Singapore this Sunday

One of only a handful of domestic Group 1 races in Singapore dominates the six race-card today with the running of the SGD $500,000 Patron’s Bowl.
And while the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Challenge would have attracted a big crowd and plenty of press regardless, the surprise nomination of 2012 KrisFlyer Sprint winner, ATO, certainly added to the pre-race drama.
As you would expect with an International Group 1 to his name, ATO heads the ratings but is a query over the trip which is obviously a factor given eight of the horses in the field all came through a more traditional route, the first leg of the Challenge over 1400m.
However, ATO has won over 1400m and placed over the mile in the Group 1 Guineas in 2011 and trainer Pat Shaw would be confident the South African-bred entire can add another impressive string to his bow by winning on Sunday.
But the connections of GINGERBREAD MAN have heard that all before and the horse that is undefeated at Group level at his own age can add another chapter to his fairy tale of a career.
After winning the Juvenile Championship as a 2YO, GINGERBREAD MAN made a clean-sweep of the Three-Year-Old series before winning the Stewards’ Cup, the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Challenge.
This remarkable record should see him start favourite in the Patron’s Bowl but with ATO and a host of horses that come into this with eye-catching runs in the Stewards’ Cup, the reigning Singapore Champion 3YO will have to be at his very best.
A great race and with the Emirates Singapore Derby to be run on Sunday July 15, a great series.
And one 4YO that won’t be beating GINGERBREAD MAN on Sunday but might just have a say in the Emirates Singapore Derby is RED BEARD.
The Auric stable-owned gelding was probably one run short of an ideal preparation for the Patron’s Bowl so connections have opted for a 1400m event instead.
At the race conditions and with CAPTAIN OBVIOUS keeping the weights compressed, RED BEARD has just 50kg to carry and that luxury – coupled with his terrific first run back from a spell under his belt – could see another win added to a CV that boasts five victories from just seven career starts.

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Best Bets; ATO (race 8, win), EL MILAGRO (race 11, each-way) and BLACK RAIN (race 12, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 13), race 10 (1 and 10), race 11 (1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) and race 12 (1, 2 and 3)

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Race 7

Selections; 10 MONGOLIAN STAR – 6 WOLFSBANE – 2 CHUN DOONG – 3 ENZO
A very tough Class 5 field with few horses finding themselves back in a winnable grade and a significant gear change on one of the more regular Class 5 conveyances in MONGOLIAN STAR. And with blinkers/pacifiers added for the first time and his form suggesting he was ‘due’, a bold run is expected by MONGOLIAN STAR and he might prove hard to run down under I Andy. But the one-time winner will have to improve on recent placing’s as this field is strong with stable mate, WOLFSBANE, one of the major players. The Arexevan-syndicated 5YO broke through for an overdue win in this Class in January and his two runs this campaign in Class 4 suggests he is in good enough form to show up again in this bottom grade. CHUN DOONG also drops to Class 5 and while his form reads terribly, his last run was better than the result and this trip suits. He may be value as well which would be handy given finding the winner will be a hard task so a reward for effort would be welcome. Of the rest, ENZO is in form and has to be respected; GOLDEN LIDO is fresh and is sure to come into contention late with TIEN CHAI also some hope each-way on what he showed late last start.

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1 AFTERNOON DELIGHT ** Awkwardly drawn but showed enough last start in maiden company to think he is thereabouts with luck in running. 10
2 CHUN DOONG *** Form reads badly but last start OK in better company and step up to 1400m in Class 5 ideal – big show. 12
3 ENZO *** In very solid form similar affairs and will be in this for a very long way from the ace draw. 4.00
4 GOLDEN LIDO *** Resuming but looks to have found a very suitable race first up – follow with best work expected late. 8.00
5 PLAY ON ** OK home last start in Novice company and appreciates Class 5. 20
6 WOLFSBANE *** Significant drop to winning company and appreciates two runs back – goes close. 10
7 LEAVE ME ALONE ** Home OK to finish fourth similar affair last start and can include in exotics again. 20
8 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ * No. 100
9 QUI EST LA ** Thereabouts last couple and recent trial OK. 20
10 MONGOLIAN STAR *** Foot on the till and blinkers/pacifiers on first time suggests he can break through – watch market. 4.00
11 SMART CHOICE * No. 100
12 TIEN CHAI *** Last start better then the result and home well enough to follow. 12
13 ROYAL BRAT *** Had a day out to win in a weak field last start – this is tougher but has won over the trip before. 8.00
14 BICARA * Blinkers back on but not for me. 50

