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Singapore racing best bets, race analysis looking at the full Singapore card Saturday, 15th January 2022 with selections & information on all the contenders.
RACE 1
1st Pick: STREET PARTY (1)
Downgrader with an 80% top-three strike rate over track and distance. Yet to win, but has never run a bad race on the Short Course 1400m. Trialled super and looks in good order for this weekend.
2nd Pick: PERFECT (6)
Beaten 0.7 length by Den Of Thieves who has franked the form winning a Class 4 a fortnight ago. Trialled well, looks like a major player here.
3rd Pick: WIND OF LIBERTY (3)
Not seen publicly since last start fourth on November 20 where he was beaten less than a length. Have to respect that run and consider him here as one you cannot leave out of the exotics.
4th Pick: INTREPID (7)
Given a trial since his last-start win. Wasn't missed by handicapper earning eight points for the 3.5-length win. Must be considered if he can repeat the performance.
RACE 2
1st Pick: DANCING TYCOON (7)
Trialled up in superb order not only running okay time under a hold, but in a tight finish cluttered up with a horse either side. Bred for speed, so 1200m could be as far as he wants to go.
2nd Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (12)
Although she is yet to break through, she ran second last start for the fifth time in her eight-start career behind Attila and showed signs that a win isn't far away. Major player here.
3rd Pick: WAR COMMANDER (14)
Ex-Queensland galloper stepping out for first Singapore start. Went to the line with Grand Koonta in a nose margin finish. Got a nice hit-out and was asked to find late but looks in good order for first Kranji start.
4th Pick: HAPPY WONDERFUL (8)
Mother was a stayer who ran most of her best races at a mile and a half or above. This may suggest that although the trial was great and he was untouched most of the way, we will be seeing the best of him over a mile plus.
RACE 3
1st Pick: KING'S COMMAND (2)
Lost no admirers in the Singapore Gold Cup in November. Did pinch some ground off the winner Lim's Lightning, but it wasn't enough despite the massive pull in weights of eight kilos. Mile a touch short but suits first-up. Big say.
2nd Pick: RED OCEAN (4)
Costly failure last time out, but had excuses from wide barrier in a small field. Back in a race likely to be a battle of wits with only six runners. Can make amends from gate No 2 this time. Yet to score over trip but may well be stablemate King's Command's biggest threat.
3rd Pick: ON LINE (3)
Didn't run badly last start. Was coming off his unplaced Singapore Gold Cup run at previous start. Freshened up and will be in the mix at the business end.
4th Pick: SPECIAL OPS (1)
Horse who has run a lot last campaign, and was among the more consistent customers. Ran on late without threatening last start. Will have to lift from that run to figure here.
RACE 4
1st Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)
Very smart win last start over this distance. Jumped wide and covered ground but still too strong and he will be hard to hold out again in this.
2nd Pick: SKY EYE (2)
Meets a field where he is a genuine Top 3 player. A consistent galloper who has just run into some tougher opposition but never far away in a finish.
3rd Pick: SNIP (9)
On the quick back-up after last week where he finished in fourth position, not far from the winner. Likes the distance and can sneak into the multiples up in class again.
4th Pick: LIM'S ZOOM (6)
The 2022 season's opening winner. Was ridden more forward than usual that day and duly obliged. This is tougher, but he can still take a hand in this.
RACE 5
1st Pick: DON DE LA VEGA (1)
Last trip down to Class 5 for mile contest in June 2021, he won and went straight back to Class 4. As a result, he needs to be respected amongst this quality of company again.
2nd Pick: FORESTO (7)
Last run on the all-weather was super impressive. Back to the turf here with weight relief again from Jerlyn Seow Poh Hui. Draw a slight concern but last start had plenty of merit and has to be respected as a threat here.
3rd Pick: SUN ACE (11)
Back to the right mark now to show his best. Needed the run after knocking up quite bad in the final stages. Expecting him to be making own luck up in front and being the one they are chasing home at the turn.
4th Pick: FORT MUSTANG (2)
From the right stable for this type of race. Has been met with quite a few mid-race collisions in his last couple starts and still ran well. With a little more luck in running, he could very well see himself in the finish.
RACE 6
1st Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (1)
Manoel Nunes has done plenty of work with this gelding during the break and the trainer/jockey combination boasts 70% together, so you must respect. One for one over the course and distance.
2nd Pick: ROCKETSHIP (3)
Very respectable run last start behind King Arthur who looks set to win again this week in a different race. She does her best racing on this surface and will be running on.
3rd Pick: ATTILA (2)
Won an Open Maiden at his very first start here. Looked to do it with ease but now needs to step up against some more experienced winners.
