As far as Asian cities go, Singapore must be right up there with the best of the other scenic delights of the far east. A tropical climate, wonderful people, tourist friendly with relatively cheap transport systems as well as great racing make it a tourists dream. This cosmopolitan city offers the eastern influenced history and heritage with a western city click style and, of course, magical horseracing only a 20 minute drive from the city center.
Singapore with its utopian type lifestyle and living standards, low crime rate, clean city streets and diverse cultures make it a great stop for a week of horseracing for any racing fan. The Singapore Turf Club has once again host to the world of thoroughbred horseracing's final Asian racing event of the 2008/2009 season in the form of the Singapore Airlines Cup to be held on Sunday at Kranji Racecourse.
The legendary hospitality of the Singapore Turf Club and massive prizemoney on offer has once again attracted a classy field of Group 1 horses for the most important race day to be staged by the Singapore Turf Club. Together with the high international interest in the Singapore Airlines Cup, a 2000m main event of the Sunday programme, one also finds in all likelihood the most exciting race of the card preceding that event, the KrisFlyer Sprint. Also pegged at the highest level of racing (Group 1) and packed full with a field of stars, the KrisFlyer Sprint over the 1200m trip brings together the best of Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore in a clash that will be remembered through the ages. The obvious interest in the race for the local Singaporeans is the unbeaten galloper Rocket Man. A half brother to another Group 1 winner in the form of South African trained and based, Our Giant, Rocket Man is looking to seal the sprint event from arguably the toughest line up of sprint horses seen in a long time in the racing world.
The likes of Australia's aging but sensational Takeover Target and Hong Kong's Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint champion, Sacred Kingdom, form part of an excellent line up. Also along for the ride is the sensational Mythical Flight, a boom horse in South Africa during his three year old career. Flagged off his best form after during his 4 year old campaign, the Sean Tarry runner, ran a cracker in Hong Kong in December when not beaten very far but has not run since that start in the Sprint race on the CX Hong Kong Cup day.
After the KrisFlyer, the attention of the likely capacity Kranji faithful will turn to the 2000m pole for the main event of the evening where all eyes will be on the expected match race between the top two in the betting board, defending champion Jay Peg and the recent AP QE II Cup winner, Presvis. The latter is fancied to win the contest due to Jay Peg's recent dip in form but on the trackwork notes to date in Singapore and the hype from the camp, the South African looks to be back to his best form.
Added to the storyline is the farewell from the tracks of Jay Peg. Retiring to stud in South Africa and almost completely fully syndicated as a stallion, the international star of 2008 will bid a fond farewell to his legions of racing supporters not only in Singapore but in South Africa and around the world. The global Grade 1 winner will have his last taste of the hallowed turf of Group 1 international competition in what looks to be his best condition yet as presented by trainer Herman Brown.
Presvis is a thoroughbred who sincerely deserves credit for his efforts of late. Looking the likely champion during his work leading up to the AP QE II Cup, he duly showed his British fan base his true colours by taking out the prestigious QE II Cup at Sha Tin. In one swooping run he rid himself of the tag "potential star" and confirmed himself as the favourite for the Singapore Airlines Cup in the process. He is the one to beat. The Australia fancy is Pompeii Ruler. Much talked about by the Australian media in Singapore, he seems to be in fine form and looks a likely challenger for top honours.
The races will be watched with interest and with two stunning events on the Kranji card awaiting race goers there cannot be much more than could be put on display in what should be a weekend of excitement, glitz, glamour and top notch international racing - Singapore Style!
SINGAPORE BROADCASTER SELECTIONS BELOW
Michael Maxworthy |
Andrew Frost |
Craig Evans |
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Race 1 |
Race 1 |
Race 1 |
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8 Dubai Gold |
8 Dubai Gold |
8 Dubai Gold |
9 Kyoto |
12 Royal Danehill |
13 Thrilla In Manila |
13 Thrilla In Manila |
13 Thrilla In Manila |
9 Kyoto |
12 Royal Danehill |
10 Langstraat |
2 Grand Army |
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Race 2 |
Race 2 |
Race 2 |
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4 Kotipelto |
4 Kotipelto |
4 Kotipelto |
1 Dan Noble |
7 Kaepeeyai |
1 Dan Noble |
2 Otomodachi |
6 Boyle |
5 Ready For Success |
5 Ready For Success |
13 Star Talent |
6 Boyle |
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Race 3 |
Race 3 |
Race 3 |
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11 Ace Aviva* |
11 Ace Aviva |
4 Waipapa |
4 Waipapa |
4 Waipapa |
11 Ace Aviva |
5 So Majestic |
5 So Majestic |
12 Dan Duchess |
12 Dan Duchess |
12 Dan Duchess |
10 Elchase |
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Race 4 |
Race 4 |
Race 4 |
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4 Scorsese |
10 Salvagente |
4 Scorsese |
1 Given Vision |
4 Scorsese |
3 Spinmaestro |
6 Cash Hunter |
6 Cash Hunter |
6 Cash Hunter |
10 Salvagente |
1 Given Vision |
1 Given Vision |
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Race 5 |
Race 5 |
Race 5 |
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9 Oil Baron |
6 Newfoundluck |
8 Flaming Bolt |
11 Seven Warrior |
11 Seven Warrior |
6 Newfoundluck |
5 Fighting Spirit |
8 Flaming Bolt |
9 Oil Baron |
10 Srijana |
9 Oil Baron |
7 Ara Kara |
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Race 6 |
Race 6 |
Race 6 |
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13 Mooring |
13 Mooring* |
8 Noble Manor* |
8 Noble Manor |
8 Noble Manor |
13 Mooring |
6 Husonic |
3 Monkey Man |
3 Monkey Man |
3 Monkey Man |
2 Holtmail |
6 Husonic |
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Race 7 |
Race 7 |
Race 7 |
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8 Keep Away |
7 Imperial Green |
7 Imperial Green |
10 Corragio |
4 Master Magic |
5 Quiero Bailar |
7 Imperial Green |
5 Quiero Bailar |
10 Corragio |
5 Quiero Bailar |
10 Corragio |
3 Gust |
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Race 8 |
Race 8 |
Race 8 |
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13 Rocket Man |
13 Rocket Man |
13 Rocket Man |
2 Takeover Target |
2 Takeover Target |
2 Takeover Target |
1 Sacred Kingdom |
1 Sacred Kingdom |
1 Sacred Kingdom |
5 Diabolical |
4 Mythical Flight |
5 Diabolical |
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Race 9 |
Race 9 |
Race 9 |
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2 Presvis |
2 Presvis |
2 Presvis |
3 Pompeii Ruler |
3 Pompeii Ruler |
4 Balius |
1 Jay Peg |
1 Jay Peg |
3 Pompeii Ruler |
5 Bankable |
5 Bankable |
1 Jay Peg |
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Race 10 |
Race 10 |
Race 10 |
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4 Bionic Boy |
4 Bionic Boy |
6 Dr Lemon |
3 Aranda |
3 Aranda |
5 Den |
1 Dishdasha |
6 Dr Lemon |
4 Bionic Boy |
5 Den |
1 Dishdasha |
1 Dishdasha |
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Value Bet: |
Value Bet: |
Value Bet: |
Seven Warrior (R5-11) |
Salvagente (R4-10) |
Kyoto (R1-9) |
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