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Race 8

Selections; 1 ATO – 2 GINGERBREAD MAN – 5 RAFAGA – 4 NANDOWRA
As you would expect in a Group 1 event, all the good 4YO’s are on show including – in somewhat of a surprise – ATO, fresh from the biggest win of his career in the $1 million KrisFlyer Sprint. And while he wasn’t far away from GINGERBREAD MAN over this trip in the Guineas last year, there will be queries on ATO over the mile in this preparation. That being the case, ATO – with an International Group win under his belt – might just be value and happy to think the in-form sprinter can win. But GINGERBREAD MAN showed last start why he is the benchmark in races like this and when you consider he is undefeated at own-age Group level, he will be favourite and hard to beat. But after getting a few favours from gate two in the first leg, Opie Bosson will need to be at his best from gate nine and a plethora of horses that finished close up in the Steward’s Cup will have every chance to knock him off his throne. RAFAGA wasn’t far behind GINGERBREAD MAN on that occasion and J Saimee has drawn beautifully in gate two so he must be a winning hope with NANDOWRA, CHASE ME, HAMMER DOWN and to a lesser extent, LIGHTNING THIEF and GRAND ARRIVAL all in form and keep this finish tight. Of those that didn’t run in the first leg, keep an eye on TANGIBLE ASSETS – especially with a view on an improved run in the Derby.

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1 ATO *** Won a Rocket Man-less KrisFlyer in May and while a query at the mile his class has him playing a part late. 3.50
2 GINGERBREAD MAN *** Won the first leg of the 4YO series to continue his dominance at own-age Group races – hard to beat again. 3.00
3 AROWANA DOT COM ** Led them up in the first leg and couldn’t go on with the job – won over the mile but tested here. 33
4 NANDOWRA *** Tasted defeat for the first time in 20912 in the first leg of this series but definitely not disgraced and mile in his favour – some hope. 7.00
5 RAFAGA *** Coming off a gallant second in the Steward’s Cup and mile also in his favour – right in this. 7.00
6 HAMMER DOWN *** Stable-mate of GINGERBREAD MAN but shown at his last couple that he is in carer best form and up to this. 12
7 CHASE ME *** Showed plenty in the first leg and work on the line suggests he gets support here and goes close. 6.00
8 GRAND ARRIVAL ** Did more than enough late in the Stewards Cup to follow over the mile and will be the value. 40
9 DEEP POCKETS ** Winning form is handy but facing his biggest challenge today and might find this too tough. 40
10 LIGHTNING THIEF ** Certainly did enough stepping up to this company last start and another who has a say late at odds. 40
11 TANGIBLE ASSETS ** Promising stayer who rarely runs a bad race – back in distance a concern but worth following into the Derby. 40
12 KNIGHT’S COMMAND * Form OK but big ask in this company. 100

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Race 9

Selections; 3 MARTIN – 1 DOREMI LA – 7 OK OK – 11 CHIVE BLOOM
One of the tougher races of the weekend and a race where you could come up with different winner every-time you did the form. And the fact most of the runners have wins or good form over the trip to their names suggest the betting will be spirited and the finish busy to say the least. And while you could throw a blanket over most, I think MARTIN is a progressive type and can win this fresh. His win two starts back suggested he is a horse that will more than handle Class 4 and given he looked to have excuses last time out before being OK home late has him a winning hope in this. One also to watch is the Class dropper, DOREMI LA. The 5YO gelding looks to have ordinary form leading into this (to say the least) but his last run back in March was a lot better than the result and given the last time he was in this company/distance he won suggests he improves lengths. Hopefully he gets under a few punters radar’s and can go well at value. Most others make some appeal and in no particular order keep CHARLY B, ZAC VELOCITY, ARAPUNI, SUPER AHEAD, OK OK and CHIVE BLOOM all safe.

