Singapore Racing – Sunday

Quechua (right) is part of the newly-formed Avengers Stable. Singapore Turf Club 17/08/14

Trainer Pat Shaw has had an exceptional record with ex-Argentinean raced horses in his time at Kranji and with the mantra of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ringing loudly in his ears, the association continues in 2014.

Last week, MAGNETO joined his stable-mate JOHNNY GUITAR as the latest in a longline of Group winners from the Shaw-South American production line and QUECHUA will be hoping show he is up to that lofty standard by winning today at OB74 level. Already a Group 2 winner back home, QUECHA has been somewhat overshadowed by MAGNETO but Shaw will be looking for the son of Pure Prize to show he is worthy of a tilt at some of Singapore’s feature races in October and November, culminating in the Gold Cup. He has top weight to contend with over 2000m in race 8 on the 11 race card but given he has three solid runs under his belt and the field is not overly strong, he should win.

Elsewhere on the card, it doesn’t look that easy for punters looking for an outright winner but IMPERIAL FIGHTER does look a solid option in the lucky last combining some good form with gate 1 and a handy Harry Kassim 1kg claim.

Best Bets; (IMPERIAL FIGHTER race 11, win), (SUPER VOICE race 10, each-way) and (CAPTAIN KIRK race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6), race 9 (1, 2 and 5), race 10 (1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7), race 11 (3, 5, 7, 8 and 9).

Race 8

Selections; 1 QUECHUA – 2 FUJIN BRIGHT – 6 ZIPANGU – 5 KAI POWER
A BM74 over 2000m and surely this is QUECHUA’s chance. A Group winner in Argentina, he came with a reputation but whilst his form has been solid in higher grade, he has not lived up to it so far. However, this is the easiest he is likely to get and with Corey Brown steering from the ace should get every chance. The competition could come from Hideyuki Takaoka’s tough pair of stayers in FUJIN BRIGHT and TANGIBLE ASSETS. The former is likely to bowl along near the lead whilst the latter could close late. His third runner ZIPANGU could also show up as could the tough stayer BEE AHEAD who may go forward. Most of the others are eligible for weaker grade though KAI POWER was given little chance in the run last outing and ran on very strongly – the extra distance could suit.

1 QUECHUA *** Has yet to live up to the hype but not disgraced at all three outings in higher grade. Looks well placed to break through in this. 2.50
2 FUJIN BRIGHT *** Led and fought on over 2200m last outing. Will be the one they have to run down. 4.00
3 TANGIBLE ASSETS ** Proven stayer suited at 2000m. Made long sustained run last start but battled late. Should be in the finish. 5.50
4 BEE AHEAD * Distanced in weaker race last start. Long time since he has won but is a strong stayer on his day. 10
5 KAI POWER ** Slowly away and went very wide last outing but still ran on strongly. Up in grade and distance but could be closing late. 7.50
6 ZIPANGU ** Battled away when resuming. Trained by the Master and gets this trip. Could surprise with the light weight. 6.00
7 BATTLE BOY * Blinkers on. Aptly named and will be doing just that. 14

Race 9

Selections; 2 HILLBILLY BEAR – 1 CAPTAIN KIRK – 5 HIGHLIGHT – 6 SWIFT
A KSD over 1200m on turf with a number of disappointing class droppers competing against unreliables and horses better suited in Class 5. HILLBILLY BEAR put in a good performance last outing and has found himself in a race he is capable of winning. His last win came with Corey Brown aboard in Class 4 and this is easier; he should be able to sit handy and may be too strong late. Amongst the disappointments, CAPTAIN KIRK was a pretty good sprinter at one time winning two of his first three starts. He has lost his way and now finds himself in ignominious company; if he can recapture past talents he would be too good for these. HARDEN UP falls into a similar category, he had good form in Malaysia when trained by MH Wee, he has not been able to capture it in Singapore but now finds himself in weaker grade. HIGHLIGHT’s last two runs have been good and he is up to this grade but may want longer, SWIFT is a useful sort resuming and his trials have been nice – watch for market support. The old boy IMACRUISER can bob up in these and whilst ALL SERENE may be looking for Class 5, his past two runs have been solid.

1 CAPTAIN KIRK *** Recent form poor but excuses last start, down in grade and has enough speed to make his presence felt. 5.00
2 HILLBILLY BEAR *** Ran on stoutly last start. getting back to form and hard to beat in this. 3.00
3 HARDEN UP ** Peaked on run late in strong Class 4 last outing. This is easier and if he can run up to his old Malaysian form would be in the finish. 8.00
4 IMACRUISER ** Veteran having first run for new stable. Always a chance in these. 12
5 HIGHLIGHT *** Followed 1200m poly win with sound effort on turf over 1400m. Should get a gun run and be closing late. 4.00
6 SWIFT ** Resuming after long spell. Showed promise when last in work but trials only fair. Watch market. 12
7 ALL SERENE ** Blinkers on. Better in Class 5 but racing well and this is not a particularly strong field. 12
8 CONFALCON * Having third run since changing stables. Fair effort last start and has won at this trip. Engagement of Oscar Chavez significant. Watch for support. 20
9 UNLIMITED POWER * Maiden with Tongue tie on but needs to improve and wants easier. 50
10 LIVE WELL * Eased down from 800m at last start. Won maiden over this trip at previous outing. Take on trust. 20
11 THREE KINGS * Wants Class 5 and longer. 50

