a mile away last start but skinny end of exotics best. 16
7 PESCATORE ** Excuses last start not to finish closer and could be an improver at odds over 1400m. 20
8 DESTINY GENERAL ** Coming off career best run and wont get one easier than this to show that was no fluke. 8.00
9 EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE ** Pulled up lame last start and some hope on previous OK form with upgrade to blinkers. 12
10 EISHIN BRIGHT *** Very cheeky run expected and should be in this a very long time. 5.00
11 CHINESE TYCOON ** Goes better than most here but start 54 in a maiden suggests exotics only. 10

Race 2

Selections; 5 SILVER STAR – 11 HELEN – 3 ABOVE DE PINNACLE – 9 LIM’S GREETING
An odd race with not a lot of great form from the raced brigade and the one that has form – VIRTUALLY SECRET – being first-up after almost 12 months since a very good debut run. The 4YO has had a couple of quiet trials in preparation for this and the market will be a guide. DELFYNE is another who has race experience and is some show on what she produced on her race debut with excuses last start. So it is the newcomers that might get the punters attention with ABOVE DE PINNACLE, SILVER STAR, LIM’S GREETING and HELEN all trailing like they have plenty to offer at their respective race debuts. Of the quartet, SILVER STAR probably looked the best at the trials and given he gets the unfashionable HK Cheng, he might be value and happy to have him on top. Not much separates the others but HELEN has no weight to carry so must be considered and ABOVE DE PINNACLE should be fit and firing.

1 AIM HIGH * Struggles. 200
2 SPEEDY KID * Race form poor. 200
3 ABOVE DE PINNACLE *** Plenty of nice trials under his belt and a very forward debut expected. 4.00
4 VITALLY SECRET *** Resuming after a long-break but showed more than enough at only run to seriously consider. 4.00
5 SILVER STAR *** Trialed nicely and might be value on debut given unfashionable hoop. 8.00
6 MYSTIQUE ** Solid at Official trial and pay to keep an eye on support with gate 1 a bonus. 20
7 DELFYNE *** Last run better than the result and right in this on debut effort with nice gate a factor. 8.00
8 IRREPRESSIBLE * Improved effort last start but might need longer than this. 50
9 LIM’S GREETING *** Trial good enough to consider on debut with one eye on the tote. 8.00
10 MUVUKA ** Solid at the trials and gets Juglall for debut. Keep safe. 12
11 HELEN *** Comes into this with a nice trial under her belt and must be a show with no weight. 4.00

Race 3

Selections; 2 HIMALAYA DRAGON – 4 WHITE COFFEE – 1 PURE TACTICS – 5 MEAISIN
A very promising type in HIMALAYA DRAGON looks a good thing in this Class 4 Poly sprint. The 4YO mare has only had four career starts but showed more than enough winning two and having excuses at her other two to think she will go through the grades. Her last start win – back in May – was in this company but given she beat the smart CASH ADVANCE with authority, she is very hard to beat if near her best. The main dangers include WHITE COFFEE who has a good first-up record so must be respected resuming with blinkers and PURE TACTICS who looks hopeless on form but improves lengths back on the Poly in his recent winning grade. Throw in MEAISIN back in trip with a nice trial under his belt and a couple of maiden down in the weights – OCEAN POWER and CONFIDENCE – with an eye on support for either.

1 PURE TACTICS ** Recent form looks hopeless but drops to recent winning grade/ surface. Big show if ridden positively from wide gate. 8.00
2 HIMALAYA DRAGON *** Talented mare resuming after strong win and very hard to beat if at her best first-up. 2.00
3 ROBERT E ** Speedy and could give them something to chase. 8.00
4 WHITE COFFEE ** Resuming with blinkers and has a winning first-up record this trip so have to repeat. 6.00
5 MEAISIN ** Has looked due and recent trial suggests we can have a look at value. 16
6 TOAST’S ANGEL ** On for novelties but should need easier to win. 20
7 EXCAVATOR * Hard to have on form. 33
8 SACRED CROWN ** Backing up form last Sunday and will be closing late. 20
9 CONFIDENCE * Maiden resuming and could run a cheeky run at odds. 20
10 OCEAN POWER ** Another maiden resuming and certainly one to watch on form from first-campaign. 7.50

Race 4

Selections; 9 TRINITY – 2 ABOVE THE HORIZON – 4 RIGHT IS RIGHT – 8 GOLDEN JADE
Not a lot of good form to go on but a few should very much appreciate the mile including the likely favourite, TRINITY. The 3YO has been solid at his four runs since what was an average debut and has always given the indication this trip would suit. Juglall for Shaw is fast becoming a very strong combination and you would think anything bar a win in this weak field would be a disappointment. ABOVE THE HORIZON is his biggest danger and the 4YO entire looks well-placed stepping up to the mile after two solid runs. A Rehaizat claim looks a good move and he could win this without surprising. Of the rest, CLEVER BRIGHT probably leads with Zaki on from gate 2 and the two main hopes would want to keep him in their sights as his recent efforts suggests he could pinch a race like this.

