 Expert - Larry Foley | |
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| Larry Foley has been involved in the Singapore racing industry for years as both as a racing administrator and award winning journalist. Larry is also a regular member of the Singapore Turf Club’s Broadcasting team and has also featured on Tellytrack in South Africa. His form comments on Singapore racing can be found in many countries and in The New Paper, Singapore’s premier racing newspaper. | |
Expert Column for Singapore Gold Cup Day (S1) (Larry Foley)
S1-1 Class 4 Handicap
A battlers affair over 1,600m where most are Class 4 journeymen who don't win out of turn.
ATLAS has fewer convictions than most having won two of his seven starts and ran a solid second to a handy type in IMPERIUM last start.
Being out of an O'REILLY mare, the 1,600m shouldn't trouble ATLAS and given Clifford Brown is a good trainer of middle-distance horses, he might be the one with the upside.
GLASGOW hasn't won for one and a half year but is having his second outing since dropping into Class 4. This distance also suits and with the experienced John Powell to ride, he can overcome the gate and play a part in the finish.
It has been an even longer time between drinks for the 10YO MCGREGOR but his recent form over this trip on polytrack has been sound, his last win was in a Kranji Stakes B over this trip on turf and he can be in the finish with gate 1 a factor.
Of the rest, AFALONHRO battled late last start but has trialled well since and this race suits, while MAGNIFICENT GOLD is an honest one-paced battler capable of getting in the money in this field - hopefully at odds.
LEATHERHEAD, BASILISK and HARD TOO THINK can be included in exotics in what is a wide-open race.
SELECTIONS: 7. ATLAS, 2. GLASGOW, 4. MCGREGOR, 1. AFALONHRO & 9. MAGNIFICENT GOLD
S1-2 Class 4 Handicap
Some handy types go around in this Class 4 over 1,200m but the Shane Baertschiger-trained RISE OF EMPIRE looks the one the others have to beat.
The Australian-bred 4YO has done well since coming to Singapore, was dominant last start in a similar race and while he has 7lbs extra to carry, he is drawn well again and Ruan Maia stays on so can go on with it here.
MIEJ is a well-bred type by DEEP FIELD that bolted in last start and while this is much harder and the gate is no help, he looks to have plenty of upside with the market a good guide.
HEAVENLY DANCER has won two of three career starts and was beaten by a handy one in BLUESTONE last start. So while the 4YO has drawn wide for this, he will be running on late with champion hoop, Vlad Duric, a factor.
BEER GARDEN wasn't helped by the wide gate last start but still closed off well and given he is better drawn here, he could replicate his effort of two starts back where he led throughout and won.
Of the others, beware the class dropper in STREET CRY SUCCESS who was outclassed in a SIN G1 last start but his last win was this class and distance and include CHICAGO STAR and VULCAN in exotics.
SELECTIONS: 4. RISE OF EMPIRE, 3. HEAVENLY DANCER, 9. MIEJ, 1. STREET CRY SUCCESS & 6. BEER GARDEN
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2: Banker – 4. RISE OF EMPIRE
Selections – 3. HEAVENLY DANCER, 9. MIEJ, 1. STREET CRY SUCCESS & 6. BEER GARDEN
S1-3: Banker – 7. DAY APPROACH
Selections – 3. SURE WILL DO, 1. BRUTUS, 9. YOU QIAN ZHUAN & 11. RELENTLESS
S1-3 Novice
One of the strongest Novices in living memory with no less than seven last start winners.
Of the numerous speedsters in the race, the Michael Clements-trained DAY APPROACH looks the hardest to beat.
The 3YO colt is yet to miss place in four outings, bolted in to win his maiden over 1,400m last start and with Vlad Duric to ride from a good gate, can sit off the likely fast speed and be too strong late.
SURE WILL DO is coming off a good maiden win, will get all the favours from gate 1and with W H Kok's claim, could be hard to pass.
BRUTUS has to overcome a tough gate but he is a last start winner in this class – albeit on the polytrack - and if Benny Woodworth can find cover off the speed, he will be hard to hold out.
Of the others, YOU QIAN ZHUAN will find this easier than the SIN G1 Singapore Guineas, RELENTLESS charged home to win his maiden on the polytrack, has trialled since and a strong speed will suit and you can include BOOMBA and MACEO in exotics.
SELECTIONS: 7. DAY APPROACH, 3. SURE WILL DO, 1. BRUTUS, 9. YOU QIAN ZHUAN & 11. RELENTLESS
S1-4 Kranji Stakes C
A Kranji Stakes C over the SIN G1 Singapore Gold Cup trip of 2,000m and you would imagine a few of these would have been eyeing off a start in the feature.
