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Singapore racing best bets, race analysis looking at the full Singapore card Saturday, 8th January 2022 with selections & information on all the contenders.
RACE 1
1st Pick: ROCKET RYANE (6) Trialled up in good order before the new year and looks to be on song for a nice return. Should settle just off the leaders and be in a nice position to get a good crack at them late.
2nd Pick: GRANDPA MICK MAC (1) Form in his final start of 2021 holds up running behind First Chief who won a Class 4 last weekend. If he can settle off a hot speed, look for him to be motoring home late.
3rd Pick: LIM'S PRIDE (12) Coming off a trial win as well which was visually appealing to the eye. They didn't do anything superb on the clock but he wasn't asked for a full effort. Could be something there in the locker for his first start in 2022.
4th Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (2) Nice second placing behind Seson to wrap up 2021. No trials during the break, but have to respect his last raceday performance.
RACE 2
1st Pick: DANCING LIGHT (7) Fourth at the second of his two trials but only just over 2 ½ lengths off debut winner Attila. If anything, he was pinching some ground off Attila late. Keep an eye on him.
2nd Pick: BIG GREEN HAT (2) Among the better exposed on racing experience, and with more placings to boot. May find this a touch short but if the pace is genuine, he will run on.
3rd Pick: ANGEL BABY (5) After a first quiet trial, was a lot more switched on at his second. Led the field into the straight but allowed others to pass late to finish third less than a length off the winner Dancing Tycoon. Does have some ability and one to watch for the future.
4th Pick: DABBLE (1) Shows more pace on Polytrack. Raced fiercely with blinkers on last time. Blinkers off this time. Improved run expected.
RACE 3
1st Pick: CARIBBEAN LADY (3) Gets to her favourite distance of a mile where she holds four career victories. Stable are always dangerous in these sorts of races.
2nd Pick: WIND RHAPSODY (8) Caught the eye running on strongly last start on the turf. Before that he won twice in a row on this surface and looks a big threat here.
3rd Pick: SUN POWER (1) Hasn't been as explosive as his form from Australia predicted since he arrived. He now meets his easiest assignment and that can only be a positive for him.
4th Pick: SOUND THE SIREN (5) Changed stables since his last start. Was a winner over this trip and class in July last year and this isn't any harder than that day.
RACE 4
1st Pick: SOUTH OF THE RIVER (8) Hard to get past after he trounced his rivals in a barrier trial on December 28. Winkers replaced with blinkers. If he brings that trial form here, he'll give some sight in the straight.
2nd Pick: GOLD CUT (7) Looked home on debut but was run down late. Will strip fitter for this. Biggest threat to the selection.
3rd Pick: FABU (1) Former Godolphin who showed potential with two thirds at his first two starts in Bendigo and Sandown, but has not quite cut the mustard thereafter. Bolted up at his first barrier trial. Lovely gate. Won't surprise if he makes presence felt at the business end.
4th Pick: TESORO PIRATA (4) Stuck on nicely at last couple of runs. Quiet trial last Thursday. Place claims.
RACE 5
1st Pick: BRIGHT SUN (6) Still a maiden but her run last weekend had plenty of merit. Despite the six-day back- up, we could see a repeat performance again from her here.
2nd Pick: WEDNESDAY (7) Consistently around the mark without winning. Have to respect this runner in a race that lacks quite a bit of depth. Major player.
3rd Pick: LIM'S SHOT (2) Another on the quick back-up from Sunday. 1.8 lengths off Country Boss in what was a fast race. Could figure here in the finish if we see a run like that again.
4th Pick: SUN STEP (1) Returns from a bigger let-up than most of these having last run in early August. Despite a few duck eggs of late, 1000m on the Polytrack is where we have seen this horse do his best work, so happy to respect at each-way odds as a top-four hope.
RACE 6
1st Pick: SUPER ATAS (2) Knocking on the door. Runner-up at last two starts. Switch to Polytrack shouldn't faze him as he has a third in two runs on the all-weather.
