A bumper 10-race card awaits us in Singapore on Sunday 15th September 2019 and it will be the last ‘all-Poly’ meeting before we head to the Turf, to finish off the year. I tricky card indeed, it may be worth saving the bulk of those wagers for the fourth race, where SPORTSCASTER looks to be one of the better bets on the card.
STREET PARTY in the fifth race could be a fair bit of value and the South African owned son of Congrats will be looking to build on his last start when dropping back into Class 4 opposition.
Best Bet: SPORTSCASTER (Race 4)
Value Bet: STREET PARTY (Race 5)
Race 1
Selections: 11 – 9 – 7 – 5 – 4
PRINCE PEGASUS was an unlucky loser last time out when lining up over this course and distance just one week ago. He was squeezed at the start before finding a wall of traffic in front of him, as he travelled through the 200m mark. Forced to switch late in order to find a clear passage, he was beaten 1.50 lengths into 4th. South African rider JP van der Merwe retains the ride and from agate 8, he will opt to steer clear of the early scramble, in order to negate the chances of finding late traffic once again. A repeat of his last effort with a clear run this time, should be good enough to land his first Hong Kong win. GOLDEN THUNDER has started to show signs of a big run since dropping into this class and he steps back onto the Poly this time, where he has featured prominently before. He will benefit from a much-improved draw this time and should be suited to this slight drop in trip, from a handy position. HERO STAR has been in solid recent form in this class and he will be buoyed by that good recent performance, when finishing just 0.30 lengths behind the top selection (PRINCE PEGASUS). It is no surprise to see Woodworth retain the ride and the expected pace setter will not go down without a fight in the closing stages. As such, he must be included. TURF BEAUTY broke the maidens at his 20th time of asking last time out, in a dominant start-to-finish performance over this trip on Turf. He has been penalised 6 points in the ratings for that effort, but will benefit from a useful draw and will go close if repeating that run.
Race 2
Selections: 4 – 5 – 2 – 8 – 3
MONTOYA showed good improvement last time out and that can be placed squarely on his change of luck with the barrier draws. The son of High Chaparral has trialled since that run and he lands another useful draw today. With Rodd up this time, his followers can be sure of him finding a handy early position and he should present a tough challenge for his opponents late on. He rates the one to beat. For second, we have sided with MR ROCKWELL who was very disappointing last time out. The change in tactics on that occasion clearly didn’t work, when opting to take him to the front. Reporting after the race, the stewards mentioned that he began awkwardly on that occasion and took a nasty bump at the start. Thereafter, his rider stated that he travelled well but found himself under pressure shortly after entering the home straight. He added, in his opinion he would be better suited to a more patient ride from off the pace. He lands another useful draw for this, his third run after a rest and he looks a big danger to the top selection. MAJESTIC is starting to look very threatening on his current form. He was a little disappointing last time out, when slow into stride at the off before being caught out wide with no cover. He was still able to box on for a 3rd place finish and from gate 2 this time, he must be respected with Woodworth retaining the ride. SHANGANI has been thereabouts in his last few starts, despite having a few difficult draws to negotiate. He finds himself in another wide berth this time, but with a little luck in running he should be expected to box on late and can find the places.
Race 3
Selections: 1 – 4 – 5 – 2 – 6
IMPERIUM returns to competitive racing here, having not been seen at the races since February this year. He showed a smart turn of foot in that effort, in Class 3 company and drops into slightly lesser opposition today. He shouldn’t be too short of the run, having had two barriers since that last start and the son of I Am Invincible could have the class to prevail here. TERRIFIC had a torrid time in his last official start, when jumping awkwardly before having to check severely – costing him significant ground. Back to Class 4 company for his third run after a rest and Benny Woodworth sticks with him. From another good draw, he is worth respecting. BATIMAEUS gave a good account of himself last time out, when overcoming a tough draw to finish just 2.30 lengths behind SURPASS NATURAL. The latter being unbeaten in his three starts to date. The blinkers will be removed this time and he has another detrimental draw to overcome, but gets the services of Michael Rodd. With a bit of luck in running, he should be in the late dash for the line. TARO SAN was an eye-catching winner last time out, after losing his rider in his penultimate start. He was penalised 7 points for that win and will have to overcome an awkward draw this time around. He does however, get the services of Vlad Duric and must be considered.
