Singapore Friday Preview

Racing and Sports provides this preview for racing at Kranji on Friday 5 September -

Race 1
Tricky race to begin proceedings. A string of near misses by Stormy Along (1) has to end at some stage and the Argentinian-bred chestnut has everything in his favour heading into this contest. Four placings from his last five starts suggest a win is on the horizon. Barnburgh Lad (3) has been making steady strides in recent months and will be looking to build on his last-start second here. This should be an easier assignment for I'm Kool (2) who has faced some tough challengers in the first half of the year. Returns from a three-month spell and could surprise a few people while Salute (6) will enjoy the drop in weights and could sneak into the minors.

Race 2
A commendable debut second by Bravo Charlie (9) two months back point to bigger things in store for the gelding. Has drawn nicely at gate two and drops 5.5kg in weights for this contest. Expect a bold bid though he will face a stiff challenge from Mighty Glory (4) who has placed in all four starts here thus far and must be respected with rider Nooresh Juglall keep to make up for lost time after his suspension. Irish-bred Intense Gold (1) has been knocking on the door and rarely runs a poor race. Worth considering while the six-week break and the light weight should give a fresh Satellite Prince (5) every chance of finishing in the money.

Race 3
Bold frontrunner Lively Dragon (1) will be hard to stop if he gets away cheaply and the innermost draw will only boost his chances. Has two wins from his five starts and will be the one to watch here. Last-start debut winner Smart Supreme (6) rises in class and has to overcome the wide barrier if he is to make it back-to-back visits to the winner's circle. Apprentice Mohd Firdaus will be full of confidence after his maiden winner last week though. Two solid outings in August will give the connection of Mighty Creation (2) plenty of hope and the six-year-old gelding possesses the savvy and experience to trouble his younger rivals. Just The Tip (13) was narrowly beaten at his last start and has every chance of repeating that performance if he gets into the lineup here.

Race 4
This 10-furlong Class 5 contest could throw up a few curveballs. Over Easy (6) should relish the 2000m trip even though he has drawn the widest gate. His third-place finish in a much higher class back in September is worth mentioning and bodes well for his chances. Jumping by his side will be Bravo (1) who drops in class and will find this company more to his liking. Japanese-bred galloper Galaxy Express (3) is back in action after only two weeks and if his fitness holds over the home straight will be a danger while Pinyin (2) is another galloper in form, finishing within touching distance of the winners at his last two outings, and cannot be discounted.

Race 5
Some fine sprinters on display in this contest with little to separate them. After two fighting seconds in recent months, Astrostar (4) looks poised to make that breakthrough and with the other leading contenders drawing poorly the Sonny Yeoh-trained galloper (gate four) has an excellent chance. Raise No Doubt (5) will jump from the outermost alley and coupled with the big rise in weights, may prove to be his undoing. But the three-time winner this term is not without ability and must be respected. Both Super Kenny (3) and Mai Guru (8) are returning from significant layoffs and while their class is undoubted, they will still be trying to clear the cobwebs and may need another competitive start to shake the rust.

Race 6
South African-import Tequila Shot (5) is a born-and-bred stayer whose record back home makes for impressive reading, two wins and two seconds from five starts over 2000m and more. His debut over 1400m last month saw his don pacifiers for the first time and the experiment failed. The headgear has since been removed and he deserves another chance to show his true abilities. Former Selangor-based galloper New York City (1) has made the switch across the Causeway with aplomb and has yet to finish outside the top-four while saluting twice at his seven Kranji starts. Japanese-bred chestnut Brilliant Deal (3) won twice earlier this year and returned from his three-month spell with a commendable effort last month. Back on turf and should strip fitter. Stablemate Zipangu (8) has had a start-stop year but still managed two wins and is first-up after four months on the sidelines.

Race 7
Trainer Patrick Shaw has an excellent chance of saddling a quinella in this race with leading lights Magneto (2) and Alexandra Palace (1) looking the pick of the bunch here. The former has drawn marble one and though backing up after last week's fine second, is well suited to the 1400m trip which should favour the Argentinian-bred chestnut stallion. The latter is a well-bred stayer who arrived on these shores with a stellar resume and backed it up with a debut win six weeks back though this presents a much tougher assignment as the seven furlongs might be a bit sharp while he rises 6.5kg in weights. US-bred mare Thumping (6) boasts three wins over this trip and must be respected while five-year-old grey Strubeli (7) has almost nothing on his back and will be hard to catch in a sprint down the straight.

Race 8
Few standout candidates in this one makes it a tough one to call. Nothing wrong with Natural Nine's (3) recent runs and the gelding has returned from his break looking fit and sharp with two seconds. A first win at Kranji cannot be far away. The reapplication of blinkers worked like a treat on Not Simple (12) last month and he looked focused down the straight. Will appreciate the apprentice claim and the inside draw. Zac Heaven (4) has plenty of raw pace and the 1100m trip should favour a speedster like himself and he deserves consideration. Hidden Venture (7) was unlucky to be edged out at the death at his last outing and gets another chance to make amends.

Race 9
A nice race to finish this night meeting. Smart chestnut Hughsy (4) is two for two and returns to action following a short spell. Expect him to make a bold bid and stretch his unbeaten run to three wins. There are many threats though with Laurie Laxon's Deauville (7) chief amongst them. The Darci Brahma four-year-old is in the best shape of his life and has been posting some fine times. Also in with a shout are the Cliff Brown duo Spun Gold (2), who has looked revitalised since coming back from a lengthy layoff and has a win and two seconds from his last three outings, and Imperial Fighter (9), who drops in class for this contest and is always a danger over seven furlongs.