4th Pick: NO MORE DELAY (7)
Won his maiden with a touch of class late last year. That was on the turf but he shows some good ability and will be competitive here.
RACE 7
1st Pick: COUSTEAU (2)
Key booking with Manoel Nunes on and thrives at this distance where all five of his career victories have come. Big player and the one to beat.
2nd Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (1)
Scratched from his last start and looks set to be a key runner in this. Only the one start over the distance and was victorious on that occasion.
3rd Pick: HYDE PARK (4)
Only a small field here and they will be flying along early. He won't be far away off them and could sneak into the top three at a distance he goes well at.
4th Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (5)
Nice run behind King Arthur where he was only a few lengths from him on the line. This doesn't look as strong as that day.
RACE 8
1st Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (4)
Rarely runs a bad one in this grade so that should give punters some confidence. Copped interference in the straight and was beaten 0.3 length. Returned just before new year for trial and was well held together throughout. Looks the one.
2nd Pick: BIG MARY (5)
Big-trial win to the eye. On the clock however, he came home in a respectable time for a Class 5 runner. Overall, she looks in good order for her first run of 2022.
3rd Pick: SEE YAH (7)
This son of Helmet will be looking for an honest pace and if he gets that, he should be running on from the back late. Now with a new stable, so the downfall is there isn't much of a guide on how he is going.
4th Pick: MILITARY CHAIRMAN (6)
Trialled in behind Big Mary. Final run of 2021 was nice enough, beaten 3.7L by Intrepid who steps out in the other division. Been a while since his last win but could figure in the finish here if he brings his best.
RACE 9
1st Pick: STARLIGHT (7)
Runner-up to stablemate Celavi in the Merlion Trophy, and who will be more at home on turf and can turn the tables. In fine fettle, jumps from a low draw and looks well in on weights. Watch him close in late.
2nd Pick: KHARISMA (2)
Cut Celavi back a little in the Merlion Trophy but was left with too much to do from the trip out wide. Handier barrier can see a reversal of fortunes. Top chance.
3rd Pick: CELAVI (4)
Brilliant mare who has both settled better and strengthened up. Turf remains unconquered territory, but trainer is convinced she can handle it. If she does, the others will probably see a clean set of heels again. From the wide gate, she may take a drop on leading bunch.
4th Pick: MAKKEM LAD (3)
Game frontrunner who may well be the one who leads in a race with a lot of pace. Always a threat when left alone in front, but may find a couple better this time.
RACE 10
1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (4)
Unbeaten and looks all poised to make it five wins in a row even if he is rising in class. All four wins were recorded over course and distance. Hard to beat.
2nd Pick: HADEER (2)
Game sort who seldom puts a foot wrong. Maps well for this race but will have to beat the selection. Can still run a cheeky race.
3rd Pick: IRONCHAMP (5)
On the quick back-up after his gutsy third to Be Bee last Saturday. May have to do some work from wide alley to press forward. Not without place claims.
4th Pick: REIGNITE (9)
Could not quite measure up when stepped up to Class 3 level. Has drawn the widest but he gets back, anyway. Visors on. Unproven on turf but with a bit of luck, he may pinch a place.
RACE 11
1st Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (1)
Hard to get past him on the back of his dominant win at his last start. Beat a handy field and tackles an easier lot here but at the same time, he shoulders the top impost of 59kgs. Four-kilo claim from Malaysian apprentice Akmazani Mazuki does give some relief. Will be in the firing line for a long way despite sticky barrier.
2nd Pick: SHEPHERD'S HYMN (3)
Bounced back to form last start with a closing third to Den Of Thieves on Polytrack. Reverts to turf over which he recorded his three wins to-date. Won't surprise if he scores.
3rd Pick: STRONG N SMART (2)
Never a factor at his last start. At the rear and never made presence felt. Competitive in this lot if on song. Marble one. Don't write him off just yet.
4th Pick: SABAH STAR (10)
Model of consistency, especially over this course and distance. Faces stiff task but has drawn well and is not out of this. Each-way claims.
RACE 12
1st Pick: BRUTUS (7)
Loves to get to the front and bowl along dictating the race. If he finds an easy lead and doesn't go too hard, he will take some beating again.
2nd Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (2)
Stable is low-flying at the moment and he comes into this fresh off a break. Trialled nicely and has been competitive over this trip in the past.
3rd Pick: LIM'S BESTBREAKER (8)
Finished off last year with a nice second behind Valorous in a similar style event. Watch any market moves for support.
4th Pick: SILENT PARTNER (4)
Comes into this race six points lower than the last time he won at the end of 2020. Competitive Class 4 race which should have good pace in it and watch him running on.