2nd Pick: GREAT EXPECTATION (1) A bit of a one-batter but he has been thereabouts of late. Handicap against him as he gives weight all round. Still worth including in calculations.
3rd Pick: BLACK TAIPAN (4) Ignore last run when crowded after start. Didn't finish far behind at previous starts. Outsider.
4th Pick: HAPPY HEART (5) Form nothing to write home about but seems to go slightly better over Polytrack. Can inject some value to the exotics.
RACE 7
1st Pick: HOTSHOTS SLAM (4) Was far too good when winning last start at his ideal course and distance. Trialled strongly since then and looks to have trained on nicely.
2nd Pick: HARRY DREAM (6) Lightly-raced mare who has won two from three starts. Jumps up in class here but a bit to like about the way she finishes her races.
3rd Pick: GOOD LUCK CHARM (2) Consistent galloper in this grade running behind some classy horses in his last few. Should settle back and finish off strong.
4th Pick: MORTAL ENGINE (5) Was disappointing when a short-priced favourite last start. We know he has some ability and after a nice trial during the break, willing to give another look.
RACE 8
1st Pick: ATLANTEAN (11) Another horse with First Chief form and a solid pre-new year trial performance. Expecting him to settle off the speed, running on and figuring in the finish.
2nd Pick: AMORE AMORE (4) Ran second in a trial just before Christmas behind Chivalric Knight and to both the eye and on the clock, it was a great run. Consider him a major player here. 3rd Pick: DIAMOND RING (5) Trial on December 21 suggests that Diamond Ring is in good order and ready for his first star this year. Another who should settle midfield and be running on late.
4th Pick: LIM'S UNIQUE (6) Trials have been quiet leading up to this weekend however, runs towards the end of the year suggest that a top-four finish wouldn't be a surprise here.
RACE 9
1st Pick: FLAK JACKET (1) The old boy is bound to break through in Class 5 soon enough and this race looks right up his alley. Wawasan will keep the pace genuine and he should be chiming in late in the race.
2nd Pick: WAWASAN (6) Trial was good leading up to this start. Horse looks in good order, expecting him to lead. Hopefully he can get a couple of cheap sectionals and give a kick at the turn.
3rd Pick: LIM'S FORCE (2) Given quiet trial out the back to blow out the cobwebs. Should settle just off the speed and be in a great position to run on late. One you cannot leave out of exotics.
4th Pick: GOLDEN DASH (10) Would prefer him over 1200m, however he maps to be in a nice spot here. His recent trial suggests he is in good order, could surprise and find himself in the top four.
RACE 10
1st Pick: ENTERTAINER (3) Classy galloper who has switched stables since last winning. Has an extraordinary record over this course and distance winning six from seven starts.
2nd Pick: FIRST BOWL (11) Strung together a few nice wins last preparation in Class 4. Not the strongest of races so that form can measure up in this.
3rd Pick: MY MAN (5) Having his debut start in Singapore after arriving from Argentina. He is a Group and Listed winner in his native home over further distances. Look for him finishing off.
4th Pick: WEBSTER (2) Dropping sharply in grade and can bring some of his old form back. The last time he raced in this class, he was victorious back in 2018.
RACE 11
1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (2) Trainer has done a remarkable job to improve this galloper. He looked to be a lower grade sprinter but continues to step up and trialled sharply during the break.
2nd Pick: SUPER SMART (4) Impressive win at the end of last season after being caught wide and finishing strongly. Goes up six points from that win but is still well handicapped.
3rd Pick: FIELD MARSHAL (1) Dangerous runner in this grade. Has had his issues in the past 12 months but has trialled nicely during the break. Multiples player.
4th Pick: SUMMER WIND (10) Hasn't been as impressive as overseas form has shown. Catching the eye in recent trials and gets the addition of blinkers.
