RACE 1 (12:00) ARAMAAYO 2020 STAKES CLASS 5
1st Pick: BRUTUS (1)
Very interesting runner here. Makes his Class 5 debut and from our leading stable. One to watch for any market support.
2nd Pick: MIRACLE (2)
Meets a suitable race this week and his lone career victory came over this course and distance. So must be respected.
3rd Pick: VOLUNTAD (9)
Proven performer for a race like this. Only a one-time winner but looked handy winning in this grade last start.
4th Pick: SUN RECTITUDE (3)
Drops back to Class 5 after competing in a higher grade. Last time in this grade he beat Lucky Jinsha who has scored twice since.
RACE 2 (12:30) MAKANANI 2019 STAKES CLASS 5
1st Pick: THOMAS DE LAGO (5)
Comes into Class 5 for the first time and was a four-time winner in the past. If he can emulate his best form, he will put on a show here.
2nd Pick: LORD JUSTICE (1)
Ran out of his skin last time in a higher grade and looks well placed here. Only needs to repeat that to figure in this.
3rd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (3)
On the quick back-up from last week. Was trapped wide and had excuses, so with some luck can be in the finish here.
4th Pick: SUPER SIX (2)
One of our oldest horses here in Singapore but has had a solid season so far. Won nicely a few starts ago and held that form with a placing last start. Never rule him out.
RACE 3 (13:00) DEBT COLLECTOR 2018 STAKES CLASS 4 (1)
1st Pick: ROYAL RETURN (4)
Too far back to cut any serious indent into the margin last start at his Kranji debut but still ran a nice third to Hadeer. Longer trip in his favour. Can finish in the money again.
2nd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (3)
Bidding for a three-in-a-row. Drawn awkwardly again but if he gets a handy spot early, he will be in for the fight again. Stick with him.
3rd Pick: THUNDER (8)
It’s a wonder how this English-bred has not won more than one race. Powered home from the ruck for second to Clarton Treasure at his last outing. Yard in form and won’t surprise if he pops up here.
4th Pick: SHEPHERD’S HYMN (1)
Horse with stacks of ability but who seems to have lost his way a little. Will appreciate extra 200m. Don’t write him off completely.
RACE 4 (13:30) GILT COMPLEX 2017 STAKES NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS)
1st Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (3)
Looked impressive winning a Novice last start on the Polytrack. Has always promised to be a progressive horse and he is putting it together nicely.
2nd Pick: AL MEQDAM (2)
Won his maiden over 1400m on the turf back in May. Has been rested since and trialled nicely leading up to this. One to watch.
3rd Pick: RENZO (9)
His last run was very disappointing but remarks were he may not have been suited to the Polytrack. Back on turf and won stylishly last time he raced on it.
4th Pick: EVEREST (5)
Has been very consistent for his first preparation and must be considered. His lone win came on the turf and a strong second last start shows his place here.
RACE 5 (14:00) DEBT COLLECTOR 2016 STAKES CLASS 4 (2)
1st Pick: FIELD MARSHAL (1)
Hard to get past following his super first-up second. Will break from a handy barrier and will take a lot of beating this time.
2nd Pick: FIRST BOWL (5)
Finished off quite strongly last time out when donning blinkers for the first time, even after he was a little tightened for room. Decent claims in this.
3rd Pick: MR HOOPER (6)
Put a line through his last run when things just went awry for him. Missed the start, rider lost irons, was crowded. Still ran on okay for fourth to Longhu. Warrants consideration.
4th Pick: WHAT YOU LIKE (8)
Don’t overlook him. Last two runs were not that bad when he took some ground off the leaders. No spring chicken but can still take a hand in this.
RACE 6 (14:30) STEPITUP 2015 STAKES CLASS 3
1st Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (3)
Only just touched off last time out in a good finish and has a better barrier here compared to last time out. Leading contender.
2nd Pick: RAMBO (11)
Chased Prosperous Return last time out. He has a nice light weight here and is still very lightly-raced.
3rd Pick: STRONG N POWERFUL (4)
Won the race that Vittoria Perfetta was third in when last seen in action. Has a bit more weight to carry here and would need another step forward.
4th Pick: TRUMPY (6)
Not disgraced in a couple of runs of late and could be good each-way odds.
RACE 7 (15:00) WAR AFFAIR 2014 STAKES CLASS 4
1st Pick: CON SPERANZA (9)
An ultra-consistent maiden (placed five of six starts) and looks fairly treated off a mark of 54 for handicap debut. Interesting.
2nd Pick: HERO (7)
Had to work a little bit to win his Open Maiden last time out and now has the blinkers going on here on the back of a trial win. Should go close.
