Singapore Sunday Preview

On overview of today's Singapore card courtesy of the Singapore Turf Club ... good luck to our Singapore trainer Mark Walker ...

RACE 1

Even contest to kick things off. Toobigtofail (8) came mightily close to shedding his maiden status at his last outing. Drops back in distance. Awkward draw is immaterial as he comes from off the pace. This time or never. Windsor Knot (6) is still winless in 20 races but she has been knocking on the door of late. Will relish extra 200m. Gets her chance to open her account too. Aguila Azteca (1) has been running some fair races. Had to be used up from a wide alley to lead the way last time out. From a better draw this time, she should enjoy a more ground-saving run. Four-kilo claim a plus. Not without a say. Magic To Win (7) is not without some claims here. Passed some tired runners last time out to run fourth. Backable.

RACE 2

On his flying debut second, Lake Huka (2) is bound to have his fair share of admirers in this. Seems to have tightened up further and looks hard to beat. Cross-noseband on. Lucky Command (7) was well supported on debut when he flew off the gates to show the way but faltered in the home straight. Tongue-tie on. Good barrier. Give him another chance. Debutant Miss Waimataitai (8) ran a nice second in an Official Race Trial on September 1. Not without some claims in this. Keystone (1) is a former Sydney galloper who has yet to race. Has trialled fairly and could take a hand in this

RACE 3

Hard to get past Power Play (1). Scored a brilliant barrier trial win on Tuesday. Rock-hard fit and is getting geared up for the Gold Cup. The one to beat. Blossoms Sequel (5) is a vastly-improved galloper this prep. Has racked up two in a row, and trip and surface are right up his alley. Could keep Power Play on his toes in the home straight. Sebrose (2) needed the run first-up from his break since the Derby. Will find this trip more to his liking. Manoel Nunes' pick. Much fitter for the run and a bolder showing is expected. Flying Zero (3) is a model of consistency. Senior jockey gets on board this time. Can vie for a place again.

RACE 4

Our River Dancer (1) is backing up after his smart win last Sunday. Has drawn an alley this time. Trainer is capitalising on his solid form, but shoulders more weight and rises in distance by 300m this time. Three-in-a-row looks tough but not impossible. Lam Edition (10) showed a marked improvement at his last outing when he stuck on well for third when going up to a mile. Taking on even further this time and is not without place claims. Chi Lin (3) finally got off the mark at his last start. Extra 300m should not pose any problem. Worth considering again. Right Is Right (8) has not been that far from the placegetters of late. She can run a trip and a place on the podium is well within her reach.

RACE 5

Exciting Graduation race with three up-and-coming youngsters facing the starter. Speedy Dragon (5) was highly impressive at his second run from a long break. Raced away to an emphatic win on Polytrack but faces first test on turf. Trial form is solid. Stiffer task at hand but should be able to hold his own. Golden Sword (8) has been a revelation for connections with two wins from as many starts, both on Polytrack. Switches to turf for the first time as well. No weight on his back and has drawn perfectly. Will take some beating again. Royal Fortune (6) is an English-bred who has exceeded expectations in two starts. Marble one. Has changed yard but still looks in superb form. Will be in the hunt for a long way. Don't underestimate Hydro (1). Raced a bit tight at his last start. Back from a short let-up and is also back in distance. Won't surprise if he makes his presence felt.

RACE 6

This year's Garden City Trophy has garnered a small but high quality field and will be a real beauty. Emperor Max (1) is making his much-awaited comeback since his second place to Aerovelocity in the KrisFlyer back in May. Has been trialling in good fashion. May need the run but his class should see him through. Another classy sort is Daniel (2) who is back from a short let-up. Over a slight foot niggle and trialled very well on Tuesday. Will go well fresh and should finish in the money. The new rising star is Super Winner (6) who just knows where the winning post is. Bidding for a five-in-a-row but this is much tougher. Still untapped and will be in this for a long way. Wimbledon (8) won't be disgraced. Seldom disappoints and can mix it with the best. Can make the board.

