Singapore This Sunday

Apart from the usual Class 5 ‘raffle’ to keep the Jackpot players on their toes, the five race card from Singapore  Sunday looks a beauty with the RDA Cup (race 9) a definite highlight.
The Open Class sprint sees the return of three of Singapore’s best sprinters after unplaced runs in the KrisFlyer Sprint and connections will be hoping for a quick return to the winners circle for their respective charges.
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS fared best in the KrisFlyer with an admirable fourth placing and that form suggests he is the one to beat today.
The flashy grey also has the benefit of a handy 3kg ‘Freddie’ Firdaus claim – a smart move by trainer Steve Burridge – and a ‘go-to-whoa’ win would not surprise.
BETTER BE THE ONE is the danger and while his run in the KrisFlyer would have been very disappointing for confident connections, he is better than that and a big run is on the cards.
But you could make excuses for that uncharacteristic poor effort – he was doing it tougher than most throughout – and the million-dollar stake earner can certainly bounce back to winning form in what looks a very suitable race.
Elsewhere on the card, JERAM CLIPPER will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins in Singapore in race 10 when he takes on what looks a ‘solid at best’ Class 4 field over the Poly mile.
The FLYING SPUR 3YO was super impressive winning at his Kranji debut over 1400m on the turf and this race certainly looks suitable to continue his dream start in Singapore for happy connections.
And IRISH LIGHTNING will be hoping the ‘lucky last’ is just that as he tries to turn a frustrating run of good form into a win.
The Fred Crabbia-owned 3YO hasn’t won since September last year although finishing in the top four at no less than nine times from 12 subsequent runs.
His two career wins have been over 1000m and that fact won’t be lost on faithful followers who may just make him favourite in race 11 to break his 2012 duck.
All races are on the all-weather Polytrack.

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Best Bets; JERAM CLIPPER (race 10, win), IRISH LIGHTNING (race 11, win) and CAPTAIN OBVIOUS/BETTER BE THE ONE (race 9, exacta/swinger).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 11), race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (1, 3, 5 and 10) and race 11 (4, 7 and 8 )

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Race 7

Selections; 1 AL’S KNIGHT – 8 FAT KING – 4 COUNTRY CLUB – 5 SOUTH GATE
AL’S KNIGHT looks the stand-out in this race and while there are some horses that make it interesting, it does look his race to lose. After winning his first four races – a couple on the Poly – he did find one better in FINDERSKEEPERS in a similar race to this two back but that run good enough to win this. He finished fourth last start on the turf but that run was also good and from gate one with the services of John Powell, he is a terrific winning option. I think FAT KING could provide a challenge for AL’S KNIGHT given what he showed at his last start when ridden on the pace. Zaki retains the ride and from gate three he will be trying to run a similar bold run and will certainly make things interesting early. Of the rest, obviously last start winner, COUNTRY CLUB, is worth following while in winning form with SLITHER and SOUTH GATE capable first up after breaks and the Argentinean newcomer, GOOD LOOUKEN, some show with the ‘Moreira Market’ a tricky guide.

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1 AL’S KNIGHT *** Not far away last couple and this looks suitable to get back into the winners circle. 2.30
2 KING FAALCON * Resuming and while best work expected late he will be better over much longer. 50
3 SLITHER ** Resuming after very long spell. Smart enough but might just need the run. 20
4 COUNTRY CLUB *** Showed last start why she is always an each-way hope this type of race – follow. 5.00
5 SOUTH GATE ** Another smart type resuming and will be doing best work late this type of race fresh – watch. 5.00
6 GOOD LOOUKEN ** Former Argentinean and trial suggest solid showing at Singapore debut. 6.00
7 SULMONA ** Better than what she showed last start and a must for exotics. 12
8 FAT KING *** Almost pinched it last start over this trip when racing on the pace – keep safe with gate three a factor. 10
9 ARADEA ** Could make excuses for poor recent efforts but have to take on trust. 30