In fact ON LINE, LUCK OF MASTER and IMPLEMENT are emergencies one, two and three respectively in the big race, so scratching’s in the Singapore Gold Cup on the day will affect this race.
But as it stands, ON LINE and IMPLEMENT both figured prominently in a race won by BIG HEARTED, who looks some in the Singapore Gold Cup and that form will hold up here.
Not much separated the Michael Clements-trained pair on that occasion with IMPLEMENT leading and ON LINE on his flank throughout and both were more than honest to the wire and well and truly in the place mix.
Vlad Duric staying with ON LINE is a pointer, however, IMPLEMENT loses nothing with Louis-Philippe Beuzelin returning to the saddle.
Michael Clements also has SO HI CLASS in the field and while he is probably better in Class 4, he had excuses last start and could run into the money with Ruan Maia up.
Another that wins without surprising is PER INPOWER who drops from 1,400m Class 2 company. The 5YO ran on well to place over 1,400m on that occasion and while tested at this trip, he gives every indication he will see the 2,000m out strongly and will figure.
Conversely, GLOBAL KID is up in Class but while he is yet to win in Singapore, his most recent win overseas was over 2,000m and he might provide some value with blinkers back off for this.
As mentioned, LUCK OF MASTER is second emergency in the Singapore Gold Cup so has to be considered here but his last start win was in Class 4, while TIME LORD, AXEL and GOLAZO are three more to include in exotics.
SELECTIONS: 3. ON LINE, 6. IMPLEMENT, 2. PER INPOWER, 10. GLOBAL KID & 5. LUCK OF MASTER
S1-5 Class 4 Handicap
While you can make a strong case for IRON RULER to go on with his winning ways, this race has plenty of depth so looking for value on the day might be the smart thing to do.
But as it stands, IRON RULER looks a very progressive type and his last start win was very strong, so he is the one to beat.
Yes, that win was on the polytrack, but it was over 1,600m and the turf certainly holds no fears, so he can win again and is a horse to follow through the grades and distances.
With the likes of BUDDY BUDDY and IRONCHAMP likely to set a decent clip out front, a backmarker in MUSTENGO may be the biggest danger.
The 5YO looks ready to win and, with Ruan Maia up on a track that suits, he will be strongest late and may be each-way value.
As mentioned, both BUDDY BUDDY and IRONCHAMP can lead and will be fighting all the way to the wire, while MO ALMIGHTY may also be a value option given his form is better than it reads and he will be strong late.
CENTENARY DIAMOND is another that wins without surprising and given his good recent form and Vlad Duric to ride, he may even push for favouritism on the day.
SELECTIONS: 6. IRON RULER, 8. MUSTENGO, 2. CENTENARY DIAMOND, 4. BUDDY BUDDY & 5. IRONCHAMP
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5: Banker – 6. IRON RULER
Selections – 8. MUSTENGO, 2. CENTENARY DIAMOND, 4. BUDDY BUDDY & 5. IRONCHAMP
S1-6: Banker – 1. LOYALTY MAN
Selections – 3. CIRCUIT MISSION, 2. KARISTO, 4. THREEANDFOURPENCE & 5. SINCERELY
S1-6 Kranji Stakes B
Like a few races today, Hall of Fame trainer, Lee Freedman, holds most of the aces with LOYALTY MAN, KARISTO and CIRCUIT MISSION all winning hopes.
In fact there doesn't appear to be much between the trio, with perhaps the 7lbs Rosman Iskandar claim on LOYALTY MAN the difference.
The 8YO will certainly find this company easier than the SIN G1 Raffles Cup and SIN G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup’s and from gate 4 you would imagine the instructions will be to go forward and make every post a winner.
CIRCUIT MISSION with Ruan Maia up could be the closer. The 5YO has worked home well at his last two starts and given the lack of depth to this race, he may be handier in running and play a big part late.
KARISTO had excuses last start and his form prior had been very consistent, however, he doesn't win out of turn so good luck if you can catch him.
Away from the Freedman runners, THREEANDFOURPENCE will also find this race more suitable than the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and given 1,600m is his most recent winning trip, he goes close with value on offer.
The winning hopes fall away quickly, however, SINCERELY looks a handy enough type at three runs in Singapore and has to be respected, while INHERIT could be included in exotics stepping up to a more suitable trip.