RACE 7

Not many horses with much formline in this Class 5 event for claiming riders. Captain Classique (1) has not fared too badly at his last few runs. Did loom up two runs back before peaking on his run over turf which he is reverting to in this. Can consider. Bilbo Baggins (3) did show some gate speed in his recent races, but he has drawn a shocker, the outermost alley. Place claims look better. Super Bonus (7) showed good barrier trial form when second last Tuesday. Does not really race much on turf but he may come through in this weak field. Exceptional Choice (8) has been freshened up. Previous form was not bad. Can sneak into the minors.

RACE 8

Newcomer The Cosmos (5) is a one-time winner in New Zealand and scored a nice barrier trial win on September 1. Looks like another nice promising sort for trainer Mark Walker. Has drawn well and can be followed on debut. Rikioh (4) is maintaining his good form. On-pace runner who will be thereabouts in the concluding stages especially as he has drawn an alley. Former New Zealander Lincoln Road (7) seems to have thrived in his new environment. Scored a barrier trial win last Thursday. Has not drawn very well, but still bears watching. Blue Diamond (2) is down in class. Not without ability and can bounce back to form.

RACE 9

Dragon Highness (2) is making headway. The booking of Corey Brown points to his chances. Blinker-pacifiers on. Warrants respect even from the wide gate. Blinkers are removed from The Black Knight (3) after only one try at his last outing. Did not race very generously and had his tongue flopping out. Was swamped but to his credit he fought on before weakening late. Well drawn. Tongue-tie on. Can atone. Hee's A Maverick (1) is resuming from a seven-month layoff. Trialled well on Tuesday when third to Tembusu Estrela. Showed glimpses of potential before his break. Awkward alley. May need the run but he can still fill the minor placings. Falcon (9) stayed too far back last Sunday. On the quick back-up and don't rule out an improved performance this time.

RACE 10

A super field lines up in the Committee's Prize. On class and courage it is hard not to give the nod to Stepitup (1) even if the 59kg top impost in such a big field looks daunting. But he always defies the odds and don't be surprised if he comes bullocking his way in again. Good gate on his side. Singapore Derby placegetter Fastnet Dragon (11) makes his comeback. Exciting horse. Gold Cup is his target and he may need the run here but his postage stamp of 50kg can still see him strike a blow here. Darci Charmer (9) is tackling the mile for the first time but from the way he has been running on, he should be able to see it out on his ears. Has a touch of class about him. Can make the trifecta. A La Victory (12) is a reliable sort who will not be out of his depth in this. Made ground late to finish third to Stepitup only 1 ½ lengths behind at his last run. Low draw. Earmuffs off. Merits consideration.

RACE 11

Q Nine Magic (3) bled at his last run in June. Won his barrier trial on Tuesday. Did show ability before bleeding attack and won't surprise if he scores first-up. Earmuffs replaced with blinker-pacifiers. Helen (10) will probably set the pace if she can cross early from her wide alley. If she has things her way upfront, she may prove hard to run down. Big say. Kiss Me (6) has suddenly put two good runs together. If he keeps it up, there is no reason why he cannot fight out the finish here. Well drawn. Imperial Boy (9) has pace but cannot really sustain his run to the line. Slightly better on the tracks these days. Will jump from a good barrier and is not without some place claims.

RACE 12

Can't fault Ode To Joy (6) for trying his best last time out. Was a little boxed in and by the time he came out, it was too late. Stick with him. Brahms And Liszt (5) showed a solid acceleration to return to winning ways last time out. Will appreciate the step-up to the mile though he is in for a sterner test this time. May have to settle for a place. Bob (2) is in his element in this type of race. Will be in the frame if he gets the right breaks. Include in your exotics. Billy Britain (8) could have finished closer if he had not blundered shortly after the start at his last run. Slight improvement with blinkers off. Good outsider in this.