Below, watch the Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1) and Krisflyer International Sprint (G1)

Know this much – if you have never been to Singapore, you really need to make a visit. The hospitality is top notch, the city is pristine, lush, safe, and still exotic. I can think of no other inner-city destination the world over that catches the eye quite like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, located just beyond the end of the famed Orchard Boulevard. We enjoyed a stroll through each visit to this glorious destination, and it always refreshed the soul.  This is a great place to be.

Eleven races mark the program on Sunday, which stretches over 6 ½ hours. We will only offer our thoughts on the two big events.

Race 9 – S$1,000,000 Krisflyer International Sprint (G1) – 1,200 metres – Turf (Short Course – A)

Last year, we didn’t put Ato on top, but were keen on him and made it very clear we thought the locals had a top chance to land the spoils given the international representation in the event. This year, we are much more keen on the foreign shippers.

#6 KAVANAGH is the lone representative from Mike de Kock’s yard to make the trip, and he’s our version of the winner. He’s been ticking over in Dubai with assistant Trevor Brown, who brings him here for the big boss, and frankly, could not be happier with his preparation. In 2012, the best trackwork we saw for this race came from Ato, a 15-1 winner on course, but 50-1 earlier in the week overseas. Kavanagh, a son of Tiger Ridge, put in a sparkling work on Tuesday, his first speed work of the trip, but then surprisingly, BOLTED in on the training track behind the Kranji turf course on Friday morning.

We do not accidentally use the capital letters. Under absolutely no pressure, Brown had his charge out before most of the media even saw him, and he worked down the back of the track out of the view of all but a camera above the course. The official time for his final 600 metres was :35.10 seconds, the fastest work of the week of any contender in the race. As always though, the final time isn’t the point, it’s HOW he did it. When watching the work, we were dropping the superlatives without even seeing the time, but the post-work report only confirmed what we saw.

Kavanagh raced a bit in the shadow of Shea Shea, the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) winner who lowered his own course mark by more than a half-second winning that race. While taking a Meydan handicap on grass, he had two very solid runs on Tapeta, and arguably had excuses in the Dubai Golden Shaheen when tight on heels, but stayed on.  He’s drawn well in three, and the demur Brown was chuffed with the draw immediately.

#1 BEL SPRINTER is the first horse the young Aussie trainer Jason Warren has ever traveled, and his win in the Galaxy Stakes was explosive. He tends to miss the kick and this has cause some trouble, but a horse who was only five lengths off Black Caviar is the top-rated runner in the field. Everyone around the course seems to be quoting the fact that you can’t win this race from too far back, but there is plenty of speed in the race.

#7 MR BIG, #9 GOAL KEEPER, #10 EMERALD HILL should all show early gallop, and Bel Sprinter is drawn right in the middle of this trio. For a horse that can be slow away, he’s well drawn in gate ten and has traveled well considering it’s the first time for the yard to go overseas. Overall, however, we think he might be undervalued in the markets, which goes against our interests.

#4 BALMONT MAST is winless on grass since his maiden score in October 2011 – Ed Lynam has been quite happy with his preparation, but arguably doesn’t know what they’ll get out of him. His closing sectional times in the Dubai Golden Shaheen were top notch, but according to Trakus, he covered seven metres less than the winner. In other words, he saved all the ground and might have been aided by that. Still, he’s well drawn and Johnny Murtagh makes the trip. In the end, we think he’s a placing chance at best.

#5 DUX SCHOLAR beat a rather weak bunch when winning a handicap at Meydan, but folded to a mid-field run in the Al Quoz Sprint, even in the end. He ran only the eleventh fastest final 400 metres, and the eighth fastest final 200 metres in the Al Quoz, and this is still a tough bunch. Like Balmont Mast, we think a placing chance is his best possible result, and prefer his stablemate in the big race to his chances here.

#8 DASHER GO GO has faced a few buzz shots in Japan against tougher company and has done very little work on the grounds. He was last to arrive, getting in early Tuesday morning, and stretched with some speed on Saturday morning, blowing out 200 metres in front of his trainer, Takayuki Yasuda. He can sit handy or settled a bit farther back, and on times, he should be in the mix.  We just worry if he didn’t come in a bit too late to really settle to his best, and expect he might be slightly undervalued. The form against Lord Kanaloa, beaten only 2 ¼ lengths, is encouraging, especially as he had to cover all sorts of extra ground in that race.  Internationally experienced Umberto Rispoli has the call for the first time in recent form.

