Singapore Airlines International Cup

[Adrian]

The Singapore Airlines International Cup (Gr.1) will be run at 8.35pm local time on Sunday night at Kranji.

There will be 13 runners racing on rain affected ground – it was officially yielding on Saturday when Why Be won their most important sprint – the Lion City Cup – and more rain is forecast for Sunday afternoon although the morning is sunny and dry.

The two favourites will be Japanese contenders Cosmo Bulk – who won last year and has run well in the Japan Cup since – and Shadow Gate who seems to be improving and was 2nd in a good Group 2 race last time.

There are two European runners.  Kandidate will be ridden by Eddie Ahern and has been training well although he may not be suited by the ground.  He is well drawn, however in stall one and with a short run to the first bend this will suit him.

The French challenger is Richard Gibson’s Doctor Dino who will be ridden by Johnny Murtagh.  He is a Group winner on soft ground and ran well to be 3rd to Dylan Thomas in the Prix Ganay over 2100 metres.  He looks in great physical shape and could go well at rewarding odds.

Mike de Kock runs Oracle West – the top rated horse – who was 2nd to Vengeance of Rain in the Dubai Sheema Classic – beating Sir Percy, Red Rock et al.

He appears better suited by 12 furlongs but is a classy contender and Weichong Marwing won a race at Kranji yesterday.

Best of the others will be local contenders Crusoe – who has worked well this week – and South American bred Setembro Chove to be ridden by Robbie Fradd.

I think a Trifecta box with Oracle West, Cosmo Bulk, Shadow Gate and Doctor Dino is the best bet.

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[wit]

unfortunately, another distant tote-monopoly jurisdiction whose international aspirations seem limited to Asia and Australia.

they don’t seem to do much to attract punters from further afield, so – apart from Hills offering SP betting – the race seems utterly unpromoted/ignored on websites of the main UK exchanges / bookies.

UK race time 1.35pm; official racecard here (race 9):

http://www.turfclub.com.sg/RacingInform … fault.aspx

can’t immediately find live Sing tote, but the HK Tote (its race 11) is currently showing:

Shadow Gate 1.7<br>Oracle West 8.0<br>Doctor Dino 10<br>Cosmo Bulk 12<br>Setembero Chove 13<br>Kandidate 20<br>Crusoe 21

26+ bar

http://bet.hkjc.com/racing/default.aspx … px?lang=en

best regards

wit

[wit]

well done with the trifecta, adrian

1 – Shadow Gate (JPN)<br>2 – Cosmo Bulk (JPN)<br>3 – Doctor Dino (FR)

4 – Setembro Chove (BRZ)<br>5 Kandidate

http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/Resu … &RaceNo=11

<br>best regards

wit

[Adrian]

Thanks Wit – sadly it went unbacked by me as I didn’t bet early and was too busy just before the race.  All my pals at least backed the Japanese forecast – couldn’t see past it although the French horse nearly got up for 2nd under Johnny Murtagh.

All the British press at Kranji were lumping on the winner with bookies in England at 7/1 – he went off favourite on track.

Why do you say that their international aspirations are limited to Asia and Australia?

We had 2 Europeans and a South African in the field.   Tough to get Americans although we’ve had 4 run here in the past.  Zorro is here for the Racing Post and it is also getting coverage in Dubai press etc.

Don’t think that I’m having a go but I’m genuinely interested in your views as always.

[cormack15]

Nice piece of tipping Adrian.

[wit]

hi adrian

i guess i’m largely going by the sponsorships of the supporting races on the card, plus – of course very subjectively and possiby entirely atypically –  somehow the race was off my radar this year.

only very occasionally do i see the RP paper version these days, so if there was more discernible coverage there than on the net, i’m happy to stand corrected.    

my usual net news-streams though somehow gave the race a very low profile, eg  <br>www.newsnow.co.uk <br>Sport (47)<br>HorseRacing (UK)

as for limitation of aspirations by members of the Asian Racing Conference, much as I like the area, and much as I note their sponsorships of GB races, their various statements and the ongoing efforts of individuals like Ronnie Arculi,  IMO they won’t make much headway in the UK until they lose their fundamental protectionism in matters both of betting and race entries.  

best regards

wit

[Adrian]

Cheers Cormack – the Trifecta paid 210-2 dollars so very reasonable return.

Wit, understood, although you’ll also note that Ascot etc had races named after them here yesterday.  As you know I attended the Asian Racing Conference and things are changing for the better and I think both Singapore and Hong Kong are embrassing the world – both in terms of recruitment of horses, of TV coverage and of simulcasting.

I could go more into Asian racing politics on here but probably a bit dull for the wider audience!

Had a beer with Zorro post race and we’d like to meet up with you sometime as committed racing internationalists.   Presumably you’re based in Hong Kong and therefore we should have a beer in December.

[wit]

Hi Adrian

Whisper it softly down the Winkfield Road, but in that particular context – with other races sponsored by Moonee Valley and Flemington –  the words "Ascot Racecourse" first made me think "Perth Cup"……

Happy to take a beer sometime – HK in December or Tokyo in November could be possibile……

best regards

wit

[conall]

Tremendous effort Adrian

Had a great day on the Saturday -oh to be a layer in Singapore!!

Great race on Sunday -the Japanese are a tremendous force -what did the forecast pay?

Best and was great to see you again.

[Author]

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