Singapore this Sunday

While the jockeys championship was well and truly over as early as May, the race for top-honours in the trainers premiership will go down to the wire. And with only a handful of meetings left in the 2012 season it’s still anyone’s guess with Michael Freedman (71 wins), Laurie Laxon  (69) and Steve Burridge on 67. Freedman, who is the only one of the trio yet to win a trainers premiership in Singapore, looks to hold a strong hand this weekend and can finish off Sunday with a late double.

In race 8 Freedman trains the smart 3YO EMPIRE BAY and the IFFRAAJ gelding looks well placed to knock in another win. His recent form suggests he is better than Class 4 and given he placed second over this trip two starts back, he must be a huge show here. Likewise SUPER NINETY SEVEN looks well placed to win over the mile in race 9 on the card. The SHOW A HEART 3YO has won twice from three career starts and gives every indication he can add to that tally today. But both Steve Burridge and Laurie Laxon have strong entries and can also finish off the weekend with a flurry. Burridge has three of only six runners in race 7; the best being EL PADRINO. Add some terrific each-way hopes in race 8 (SACRED EMBLEM and DYNAMIC DAN) and race 9 (IRISH COFFEE, PENSAMIENTO and PREDICTABLE) with LUWAK COFFEE a big show in the lucky last. Laxon, although rumours away from the track suggest otherwise, won’t lay down easily and horses like WAIKATO (race 7), DANNY (Race 8), READY TO STRIKE (race 9), NATURAL NICE and TOM (race 10) and TO BE REMEREBERED and HOPKINS in the last keep him well and truly involved.

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Best Bets; SUPER NINETYSEVEN (race 9, win), LUWAK COFFEE (race 11, win) and XIN TREASURE (race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 10), race 9 (6), race 10 (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10) and race 11 (1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9).

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Race 7

Selections; 5 EL PADRINO – 6 EL MILAGRO – 1 GHOZI – 2 WAIKATO
A small but interesting field as you would expect at this level. EL PADRINO was super disappointing in the wet last start but his previous form has him hard to beat with 52kg. Barring a downpour or two on race-day, the horse they used to call IP MAN gets the nod. In what could be one ‘el of a forecast bet, EL MILAGRO also appeals with just 52kg. A winner of six from 14 starts, the 4YO often goes around at value and is always competitive. GHOZI has looked good at two starts under Shane Baertschiger and should play a part late with the old-boy WAIKATO likely to have admirers after showing something same trip last start.

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1 GHOZI *** Shown enough at two runs for Baertschiger stable to think he can win this with 2kg claim a bonus. 6.00
2 WAIKATO *** Showed last start that you write him off at your own peril; goes close. 5.00
3 RISKY BUSINESS * Former top-liner resuming after a long injury enforced spell; prefer to watch. 20
4 BLACK ICE ** Resuming over what is a suitable trip and can figure late. 12
5 EL PADRINO *** Did not go a yard on a soft track last start as favourite but previous form has him winning this. 2.50
6 EL MILAGRO *** Smart and often underrated galloper who could easily win this with light weight and gate one always a bonus. 4.00

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Race 8

Selections; 3 EMPIRE BAY – 2 CONVICT – 1 XIN TREASURE – 5 SACRED EMBLEM
A very even race with a strong winning case to be made for seven of the 11 horse field. Some will be value so it might pay to have a good look closer to the race with a solid each-way bet on something ‘overs’ in the betting. But as it stands and with one eye on the early turf races for any leaders bias, EMPIRE BAY may be the one the others have to pass late to win this. The 3YO has won two from just six starts and although drawing wide in gate 11, has early pace and should race on or near the lead. This could count for plenty given there is not much speed in the race and is he does get a breather out front, a win would not surprise. CONVICT has also won two races in his 10 race career and showed enough last start to think he adds to the tally sooner than later. XIN TREASURE drops in Class and might be value with DYNAMIC DAN and SACRED EMBLEM always solid each-way options. DANNY and HOOPER are also serious winning hopes but you can’t pick them all.

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1 XIN TREASURE *** Form looks ordinary but drop to winning Class has him improving lengths; goes close. 10
2 CONVICT *** Looked the winner late similar affair last start; right in this. 4.50
3 EMPIRE BAY *** Awkwardly drawn but should race handy and be in this a long way. 4.50
4 CARBONADO ** Blinkers go on after showing little first up; improves but might find this tough. 50
5 SACRED EMBLEM *** In the mix of late and always seems to be value; each-way all the way. 10
6 DYNAMIC DAN *** Another Burridge runner who is always a hope in races like this and can be value. 10
7 HOOPER *** Won at odds last start similar affair and have to respect. 8.00
8 SPYDER ** Disappointing as favourite last start and have to take on trust stepping up to 1400m. 12
9 BRUDDER ** Always works into races like this late and some hope if race run to suit swoopers. 20
10 DANNY *** Came in for support and went close enough last start to follow. 3.80
11 SHEN KIM * Better suited Poly Class 5. 100

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Race 9

Selections; 6 SUPER NINETYSEVEN – 1 READY TO STRIKE – 2 MANAHARA – 11 MAGIC MOMENT
Oddly, for what looks a race with many winning hopes, one horse stands out and picks himself on-top. The horse is SUPER NINETYSEVEN and for all intents and purposes, should win. His three career starts have yielded two good wins and a close up second and the SHOW A HEART 3YO looks a horse with a big future and extremely hard to beat here. But the race has plenty of depth and is not as cut-and-dried as first thought. Two other last start winners – READY TO STRIKE and MANAHARA – also appeal and with heavy support likely for SUPER NINETYSEVEN, might be the better punting option. READY TO STRIKE has a handy 4kg claim and given he might lead them up into the straight, that weight relief could be a masterstroke by Laurie Laxon. Throw a blanket over the likes of IRISH COFFEE, PENSAMIENTO and GREEN JACKET with MAGIC MOMENT the long-shot hope on what we saw last start.

