Singapore this Sunday

Six races from Singapore on Sunday with the undoubted highlight race 10 on the card, the Group 3 Woodlands Handicap.
The $200,000 Polytrack feature looks a terrific race on paper with BETTER BE THE ONE heading the ratings but it is the ‘re-match’ between YIN XIN and MR BIG that punters will be wanting to see.
The pair met under similar circumstances two weeks back over 1100m when Joao Moreira on YIN XIN took the honours.
But a slight pull in the weights and a determined and in-form Stephen Baster on-board MR BIG could see a reversal of the placings over 1200m.
Like the last time they met, the punters will back them both and expect nothing between them on the dividend board and at the finish.
Elsewhere on the card there might be some value about with ROYAL STYLE in race nine on the card after the SAXON 4YO finally gets to jump from a nice gate.

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Best Bets; ROYAL STAR (race 9, each-way), CITY LAD (race 12, each-way) and JOYLUCK (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 9 and 11), race 10 (2 and 3), race 11 (1, 4, 6 and 7) and race 12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9).

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Race 7

Selections; 10 JERAM GLORY – 4 SUPERCZAR – 1 HEAD START – 6 SLITHER
This race is tough. So tough that only a win by ACE ALPHABET would surprise. JERAM GLORY is a horse with a lot of upside as a 4YO and although up against some handy horses in this field, he should have the class to carry 50kg and win. The one gate always helps over a mile on the inner track and no reason to think he doesn’t make amends for a couple of close up placings with support of late. From the youngest horse in the race to the oldest; SUPERCZAR. The 9YO has won nine times in what has been a very good career and looks extremely well placed here to knock in that elusive tenth win. Throw a blanket over the rest with the likely improver being HEAD START and perhaps JOYFUL HEART MAN at long odds.

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1 HEAD START *** Had support last start in good company and effort good enough to follow in this with gate three a factor. 10
2 MARTINCHO CAT *** Battled away only in top Class last start but this looks more suitable and keeps the race honest. 4.00
3 QUINTA DE LAGO ** Coming off a nice win and keep safe with strong 1kg claimer in Aslam on-board. 12
4 SUPERCZAR *** Can forgive poor run last tie out (saddle slipped) as previous Poly form had him winning a race like this – each-way all the way. 12
5 BEE AHEAD *** Found it all too tough in the Derby but form prior had him pegged as a stayer to follow through the grades. Can win. 4.00
6 SLITHER *** In form an always doing enough late to think the mile will suit – keep safe. 7.00
7 JOYFUL HEART MAN ** Form reads badly but has an excellent Polytrack record and expect sharp improvement. 20
8 ILUMINADO ** Showed last start why he is always worth some thought in races like this. 20
9 ACE ALPHABET * Hard to have. 100
10 JERAM GLORY *** Ready to win again and light weight from gate one appeals. Big show. 3.60

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Race 8

Selections; 3 ZAC STAR DESTROYER – 5 NEWFOUNDFAME – 6 COFFEE KID – 8 DAN NOBLE
Only one horse in this field comes into this race with a placing at his last start. An apprentice hoop was queried (nothing in it ref!) on the run. Joao Moreira goes on board. He draws gate two. It’s not Rocket science. The horse in question is ZAC STAR DESTROYER and while too short to be a good punting option, looks the only one to have on top. The race has no depth and plenty of non winners but usually someone stands up and you may want to consider the likes of NEWFOUNDFAME, COFFEE KID and nine-time winner DAN NOBLE with YF Leong back in the saddle. SUN ENTERPRISE the improver back in trip and DISTINCT NICHE goes well on his day. Now, where’s the bar?

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1 SUN ENTERPRISE *** Just fair last start over the mile but back in trip should be in his favour – keep safe. 8.00
2 SUDDEN INTEREST * Also back in trip to find form but not going well enough to consider. 50
3 ZAC STAR DESTROYER *** Apprentice queried last run when placed; Moreira on from good gate suggest he wins. 2.50
4 DOMINATOR * No. 50
5 NEWFOUNDFAME *** Form solid enough for this type of race and drop back in distance not a worry – goes close. 7.00
6 COFFEE KID *** Never given a chance from wide gate last start and previous good run has him right in this from an inside draw. 7.00
7 SWITCH DOUBLEMISTY ** Blinkers on after two shockers and have to take on trust. 12
8 DAN NOBLE *** Did it tough enough last start when supported to give another chance. 6.00
9 DISTINCT NICHE *** Yet another who drops back in distance where he has been disappointing with support to find form. Play with caution. 8.50
10 MR BEAN ** Not the worst last time out and Vorster from gate one a good combination. 20
11 KUTI KUTI * Doesn’t seem to handle this track. 33

