‘While the Rocket’s away, the others may play’. That may well be the mantra of the connections of some of Singapore’s ‘other top sprinters’ at Kranji this Sunday when they head out to contest the Group 3 Garden City Trophy this Sunday. With the champ in Tokyo for next weeks Group 1 Sprinter Stakes, the likes of GHOZI and BETTER BE THE ONE – so often looking at get the back end of ‘The Rocket’ – get their chance to enjoy the victor’s spoils. GHOZI, who is having his first start since an excellent fourth placing with excuses in the KrisFlyer Sprint, has looked good on the training track and a recent eye-catching trial suggests he is ready for a big run fresh and BETTER BE THE ONE is likely to continue his good form since returning from a Group placing in Dubai. Both are ‘weighted to win’ and certainly have the runs on the board in this company to be very solid winning hopes. But there are some young horses that are a ready to stamp their mark on Singapore racing and ATO in particular looks a horse with the world at his feet. The South African-bred entire had shown plenty of potential in Singapore before showing his best winning in Group company at his last start. And although that race was at handicap conditions, the ROYAL ACADEMY 4YO looks a horse moving forward and more than capable of winning again and keeping this race, won by ROCKET MAN last year, in the Pat Shaw stable. Races 8, 10 and 12 are on the Short Course (C) Turf and races 9 and 11 on the all-weather Polytrack.
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Best Bets; RAPIDO STAR (Race 11, each-way), ZAFONIC STAR (race 12, each-way), MR TIMELY (race 10, value). Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (3, 5 and 10) race 10 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10), race 11 (3, 4, 5, 6 and 9) and race 12 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 8).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
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Race 8
Selections; 3 LIZARRE – 7 AGENT OF SPEED – 5 BENJI’S EMPIRE – 1 HINT
As you would expect, a very strong field has been assembled for this Class 3 mile with three last starts winners, HINT, BENJI’S EMPIRE and AGENT OF SPEED, amongst the chances. But although not winning at his Singapore debut, there was enough to like about LIZARRE’s effort to think he very much appreciates the run and can make amends in what is a more suitable race. And it does look like he placed behind a smart one over 1200m on the Poly and with that run under his belt the former South African listed winner (and Group 1 placed) can open his Singapore account today. Add the fact he will probably need to win a race to be a certain starter in the Singapore Gold Cup in November and has drawn gate one over the mile, he (again) looks a good thing. And while it was hard to leave out ASPEN HEIGHTS, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, LONG HAUL and even SOLID WOOD out of the top four picks, the above-mentioned last start winners all look horses to follow. AGENT OF SPEED blew them away leading from the front in a similar affair, BENJI’S EMPIRE has blitzed the opposition (albeit Class 4) at his last two and HINT is in super form and like LIZARRE, needs to win to get into the Gold Cup field. A strong mile and the winner will be one to follow.
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1 HINT *** Capped off some great form with a well deserved win and while this is as short as he wants it worth a thought with 3kg claim. 10
2 IMPERIAL GREEN * Struggled of late and really needs to lift for another tilt at the Gold Cup. 100
3 LIZARRE *** Appreciates what was an excellent Singapore debut and the extra distance today – hard to beat. 3.00
4 ASPEN HEIGHTS *** Placed behind a long-shot bolter last start (Agent Of Speed) and looks due – big show. 4.00
5 BENJI’S EMPIRE *** Steps up in grade but last two Class 4 wins were empathetic to say the least – follow. 5.00
6 CAPE TREASURE ** Competitive last start similar affair and adds value to exotics. 30
7 AGENT OF SPEED *** Won at ridiculous odds last start when he raced on the pace and pay to follow on that big effort similar affair. 10
8 JOHN OF ARCH ** A win would surprise this company but handles himself and can include in exotics at value. 30
9 DAAD’S THE WAY * Wait for easier and Poly. 200
10 SOLID WOOD *** Last start better than the result and pay to start following – value. 25
11 AS GOOD AS IT GETS *** Excellent effort to the wire last start similar affair and worth serious thought with winkers added. 12 12 LONG HAUL *** Very competitive this company and worth an each way look in what is a very open race. 12 13 FLANEUR ** Beaten a fair way into second last start behind BENJI’S EMPIRE in easier company and outside place at best here. 40
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Race 9
Selections; 3 THAT’S MONEY – 5 FEELING GOOD – 10 SACRED PRINCE – 11 SUPREMACY STEEL
Firstly, a disclaimer. SILVER LINING will be in the betting and should win soon. But when you consider he is a 23 start maiden and has started under 2-1 at his last four starts he is the type of horse your mother warned you about as a young lad. And why not go with winning form with THAT’S MONEY? The Mohd Yusof-trained 8YO came back form a spell with a solid win and he was in great form last campaign, always each-way odds, and looks a very good option. He is also a three time winner which means plenty when his biggest dangers, apart from SILVER LEGEND, are two maidens in FEELING GOOD and SACRED PRINCE. Both these horses have pace so will give followers a good run for their money and like THAT’S MONEY, often go round at OK value. Of the others, SUPREMACY STEEL goes OK on his day but a lot to like about THAT’S MONEY.
