Singapore Racing – Sunday

El Padrino looks set to take on some of the best sprinters after receiving an invite to the Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 29. Picture Singapore Turf Club.14/03/14

EL PADRINO has had a pretty impressive career to date. When winning in Korea at his last start, he joined the undisputed champ, ROCKET MAN, as the only Singapore-based horse to win in two different countries with his other victory coming in Dubai.

Sure, that Dubai win wasn’t on World Cup night (and certainly not at Group level) but he has been a wonderful ambassador for Singapore racing and he can add a another home win to his CV on Sunday in the RDA Sprint (race 9) His recent trial was excellent and given his record on the Polytrack, he looks well-placed with 58kg at the race conditions to win again. His main danger is HUKA FALLS who also loves this surface and like EL PADRINO, looks well in with 58kg and should race very well.

Elsewhere on the card an interesting newcomer in JIMMY REA could cause an upset on debut in race 10, a Novice event over 1000m. The field is strong with EVA’S DAY and MY LUCKY STRIKE coming off very strong debut wins and TOP GUN looking in excellent form but JIMMY REA trialed like a good horse and if he has the natural speed to go with this trio early, he might have a bit in hand late. As a maiden he gets to carry just 52.5kg and with Manoel Nunes booked, expect a bold run at hopefully decent odds.

Best Bets; (EL PADRINO race 9, win), (JIMMY REA race 10, value) and (BRINGITHOME race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (2, 3, 5, 8 and 10), race 11 (1, 3, 4 and 5), race 12 (2, 3, 4, 5 and 7).

Race 8

Selections; 3 SUGAR MAN – 7 LUCKY COME – 5 DRAGON WALK – 6 OASIS SPUR
A Class 5 over 1100m with relatively few chances. SUGAR MAN is usually thereabouts and should be handy all the way. DRAGON WALK is far from reliable but put in an improved effort last start when wide throughout; he has had respiratory issues but if right can be in the finish. OASIS SPUR was also caught wide last start and dropped out; he is well drawn here and should get a better run. Of the rest, CHEETAH KING gets a mile out of his ground but can run on late and LUCKY COME also ran on last start after having plenty of excuses in running; he is not the most reliable but could get in the finish with luck and pay to keep very safe.

1 CHEETAH KING ** Down in grade and will be motoring late. Keep safe. 16
2 NICE HAT TRICK * Resuming after changing stables. Recent trial was better but needs to improve. 33
3 SUGAR MAN *** Usually thereabouts and should be handy all the way. 3.00
4 VON SNITZEL ** Resuming. Best form is on turf but very much appreciates being back in Class 5. 33
5 DRAGON WALK *** Improved effort when wide throughout last start. Has respiratory issues but if right can be in the finish. 6.00
6 OASIS SPUR *** Caught wide last start and dropped out. Should get a better run in this. 3.00
7 LUCKY COME *** Ran on last start after excuses in running. Not the most reliable but will go close with luck. 10
8 KING OF KOON ** Battles away but poorly drawn. 25
9 DYNASTY KNIGHT * Best efforts are on turf. 25
10 VANTAGE * Wants longer. 33
11 FOLLOW THE KING * Resuming with tongue tie off. Has been disappointing. 33
12 SOLID WOOD ** Close up at past two outings and can be thereabouts again. 10
13 LUCKY GENERAL * Can ignore last start but better suited on turf. 33
14 HAPPY FOREVER * Recent form poor. 33

Race 9

Selections; 1 EL PADRINO – 2 HUKA FALLS – 3 EL MILAGRO – 8 HAPPY MONEY
The RDA Cup over 1200m sees the return of EL PADRINO after his international triumph in Korea and he can rightfully claim the title of Singapore’s best international sprinter having won in Dubai as well. His recent trials have been good and he will be hard to beat first-up. HUKA FALLS is backing up after solid poly run last week over 1000m. The 12- time winner is better suited at 1200m and should race well. EL MILAGRO fought on well when resuming on turf in a very strong field; he has a good poly record and should be in the finish. If there is to be a surprise it could be PEACEFUL WARRIOR with pacifiers and tongue tie on. He has been running super races in group company and goes well on the poly so from the good gate, could be the knockout hope. HAPPY MONEY is the other one in top form but is taking on some very smart ones in this and will need everything to go right.