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Race 9

Selections; 9 ROYAL STYLE – 1 SHINING GLORY – 11 TENUPONTEN – 6 WARRIOR
Some nice form from most of the horses in this Class 4 event ensures a good punting race and an interesting one given a couple of the hopes, WARRIOR and TENUPONTEN are maidens fighting (you would assume) out of their depth. But both look well enough placed after good runs at their respective last starts with WARRIOR appreciating his debut effort and Moreira on-top today and TENUPONTEN having the benefit of the ace draw. But it is another horse that should make use of a better gate today in ROYAL STYLE who looks the one to beat. The SAXON 4YO brings in very solid form into this race and given the awkward (at best) gates he has had to jump from of late, he can win from barrier 3. A claim helps and with the depth in this race he might be a terrific each-way option. In saying that, SHINING GLORY has shown at his last couple that he wins very soon in Class 4 and probably deserves to be favourite and the one the others have to beat. Perhaps a forecast/exacta/swinger is in order but it will also pay to respect the likes of DEN, VOLKOV, TOUGH RULER and HUMOUR TOWN in what is a very good race.

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1 SHINING GLORY *** Led them up last start from wide gate and almost won – goes very close from six. 4.00
2 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD * Former Australian who won two from seven on non-city tracks. trials just fair and market only guide. 33
3 DEN *** Hard to argue with form coming off three straight wins and recent trial good enough to follow. 10
4 VOLKOV *** Always a hope in races like this and fresh enough to give this a shake. 12
5 QUALITASE * First up run OK and blinkers removed but prefer over longer. 33
6 WARRIOR *** Singapore debut in a Maiden affair solid with support but this is tougher. 4.00
7 TOUGH RULER *** Has been a tad disappointing since nice Restricted win on debut but pay to keep safe. 8.00
8 HUMOR TOWN *** Bad draw a concern but showed more than enough last start from wide gate to think he could surprise with any luck in running. 12
9 ROYAL STYLE *** Has been doing it tough from wide gates last couple so those efforts very good and can win from better gate with 3kg claim a bonus. 7.00
10 HOOPER ** Competitive at his best and worth a look in exotics. 33
11 TENUPONTEN *** In form and nice gate has him one of the leading hopes. 6.00
12 GOLFER * No. 100

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Race 10

Selections; 3 MR BIG – 2 YIN XIN – 1 BETTER BE THE ONE – 8 SPEEDY CAT
While it would be unwise to discount any horse in this solid Group 3 field, the winner should come from either YIN XIN or MR BIG. In fact the two can continue their good battle from their ‘match-race’ two weeks ago and again, not much between the two. But while we were confident about YIN XIN winning last start, a couple of small but important factors have MR BIG getting the gong today. A slight pull in the weights is one – a 1.5kg swing counts of plenty at this level – and the extra 100m could also play into MR BIG’s favour as Stephen Baster may stalk his rival after drawing outside YIN XIN (gate 3) in gate 5. But while it’s a toss of the coin and could well turn into a match race again, a case could be made for most – if not all – the other horses with BETTER BE THE ONE good enough to carry 57kg and win on his day and the likes of SPEEDY CAT or WON’T STOP some hope. Great race but MR BIG to bounce back – narrowly.

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1 BETTER BE THE ONE ** Did it tough enough in the KrisFlyer to excuse and goes very close at his best. 7.00
2 YIN XIN *** Showed he has more than enough to match it at this level last start and loves the surface – big show. 2.30
3 MR BIG *** Would have lost few friends running second to YIN XIN last start and weight swing and extra 100m in his favour so can make amends. 2.20
4 JAMAL MALIK ** Back in trip but always trials well so that might not be an issue. Place. 33
5 WON’T STOP ** Did it tough last start and happy to entertain on strong Poly form. 20
6 RAFAGA ** Another back in trip but won last time over this trip/track – keep safe. 20
7 HAMMER DOWN ** Found the Derby all too much but previous form in good races with light weight strong and worth a look. 33
8 SPEEDY CAT ** Has ability and will have admirers but needs to win more often for the support. 12
9 GRAND ARRIVAL ** Another who found the Derby campaign too much but has form over this trip on the Poly so don’t discount with head-gear back on. 50