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1 KYLENE ** Never involved last start and really needs to be on his game early to play a part. 20
2 MAX RESOURCE * Blinkers removed and drops back from the mile but only for the brave. 100
3 THAT’S MONEY *** First up win was good and have to follow on that effort and form from last campaign. 3.50
4 SILVER LEGEND ** Will loom the winner at some stage but super costly for followers – ignore. 3.50
5 FEELING GOOD *** Has pace and will be the likely leader and worth noting saddle slipped last start and in this for a long time. 4.00
6 THREE KINGS ** Resuming after a just fair effort but certainly better than that and worth including in exotics. 20
7 TORMENTA ** Disappointing last start with excuses but has shown a bit on the odd occasion. 20
8 MOOVA EIGHT * No. 100
9 CHAPTER ONE * Drops back from the mile but easier to ignore. 100
10 SACRED PRINCE *** Has enough pace to race more than handy and in this a long way – can win. 5.00
11 SUPREMACY STEEL *** Just fair last start but gate one helps and might get a few favours – watch. 10
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Race 10
Selections; 4 ATO – 2 GHOZI – 3 ACE ALIADO – 6 BETTER BE THE ONE
The feature if the day is a WFA affair with weight penalties for Group wins. Which is interesting given the likes of BETTER BE THE ONE (International Group placed) gets in very nicely with only 54.5kg off his top rating of 110. But while giving weight to a few of the higher rated horses, ATO looks a very smart type and good enough to carry 55kg and win. The Pat Shaw-trained South African-bred entire has had nine starts for six wins but more importantly looks an improver every-time he heads to the track. And although only carrying 50kg to a Group 3 victory last time out, the ROYAL ACADEMY 4YO showed in a recent trial he is flying and a big winning show today. It will be tough at the race conditions and I will be giving GHOZI a long look on race-day. The CATBIRD 6YO resumes after a huge run in the KrisFlyer (he also bled that day) but at his best is the benchmark of domestic sprinters. He is one that definitely appreciates ROCKET MAN being away on international duties and is a big show if near his best. You can make a case for plenty of the others including ACE ALIADO, who resumes after a very long spell with the imposing career record of seven wins and a close up second from just eight starts. Throw in BETTER BE THE ONE and ARGY BARGY in what is a cracker of a feature.
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1 DESERT LINKS * Singapore Gold Cup resuming sans blinkers and prefer later. 100
2 GHOZI *** Smart sprinter resuming after excellent fourth in the KrisFlyer – will go well. 6.50
3 ACE ALIADO *** Resuming after a long spell but with a career record of seven wins and a close up second form just eight starts it will pay to follow. 5.00
4 ATO *** Won six from nine including his last three the latest being at Group level – hard to beat. 2.50
5 ARGY BARGY *** Another exciting prospect from the Shaw stable who also has a recent Group win on his CV – goes close. 4.00
6 BETTER BE THE ONE *** The highest rated horse in the race so in very well at the race conditions/weights – can win. 8.00
7 NORTHERN LION ** Seven of his eight wins have been on the Poly but holds his own and worth some thought. 12
8 POWERFUL RULER ** Honest but would need to having a very good day to win. 40
9 SMOKING JOE ** Nothing last start and looks outclassed on paper but often fights above his weight. 100
10 MR TIMELY *** Had excuses for only bad run of late and could be the surprise packet at odds – watch. 30
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Race 11
Selections; 5 RAPIDO STAR – 9 MR BIG – 3 RUN FOR THE HILLS – 6 DR GRIGOROS
I think when a race has four last start winners, two of which are aiming for three-in-a-row, one for four-in-row and one for five-in-a row, picking just one is tough. The betting in this race will be crazy as well with the undefeated Juvenile Champion, MR BIG, taking on older horses for the first time. But a horse who didn’t win last start, in fact came in a disappointing ninth, RAPIDO STAR, gets my early nod for top pick. The 3YO American-bred colt never got going at his last run from the bad gate and I’m happy to ignore that poor effort and take on what he showed previously on this surface – three big wins and a very good second at just four Poly starts. He jumps from gate two today and that might be enough to show his best. And no doubt he will have to be at his very best against the likes of MR BIG, RUN FOR THE HILLS, DR GRIGOROS and WON’T STOP. The winning form for that quartet is obvious and you can make a case for all in what is one of the most exciting Poly sprints seen at Kranji.