SELECTIONS: 1. LOYALTY MAN, 3. CIRCUIT MISSION, 2. KARISTO, 4. THREEANDFOURPENCE & 5. SINCERELY
S1-7 Class 4 Handicap
With little or no depth to this Class 4 turf sprint, PATTAYA can add another win to his already solid CV.
The 4YO has had only nine starts but given his two career wins have been in his last three runs, he is progressive and this field should hold no fears with a forward run expected from the wide gate.
On recent form, GENTLEMEN AGREEMENT looks the benchmark and while 1,400m looks his best trip, his recent win was over 1,200m and with Vlad Duric to ride from gate 5, he should have every chance.
Looking for improvers that could figure, an ex-Hong Kong gelding in BLITZING ticks a box or two.
Yes, the 6YO hasn't managed a place at four starts since arriving, however, he drops to Class 4 for the first time, gets a 7lbs Rosman Iskandar claim and could be ready to show his best with the market a very good guide.
It will pay to keep UNIVERSAL EMPIRE first up after year off the track safe as he is trialling well and showed ability - albeit on the polytrack.
The rest look better suited in something easier, although MY BOSS and UNCONQUERED can figure on best form and HOTSHOTS SLAM looks the best of the recent Class 5 winners.
Keep EL CHAPO safe in exotics at any old odds as he had excuses when running on last start.
SELECTIONS: 5. PATTAYA, 1. BLITZING, 2.GENTLEMEN AGREEMENT, 3. UNIVERSAL EMPIRE & 13. EL CHAPO
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-7: Multiple – 5. PATTAYA, 1. BLITZING & 2.GENTLEMEN AGREEMENT
S1-8: Multiple – 1. TOP KNIGHT, 13. BIG HEARTED & 3. MR CLINT
S1-9: Multiple – 2. EYE GUY, 3. PAX ANIMI & 4. LIM'S CRAFT
S1-8 Singapore Gold Cup
The time-honoured SIN G1 Singapore Gold Cup and at the relatively recent revised handicap conditions, the race looks a beauty with many winning chances and tactics likely to play a big part in the result.
Michael Clements has three guaranteed starters but it is the top-weight - TOP KNIGHT - who looks the horse to beat. The 5YO has only had one bad run of late, but given the slow early pace that day did not suit his running pattern, he only has to bring his last start SIN G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup form to this to win again with 126lbs a very fair weight.
Like TOP KNIGHT, BIG HEARTED will need the race run to suit back markers but this Clements runner will relish 2,000m with just 110lbs and will figure late.
Lee Freedman won this race last year with MR CLINT and will saddle four runners on Saturday, which includes MR CLINT who found form last start and has to be seriously considered.
Likewise, SUN MARSHAL and OCEAN CROSSING have to be respected on recent form with the Freedman polish a factor, but it may be MINISTER who could dictate terms out front and be hard to run down if indeed the race is suited to the on-pace brigade.
Of the others with winning hopes, ARAMAAYO is yet to win beyond 1,600m and has drawn badly but has the runs on the board at G1 level and should figure with luck in running, while further down in the weights, GOLD STRIKE, SACRED CROIX, STRONG N POWERFUL and VITTORIA PERFETTA all can figure in the exotic mix at value.
SELECTIONS: 1. TOP KNIGHT, 13. BIG HEARTED, 3. MR CLINT, 5. MINISTER & 2. ARAMAAYO
S1-9 Class 3 Handicap
With no standouts on recent form in this Class 3 turf event over 1,400m, it may pay to follow a horse or two that improve back in what looks a more suitable race.
EYE GUY will find this company to his liking after two ambitious SIN G1 runs and 1,400m looks ideal sans winkers, while a recent nice trial indicates the 6YO is going well enough to show his best, with Louis-Philippe Beuzelin a good booking.
PAX ANIMI is also suited over 1,400m and given he never got involved last start in this grade, we could forgive and follow with Vlad Duric up, although the wide gate could test.
LIM'S CRAFT also had excuses last start when not tested to the wire and he improves at odds on the back of a subsequent good trial, while we can also make excuses for WECANDO's poor last start effort and he figures on best form with Ruan Maia a factor.
The chances don’t stop there with LIM’S ZOOM getting blinkers added to his gear suggesting a forward run is on the cards, while IRONSIDE very much appreciates gate 2 and gets his chance.
EXCEED NATURAL down in grade, QUADCOPTER and WASSERGEIST just three more to include in exotics and it will pay to keep the first emergency - THE AUGUST - very safe as he could easily win if he gets a start on the day.
SELECTIONS: 2. EYE GUY, 3. PAX ANIMI, 4. LIM'S CRAFT, 7. WECANDO & 11. LIM’S ZOOM
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