What to do with #2 LUCKY NINE? He is essentially the enigma of the race, won in 2010 by trainer Caspar Fownes’s Green Birdie.  Things were not right in the HK Sprint Cup (G2) last time, and was found to have bled. On his absolute best day, Lucky Nine is a legitimate shot here, but we have to play against him considering his recent issues.

Locally, #3 SUPER EASY is a legend. A winner of 13 wins from 15 starts in Singapore, the son of Darci Brahma has seemingly recovered well from his failed attempts in Hong Kong, beaten a total of ten lengths in two races. While back on home turf, it should be clear where this guy stacks up against international competition – a cut below. His win in the Lion City Cup (G1) last time was certainly good enough, but leaves us with the belief he will need a bit more to have his nose first on the wire. Another with a placing chance, but we can’t suggest him on top.

The aforementioned #7 MR BIG is the one we would want if he going local, and it is mostly on the back of his Dubai performance. Five horses lowered Shea Shea’s original course record from a Super Saturday win, and this guy was one of them. He did get a plum outer draw and was one of the two who went forward early and stayed on in the Al Quoz. There is every reason to think that he will be in better shape for this than he was in the Lion City Cup last time.

1^st – #6 KAVANAGH, 2^nd – #3 SUPER EASY, 3^th – #1 BEL SPRINTER, 4^th – #7 MR BIG

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Race 10 – S$3,000,000 Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1) – 2,000 metres – Turf (Short Course – A)

Let there be no doubt that this is the best field ever assembled in this race.

To us, the winner comes from one of three: #1 MEANDRE, #2 MILITARY ATTACK, or #3 PASTORIUS.  We would be surprised if any others take it, for a variety of reasons we will discuss, and more surprised if a local manages a massive upset.  Let’s dive in.

#2 MILITARY ATTACK is the type of horse we love to play against. At some point, the son of Oratorio WILL find a troubled trip, but that just doesn’t seem the case here. The John Moore trainee managed a plum draw in four and is just on top of his game. How the Hong Kong horses perform in these types of races when they get away from their home turf, however, is a bit of a question mark. While we don’t question his overall ability, can he beat the class field outside of the friendly confines of the S.A.R? Beaten off in the APQEII Cup were Dubai Duty Free winner Sajjhaa, Igugu, California Memory, Eishin Flash, and Derby winner Akeed Mofeed. Top to bottom, however, this is a tougher field, off a three-week respite and a flight to get here. It might be worth taking a chance against, but we won’t be surprised if he wins with another perfect trip.

#3 PASTORIUS and #1 MEANDRE had the best works of the week for runners in this race, with Pastorius only lengthening on one day (Friday), and Meandre catching our eye with aplomb on Tuesday.  Pastorius being in this race really puts a strange feel on the whole gambit – winning the first open, distance Group 1 of the European season and then leaving Europe to come in. He defeated the Dubai Duty Free third (Giofra) and the Dubai Sheema Classic fourth (Dunaden), and did it well. The expectation is that he’ll go back to Europe after this race. There just hasn’t been a horse in such top form from Europe swing over, and the Prix Ganay winner would surprise no one.

We are going with Meandre. First, he absolutely will appreciate getting back on grass. He ran an even race in the Dubai World Cup, and did cover more ground than most. His speed work on Tuesday was the most flawless of the lot, with the trackwork rider Martin Pearson sitting completely motionless as Meandre stretched away. He should settle mid-pack and while the race is only 2,000 metres, and his best performances have come over longer trips, sitting a bit wide is likely to be within reason to actually benefit him a bit – making the race a bit longer for him. His second in the dawdling Prix Foy behind Orfevre is likely the best running line in the race, and that includes #4 RED CADEAUX’s December win at Hong Kong.

There absolutely deserves to be some concern regarding the jockey booking on Meandre, but that is how the ownership wants it to be. A draw in 12 actually feels perfect for this race, and if he can settle well and run on, he is third off the extended break and back on grass – this is the spot and the value will surely be there.

#5 DAN EXCEL was winless for a long way before landing the Champions Mile in a legitimately weak renewal, and like his stablemate, getting a perfect trip. We appreciate Military Attack more and would be shocked if Dan Excel can wheel back with another top effort off the ship.

#4 RED CADEAUX is as game as they come, and you play against him at your own peril, but he is significantly likely to be much too far back to grab the win here, and a placing chance is best. At some point, the tank has to run low. We respect his ability to travel and show with the best of them, but are against him in this spot.

