CLASS ACT: Magneto outsprinting a strong field to clock near-record time with John Powell astride on Friday. Singapore Turf 08/09/2014
With only a week to go before the 2014 Singapore Gold Cup – the unofficial early end to the Singapore racing season – this Sunday meeting might have been one to sit back and take stock but the scheduling of the EW Barker makes it compulsory viewing.
A handicap event over 1400m, The EW Barker is a race that trainers, jockeys and owners want to win and always anchors what is a great day of racing. Who wins?
Pat Shaw looks to hold two of the aces in MAGNETO and SLEW OF LODE. MAGNETO joined an elite club two starts back when he beat WAR AFFAIR and more importantly backed that light weight effort with a very credible placing at WFA conditions in the Kranji Mile.
The Argentinean-entire looks well-placed dropping back to 1400m with 56kg looking a winnable weight in this field with Juglall to ride.
His stable-mate SLEW OF LODE is no slouch though and looks his biggest danger. Also born and bred in the country that gave us Diego Maradona and Che Guevara, SLEW OF LODE narrowly went down to the smart EMPEROR MAX over this trip in the Group 3 Saas Fee Stakes and gets his chance here with just 52.5kg.
As you would expect, the race has depth and the Laurie Laxon-trained DANIEL is up to this to his eyeballs after his run with excuses in the Kranji Mile, BORN TO FLY keeps them all honest and a couple of last start winners on the minimum in THESE STREETS and INDIAN JADE, could step up.
Best Bets; (DRAGON race 10, win), (MAGNETO race 9, win) and (BRIGHT GENERAL race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 4 and 7), race 9 (2, 3 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 5 and 6), race 11 (1, 3, 6 and 7).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 8
Selections; 3 OVER EASY – 7 ANGE D’ORIENT – 1 INCREDIBLE HULK – 4 BRAVO
A Class 5 over 2200m on the turf and OVER EASY is tossed in at the weights. He took on the venerable INCREDIBLE HULK going down to that noble warrior over this trip by 0.8 of a length two starts back but as the Hulk has scored again since, he meets him 7.5kg better. That should be enough to turn the tables. ANGE D’ORIENT ran third in that same race and they should fight it out again. Of the others, if the enigmatic BRAVO is in the mood he could upset the applecart as he is one of the few in the race with a turn of foot. SINGING DUNE is very dour and he could be one for the exotics.
1 INCREDIBLE HULK *** Grand old veteran who is in rare form and is two from two at this trip. Has to carry the weight but will appreciate a solid speed. 4.00
2 SINGING DUNE * Has shown little but only placing was at this journey in NZ. 20
3 OVER EASY *** Meets Incredible Hulk 6.5kg better for less than a length over this trip. Has placed two of three at 2200m and should be hard to beat. 3.00
4 BRAVO *** Blinkers off. Far from reliable does have a turn of foot – something most of the others lack. 5.00
5 NOVEMBER SUCCESS * Right month, wrong horse. 33
6 GYPSY STAR * Gets a mile back and runs on but failed at her only attempt at this journey. 20
7 ANGE D’ORIENT *** Well in at the weights and placed behind Incredible Hulk and Over Easy two starts back. Should be in the finish. 3.50
8 SUPER VELOX * Just missed at start number 54 last outing. Tested this surface and distance. 25
9 ANY CHOICE * Unplaced at all 14 outings. 50
10 CONQUEST * Will lead but it has been a long time since he has won. 25
Race 9
Selections; 2 MAGNETO – 7 SLEW OF LODE – 3 DANIEL – 4 BORN TO FLY
The feature of the day – the EW Barker over 1400m on the turf. Pat Shaw looks to have a strong hand with MAGNETO who is following on from his strong 3rd in the Kranji Mile and SLEW OF LODE who ran EMPEROR MAX very close in the Saas Fee. They could fight it out from Laurie Laxon’s DANIEL who will be better suited at 1400m and Stephen Gray’s perennial place-getter BORN TO FLY. INDIAN JADE and THESE STREETS are interesting runners with both being progressive types but whether they are up to the Class at this stage is problematical. The top-weight GOAL KEEPER is an excellent sprinter but he is being tried over 1400m for the first time.