1 EL PADRINO *** Resuming after International win in Korea. Top galloper who can sprint well fresh. 3.50
2 HUKA FALLS *** Backing up after solid poly run last week. Better suited at 1200m and should race well. 3.00
3 EL MILAGRO *** Fought on well when resuming on turf on a very strong field. Has a good poly record and should be in the finish. 5.00
4 GOAL KEEPER * Form just fair but recent trial suggests he has something to offer. 20
5 SLEW OF LODE * Disappointed last start and these look too good. 20
6 SPEEDY CAT * Can run on and has a very good poly record but hasn’t won for nearly two years. 20
7 PEACEFUL WARRIOR ** Pacifiers and tongue tie on. Has been running super races in group company. Well drawn, goes well on the poly and could be the knockout hope. 7.00
8 HAPPY MONEY ** In good form but taking on some very smart ones here. 7.00
9 VALEVOLE ** Honest and loves the poly but these look too good. 20

Race 10

Selections; 10 JIMMY REA – 8 EVA’S DAY – 3 MY LUCKY STRIKE – 5 TOP GUN
A Novice over 1000m with plenty of speedsters involved. TOP GUN has been run down at both his Kranji starts over 1200m but has plenty of speed and should be well suited at the shorter trip. EVA’S DAY won well at his Singapore debut and should be on the speed throughout while MY LUCKY STRIKE was also impressive when winning his Maiden and he too will be near the lead. GOLDEN TOMAHAWK has been slightly disappointing at last two outings in this grade after a dominant Maiden win; he may sit off the speed and try and come over the top. However, a newcomer called JIMMY REA might just be better than them all. The Kiwi-bred 3YO looked very impressive at his most recent trial and if he has the speed to stay in touch with a few of these, he should have plenty in hand late. Manoel Nunes a very good booking and look for support.

1 HAPPY PRINCESS * Hung on for 2nd in a weak KSD last start. Well drawn and could give some cheek but not suited at the conditions. 33
2 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK *** Has been slightly disappointing at last two outings in this grade after dominant maiden win. Should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
3 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** Impressive when winning on debut. Will give a sight. 4.00
4 SEBAS ** Went out far too hard last start. Back to a more suitable trip sand should be on the speed throughout. 10
5 TOP GUN *** Has been run down at both Kranji starts over 1200m. Should be well suited here. 4.00
6 BLACK MAMBA * Has been disappointing since winning at 2YO level. May improve over shorter trip on poly. Take on trust. 33
7 LUCKY GIANT * Blinkers off but needs more than that. 33
8 EVA’S DAY *** Won well at Singapore debut. Should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
9 APPELLATION * Making Singapore debut. Maiden who placed at Te Rapa last start. Bred to stay and might find these too sharp. 33
10 JIMMY REA *** Half-brother to smart galloper PARAKETO. Trials like a very good horse and can win on debut. 12

Race 11

Selections; 1 BRINGITHOME – 4 JOE – 5 D’ARTAGNAN – 3 HONGCHEN
A KSD over 1200m for claiming riders. JOE is better suited here than his last start in Novice company and his only win was at this trip; he should be handy throughout. D’ARTAGNAN’s only win was also at this trip and he should also be able to sit just off the pace. BRINGITHOME – yet another whose only win was at this distance on the poly – has drawn the ace and he is the one they will have to catch. In fact his recent efforts have him the one to beat. HONGCHEN put in a good effort last start, he is down in grade and looks well suited in this. Amongst the other chances are RETROSPECT who has been running well on turf and has good previous form on the poly, BIG HEART whose only win was at this trip and SIMPANG who whilst more comfortable in Class 5 can show up in this company.