3rd Pick: CHEVAL BLANC (6)
Can go forward and put himself nicely in the race and wouldn’t mind a drop of rain also.
4th Pick: METAL WORLD (3)
Reunited with Louis-Philippe Beuzelin and conditions suit him well.
RACE 8 (15:30) SUPER NINETYSEVEN 2013 STAKES CLASS 5
1st Pick: HOSAYLIAO (4)
Strung back-to-back wins last start and nothing says he can’t make it a three-peat. First time running over the distance but that shouldn’t be a worry for him.
2nd Pick: GOLD KINGDOM (1)
Although his best performances have come on the Polytrack, he has run some nice races on this surface and gets the 1800m easy. Look for him late.
3rd Pick: SAYONARA (10)
Mixed form this preparation but gets his chance to go one better than last start. Genuine Class 5 contender.
4th Pick: ALEXANDER (6)
Well-bred gelding who is still yet to break his maiden. Has run some eye-catching races and can see him figuring here.
RACE 9 (16:00) FLAX 2012 STAKES KRANJI STAKES A (SET WEIGHTS)
1st Pick: GRAND KOONTA (1)
A very smart type (Group-placed) who found traffic last time out when just failing behind Kharisma. The winner got first run that day and this James Peters-trained grey is weighted to turn that form around here.
2nd Pick: KHARISMA (3)
Singapore’s most prolific horse this year, winning five times and improving some 30 points in the process also. He is well drawn to take a sit in a fast run race on paper and should give another honest account of himself here.
3rd Pick: MAKKEM LAD (4)
This fellow was third in the same race as both Kharisma and Grand Koonta last time out. Reports are that he is in good form now and the conditions are perfect for him in this, although the barrier is not ideal.
4th Pick: SAVVY COMMAND (9)
Third in the Singapore Derby (1800m) on latest start in July. He has had a very quiet trial in preparation for this run and does have the necessary speed. Interesting.
RACE 10 (16:30) ALWAYS CERTAIN 2011 STAKES CLASS 4 (1)
1st Pick: GOOD LUCK CHARM (3)
Flew home for second last time out. Drawn off the track again but it doesn’t bother him as he gets back and thunders home. Commands respect.
2nd Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (10)
Jockey disqualified at his last start. Still in good nick and won’t surprise if he shows up here.
3rd Pick: REIGNITE (6)
Lived up to promise shown with convincing maiden win at fifth start. Has trained on and even if he faces a stiffer task, he won’t be out of his depth here.
4th Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (7)
Opened account at his 17th start. Rises in grade and will find this a different kettle of fish. Include in exotics.
RACE 11 (17:00) RAFFLES CUP GROUP 1 (3 YEAR OLD AND UPWARDS) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED)
1st Pick: BIG HEARTED (6)
The Singapore Gold Cup winner last back-end and was runner-up in the Derby on his latest start. He looked like he had come to win the race when outpointed by the talented Hard Too Think. He has plenty of class and Simon Kok Wei Hoong is back on board. Huge chance.
2nd Pick: LIM’S LIGHTNING (1)
Has had a great year, winning the Lion City Cup, and running second in the Kranji Mile. His form has been right out of top draw in 2021 and it will take a good one to beat him here.
3rd Pick: TOP KNIGHT (4)
A superstar of the local racing scene with multiple Group 1 victories to his name. He has had a slightly below par year for the standard of horse he is, but he now gets blinkers added for the first time and the booking of Louis-Philippe Beuzelin, who can suit the horse. Can bounce back to form here.
4th Pick: PROSPEROUS RETURN (12)
One of the Michael Clements six-strong attack on this feature race and he ran well in the two 3yo races this year and resulted in winning the ‘Consolation Guineas’ last time out in good style. This is much tougher, but he is improving all the time and it wouldn’t shock to see a bold show
RACE 12 (17:30) BETTER THAN EVER 2010 STAKES CLASS 4 (2)
1st Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (2)
Worth better than the plain side we saw at his last start. Won two of his three races over course and distance. Can make amends.
2nd Pick: BLEU MARINE (4)
Didn’t quite make his presence felt on debut. Seems to have made some headway, though. Tongue-tie on. Improved showing on the cards.
3rd Pick: TIGER LEAP (11)
Scored two in a row but finds himself against tougher opposition this time. No weight on his back and may sneak into the minors even if the wide barrier doesn’t help his cause.
4th Pick: MANDRAKE (7)
Ignore last run when caught wide. Not without ability but the penny hasn’t dropped since his only win. Place claims in this easier contest.
Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.