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Race 11

Selections; 1 SOLITAIRE – 7 SKY PROTEGE – 6 JOYLUCK – 4 SURPRISE SURPRISE
With two wins, five seconds and the odd third from just eight career starts, it’s safe to say SOLITAIRE is a pretty honest type. And while costly for followers and favourite backers at his last couple, the Polytrack looks in his favour (both wins on this surface) as does the mile from gate three with a claim so hard to beat. Last start winner, WARSPIRIT, will also be backed with Joao Moreira on-board but with not much form on the Poly and a bad gate to contend with, he could be the lay-of-the-day. Horses that will provide value and love this surface/trip are JOYLUCK and SKY PROTEGE – both worth serious each-way looks and SURPRISE SURPRISE also worth some thought on solid form with a nice gate and Dan Beasley in the saddle.

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1 SOLITAIRE *** Foot on the till and both career wins on this surface. should win with claim from good gate a bonus. 2.00
2 WARSPIRIT ** Coming off a nice win but the Poly not his best surface and bad gate an issue. 4.00
3 ABASTOR ** Likes the surface but query at the trip. Take on trust. 20
4 SURPRISE SURPRISE *** In solid form and showed last start that a win over this trip looks imminent. Some show. 15
5 YASTRZEMSKI ** Won a tough battle over 1400m last start and should step up to this level no problem. Include somewhere with winkers off. 12
6 JOYLUCK *** Always a solid each-way show over this trip/surface and often value. Follow. 12
7 SKY PROTEGE *** Did well to place over 1000m last start and has to be respected back up to a more suitable trip – Watch. 20
8 TAKIS ** Returned to form when blinkers removed last start and pay to start following. 8.00
9 BEAT TO QUARTERS * Not a million miles away last start but can disappoint and bad gate suggest we can wait. 33
10 EIGHTH WONDER ** Awkwardly drawn today but has shown more than enough in this company to think he could pinch one at odds. 20
11 GOLDEN HAWKEYE * No. 100
12 SOCIAL NETWORK * No. 200

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Race 12

Selections; 1 CITY LAD – 2 IRISH COFFEE – 4 SACRED SPRING – 3 GOOD BUDDY
Expect the punters to unload on IRISH COFFEE in the ‘get-out-of-jail-stakes’. And rightly so. The Steve Burridge-trained 4YO was narrowly beaten last start in a similar affair and placed second at his previous Poly start over this trip. Joao Moreira goes on from a good gate and that adds up to an odds-on starting price but obviously can win. But a horse that can win and might sneak out to value given the support for IRISH COFFEE is CITY LAD. The 4YO is first up after a pretty good run in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas and looks ready to show his best first up with a handy 3kg claim and nice enough gate in his favour. The race has depth though and it will pay to keep both GOOD BUDDY and SACRED SPRING (first up) very safe with one eye on the market. If it gets silly early then watch out for the likes of DANNY and GUIDED LIGHT who are both in form and back in trip with the market the only guide for the Michael Freedman-trained newcomer, LUXURIOUS CHOICE.

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1 CITY LAD *** Resuming after solid Guineas run. Can win fresh and a horse to follow. 4.00
2 IRISH COFFEE *** Close up last start, enjoys the surface and well drawn – big show. 1.80
3 GOOD BUDDY *** Bad gate a concern in this good field but foot on the till and might be value. 7.00
4 SACRED SPRING *** Resuming but looked ready to win last campaign and has first up form – watch at value. 9.00
5 LUXURIOUS CHOICE ** Former Australian who will be competitive in this company on solid trial form but has found a tough Class 4 field first up. 33
6 RIMSKY * Hard to have. 100
7 DANNY ** In form and best work expected late but slight question mark over 1200m. 20
8 GUIDED LIGHT ** Also in fine form but drop back in trip a concern. 12
9 LONESOME ME ** Resuming but will be competitive this grade and worth a though in exotics first up. 33
10 MY PREROGATIVE * Needs easier than this. 100
11 MAGIC OCEAN * Reassess Class 5. 50
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