1 BRINGITHOME *** Only win at this distance on the poly. Will give a bold sight from the ace. 4.00
2 DANCING TSURU * Resuming. Wants longer. 33
3 HONGCHEN *** Good effort last start. Down in grade and could show up in this. 6.00
4 JOE *** Better suited here than last start in Novice company. Only win was this trip and should be handy throughout. 4.00
5 D’ARTAGNAN *** Just fair last few but only win was this trip. Should be handy throughout with Harry a good booking. 5.00
6 ZAC SUGGESTION * Resuming. Best form is on turf over longer. 33
7 BIG HEART ** Looked out of sorts last start. Maiden win was over 1200m on poly. Could show up. 10
8 ROCKET PANDA * Blinkers and tongue tie off. Very poor last start when resuming. Speedy when right. Watch market. 25
9 RETROSPECT ** Won in Class 5 over this trip. Recent turf form in this grade good enough to warrant a chance. 10
10 SIMPANG ** Won over 1200m in Class 5 last start but is usually challenged at this level. Draw no help. 14
11 LET’S TALK NOW ** Battles away and a must for exotics. 33
12 SCARLET STAR * Poorly drawn and better in Class 5 over shorter. 33
13 CLERMONT CLUB * Wants longer. 33
14 SPANISH TRAIN * Needs Class 5. 33

Race 12

Selections; 5 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT – 4 RED RIVER ROCK – 7 LASER STORM – 2 GOLDEN MISSION
An extremely good BM67 over 1200m closes the programme with a number of class droppers involved. STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT was just caught in Class 3 last start and has placed twice from three starts on the poly; he is not helped by the gate though he does have Manoel Nunes to steer. LASER STORM ran on for 2nd in this grade last start, he has a good poly record and will be in the finish. RED RIVER ROCK dictated throughout and bolted in last start; he drops 1kg in a slightly tougher grade but should get a good run from the ace and could be hard to beat. MY SHINE has been putting in respectable efforts in higher class races. His last win was on this surface in this grade over 1100m and could get in the finish. GOLDEN MISSION doesn’t win often but likes the poly and races well fresh, his recent trial was fair and he could show up. Amongst the others are quality turf horses such as FRAAJILISTIC, GOLD DANCER and OM, they have to be taken on trust on the poly and have struck some proven performers on the surface.

1 OM ** Failed at only poly start and draw no help but should work into this late. 16
2 GOLDEN MISSION *** Doesn’t win often but likes the poly and races well fresh. Recent trial was fair and could show up. 12
3 FRAAJILISTIC *** Excuses not to finish closer at Singapore debut. First run on poly but down in grade and should be closing late. 8.00
4 RED RIVER ROCK *** Dictated throughout and bolted in last start. Drops 1kg in slightly tougher grade but should get a good run from the ace and be hard to beat. 5.00
5 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT *** Just caught in Class 3 last start. Placed two from three on poly but not helped by gate. 5.00
6 GOLD DANCER ** Resuming. Best form is on turf but has placed on poly. Down in grade and has trialled well. 8.00
7 LASER STORM *** Ran on for 2nd in this grade last start. Has a good poly record and will be in the finish. 6.00
8 MY SHINE ** Has been putting in respectable efforts in higher grade. Last win was on poly in this grade over 1100m 8.00
9 CONGO ZANDOR * Will find this too hard. 25
10 JEFFERSON BAY ** Drops to a more suitable grade. Will be running on but may be better over longer. 12
11 TO BE REMEMBERED * Won in Class 4 at this trip on poly but this is a strong field. Others preferred. 16
12 WARPATH * Held up last start over 1400m on turf. Has failed at only two poly runs and others may be better. 33
13 XAVIO * Blinkers off. Failed at all three poly starts. 33
14 LUCKY DAPPER ** Rarely wins but always thereabouts. Will run his usual honest race, 10

Click here to view Racecard