International racing takes centre stage today with Group 1 features in Singapore and Great Britain with a combined 12 races from Kranji and Newbury Racecourses forming part of the Club’s simulcast operation.
World Pool will be in operation for Lockinge Stakes Day tonight and, as well as the G1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m) itself, a feature of the meeting will be the continuation of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship.
The World Pool Jockeys’ Championship is a new initiative which pits elite jockeys against each other in all UK and Ireland World Pool races.
Winning jockeys are awarded points based on the World Pool win odds of their successful mounts and these points accumulate from 2000 Guineas Day at Newmarket on 4 May to British Champions Day at Ascot on 19 October.
The winning jockey will be awarded a prize of GBP 50,000 (approximately HK$495,000) to donate to a charity of their choice as part of World Pool’s goal to give back to the racing community’s grass roots.
The competition also allows World Pool fans around the world to follow the progress of their favourite jockeys in the UK and Ireland across the flat season, including Ryan Moore, William Buick and Oisin Murphy.
Our simulcast coverage starts in Singapore on Saturday (18 May), with the first of seven races at 2.30pm. The feature race is the SIN G1 Kranji Mile (1600m), which is carded as S1-5 and run at 4.35pm.
There isn’t an obvious pacesetter in the Kranji Mile, which could result in a surprise leader, although SUPER SALUTE has done well racing prominently in the past, while LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO and STREET OF DREAMS should both roll forward.
LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO is Singapore’s star horse with 19 wins. He claimed last year’s renewal of this race and looks hard to beat again. He has appeared twice for two wins at Kranji Racecourse after being defeated by GOLDEN SIXTY in the 2023 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
He won’t meet the quality of opposition he faced in Hong Kong and he is expected to be a dominant favourite to win, especially returning to set weights as the highest-rated runner in the contest after giving away close to 20 pounds last start and still winning. He is my first choice as a win and place chance.
GOLDEN MONKEY has tested LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO before without defeating him, twice finishing second to Singapore’s leading horse. GOLDEN MONKEY races midfield and he is a seven-time winner from 25 starts, including once over a mile in the 2023 SIN G2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). I make him a place chance.
INVINCIBLE TYCOON can improve getting out to a mile after doing his best work late over 1400m last start. I make him a place chance.
Our focus then turns to Newbury Racecourse in Great Britain with the first of the five races starting at 8.50pm. The feature race is the G1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m), which is carded as S2-4 and is run at 10.35pm.
BIG ROCK led and won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) easily last October at Ascot. He is expected to press forward again in this straight mile contest, while AUDIENCE could attempt to join him at the head of the field.
INSPIRAL has won six times at Group 1 level, in Great Britain, France and the United States of America. She is a high-class mare but faces formidable opposition and connections are concerned at the potential of rain dampening Newbury Racecourse. I make INSPIRAL a win and place chance if she receives her preferred conditions for John & Thady Gosden, who also saddle AUDIENCE.
BIG ROCK is an exciting horse and his go-forward style of racing is exhilarating. He is still young and he placed second behind INSPIRAL last August in France. I am hopeful there is more improvement to come and I also make him a win and place chance, especially as the forecast of scattered showers plays to his advantage.
CHARYN burst onto the scene with a pair of quality wins over the mile recently. He will settle midfield before closing fast. I make him a place chance along with HI ROYAL, who has taken a forward step following wind surgery. Ryan Moore rides HI ROYAL.
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