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1 DRAGON WORLD * Resuming after long break sans blinkers – prefer to watch. 50
2 JUST A MAN * Fresh but races handy enough to be a hope for exotics. 50
3 RUN FOR THE HILLS *** Has been extremely impressive winning both Singapore starts and has to be a chance for three straight. 5.00
4 WON’T STOP *** Another who has been super impressive winning two from three in Singapore and has to be a big show. 4.00 5 RAPIDO STAR *** Never really got involved last start and happy to forgive what was his only bad Poly run – can win. 5.00
6 DR GRIGOROS *** Hard to argue with four straight and while this field is strong he is hard to beat again. 4.00
7 DORAEMON * Last start better but up against some very smart ones here. 100
8 WILLIAMS * Always competitive but this looks tough. 100
9 MR BIG *** Resuming after making it three-from-three in the Juvenile Championship and hard to beat with no weight. 2.50 10 CHARLY B * Very much appreciates tough Singapore debut run and subsequent good trials but prefer easier than this. 50
11 HOWGOODISTHAT * Needs it easier than this. 100
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Race 12
Selections; 2 ZAFONIC STAR – 3 ZAC NIRVANA – 4 NOT MY FAULT – 1 NO RESPITE
Although resuming in what looks a solid Class 4 field, ZAFONIC STAR looks set to show his best first up and can win the lucky last. The Pat Shaw-trained 4YO hasn’t raced since May but three wins from nine career starts suggests he is one to follow in this grade. Add a very nice recent trial and the DUPONT gelding could send the Crabbia/Shaw combination to Japan and ROCKET MAN duties on a winning note. He is against some solid Class 4 performers though and ZAC NIRVANA showed more than enough at his first run back to think he has a big say. Joao Moreira jumps on-board the Michael Freedman-trained 5YO and from gate 4 he should get a nice run and figure heavily in his finish. NOT MY FAULT is another who has a good record in this company and looks due for a result and every chance in a race with no real stand-out. Of the others, NO RESPITE looks well suited dropping back in distance and should appreciate Class 4 company and well worth keeping MSIXTEEN safe with the dividend board an excellent guide to his winning hopes.
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1 NO RESPITE *** Drops back to what looks a more suitable distance and Class 4 looks ideal – big show. 4.00
2 ZAFONIC STAR *** Nice type resuming in what looks a winnable race after a very slick trial – big show. 4.00
3 ZAC NIRVANA *** Very much appreciates what was an excellent first up run and goes very close today. 4.00
4 NOT MY FAULT *** Continues good run of form and edging closer to an overdue result for followers – each way. 6.00
5 SHINKANSEN ** Honest type and usually value and well worth a look in exotics with winkers upgraded to blinkers. 15
6 GO EUREKA * Appreciates Singapore debut run but needs to show something before we consider. 100
7 STREET RUFFIAN ** Always a show and will be flying late but super frustrating for followers and getting easier to ignore. 12
8 MSIXTEEN *** In very good form and worth following tote for his winning chances. 7.00
9 PREDICTABLE ** Resuming and was certainly showing enough last campaign to follow. 20
10 SUDDEN INTEREST * Hard to have in this field. 100
11 DYNAMIC MASTER * Needs easier and longer to be a serious chance. 100
12 TEMPEST * Needs Class 5. 200
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