Singapore racing best bets, race analysis looking at the full Singapore card Saturday, 26th February with selections & information on all the contenders.
RACE 1
1st Pick: FIREWORKS (6) Nice win last start in this grade and was rated well enough to remain in theseconditions. Manoel Nunes gets back aboard and will only have to keep out of troublefrom a nice barrier.
2nd Pick: LIM'S PRIDE (7) Three of his five career wins have come at this distance. Should be put somewhere midfield and will look a danger at the business end. Stable is flying and watch any support in betting.
3rd Pick: ATLAS (1) Makes his Class 5 debut and is aided by a 3kg claim in weight. Barrier 13 isn't ideal but has been working his way down in class and it will be interesting to see what he does here.
4th Pick: PASIR PINJI (11) Comes into this one point lower than his lone career victory. Never too far away from the action and looks to be a multiples player.
RACE 2
1st Pick: ANARA (4) Impressed at a price running into the minors. Race experience is a big plus and I think he'll take much improvement from that first raceday experience.
2nd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (2) First trial was really sharp and was never tested winning in 60.63. Second trial was kept very quiet. Could surprise here on debut with a nice run.
3rd Pick: THE BULLET (1) Trials have been nice. Barrier manners are a slight concern but if they can get him off and running with no concerns and he doesn't run his race before the start, he could very well surprise.
4th Pick: ISTATABA (7) Returning from break and has trialled well leading up to this weekend in nice time behind Ealami. Could figure in finish.
RACE 3
1st Pick: REIGNITE (1) Meets the weaker division of this race and is aided by a 3kg pull in the weights from Yusoff Fadzli's claim. In three starts at this course and distance he has not missed a Top 3 finish.
2nd Pick: KISS YOUR SONG (2) Loves racing at this distance. Four of his six career victories have been in these conditions and looks to be a big threat with a claim and a comfortable barrier in four.
3rd Pick: WAR WARRIOR (5) Ran well first start here finishing third behind Rocketship. Should be fitter for that run and Manoel Nunes remains in the saddle.
4th Pick: UNCONQUERED (3) Eye-catching run last start behind Mortal Engine who is a handy galloper and only beaten one length that day. Should show speed from a wide draw.
RACE 4
1st Pick: LEMON SQUASH (5) Drawn well and would be handy in the run from draw. Can mix his form a bit but at his peak will be close in this and stable have strong form in these contests.
2nd Pick: DON DE LA VEGA (1) Winner was too good last start and he had every chance to win that day. Gets a lovely draw and suited back to the Short Course where he has a solid record over this distance.
3rd Pick: SUN ACE (2) Likes to jump and make all the running. Will have to begin well from a wide draw and hopefully get an easy lead. Strong placing last start holds claims again.
4th Pick: MINGS MAN (10) Getting on in age now but still racing well in this grade and at his favourite distance, you can never rule him out of a surprise run.
RACE 5
1st Pick: MORTAL ENGINE (1) Low-flying at the moment winning back-to-back. Rises in weight so they have elected a claiming jockey which should ease the difficulty. Looks the one again.
2nd Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (2) Continues his good run of form with a strong placing last start. Was crowded at a pivotal point last start and still ran home strong. Gets a nice draw and will be there in the finish.
3rd Pick: ROMANTIC (3) As honest as the day is long this campaign. Has not missed a top-three placing in his last six starts and must be respected on consistency alone in this grade.
4th Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (7) Another old timer who is racing extremely well of late. Will need some luck from a wide draw but with a nice run in transit he can motor home off a fast run race.
RACE 6
1st Pick: NATE'S HONOUR (5) Does his best work over track and distance (8:2-1-1). Senior jockey back on, could surprise with some luck in running.
2nd Pick: BLITZ POWER (4) Failed to run into it late last start but did cop some early interference. No reason why this mare who has a 50% top-two strike rate on the 1400m Short Course (6:1-2-0) couldn't bounce back this weekend and win here. Big watch.