#6 HUNTER’S LIGHT ran four sparkling races in his last six, three on all-weather along with the Italian Group 1 success when he bolted to the outside rail and likely would’ve scored by much more if straightened. He has not seemed right to us all week, and ours is not the only one that shared that opinion amongst the media centre. This is a tough bunch for him to get back on grass, and his successes have come against lesser when given the opportunity. He’ll be a surprise to us.

#7 MAWINGO is staying in Singapore after this effort, and think he might just need some more time to come onto the local conditions.

#8 MULL OF KILLOUGH might not know what to do when asked to turn – his last three wins coming in good fashion against massively inferior competition, and all over the straight courses at Newmarket. Another who would shock.

Five local runners round out the field, with the mare #13 BETTER LIFE the best chance amongst them. She is third off the extended layoff and is certainly a course specialist, winning seven of 12 here in Singapore. #9 FLAX was third in this race a year ago when rain softened the experience for many and he just stays on with fervor. While a win would be a massive boilover, he can run third.

Overall, we think only a few horses can win the Singapore Airlines International Cup, but almost all of them could grab a placing without shock. Meandre should sit mid-pack and kick on if given the opportunity to settle in good form by Khamzat Ulubaev. We think Military Attack is a likely candidate to score, but has done little since getting here and likely needs it to go his way yet again, while Pastorius is a bit of a wild card who will get plenty of action.

1^st – #1 MEANDRE, 2^nd – #3 PASTORIUS, 3^rd – #2 MILITARY ATTACK, 4^th – #13 BETTER LIFE

After a night where connections, media, horsemen, and racing executives mingled together in fine fettle at the annual “chill party,” Mike de Kock’s assistant trainer Trevor Brown tried to pull a fast one that got by most everyone…save this observer. Brown had KAVANAGH out on the all-weather course that runs behind the Polytrack at Kranji and worked the Krisflyer International Sprint hope before anyone really saw him doing it. And boy was Kavanagh sharp. We have a definite Krisflyer pick from us – on the bridle, not overkeen, and just completely focused on his task. Brown was coy when we spoke with him later in the morning. Kavanagh is 5-1 on many of the books overseas, but we are expecting he will go off a much higher price locally, with the Aussie BEL SPRINTER, plus local hope SUPER EASY and Hong Kong’s LUCKY NINE taking more action.

Later in the morning, Mario Hofer looked on keenly as PASTORIUS bolted in on the grass, blowing out about 800 metres. As mentioned, we didn’t have a time to report, but he was glued to the inner rail and is on the sharp edge of what we love to see in advance of these types of races. Hofer has clearly enjoyed himself in Singapore, but was all smiles after Friday’s trackwork.
There was nothing else of note as most runners just ticked over with light gallops this morning. We remain very cautious on HUNTER’S LIGHT and the Japanese sprinter DASHER GO GO, who has done nothing resembling a legitimate leg-stretch since arriving.

Friday evening brings racing at Kranji, headlined by the Singapore Guineas (G2) and the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (G3) for 2-year-olds.

Below, catch the Singapore preview show offered by Thoroughmedia, featuring Craig Evans and Grant Knowles.

Trainer Doug Watson (Meandre, Dux Scholar)

Trainer Jason Warren (Bel Sprinter)

Assistant trainer Trevor Brown (Kavanagh)

Trainer Keiichiro Yasuda (Dasher Go Go)

Reminding a bit of how Animal Kingdom performs during a routine gallop at trackwork, looking about, and then turning a different appearance when asked to do a proper piece of work, RED CADEAUX was significantly more focused when asked to lengthen his stride and stretch out on the wet grass at Kranji. He turned in the only legitimate speed work on grass, getting the final 600 metres in :38.70 seconds. We noticed he bobbled at least twice on the wet going, once coming around the home bend, and then again past the wire.

Dubai Golden Shaheen second BALMONT MAST put in an interesting piece of work and we aren’t quite sure what to make of it. While stretching for more ground, his head was wandering about and he seemed quite full of himself, almost playful in the rain. He practically bolted towards the outer rail after doing most of this gallop down the middle of the Polytrack. Overall, he was timed in :40.00 seconds for a rather unofficial 600-metre work, and under no pressure to do it.

Doug Watson trainees MEANDRE and DUX SCHOLAR returned to the course after a day off following their speed work on Tuesday, and both looked no worse for their solid gallops two days earlier, and the team was in fine form.