1 ROYAL FLUSH * No. 100
2 ABOVE THE HORIZON *** Appreciates two solid runs under his belt and gives every indication the mile is ideal. 4.00
3 FOREST * Winkers on but hard to have. 100
4 RIGHT IS RIGHT *** Will run a cheeky race and form good enough to be in this a very long way. 4.00
5 CLEVER BRIGHT ** Appreciates the mile and should figure late in this weak field. 10
6 ENCOSTA ZONE ** Yet to place in eight career starts but work late at recent run suggests we keep safe. 10
7 RISING TIDE ** Resuming and gave the impression mile first-up is a good option. 10
8 GOLDEN JADE ** Resuming and while goes OK needs to put a couple of runs together. 9.00
9 TRINITY *** Well beaten into third last start but due and will find this field to his liking. 3.00
10 AGELESS * Form hopeless but up in trip and gets blinkers so could improve. 33

Race 5

Selections; 6 OVER EASY – 1 GALAXY EXPRESS – 9 INCREDIBLE HULK – 5 OCTIVIA
Two horses in GALAXY EXPRESS and OVER EASY are well and truly due and hopefully one of them salutes for patient followers in this Class 5 race for the stayers. Nothing separates the pair on paper and it may pay to have a longer look on race day, however, the early pick is OVER EASY purely based on a tongue-tie being added to his gear. A change is
as good as a holiday while drawn badly in 15, the tongue-tie might just be what the doctor and punters ordered for the 6YO. But GALAXY EXPRESS gets a better gate (8) and hopefully it is a race in two and the forecast is a good punting option with value for exotics likely in this big field. Nothing else jumps off the page but the veteran INCREDIBLE HULK is always one to keep safe and a senior hoop in Ivaldo Santana looks a good booking with the maiden, OCTAVIA, some hope with an upgrade to blinkers and some solid form under her belt.

1 GALAXY EXPRESS *** Overdue to knock in a win and gets his chance again. 3.00
2 BRAVO ** Will be battling away at the business end and a must for exotics. 12
3 MARINE PARK ** Maiden but another who will be battling away late with blinkers removed. 20
4 ROYAL BRAT ** Returned to winning form last start and in this a long way from the ace. 10
5 OCTIVIA *** Maiden but excuses not to finish closer last start and worth thought at odds with upgrade to blinkers. 20
6 OVER EASY *** Drawn badly but ready to win a race like this and pay to follow with tongue-tie added. 5.00
7 ABOVE REACH * Might appreciate turf but easier to ignore. 100
8 SEA OF LOVE ** Looked to have issues last start so happy to ignore and take on good form prior with blinkers off for this. 12
9 INCREDIBLE HULK *** Veteran ridden upside down last start and the effort good enough to keep safe in this. 8.00
10 EXCUSEZ MOI * Maiden and needs to lift on recent efforts. 33
11 ANGE D’ORIENT ** Far from reliable but the type who can show up at odds. 20
12 RADIANT ROI * Drawn badly and better option on the Poly. 50
13 SUPER VELOX ** More than 50 starts as a maiden is an obvious concern but in-form and has to be included somewhere. 12
14 CHENGDU WARRIOR ** In solid form and another who is a must for exotics. 12
15 ANY CHOICE * Ran on OK late last start and could show improvement. 50
16 KTRONIC * Prefer on the Poly. 50

Race 6

Selections; 1 CORDOBA – 2 STRUBELI – 4 SPUN GOLD – 3 DANNY RICARDO
A great race and while you can make a case for a few of these – some at odds – CORDOBA looks extremely well placed to knock in what would be his fifth win at start number nine. The English-bred 4YO is fresh after what was an ambitious Derby campaign and given his four career wins have all been this trip and the last two this company, he could be a very good thing. In his way is STRUBELI who showed at his first attempt at 1400m that he is a horse to follow over this trip and longer. The form from that run – with MAGNETO beating WAR AFFAIR with relative ease at his subsequent run – suggests he is more than up to this and looks well placed with a Rueven 2kg claim. Not much separates SPUN GOLD, TO BE REMEMBERED and DANNY RICARDO with the latter likely to get out to some juicy each-way odds in this quality field.

