Tonight’s race meeting in Singapore is seen as the “teaser” meet ahead of the big international card on Sunday evening.
While no horses will race on the two day back up – at least not in the feature races – there is still some outstanding horseflesh on display tonight in one of the most progressive racing regions in the world. The Kranji meeting features the Singapore Guineas, a local Group 1 race over 1600m for three year olds, and the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe, a local Group 2 race for the juveniles over 1200m.
The Singapore Guineas has been won by some of Singapore’s best gallopers in recent years, including Recast (2004), Big Easy (2005), Better Than Ever (2010) and Gingerbread Man (2011). It is the final leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, which also features the Group 3 Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) and the Group 2 Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m).
Former Kiwi galloper Super Easy, a son of Darci Brahma, will be out to clinch the three leg series, having won the last two legs easily. He steps up to 1600m for the first time, which appears the only possible obstacle left to overcome.
He may be seen in Melbourne during the spring, with connections indicating the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in September could be on the agenda. However, he would want to be winning here to justify a trip to Australia.
Of his rivals, Cash Luck, Totality and Better Life look the most likely to run the placings, but it is hard to see them defeating the likely favourite.
The Golden Horseshoe, a recent addition to Singapore’s program, is a culmination of a number of races for two year olds. It is sponsored by Aushorse, the marketing sector of the Australian breeding industry, while the series has been sponsored by Australian sales firms Inglis and Magic Millions and transport company IRT.
Although the races are open to any two year olds, horses sired in Australia and sold through either Magic Millions or Inglis sales are eligible for bonuses.
10 of the 16 runners are Australian-bred, while the remaining six were born in New Zealand.
Super Good, a New Zealand-bred son of Fastnet Rock out of the Listed winner Tonic, was very good on debut when winning before running a slightly disappointing third last start behind Yin Jie. Nevertheless, if he runs up to his debut, he should be going very close for Michael Freedman. Others with chances include Pitstop, Rising Empire and the debutant Easy Man.
Also on the card is a very competitive 1200m handicap, featuring the return of last year’s Singapore Guineas winner Gingerbread Man. He meets former Kiwi sprinter Coup Align, who looks the only real danger to the top Singapore galloper.
The first race in Singapore tonight is at 8:20pm AEST.