MILITARY ATTACK and DAN EXCEL have both settled well after antics from Tuesday, with Military Attack showing greater proficiency getting onto the Polytrack a day later, and now Dan Excel joining the professional ranks today. Both light galloped the all-weather surface, with easy times of :46.90 and :47.50 coming in for the pair, respectively.

Godolphin charge HUNTER’S LIGHT visited the Polytrack again in a light gallop. Something about the move was slightly off-putting, with the two-time Maktoum Challenge winner seeming unwilling to really stretch-out in his left-hind. It could’ve been our angle, but we were not the only ones to notice it amongst the media throng, which has increased significantly over Wednesday’s crowd.

PASTORIUS had a light gallop on the Polytrack and remains one of the most content runners we’ve seen this week. His connections, led by trainer Mario Hofer, are quite pleased with their colt’s appearance, beaming in the media centre after his performance in the wet conditions.

Japan’s DASHER GO GO never got out of a canter on the turf this morning, his first day to go over the grass here. He’s been in the shadow of some other quality sprinters and lacks a big win – this is essentially both an easier spot than facing the likes of Lord Kanaloa in Japan, but also a tough spot as he faces quality international competition.  We doubt his ability to step up enough here.

The “looker of the day” was BEL SPRINTER, who worked :41.40 seconds on the outside rail of the Polytrack. Connections could not be happier with the son of Bel Esprit, who, as a gelding, is likely to be around for a long time in this company. He often is tardy from the barrier, and getting too far back could be problematic as few come from the back field in this race.  Still, a solid early gallop should bring him into the race, and he just hasn’t turned a hair.

Trainer Patrick Shaw (Lizarre)

Trainer Michael Freedman (Mr. Big, Mawingo, Super Easy)

Singapore’s leading jockey, Joao Moreira

Assistant Cay Bonhoff (Pastorius)

Trainer Cliff Brown (Deep Pockets)

Trainer Caspar Fownes (Lucky Nine)

MAWINGO was first on course around 4:50 A.M. and galloped a length of the turf course, which has been surprisingly free of rain for the last few days. He was off the course by 5:01 A.M. when most of the rest of the international horses got on with it.

MULL OF KILLOUGH galloped without incident on the heath course, which runs clockwise around most of the Kranji circuit. He is facing the toughest test of his life on Sunday after great local form at Newmarket in the last few runs.

BALMONT MAST, second beaten a neck in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, galloped on the heath track before shifting to the main Polytrack where he galloped a lap under the watchful eye of trainer Ed Lynam, who regaled us with stories about his time in Dubai this season with both Balmont Mast and Sole Power. When we mentioned the many who discuss the dreaded “Dubai bounce,” Lynam was quick to eschew the concern, pointing most recently to Sole Power’s win in the Palace House Stakes (G3) at Newmarket, his first start back from Dubai. As the joint favourite in that race, he beat Group 1 winners Kingsgate Native and Tangerine Trees, who ran second and third.

While there were no speed gallops today, LUCKY NINE caught the eye the most, making more than a lap of the turf course. Despite his bleeding incident in Hong Kong, trainer Caspar Fownes is back for another go in the Krisflyer International Sprint, a race he won in 2010 with Green Birdie. This morning, his charge moved easy, clean, and crisp over the good going.

German-based PASTORIUS carried his head high in a Polytrack gallop, the second day we’ve seen him on the inner surface at Kranji. BEL SPRINTER and RED CADEAUX were close behind Pastorius, both going over the Polytrack with no major impression. If Bel Sprinter is to do any speed work, assistant trainer Mitchell Beer reported he would do it on Thursday. Trainer Jason Warren is due into Singapore on Wednesday evening. Bel Sprinter was the first Group 1 winner for his yard after ten years with a license.

The Hong Kong duo of DAN EXCEL and MILITARY ATTACK were back for a second day on Thursday, emerging from their barns and having to cross the turf course before getting onto the Polytrack. While DAN EXCEL balked significantly for the second consecutive day, his stable companion failed to repeat the task and walked on with no issue having learned his lesson.

Local gallopers BETTER LIFE and FLAX each stretched their legs without incident, with the former on the main Polytrack and the latter on the sand gallop behind the turf course here.  READY TO STRIKE was really full of himself galloping on the Polytrack under an incredibly stout hold. He worked in company with Vintage Rose, a 60-rated galloper – who was under significant pressure to keep pace, but Ready to Strike never turned a hair in the gallop and always held Vintage Rose at bay. It’s expected that Ready to Strike will be with the pace in the Singapore Airlines International Cup. There is no doubting that Ready to Strike has been a massive revelation this season, improving off a rating of 70 from New Year’s Day to a Group 3 winner and running second in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G2) last out.

