RACE 1 (12:00) CLASS 5 (1)

1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (4)
Was a winner two starts ago on this surface and flew home on the turf to just miss out. Big player here if he overcomes the barrier.
2nd Pick: NORTHERN SUN (6)
Can settle back in his races but has a good turn of foot at the business end of his races. Needs a good tempo early.
3rd Pick: EASYLIGHTS (8)
Very competitive in Class 5 and can surprise here. His run two starts ago was full of merit and one to watch on betting.
4th Pick: PER INCROWN (10)
Could be a sneaky one in the finish with some value. Has some okay form to his name and meets an easier field in this division.

RACE 2 (12:30) CLASS 5

1st Pick: MARCUS ANTONIUS (12)
Genuine player in a field like this. Has form over the distance and must be respected from a leading stable.
2nd Pick: TONY’S LOVE (10)
Has form over this distance and never too far away from the winners in his races. One of the easier fields he has met here.
3rd Pick: PISCA PISCA (6)
Trainer loves preparing horses for this distance and this runner looks primed to pounce in this grade and last few runs have been okay.
4th Pick: RESURGENCE (5)
Wasn’t at his best last start but gets a chance to redeem himself in a field of this depth. Stable in form lately.

RACE 3 (13:00) CLASS 4 (2)

1st Pick: TOM CAT (5)
Has done nothing wrong in three starts this prep with one win and two thirds. Drawn wide but he gets back, anyway. Leading hope.
2nd Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (2)
More effective over 1400m, but with the right run, he will map well in this. Will be thereabouts.
3rd Pick: LIM’S PASSION (1)
Flew home for fifth place to Songgong Hera first-up from a six-month break. Will strip fitter for the run. Place claims.
4th Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (9)
Nice win with a postage-stamp load last Sunday. On the quick back-up and is still well in on weights. Drawn wide again. Will make presence felt at business end.

RACE 4 (13:30) CLASS 5 (3)

1st Pick: PERFECT MISSION (3)
His last-start placing was full of merit and if he runs up to that standard, he can go one place better in this.
2nd Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (6)
Although her best form has come on the turf she is a winner on this surface and has to be respected in this class.
3rd Pick: OUR SHOWCASE (12)
Did a lot of things wrong at his last outing so the best guide is to go off his run two starts ago when beaten under a length in similar conditions.
4th Pick: MASTER SOMMELIER (8)
Trialled in good order leading into this. Has form over longer trips but look for him to be running home late.

RACE 5 (14:00) NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS)

1st Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (5)
Knocking on the door. Certainty beaten last time out when he missed many lengths after rearing at the start, and he had no clear run in straight. Marble one this time.
2nd Pick: SPEEDY MISSILE (1)
Ran in the money behind the likes of Hard Too Think and Starlight, who eventually went on to win the Singapore Derby and 3YO Classic. Lovely barrier. Blinker-pacifiers on. Top chance.
3rd Pick: EVEREST (3)
Disappointing in the 3YO Classic. Had no excuses. Worth better. Won barrier trial last week. Better showing expected.
4th Pick: EIGHT BALL (2)
Finally opened account in Open Maiden company, albeit the opposition was not too flash. Faces stronger opposition. Can finish in the money.

RACE 6 (14:30) CLASS 4

1st Pick: THE BROTHERHOOD (3)
Too good at his last outing. Rises in class but meets a moderate Class 4 lot. Strong claims for a repeat.
2nd Pick: MALIBU BEACH (8)
Held up in straight last time out. Could have won the race. Include in calculations.
3rd Pick: FIRST BOWL (5)
Not disgraced at his last two runs in Class 4 company. Awkward alley is a query but if he can tuck in somewhere in midfield, he has a fair chance.
4th Pick: WHIZ FIZZ (4)
Ignore last start when he was trapped deep. No luck at the gates again. Faces stiff task, but with leading apprentice jockey Hakim Kamaruddin up, he may give a better account of himself.

RACE 7 (15:00) KRANJI STAKES A (SET WEIGHTS)

1st Pick: LIM’S LIGHTNING (1)
This extremely talented six-year-old has been in super form in 2021 having won three of four starts and they include the Lion City Cup and a second in the Kranji Mile. A nice win in this grade last time makes him hard to beat and a recent trial was excellent in defeat. One to beat.
2nd Pick: MR MALEK (3)
He felt the firm track in the Singapore Derby when last seen. This race suits well and he can give Lim’s Lightning most to do. A must include here.
3rd Pick: SACRED CROIX (4)
A strong pace looks very likely here and that will suit this hold-up performer. A couple of very good runs in defeat of late give him a solid chance of making the frame.
4th Pick: MINISTER (2)
Only sixth in the Kharisma race on August 1 last time out in building up to the Raffles Cup. This is another stepping stone but he can certainly make an impact over the extra furlong.

RACE 8 (15:30) CLASS 5 (2)

1st Pick: HUNTSMAN (2)
Comes into this off a solid second last start behind Uncle Lucky. He only has to run up to that performance to figure here.
2nd Pick: BIG DAY (1)
Form reads well for this. Has to carry topweight but has won over this distance before and stable in good form in recent weeks.
3rd Pick: ATLANTEAN (7)
Willing to give another go this week. This isn’t a strong field and he does his best racing over this course and distance.
4th Pick: COMING FAST (6)
Only a one-time winner in his career but has run some nice races this season behind some horses who have carried the form onwards.

RACE 9 (16:00) KRANJI STAKES C (SET WEIGHTS)

1st Pick: TIGER ROAR (2)
Winner of the 3yo Sprint and runner-up in the Classic behind stablemate Starlight. He is better suited over this extra trip and can turn the tables on the Headwater gelding this time around.
2nd Pick: PROSPEROUS RETURN (6)
Another of the Michael Clements team who will really appreciate the extra distance here and has a touch of class.
3rd Pick: STARLIGHT (3)
No fluke about the win in the Classic, but that was 1400m and he did seem to be coming to the end of his run. He now has to prove he stays this trip but has rock solid form claims.
4th Pick: SUN POWER (4)
Outclassed in the Singapore Derby when fifth but didn’t run too badly all things considered. This is more realistic and is an interesting runner from a value perspective.

RACE 10 (16:30) CLASS 4

1st Pick: ATLAS (10)
Has gone close in some recent racing and looks well suited here and should go very close in this.
2nd Pick: KING LOUIS (1)
Classy in years gone by, but not the force of old. Has a wide draw but if he can overcome that, he can go well here.
3rd Pick: REAL EFECTO (6)
Has conditions to suit here having won his Restricted Maiden over this course and distance. One to include.
4th Pick: THE WILD BUNCH (3)
Down in grade and has trialled well ahead of this start.

RACE 11 (17:00) CLASS 4 (1)

1st Pick: STRONG N SMART (6)
Lost no marks when he contested the Group 3 3YO Sprint. Back in his element and should find this easier. Working well on the training tracks, including a second in a barrier trial on July 27. Commands respect.
2nd Pick: HADEER (5)
Made all at his last start over same course and distance with blinkers on. Apprentice jockey Jerlyn Seow Poh Hui stays on and there is no reason why they can’t double up.
3rd Pick: SHEPHERD’S HYMN (1)
Looking to make amends from last-start failure three and a half months ago. Freshened up and may need the run. Can still fill the minors.
4th Pick: MAGNIFIQUE (3)
Opened account at long odds last time out. Reverts to turf over which he has not been successful. Vastly-improved, though, and is worth a place bet.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.