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Race 8

Selections; 1 BUZET – 6 IRISH FLASH – 2 SHOPPING LIST – 3 THREE KINGS
This looks an extremely competitive Class 5 field and anyone of six or so can win. The good news is that another six or so look no hope so while finding the winner could be tricky, we are some hope in exotics. Of those with winning chances, I think BUZET is due and worth following. He has drawn awkwardly in gate 10 but looks well placed with the 3kg claim and the one to beat with any luck in running. IRISH FLASH beat BUZET in April and that form will hold up here and a repeat of that forecast would not surprise. Obviously he was only average last start but the jockey did report ‘not striding’ so happy to think he can bounce back today. Of the rest with winning hopes I think SHOPPING LIST showed enough placing last start to follow in Class 5, THREE KINGS obviously picks himself with three wins on the trot under his belt (stubbornness probably prevents him ranking higher here) with TORNADO WIN and WHO ELS in the mix.

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1 BUZET *** A good thing beaten last start and can makes amends here with any luck from wide gate. 4.50
2 SHOPPING LIST *** Showed last start why he will win in this company and pay to follow. 12
3 THREE KINGS *** Three wins on the trot – all at terrific value – speaks for itself; Respect. 8.00
4 KHUVSGOL * Visor off but impossible to have. 50
5 HAPPY SHINKO ** Thereabouts of late and can improve with blinkers removed – watch. 16
6 IRISH FLASH *** Jockey reported not striding last start and while no finding it might pay to forgive the duck egg and follow on win two back in similar affair. 3.50
7 VICTORIOUS ONE’S * No. 100
8 HAPPY MORE * Struggled last few. 50
9 TORNADO WIN *** Turned some solid form similar affairs into a strong win – can win again. 3.50
10 TRAP * Shown nothing of late. 100
11 WHO ELS *** Always a solid each-way hope with Barend Vorster on top. 6.00
12 FLEET FOOT * No. 100

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Race 9

Selections; 1 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS – 2 BETTER BE THE ONE – 3 PERFECT PINS – 5 NORTHERN LION
The odd thing about this race is the fact that not one horse was even placed at his last start. Obviously the fact that the top three rated horses – CAPTAIN OBVIOUS, BETTER BE THE ONE and PERFECT PINS – are coming through the KrisFlyer Sprint has plenty to do with that statistic , but still the lack of recent form from a few of these is a concern. However, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS can hold his head high after a solid fourth in the International Group 1 sprint and looks very well placed with a 3kg claim to win this. His form in similar affairs to this prior to his successful Dubai campaign also holds up and happy to follow. Obviously BETTER BE THE ONE would normally be the one to beat in a race like this but his poor run in the KrisFlyer is a concern. And given he will most likely start favourite he might be a risk but a win would not surprise in what could be a two-horse race. Happy to think CAPTAIN OBVIOUS and BETTER BE THE ONE run one-two with PERFECT PINS, COUP ALIGN and NORTHERN LION the only others to concern ourselves with for the exotics.

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1 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS *** Very handy 3kg claim and solid run in the KrisFlyer Sprint has him the one to beat in this. 2.30
2 BETTER BE THE ONE *** Disappointing in the KrisFlyer Sprint but can bounce back in what looks a perfect race to show his best. 1.80
3 PERFECT PINS ** Struggled doing it tough second up in the KrisFlyer but always some hope in this type of race. 8.00
4 COUP ALIGN ** Shocker last start but has the speed to be competitive with just 50kg today. 15
5 NORTHERN LION ** Form starting to read just fair but have to respect back on his favoured surface with no weight. 10
6 BIONIC BOY * Resuming after a run of very bad form. No. 100
7 RIO FORTUNE * Outclassed. 100

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Race 10

Selections; 3 JERAM CLIPPER – 5 MAGIC MOMENT – 10 FOREIGN EXCHANGE – 1 DAAD’S THE WAY
JERAM CLIPPER impressed winning at his Singapore debut and looks to have found a suitable race to continue his winning run. Although drawing awkwardly, Danny Beasley should ride positively into that tight first bend and with not a lot of horses who race handy in this field; he should get a nice position and be very hard to hold out at the business end. Another horse who comes into this with winning form is MAGIC MOMENT and while the trainer, Leslie Khoo, suggested that the horse appreciated being on the turf that day, I think it was blinkers on that did the trick and happy to follow him on the Poly. Of the rest, FOREIGN EXCHANGE gets all the favours for Moreira from the ace draw and can easily turn some solid form into a win while DAAD’S THE WAY is always a hope on the Poly and just needs an ounce of luck from the wide gate. For value or exotic players, keep VAYA CONDIOS, TAI COMMANDS, LOOK AT ME and MONTEREY safe in what could be a wide open affair.