KAVANAGH, HUNTER’S LIGHT, MEANDRE, and DUX SCHOLAR, all who put in timed speed work on Tuesday, stayed in, as planned, on Wednesday.

George Moore – assistant to John Moore – Military Attack, Dan Excel

Mitchell Beer – assistant to Jason Warren – Bel Sprinter

Ed Lynam – trainer – Balmont Mast

Robin Trevor-Jones – assistant to Ed Dunlop – Red Cadeaux

A series of horses with recent starts in Dubai did a bit of speedwork on the grass course. Today’s work was contested over the long course at Kranji, in which just shy of 500 metres is run in the straight. The temporary rail setting was midway out the course in what is considered the “E” course, the most extended overall setting (roughly 14 metres off the inner-most rail).

HUNTER’S LIGHT, winner of the second and third rounds of the Maktoum Challenge this year at Meydan put in a hearty gallop, going 600 metres in a session-best :35.20. The Godolphin entrant didn’t appear to be asked to make the quickest running, but was working a bit harder than the others that galloped around the same time.

The looker for us was MEANDRE. Now under the care of UAE-based Doug Watson, Meandre did not turn a hair going 600 metres in :35.80 seconds. A two-time Group 1 winner on grass last season, his best class performances seemingly came in losing efforts, when third beaten a half-length by RED CADEAUX in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1), and previously beaten a length in the Prix Foy (G2) by Orfevre. The trackwork rider, Martin Pearson, had his hands low and taut for Meandre’s work, and Watson didn’t mutter a word as the horse went past, his silence assumed confirmation of the quality work. Meandre galloped out well and easy and didn’t really pull up for another 600 metres past the wire. Granted, it was our first day out, and operating off an hour-long nap following 30 hours of travel, but this was the move that caught our attention most.

Watson’s other charge DUX SCHOLAR came about 30 seconds behind Meandre, working :36.10 seconds over the last 600 metres.

Mike de Kock trainee KAVANAGH got over the grass with relative ease in :35.60 for 600 metres. A troubled sixth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, he is almost assuredly better on grass but didn’t get the chance to really prove it given the success of stable companion Shea Shea, who landed the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) in course record time. “It’s exactly what we wanted,” said Trevor Brown, de Kock’s traveling assistant.

RED CADEAUX hacked a circuit of the Polytrack and was carrying his head in an awkward fashion, seemingly wanting to do a bit more, but doing it in a way we don’t ever recall seeing when he was in Dubai. He is making his third start in three different countries in eight weeks. He has to be one of the most-liked horses the world over, given his versatility, always showing up for the big races, and always finishing in the mix.

MAWINGO and PASTORIUS, both horses with German backgrounds, were proficient in Polytrack gallops this morning. Mawingo most recently has run in Australia, but is due to remain in Singapore after his S$3 million engagement. Pastorius is well-settled and is a striking prospect for Germany.

BEL SPRINTER captains the Australian squad and is a solid favourite in ante-post wagering. He jogged lightly this morning and is expected for some more work later in the week.

BALMONT MAST (second, 2013) and LUCKY NINE (third, 2012), each placers in the Dubai Golden Shaheen as listed, had some light work today, with Balmont Mast galloping on the grass and Lucky Nine getting a swing of Polytrack.

The Hong Kong John Moore duo emerged together at 5:25 A.M., the last of the international raiders, and had a few tense moments walking from the turf course over to the Polytrack, seemingly put off by the slight change in elevation between the two courses.  Both balked several times while being urged by their riders to get on with it, but once they did, galloped a circuit of the all-weather surface in line. DAN EXCEL led MILITARY ATTACK and neither seemed worse for the travel. How they draw might be a major point to their success, as both enjoyed perfect trips in their respective wins, the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) and Champions Mile (G1) at Sha Tin.

READY TO STRIKE hacked around the Polytrack in advance of the SAI Cup with Joao Moreira aboard, while last year’s third home FLAX got out amidst the general population with raceday rider Jose Verenzuela in the irons, as did LIZARRE for Patrick Shaw. We are on the lookout for the big-priced local runner to grab a piece of the action after backing Ato at 50-1 last year in advance of the Krisflyer.

More on Wednesday from Singapore.