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1 DOREMI LA *** Freshened after nice effort in better company and this looks ideal to show his best – keep safe. 20
2 CHARLY B *** This trip always looked a good option and happy to follow each way. 8.00
3 MARTIN *** Excuses last start and happy to follow this grade fresh. 6.00
4 PREDICTABLE ** Appreciates first up run and was supported when he won similar affair back in November – watch market. 20
5 ZAC VELOCITY *** Disappointing last start when blinkers went back on and drawn badly here but worth another chance. 6.00
6 ARAPUNI *** Always rates as an each-way hope this type of race and keeps most honest. 5.00
7 OK OK *** Hit the wall last start over the mile but drop back in distance in his favour. Bold run expected. 10
8 AMAZON BOY ** Resuming after good maiden win and happy to follow although might just need the run. 12
9 LADY TRIO * Impossible on form. 100
10 SUPER AHEAD *** Blinkers back off after just a fair run and pay to keep safe as he will win this company. 12
11 CHIVE BLOOM *** In terrific form without a result but pay to follow as he will win soon this preparation. 5.00
12 SUPER ZUCCA * No. 100
13 ROUGH DANCE *** Did it tough last start and that run good enough to follow in a race like this at value. 33
14 SUPER SPUR * Probably going better than the form suggests but wide gate makes this tough. 50
15 GALLANT FORCE * Hard to have. 100
16 MOEROCK *** Freshened so 1400m looks ideal and a big sh9ow on what he sho9wed last start. 12

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Race 10

Selections; 10 RED BEARD – 1 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS – 2 WAIKATO – 3 FLYING FULTON
Taking nothing away from what should have been a cracking Patron’s Bowl, this race could stand alone as a feature and co-incidentally could see the best 4YO on show as that age-group heads toward the Derby. So while GINGERBREAD MAN et al would be back in their stables after doing battle over the mile, RED BEARD takes on the older horses over 1400m. The connections of ZENO ROB ROY gelding have targeted a start in the Derby and this race looks an ideal stepping stone after making a comeback over 1100m on June 10. That run – his first for five months – was a beauty and with just 50kg today he might have enough in hand late to beat some of the more accomplished Singapore stars in CAPTAIN OBVIOUS, WAIKATO and FLYING FULTON. Of the three, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS probably has the best form and looks well placed with a 3kg Freddie Firdaus claim. The newcomer, HEAD START, is the unknown with market best guide.

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1 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS *** In super form and looks hard to beat from gate one with 3kg claim. 2.50
2 WAIKATO *** Coming off a rare bad run on International day but have to respect over what looks a suitable trip. 6.00
3 FLYING FULTON *** Found one better at his last three starts but obviously in the mix and have to follow. 6.00
4 THE COMEDIAN ** Disappointing last start but did have top-weight so 51.5kg in his favour. 20
5 BLACK ICE ** Coming off a nice win and previous form in similar affairs OK – follow. 16
6 KEEP AWAY ** Surprised a few by leading them up last start and the effort good enough to include in skinny end of exotics. 33
7 MARTIAL ART ** More than handy stayer resuming over what is a suitable trip. Keep safe. 33
8 POWERFUL RULER * Needs to show more. 100
9 HEAD START ** Former Australian with a Listed race included on his five win CV – watch market. 20
10 RED BEARD *** Star in the making who showed first up he is back in that saw him win five form his first six. Can win this with 50kg. 4.00
11 DAVIDE ** Honest and while this is a big test he will battle away late with no weight on his back. 12

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Race 11

Selections; 1 EL MILAGRO – 12 TOM – 9 DAMO – 4 SHAOLIN SOLDIER
Where is the value? That could be the question to ask before this race given most have genuine winning hopes and something has to give on the dividend board. Hopefully a horse like EL MILAGRO – who comes into this after two solid but unplaced runs at Group level – sneaks under a few punters guards. The 3YO might also get out to nice odds given his four career wins have been on the Poly but happy to think his turf query has been answered on his runs in the 3YO series. Another 3YO, TOM, also comes under notice and while gate two and Moreira suggests he won’t be missed by punters, he can win this. The Oscar stable-owned gelding looked a good thing beaten last start (at odds) and given his two previous wins were with Moreira on board, he goes mighty close here. Staying with the 3YO theme, I think DAMO can bounce back after a shocker last start and will be value given that poor performance. He appreciates the switch back to the turf and J Saimee could deliver a knock-out blow over his winning trip. SHAOLIN SOLDIER is in the mix and might be terrific each-way odds and a must for any exotics. We can mention them all – GREAT LIGHT and KING EMPIRE probably hardest to leave out of the top four picks – with MOOVA HOOVA the improver at 100-1.