Race 4
Selections: 4 – 1 – 5 – 3 – 9
SPORTSCASTER has clearly enjoyed stepping up in trip in his last two starts. Beaten by PAKATAN WARRIOR in both of those efforts, he went close from a much-better draw last time out and should repeat that effort from gate 4 today. He has all of the 5, 12 and 14 held on that penultimate start and with Vlad Duric up today, looks the one they all have to beat off that diminishing rating. YULONG HONOR drops into Class 5 company today after a decent effort last time out, when overcoming a tough draw. The son of Galileo jumps from pole today and with the 3kg claimer up, he should feature for this in-form outfit. KEEP WINNING made steady headway last time out, when returning to this course and distance. He finished just behind the top selection on that occasion and gets the blinkers fitted today. He will no doubt be dropped out at the start and his followers will be keeping an eye out for a rallying finish, from the son of Alamosa. If finding a clear passage through, he should be in with a shout. HUMDINGER is tipped to wrap up the first four places. The 8-year-old son of Road To Rock has been dropping in the ratings and reverts to the Poly this time around. He showed solid improvement when dropping back to the mile last time and from a reasonable draw here, must be respected.
Race 5
Selections: 6 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 5
A competitive mile takes through the half-way mark on the card and we are going with the South African owned STREET PARTY to land the majority share of the prize money. Unfortunately, he has a difficult draw to overcome, which won’t make life easy for him. However, he gave a good account of himself last time when returning from a 2,5-month absence from the course. That was after a modest attempt in Gr1 company in his penultimate start. He gets the services of Michael Rodd this time, who will hopefully get him to settle better than he did in his last start. If so, he should be a huge runner. GREEN STAR beat the top selection last time out, taking his win tally to two wins from 12 starts. He is however 4.5kg worse off at the weights for a 0.30 length beating, with the former and that may prove to be too much to land the double. With that said, he is drawn well and looks a threat. SUPANOVA drops back into Class 4 company here and he appears to be going in the right directions form wise. He can be excused for that poor penultimate run, when being forced to race wide without cover from a wide draw. He has the pacifiers removed for this run and should be competitive from a good draw. CROWN GIFT looks the best of the rest, with the drop into Class 4 company today. He has been finishing just off them of late, in sprints and should enjoy stepping back up to the mile today. He has dropped in the ratings and against lesser opposition today, can be expected to show significant improvement.
Race 6
Selections: 4 – 5 – 3 – 2 – 6
For first we have gone with SOLITAIRE, an 11-year-old son of Fusaichi Pegasus. His last start was slightly disappointing, but he was caught wide around the turn and the improved draw should help in that regard. He has been dropping in the ratings and is starting to look rather competitive on paper. With the blinkers on today and Woodworth retaining the ride, he looks the one to beat in this moderate Class 5 event. GOLDEN COIN looks next best. He too has been dropping in the ratings and put in a solid effort over the course and distance last time out, in similar company. If building on that effort from gate 1, he has a realistic each-way chance and must be respected. At first glance SUGARTIME JAZZ appears to have lost form, having finished far back in both of his last two starts. However, when considering that the jockey lost his irons on both of those occasions, one is inclined to delve deeper into his form and it soon becomes apparent that he may deserve another chance. In his last start, he clipped heels travelling though the 1500m mark – almost dislodging the rider. The jockey on that occasion (Apprentice Chan) lost his stirrup irons and he took no further interest. He has gone close over the course and distance, in this class and if recapturing some of that form, could fight this out. DEE MAK MAK was slow away last time out and appeared completely out-paced throughout, as reported by the rider. There appears to be less pace in this race and that will most certainly help his cause. If finding a forward early position, he could stay on nicely and fight this one out.