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1 READY TO STRIKE *** Turned some solid form into a good win last start and this look suitable with 4kg claim to go back-to-back. 8.00
2 MANAHARA *** Only took a few starts to open his account in Singapore and pay to follow. 4.00
3 ACE ALPHABET ** Form slowly improving and appreciates the company. 50
4 IRISH COFFEE *** Showed last start why he wins again soon in this type of race; big show. 12
5 PENSAMIENTO *** Will need a good ride form the widest gate but has ability and is due. 8.00
6 SUPER NINETYSEVEN *** Smart and won too well last start not to be the one to beat in this. 2.00
7 PREDICTABLE *** Form better than it reads and step to mile looks ideal; keep safe at odds. 33
8 FALLING ** Issues last start so pay to forgive and consider on big run prior to that. 50
9 GREEN JACKET *** Led last start from the wide gate and showed again why he should win this campaign. 12
10 LADY TRIO ** Another who put in as shocker with excuses last start; consider on good previous form. 33
11 MAGIC MOMENT *** Turned around some poor form with an eye-catching run; include at odds on that effort with Zaki on-board. 50
12 DIAMOND SITARA * Reassess Class 5. 100

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Race 10

Selections; 2 CITY LAD – 1 BORN TO FLY – 8 SICHUAN RULER – 5 GRAND APPROACH
Something has to give in this race. Unless something gets stable support, TOM probably starts favourite with the Moreira factor playing a major role. And given he is coming off a shocker – albeit over 1800m with the jockey reporting not striding – a short quote might suggest we look elsewhere although obviously he is a big show on best form. Likewise DAMO and NATURAL NICE should get support and both looks winning hopes on terrific last start efforts. However, in what is a very open race none get into the top four picks. In a raffle, CITY LAD is the on-top selection given he should lead and can win with what looks a very good weight for this race. He beat SHUTTLE MAN fair and square last start (protest dismissed!) and that form may have been franked on Friday night. BORN TO FLY was stiff not be in the photo last start and 1400m looks ideal and might be value here. SICHUAN RULER and GRAND APPROACH are both too honest to leave out of the top four. Do you best but CITY LAD hard to pass late.

1 BORN TO FLY *** All over them last start over 1200m and the extra 200m today suggests he can win. 8.00
2 CITY LAD *** Carried 58kg to win in nice company last start; hard to run down today with 55kg. 4.50
3 OTHELLO ** Should get back and run on so will need race to suit swoopers. 33
4 GORDON ROBERTS ** Stayer resuming and might just need the run. 100
5 GRAND APPROACH *** Fresh enough to think drop to 1400m ideal and never runs a bad race so a good each-way option. 7.00
6 NATURAL NICE *** Drawn awkwardly but honest and showed more than enough last start in nice company to think he could win. 20
7 TOM *** Shocker over 1800m as favourite last start but may have had excuses and form over this trip prior excellent; can win. 3.30
8 SICHUAN RULER *** Rarely runs a bad race and certainly due for another win with 1400m looking ideal. 7.00
9 BOMBAATA ** Can make excuses for some poor runs of late but have to take on trust. 50
10 DAMO *** Went down by a nostril last start and looks a strong chance to make quick amends. 8.00
11 LIGHT BRIGADE ** Very much appreciates what was a good debut in nice company; follow. 10
12 BLACK RAIN ** Form better than it reads and while would like to see in Class 4 he will be competitive. 33

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Race 11

Selections; 5 LUWAK COFFEE – 9 GOLDEN DOMINATOR – 1 BLACK JACK – 7 HOPKINS
LUWAK COFFEE might be just wait the doctor ordered to send punters home happy. The CASINO PRINCE 3YO won very well as the odds-on favourite last start and the form from that maiden looks strong enough to hold up here. I also like the fact he races on the pace and given there looks to be no other natural leaders in the race, Stephen Baster might just dictate terms and win. But GOLDEN DOMINATOR looks well placed from gate one after doing it tough from a wide barrier last start and Joao Moreira will keep him handy and is every chance on form. Throw in BLACK JACK – he looks due – with HOPKINS (value), TO BE REMEMBERED and DEFENSE ADVISER all some hope.

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1 BLACK JACK *** In form without a result but a solid each-way option. 5.00
2 TO BE REMEMBERED *** Last two efforts better than the fifth in the form book and pay to keep safe. 7.00
3 ENZO ** Won this trip/grade two back and backed that up with solid run but will need luck from the bad gate. 12
4 BIG STORM ** Showed improvement last start when blinkers added after poor debut; follow. 20
5 LUWAK COFFEE *** Won well with support in what looked a solid Maiden race last start and should more than handle this company; can win. 3.00
6 DEFENCE ADVISER *** Turned around some poor form with a good run this Class/trip last start and winkers added suggests forward showing. 12
7 HOPKINS *** Showed again last time out why he is always a solid each-way hope – often at value. 18
8 XAVIO ** Showed something last start and only win was over this trip; market watch in order. 20
9 GOLDEN DOMINATOR *** Did some work form wide gate similar affair last start and close up finish good enough to think he wins this from gate one. 4.00
10 MY SACRIFICE * Reassess Class 5. 50
11 DARING JOURNEY ** In the mix last couple this grade and while like to see in Class 5 he is a must for exotics at value. 33

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