Race 10

Selections; 1 SUPER VOICE – 6 CHEETAH – 7 FEI YUE – 5 DRAGON G
Another good race, certainly for a KSD, over the polytrack mile. There is not much between a number of these but SUPER VOICE, whose last win was in this company over 1700m with Noh Senari aboard, looks very well-placed and goes mighty close. Visiting hoop, Jackson Low, gets a chance on the free-rolling CHEETAH. From his reasonable alley, he should be able to go forward and could be hard to run down. FEI YUE had plenty of support last outing and did not miss by much, he is the best drawn of the major chances and should get a gun run. CASSIS OOLONG and MISTER CANDY will have no option but to go forward from their wide gates and they should be in the finish. DRAGON G will find this easier than his last start – he can also race handy – as can the unpredictable pair DRAGON NINETYNINE having his first try at a mile and if the tempo is very solid this will suit GALLANT HEIGHTS and SUPERMART who will be closing late.

1 SUPER VOICE *** Improved performance last outing. Last win was at 1700m on poly and goes well for Noh Senari. Will make his presence felt. 6.00
2 DRAPPIER * Former Japanese galloper getting up to suitable journeys. Yet to show a lot but keep safe. 14
3 DRAGON NINETYNINE *** Not over reliable but sat wide and ran on strongly last start. Should get a nice run from the alley. 6.00
4 MISTER CANDY *** Blinkers off. Over-raced last start. Poorly drawn but has been placed on poly and rarely runs a bad race. Will be on the speed for a long way. 8.00
5 DRAGON G *** Dour fellow who likes the poly. This is easier than last outing and will be plugging away late. 12
6 CHEETAH *** Likes to roll along and suited in this. Will be hard to pass. 5.50
7 FEI YUE *** Well supported last start and just missed. Will get a gun run from barrier two with John Powell on top. 4.50
8 SUPERMART ** Doesn’t win often and hard to predict. Will be suited by the solid speed and can run a sharp final sectional. 12
9 CASSIS OOLONG ** Has been racing solidly of late. Likes to sit near the lead and will give plenty of cheek. 14
10 GALLANT HEIGHTS * Better in Class 5 but will be running on late. 16
11 ENZO * Nicely drawn but happier in Class 5. 33
12 SILVER FLY * Broke through two starts back and excuses last start but should need easier. 33

Race 11

Selections; 5 IMPERIAL FIGHTER – 8 RUM N RAISINS – 3 HUGHSY – 7 ROCK ESPRIT
A Class 4 over 1400m closes the programme and Cliff Brown has a remarkable record in these. The Geelong “Cats” tragic sends around the consistent IMPERIAL FIGHTER who has been close up in similar encounters at his past five starts winning one and placing on three other occasions; he has the bonus of the ace and Harry Kassim’s useful 1kg claim. He will not have it his own way, however, as HUGHSY has shown plenty at his three starts and is working and trialling well – if Davey Flores can get him cover he should be handy all the way and finish off well. GOLD LINE is another consistent one drawn awkwardly, he likes to race forward and whilst Firdaus’ 2kg claim is a great help he may have to use him up to cross early. The stablemate ROCK ESPRIT is better drawn and whilst he can be one-paced at the end with Juglall on board from a handy gate he should be prominent throughout. RUM N RAISINS showed plenty of promise in his earlier preparation and will be improved by his good effort on resuming; with Oscar Chavez taking the mount he should get a gun run from the inside gate. In a race of consistent horses with numerous chances SAVODAN and the BLACK MAMBA who over-raced last outing cannot be discounted. NEOBIUM failed on the poly last outing over 1700m but is a winner at this trip in BM67 class.

1 NEOBIUM ** Battled on poly last start. Won a BM67 over this trip five starts back and could find this to his liking. 12
2 GOLD LINE ** Scored in weaker grade last start. This is harder but is consistent and should give a sight. 10
3 HUGHSY *** Looked good at first two outings then wide and boxed on well last time. Has trialed well since though wide gate no help. 6.00
4 SAVODAN ** Solid effort when resuming when he saved ground throughout. Doesn’t win often but usually close up. 10
5 IMPERIAL FIGHTER *** Racing consistently and will get all the favours from the ace. Hard to hold out. 4.00
6 KING SAVINSKY * NZ Derby runner who was well back on Singapore debut. Fitter, but wait for longer. 20
7 ROCK ESPRIT *** Honest fellow who was not far away when tried at a mile last start. Will be in this for a long way. 6.00
8 RUM N RAISINS *** Tongue tie on. Good effort on resuming and gets senior rider. Showed plenty at last preparation. Watch for support. 4.50
9 BLACK MAMBA *** Over-raced last start. If he settles could be closing late. 14
10 THANKFULNESS ** Keeps finding one better in maiden company. Will appreciate drop in weight and rise in distance. 16
11 BIG HARVEST * Very honest fellow who would like longer and love Class 5. 33

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