3rd Pick: SUNDAY (2) Wide without cover last start and never got a chance to get into the race. Was in brilliant form towards the end of last year. Quiet trial in between runs to keep himticking over.
4th Pick: ATLANTEAN (8) Rarely strings two good runs together, so last start wasn't a complete shock. When he brings his best to raceday, he can't be left out of the multiples, so worth throwing in.
RACE 7
1st Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (1) One of those horses who make their own luck off the back. Hit last time out but there is no guarantee he will produce when presented for his run this time. Must still be considered for a top-three finish.
2nd Pick: GREAT EXPECTATION (3) Still winless after eight starts but is knocking on the door and the 2000m may be the right trip to unlock his account. Go close.
3rd Pick: WIND RHAPSODY (4) No clear run from the 600m to 500m last start. Jockey queried. Trip up his alley even if he is stepping up to that mark for the first time. Barrier one. Can make amends.
4th Pick: SUPER ATAS (6) Will find this tougher, but is not entirely out of his depth. Has a second over 2000m to his record. No weight on his back, and if he enjoys an economical run on the rails, he can upstage this lot.
RACE 8
1st Pick: NATE'S CHAMPION (1) Very hard watch for those on board. If he gets any luck, he wins. Happy to respect the run and make him the clear one to beat.
2nd Pick: LIM'S UNIQUE (5) Last two runs have been solid, a horse in good form. Maps to settle off the speed and will be chiming in late.
3rd Pick: STAR SHIELD (3) Last start in his first run back in Class 5, it was too sharp for him over 1000m and he was left behind. Never got an opportunity to make an impression. Back to 1200m should be a big plus and his trackwork has been super during the week.
4th Pick: LOVING BABE (9) Great 1200m Polytrack record (18: 3-4-1) and has trialled well leading into this weekend.
RACE 9
1st Pick: HEARTENING FLYER (5) First time over the mile but gives every indication it'll be a shoo-in. Challenged Katak last time out only to miss by half-a-length. Can definitely turn the tables on him with the extra 200m despite being worse off at the weights.
2nd Pick: KATAK (2) In sparkling form since his last-start first win at Kranji. Scored a nice barrier trial win on February 15. Commands plenty of respect again.
3rd Pick: TOP KNIGHT (3) Not quite the force he used to be. Needs more ground, but if the pace is on, and conditions suit, he might sneak into the minors. Manoel Nunes sticks with him.
4th Pick: SACRED CROIX (4) Has done okay of late without really threatening. Should be in the mix but not for the win.
RACE 10
1st Pick: HADEER (2) Ran a cracking second to stablemate King Arthur last time out despite being caught wide throughout. Has pulled up in great order and will be hard to beat.
2nd Pick: PROSPEROUS RETURN (3) Resuming since creditable fifth to Hard Too Think in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) last October. Well drawn. Goes well fresh and won't surprise if he goes well first-up.
3rd Pick: SURE WILL DO (5) Resuming after bleeding attack. Has had two barrier trials under the belt and looks fit enough for his comeback. First-up record is second to none. Nice low draw. Earmuffs, tongue-tie on, crossover noseband off. Keep safe.
4th Pick: SONGGONG HERA (1) Every chance last start but could not quite measure up. Has drawn off the track but is still in great form and can bounce back here.
RACE 1 1
1st Pick: STENMARK (5) Slow to begin but rattled home for third last time out. If he jumps on terms this time, watch out for his turn of foot. Wide barrier doesn't really bother him as he gets back.
2nd Pick: BRUTUS (1) Loves this course and distance. Three of his four wins were recorded over 1200m on turf. May be vulnerable again from the awkward alley. Donna Logan could still get the quinella here.
3rd Pick: SPEEDY MISSILE (6) Or even the trifecta if we throw in that last-start winner. Was hemmed in behind runners last start but burst through once he got the gap. Has trained on and can finish in the money.
4th Pick: WAR PRIDE (4) Runner-up to Speedy Missile last time out. The 2.5kgs turnaround may give him the upperhand this time. Strong claims.