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1 EL MILAGRO *** Finds himself back in Class 3 after a couple of very solid efforts in the 3YO series at Group level – can win this. 6.00
2 MOOVA HOOVA ** Last run better than it looked with plenty of excuses – start following at odds. 100
3 RUN FOR THE HILLS ** Winkers added after tough run last start and switch to turf makes this interesting. 20
4 SHAOLIN SOLDIER *** In form and 1400m suits – very solid each-way chance. 20
5 PEACEFUL WARRIOR *** Not far away last start over this same trip and in this a very long way. 20
6 KING EMPIRE *** Backed up solid Singapore debut with a good win and has won twice over this trip previously – big show. 4.00
7 BRING MORE MONEY ** Supported and just fair first run this company – keep safe. 12
8 ALWAYS HAPPY *** Not far away last start similar affair and honest enough to be an each-way chance at value. 20
9 DAMO *** Very disappointing last start but back on turf over 1400m in his favour and happy to give another chance to show his best. 25
10 GREAT LIGHT *** In terrific form and looks like whoever beats him should win. 4.50
11 RAGING STORM *** Very consistent and looks suited here with no weight to be in the mix again. 12
12 TOM *** Looked a good thing beaten last start and can make amends here in what is a similar affair. 5.00
13 WHITE COFFEE *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and blinkers on today – keep safe in a race with depth. 33
14 RIMSKY * Reassess Class 4. 100

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Race 12

Selections; 1 BLACK RAIN – 3 AWAKENED – 2 NATURAL NICE – 12 PIED PIPER
It’s no coincidence that the top three picks in this all have winning form over 1400m. It is a coincidence, however, that the three – BLACK RAIN, NATURAL NICE and AWAKENED – are the top rated horses in the race and all have two wins over the trip on their solid CV’s. So obviously there is not much between the three so BLACK RAIN, with a claim and a nice gate in his favour, got the nod as the on-top pick. But you could make a strong case for the other two and AWAKENED looks ready to show his best stepping back up to his winning trip and NATURAL NICE is sparkling form and a win would definitely not surprise. Those three, with DANNY thrown in the mix, should dominate proceedings but those looking for some value could consider the 3YO maiden runner, PIED PIPER with no weight, DARIAN GAP up in distance at his third Singapore run or HIGGS BOSSON who will get a race to suit his swooping style sooner than later.

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1 BLACK RAIN *** Last start good and two wins were over this trip – big show and rain won’t hurt. 5.00
2 NATURAL NICE *** In fine form and looks hardest to beat. 3.00
3 AWAKENED *** Excellent work on the line last start suggests he is ready to win again with step up to winning distance obviously in his favour. 5.00
4 DANNY *** Always a show in this type of race and goes good enough when on his game to win. 4.50
5 BY LAW * Struggling. 100
6 DARIEN GAP *** Last run better than the result and step up in distance in his favour – watch at value. 20
7 MARCUSINO ** Has been somewhat disappointing of late but goes OK on his day and pay to keep safe. 33
8 RAW COURAGE ** Excuses last start (respiratory distress) and while a risk his effort two starts back was good. 33
9 HIGGS BOSON *** Will get well back and get home well and bob up and win soon at odds. 20
10 LUCKY RISE ** First up run good doing it tough but wide gate suggests we wait another day. 50
11 GRAVLAX ** Debut solid and appreciates extra trip but might need longer and easier before we seriously consider. 50
12 PIED PIPER *** Good run in Restricted maiden company last start and not a bad move trying his luck in Class 4 with no weight on that effort. 10
13 DARING JOURNEY ** Did it tough last start and happy to follow in this type of race but obviously need luck from wide gate. 33
14 ALL SHINE * Appreciates first run back but reassess Class 5. 100
15 MARATHON LAD ** Consistent and worth an each way look if he gets a start. 20
16 AFFIRMATION ** Not a lot last start and would love to see in Class 5 but form prior to that run good and a cheeky run is expected. 20

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