Race 7
Selections: 4 – 6 – 5 – 2 – 8
MURAAHIB has done little wrong in both starts so far and did everything but put the race to bed last time out. There is a fair amount of collateral form line from that start and he appears to have all of the 6, 8,9,10 held on that run. From a slightly better draw today, it’s hard to imagine him not finding the run of the race and with plenty of scope for improvement, looks tough to beat. SUPER SMART is a lightly raced son of Big Brown, who had no issues stepping up to this class last time out. He finished just behind the top selection in that run and with some scope for more improvement, he should be able to get closer today. Woodworth retains the ride from a useful draw and he must be respected. AL GREEN has been dropping rapidly in the ratings and may have finished a lot closer last time out, had it not been for a nasty bump he received at the start. From gate 1, he should be able to find the front with relative ease and his followers will be buoyed by the fact that Vlad Duric takes the mount this time around. The son of Exchange Rate appears to be in a good place right now and looks to have a reasonable chance here. ELITE CONQUEST has his debut for his new stable after an improved effort over the course and distance, last time out. He gets the blinkers removed for this outing and if building on that last start, should go close with Moore back up.
Race 8
Selections: 3 – 7 – 5 – 1 – 8
HUGO looks to be the one to side with here, as he looks for his hat-trick of wins. Both of his last two starts were on the Poly and he has shown a clear affinity for this surface in his trials as well. He looks progressive enough to put this field to sleep and it is no surprise to see the apprentice retain the ride. He has enough gate speed to find a competitive position from that wide draw and looks very hard to beat. SIAM ROYAL ORCHID returns after a modest effort in the Singapore Guineas Gr1 in his last start, when stepping up to the mile. He had a very tough draw to overcome on that occasion and considering that was only his third career start, the odds looked stacked against him. He has since performed well in a recent trial leading into this affair and with the blinkers on today, should be right there. DUSSELDORF has found good improvement in his last two starts, since stepping back onto the Poly. He finished just a length and a half behind the top selection in his penultimate start and is 5.5kg better off at the weights this time around. With that in mind it is no surprise to see Rodd retain the ride, but he will have his work cut out from that draw this time and should finish in the places. SACRED DON looks to be the best of the rest, having gone very close in recent times over this course and distance. He was drawn wide last time out and will certainly be looking to go one better from gate 4 today. The lightly-raced son of Fastnet Rock still has plenty of scope and must be considered here.
Race 9
Selections: 4 – 2 – 11 – 8 – 5
SURPASS NATURAL looks to be a top sprinter in the making, with that unbeaten record in three starts. He takes a jump into Class 3 opposition today, but he had a nice trial since his last start and with plenty of scope for more, it doesn’t look like he is stopping here. Powell retains the ride and from a reasonable draw, looks hard to oppose. SIR ISAAC enjoyed the slight drop in class last time out, when finishing behind NOVA VOCAL over 1100m. The form of that run is quite prevalent here and with the 2kg claimer up today, he looks to have all of 3,8,9,11 held on that run. From a much-improved draw this time, he should give the top selection something to think about. SACRED MAGIC is one of the contenders who stems from the same form line behind NOVA VOCAL. He was just 0.90 lengths behind the second selection on that occasion and from a similar draw today, should be right there with a useful galloping weight to shoulder. UNCONQUERED is another to have finished behind NOVA VOCAL last time out and he finds an improved draw today, with Rodd up in the irons. In good recent form, the son of I Am Invincible should be right there at the finish.
Race 10
Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 7 – 11
A wide-open affair closes the meeting here and our selection for first prize is tipped with mild confidence. The son of Dylan Thomas, THOMAS DE LAGO, gets the weak nod for first. He has been in and out of form, but finally lands a favourable draw and off his reduced rating, has a great opportunity to capitalise on these conditions. He raced wide without cover last time out and from gate 4 with Duric retaining the ride, should be the one to beat. SUPER SIX drops back in to Class 4 company today, after a few decent performances against stronger opposition. He lands a much-improved draw this time and will appreciate the claim from his apprentice and must be included. EFFORTLESS has been knocking on the door for that fifth win in Singapore and he will have yet another tough draw to overcome today. He showed a good turn of foot in that penultimate start, when finishing second from gate 11 and a repeat of that run with Powell retaining the ride should bring him well into contention. LIM’S ZOOM returns from a 12-month absence from the course and will be looking to build on that fair run of form prior to his rest. He has had 3 barrier trials since then and gets the services of Woodworth for his return effort. From a useful draw with the tongue tie removed, he must be respected.