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1 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Tested from the gate but always a winning hope on this surface/trip. 6.00
2 URBAN DANCER ** Coming off a shocker and query on this surface – watch market. 12
3 JERAM CLIPPER *** Won convincingly at Singapore debut and pay to follow. 4.00
4 CANSAVE ** Appreciates Singapore debut but wide gate makes it tough today. 20
5 MAGIC MOMENT *** Turned around some poor form with a win with blinkers and while that was on the turf it may pay to follow. 8.00
6 MONTEREY *** Disappointing last start and form reads badly but will win a race like this and worth keeping safe. 20
7 VAYA CONDIOS *** Appreciates two runs this campaign and step up in trip – goes close. 20
8 CAIYAYA ** Lasts tart just fair but step up to the mile might suit. 12
9 TAI COMMANDS *** Competitive this grade and switch back to the Poly in his favour. 12
10 FOREIGN EXCHANGE *** Always in the mix and run four back on the Poly suggest he handles the surface – can win with gate one a factor. 4.00
11 LOOK AT ME *** Another in the mix of late and pay to keep safe in a race with no stand-out. 10
12 ANG PAO KERETA * Reassess Class 5. 100
13 PADDY O’REILLY ** Competitive this company before jockey reporting not striding last start and worth following although wide gate an issue today. 20
14 TAKIS ** Never in the hunt last start from bad gate so worth though if he gets a start from gate 3 today. 20

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Race 11

Selections; 8 IRISH LIGHTNING – 4 BOURBON NIGHT – 7 THE HUSTLER – 1 HEY TORO
He hasn’t won since September last year and is often easier to just ignore on the punting front, but IRISH LIGHTNING looks due and will not get a better chance to knock in his overdue third career win today. The ROCK OF GIBRALTAR 3YO has plenty of pace but usually finds himself setting the race up for others in what are usually competitive Class 4 sprints. But his recent good efforts suggest he can hold them off today from gate four with the 1000m trip definitely a factor in picking him on top. BOURBON KNIGHT has also drawn well in gate three and Moreira will no doubt try to hold his position early. In saying that the Brazilian ace might just let a few other speedsters who have drawn wide cross and get a nice run with cover in what could be a hectic early pace. Those who have drawn wide but might try to pinch this are THE HUSTLER with blinkers added, MIRACLE BAY and THRILLA IN MANILA. If it does get silly early then watch for JOYLUCK, HEY TORO, ITISWHATITIS and STREET RUFFIAN to be working home late.

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1 HEY TORO ** Never won on the Poly before and drawn badly but will win in this company so pay to keep safe. 20
2 SMART GENERAL * Happy to wait for blinkers. 50
3 THRILLA IN MANILA *** Resuming in what is a very suitable race and recent trial OK – goes close. 12
4 BOURBON NIGHT *** Form from Restricted Maiden win has held up and goes mighty close in this field. 3.00
5 JOYLUCK ** Better over longer but loves the surface and will come into his own late. 33
6 SUPER STRIKE *** Late EXCELIFY. Resuming and good enough on his day to think he could sprint very well fresh with good recent trials under his belt. 20
7 THE HUSTLER *** Has been disappointing with support and drawn widest here but blinkers go on and expect a bold run. 7.00
8 IRISH LIGHTNING *** Foot on the till and the 1000m does look his caper – hardest to beat. 2.50
9 MIRACLE BAY *** Has pace to overcome bad gate and another who will be in this a very long time. 10
10 STAR OF BRAZIL * Resuming and no. 100
11 ZAC HEAVEN *** Last run better than the result and could be the value runner and go close if luck from wide gate. 20
12 STREET RUFFIAN ** Form reads badly but likes the surface and blinkers off could see a return to form. 50
13 ITISWHATITIS *** Getting closer to a win and will be making his presence felt late. 10
14 SHEN KIM * Appreciates better gate but like to see something this company before we seriously consider. 33

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