Friday Flash 24th July
Fortuna has a big day in Singapore Sunday 26th July with 5 runners – MARCUS ANTONIUS (Race 2), BRUTUS and CASSIUS (Race 4), SPORTSCASTER (Race 6) and SHOWBOUND (Race 8) – all races are on the Polytrack
Marcus Antonius is a 2yo having his first start ever – he has trialed up well in his build up to this debut in a Restricted Maiden field for 2yo’s and 3yo’s – hard to predict how competitive he will be in this field with some runners with significant raceday experience and others with unexposed form, but whatever he does on Sunday will benefit him for future races – has drawn wide which does not help but is lightly weighted (50kgs) and to be ridden by Senior rider J P Van Der Merwe
Here is what the Race Analyst Team at the Singapore Turf Club think about this race;
1st Pick: KHARISMA (1)
Blinkers are now added to this improving 3yo for the Copperbelt team. He has run well on all Three runs to date and sets the standard in this heat with the champion jockey booked for the first time. The one to beat.
2nd Pick: EUNOS AVE THREE (2)
Has shown placed form on both the turf and the all-weather back in January and the run when 2nd to The Wild Bunch is very good form and puts him in here with strong claims.
3rd Pick: SKY EYE (3)
Won a latest trial in 61.79 on July 16th. Has shown bits and pieces of form already and the stable had a Per Incrown run well on July 11th. Place hope.
4th Pick: MARCUS ANTONIUS (11)
Walker trained 2yo. Dam is a half sister to twice Group 1 winner Riva San (Queensland Oaks and Derby 2008) and although might need more time judged on pedigree, he is an interesting runner in this.
Marcus Antonius
Brutus has exhibited a lot of quality in his five Singapore races to date, with two seconds and three thirds in this grade – trialed beautifully in preparation for this race – has a tricky draw to contend with – will be ridden by Senior rider Ruan Maia and presents as a strong each way chance in this.
Here are the STC analysts’ thoughts;
1st Pick: HEARTENING FLYER (6)
The Clements barn know what it takes to ready a newcomer and this 3yo looked very impressive in his trial on July 14th under Louis Beuzelin. The horses with form set a fair standard, but it may well prove fruitful to side with this son of Excelebration.
2nd Pick: BRUTUS (1)
Has plenty of form in the book and is now stepping up to 1200m. Comes from a powerful stable and can go very close.
3rd Pick: LADY FAST (10)
Has put together a couple of nice performances so far in a short career and won a trial in June to boot. Receives a bit of weight from the boys and the booking of Marc Lerner is no negative.
4th Pick: ACHIEVED MORE (2)
The wide draw isn’t much of a help here but has run some good races in defeat and has to be respected as one of the stronger hopes on the back of a good course and distance run last time.
Cassius, like Marcus Antonius, is a 2yo on race day debut and meets his quality stable mate Brutus in this race. Has drawn nicely, is lightly weighted (50kgs) and to be ridden by Senior rider J P Van Der Merwe. The Stable has a high regard for Cassius but do think he will be a better horse on the Turf and over more ground, but they all need to start off somewhere and whatever he does on Sunday will only improve him for his next run
Sportscaster races in the Class 5 1200m, a trip too short for him, however he is fresh, drawn well, has the leading Singapore rider in Vlad Duric aboard and if there is a solid pace up front, he can feature in the placings. This view appears to be shared by the STC Analysts – see below.
1st Pick: BRING ME JOY (10)
In what is not a strong race even for this level, a chance can be taken with this lightly weighted runner for Leslie Khoo on the back of both a good run and trial.
2nd Pick: TURF BEAUTY (7)
Has trialed well like a lot of the stables runners lately and is a couple of points lower than her last win. One of the more likely victors here.
3rd Pick: SPORTSCASTER (3)
Trip is all wrong for this Walker inmate but was in decent form when last seen and wouldn’t be the greatest shock to see a bold show.
4th Pick: EXCELLENT MOON (11)
Up 5 points for winning last time to the lofty mark of 27 now. Has place claims judged on that success.
Sportscaster
Showbound showed good form in his first two Singapore races in Restricted Maiden Grade
As one of the two highest rated horses in the field he has some weight to carry (59kgs), but was a recent trial winner – will be ridden by Benny Woodworth from barrier 8 – seems to be well placed here in a moderate field and presents as a very strong each way chance in this race – see the comments below from the STC analyst team;
1st Pick: SHOWBOUND (1)
Won a recent trial well enough and isn’t as exposed as some of these in this contest, would look the most logical starting point in this race.
2nd Pick: GOLD PRIZE (4)
Clearly not the easiest to train and has run some good races in defeat thus far. The overall balance of his form is more than good enough to win a race like this and should be high on anyone’s short list.
3rd Pick: SUPER PINS (2)
There were certainly some positives to take out of his 4th placing to Frey on July 11th and connections are happy to go again this coming Sunday. Can give a good account.
4th Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (6)
Can prove best of the rest here. Place chance for in-form stable.
Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –
Tuesday 21st July
Khafeef (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.03, last 600 in 45.8.
Leaderboard (O Bosson) also galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57.6, home in 41.
In Australia MELODY BELLE was strong in an exhibition gallop at Randwick last Saturday 18th July (Tommy Berry aboard) – will trial Randwick 28th July and make her new season debut in the Missile Stakes (Group 2 1200m) at Rosehill 8th August