1 GOAL KEEPER ** Top sprinter on trial at 1400m. Will give a sight for a long way. 10
2 MAGNETO *** Coming back in trip from 3rd in Kranji Mile. Quality galloper who will run a bold race despite the awkward draw, 3.50
3 DANIEL *** Ran on in Kranji Mile and just missed in Jumbo Jet at this trip. Hard to beat. 4.50
4 BORN TO FLY ** Never runs a bad race and will get a gun run from the gate. Last win was at this trip, 10
5 BOUNDLESS GLORY * Better over 1200m on poly but has won over 1400m on turf. Class will test. 33
6 RED BEARD * Returned not striding out freely last start. Has had many issues but good over 1400m on his day and could show up. 33
7 SLEW OF LODE *** Just missed when resuming in Saas Fee. Promising horse who will run a big race with only 52.5kg. 6.00
8 GOLD RUTILE ** Honest mare who likes 1400m and rarely runs a bad race. Will be in the finish. 10
9 PEACEFUL WARRIOR ** Blinkers on. Ran a huge race in Raffles Cup. Goes well at 1400m and could surprise. 20
10 HOT GOLD * Last few efforts ordinary. Class could test. 33
11 INDIAN JADE ** Won well last start but stepping up in grade here. 12
12 THESE STREETS ** Won well last start but this is much harder. 10
Race 10
Selections; 6 DRAGON – 2 MINI BOSS – 5 SUPER VOICE – 1 ABOVE THE HORIZON
A tricky KSD over a mile on turf. DRAGON is unreliable but possesses a very good turn of foot late and in a race that should suits swoopers, he gets his chance with regular hoop, Dan Beasley, staying on. But even though MINI BOSS can be erratic he has enough ability to get away with this. Ivaldo Santana is riding in good form and if he can settle him with cover, he should finish too strongly. SUPER VOICE is usually thereabouts but doesn’t win very often which is obviously a concern for followers. ABOVE THE HORIZON won a weak one last start but that was at his third Singapore start so can improve again. RON will benefit from a positive ride and SATELLITE PRINCE is racing well though his barrier is no help. DAHLHAUS has poor recent form but this race is more suitable and he could surprise.
1 ABOVE THE HORIZON *** Won ordinary maiden over this trip last start. This is harder
but should be handy throughout. 12
2 MINI BOSS *** Had heavy support and did not miss by much last start. Can be erratic in
running but should sit midfield and close off strongly. 3.50
3 BUNGAE * Blinkers off. Unreliable galloper who has won at the mile. Take on trust. 16
4 SILVER AND GOLD * Won twice at a mile but has only one turf placing in 7 outings.
Others preferred. 20
5 SUPER VOICE *** Rarely runs badly but struggles to win. Should be handy throughout.
5.00
6 DRAGON *** Gets back but has a good turn of foot late when right. Only two wins have
been at a mile. 4.00
7 SATELLITE PRINCE ** Won weak maiden last start. This is harder and poorly drawn. 20
8 BIGCAT RHAPSODY * Poorly drawn and may want longer. 20
9 DAHLHAUS ** Not a mile away last start and down in grade so could show up. 20
10 RON ** Has won at this trip and goes best when ridden forward. Could give cheek. 10
11 SOUTH GATE * Has won a BM67 on turf over a mile. Doesn’t win often but could
surprise. 20
12 ROYAL FLUSH * Maiden. No. 100
13 GREENBACK * Long time since he has won and that was at 1200m. 33
14 SILENT POWER * Better in Class 5. 33
15 BEAT TO QUARTERS * Running on in his races but better in Class 5. 50
Race 11
Selections; 6 POWERNOVA – 1 KAISER BRIGHT – 7 SATELLITE KING – 3 BRIGHT GENERAL
A Class 4 over 1200m on turf closes things off. POWERNOVA and KAISER BRIGHT are both resuming and both are good consistent sprinters at this level. POWERNOVA has had the benefit of a recent trial, looks very well placed with Zuriman’s 2kg claim and should be handy all the way. KAISER BRIGHT’s form during his last preparation was very consistent and with Alan Munro to ride, he should be able to cross from his wide gate and be on the speed throughout. Of the rest, SATELLITE KING is in good form, BRIGHT GENERAL trialled well recently and the enigmatic JOE deserves some consideration. BANNISTER is resuming and with Corey Brown taking the ride, deserves a market watch.
1 KAISER BRIGHT *** Resuming after good win in this Class when he raced wide throughout. Up in weight but will be in the finish. 4.00
2 BANNISTER ** Resuming after a long break. Has top rider and could show up fresh. Watch for support. 14
3 BRIGHT GENERAL *** Has had two good trials since disappointing in Novice company. Can give a sight. 6.00
4 JOE ** Resuming after poor effort last start. Not the most reliable and gate no help. 12
5 SECRET LIBERTY * Pakenham Maiden winner who failed badly at poly debut. May go better on turf. 20
6 POWERNOVA *** Resuming. Only win was at this trip, Should make a bid. Watch market. 5.00
7 SATELLITE KING *** Won and placed in weaker grade at past two outings. Consistent and can be handy throughout. 6.00
8 SOON YI ** Best form is on poly but excuses last start and has a turf win at this trip. Could surprise. 12
9 GOOD BOSS ** Has won past two on turf after having been a poly horse most of his career. This is harder. 12
10 GOLDEN RABBIT * Has speed but little heart or stamina. Will give some cheek. 25
11 ACOUSTIC * Had support and improved last start. Prefer on polytrack in weaker. 25
12 ALL MY WAY * Winkers on. Recent efforts very poor but would be a chance on best form. 25
13 TRECRATIC * Hasn’t done enough. 50
14 BRAVE SISTER * Looking for Class 5. 100