1 CORDOBA *** Very smart type freshened after Derby campaign and just goes too well this trip not to be the one to beat. 2.50
2 STRUBELI *** Not far behind subsequent Group winner, Magneto, last start this trip and has to be a big show. 2.60
3 DANNY RICARDO ** Always an each-way show in a race like this and will be value given quality of this field. 20
4 SPUN GOLD ** Up in Class but in super form and has to be respected. 6.00
5 TO BE REMEMBERED ** Just beaten similar affair last start and always a show. 6.00
6 SOLITAIRE ** Will be doing best work late and will add value to exotics. 20
7 BAZINGA * Not suited. 100
8 FAITHFULLY ** Tough horse to follow but looked good at recent trial and could show up in the placings at long odds. 50
9 FLYING AHEAD * Back in trip and tested this company but goes OK on his day. 33
10 AROWANA DOT COM * Can run a cheeky race if in the mood but easier to ignore. 50

Race 7

Selections; 2 LUCKY COME – 1 BLACK FURY – 5 PETITE VICTOIRE – 3 SUGAR MAN
This race could get extremely ugly with numerous Class droppers with seemingly no form in the mix and plenty of others having solid form in this company ready to win. Where to start? Of the Class droppers, LUCKY COME has been going along OK and doesn’t have to improve much to show-up in what is a very suitable race. Previously, the two-time winner has mixed it with some nice types with gate 1 today a bonus. BLACK FURY has struggled since his maiden win but again, Class 5 will see improvement with blinkers removed also a factor. Throw in PETITE VICTOIRE who could be ready to win in Singapore in this company with a tote watch on the three Class droppers a smart move. Of those in form, SUGAR MAN looks the obvious choice with a handy 3kg Zawari claim with SO PERFECT and ALWAYS A WINNER right in this.

1 BLACK FURY *** Form reads badly but big drop in Class and blinkers off suggests improvement. 8.00
2 LUCKY COME *** Another who drops significantly in Class and could get support and win with gate 1 a bonus. 5.00
3 SUGAR MAN *** Showed last start he wins very soon in this grade and claim looks a good move. 3.00
4 ALWAYS A WINNER *** In solid form and got out to odds last start so pay to follow each-way. 8.00
5 PETITE VICTOIRE *** Another who sneaks into Class 5 and goes mighty close at best. 12
6 URBAN LEGEND * Recent good form over longer but versatile and will be doing best work late. 33
7 DRAGON PLAYER *** Had plenty of excuses of late and in the winning mix with luck in running. 8.00
8 BROWNE’S ANATOMY * Won three starts back but has to be having a good day in this field. 33
9 SUPER BONUS * Nothing last start and this field has depth. 33
10 OASIS SPUR * Goes OK on his day but has issues and happy to ignore. 100
11 SO PERFECT *** Looks due with two good runs this campaign with gate 2 a bonus. 5.00
12 GANGNAM STYLE * Has pace but struggling of late. 100
13 SPICY CAT * No. 100

Race 8

Selections; 2 SPYDER – 1 ALPHA CENTAURI – 4 RISING EMPIRE – 5 GOOD NEWS
Not a lot of depth to this Class 4 and as such we can narrow our picks down to three or four and keep any exotic combinations tight. SPYDER made a mess of things last start and his previous form in this type of race has him having a big say. He has drawn wide but Juglall stays on-board and a positive ride is expected. ALPHA CENTAURI has returned to racing in good form and shown more than enough at two runs in similar affairs to be a leading show. RISING EMPIRE gets back to 1200m and is fresh enough to show plenty from gate 1 with a TH Koh 2kg claim and GOOD NEWS for Jackson Low is also in the mix if he gets luck from another bad gate.

1 ALPHA CENTAURI *** Not far away at two starts this campaign and will be right in this late. 4.00
2 SPYDER *** Excuses last start and happy to follow in what is a suitable race. 2.50
3 SELIGI ** Looked to have every chance last start in similar affair but the type to keep safe. 12
4 RISING EMPIRE *** Pay to ignore last start as previous form this trip has him winning again soon. 5.00
5 GOOD NEWS *** Wide gate an issue but will be in this a very long time. 12
6 WORK AHEAD ** Very hard to follow but can show up at odds. 20
7 MACHFIVE * Disappointing of late and have to take on trust. 20
8 ACOUSTIC * No. 50
9 BINGO ** Watch for support as he can play a big part late if on-song. 33
10 RORY * In-form but prefer in easier company and 1000m. 20
11 SUPER SIX ** Turned some solid form into a good maiden win and should be competitive

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