Singapore Racing: All The Track Talk Screams Silent Is Gold In The 3YO Sprint

It may not be unanimous but the support for the Stephen Gray-trained Silent Is Gold is overwhelming in this Saturday’s $110,000 Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint.

Of the five members of the English and Chinese Broadcast teams from the Singapore Turf Club and the three featured media pundits, only racecaller Pat Comerford and Australian form analysts Michael Spark have picked against the Star Turn gelding, who is gunning for his third straight win.

Comerford is in trainer Tim Fitzsimmons’ corner with Golden Monkey.

“I think he was robbed last time out from the wide gate,” said the man who will call the feature action come 5pm on Saturday.

“Despite being wide, he stuck on well and his recent trial suggests he’s peaking at the right time.

“With a better run from gate six, he will be in the finish and Montana Flash would be flashing late at odds.”

Spark is expecting the Mike Clements-trained Alqantur to bounce back to his best.

“I’m seeing this race a bit different from the others by the looks,” said the popular tipster.

“I expect them to run along at a good clip and Alqantur should be getting the peach run just off the speed for Nunes.

“Winkers are back on and if can run home his last 600m in 32.76secs like last start, he can run over the top of them.

“Deception looks the danger and value pick. He will need some luck from the gate (10) but expect him to be storming home late.”

Scott Bailey – who was assistant to Shane Baertschiger when the stable won the 3YO Sprint (as the first leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge series which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with Be Bee (2018) and Bold Thruster (2019) – leads the Silent Is Gold charge.

“He (Silent Is Gold) has been very impressive against older horses in Class 4 and dominant at Novice level,” explained the ex-jockey.

“He should show plenty of speed from that draw (barrier five) and the stable will have him spot on for this.

“I think Golden Monkey is the danger. He’s a talented three-year-old who should be in the leading trio and will give this a shake.

“Watch Montana Flash at value as he put in an eye-catching fourth at his Singapore debut and the switch to turf should help him.”

From across the causeway, media tipster Suresh Ragavan agreed.

“Silent Is Gold is a very fast horse,” said Ragavan, who has also made him his best bet on the card.

“And based on his last two runs, he looks the best three-year-old in the race.

“Deception, Golden Monkey and Montana Flash are all in the mix.”

The Chinese Broadcast trio of Raymond Yong, Collin Fan and Kew Lee Teng were unanimous in their top pick.

“Impressive back-to-back wins over 1200m on the turf with a fast record,” said Kew – the only female in the male dominated broadcast box – of the likely race favourite, Silent Is Gold.

“I think the danger is Golden Monkey with a tremendous improvement in form and Renzo is my value pick as he is a consistent horse with the most experience and achievement in Class 4.”

Yong agreed with Kew about the quick times Silent Is Gold has delivered.

“He ran a very good time over 1200m last start despite being under a tight rein by (jockey) Ronnie (Stewart),” said the Chinese broadcaster, who assists the English crew when required.

“I think Alqantur is lightly-raced and keeps the services of Nunes, so he is the danger and No More Delay has some tricks up his sleeve and will appreciate the quick tempo of the race, so watch him at value.”

Fan might be on holidays but he will be back to call the big race and suggests the Australian-bred horses will dominate.

“Australian breeders will punch the feature!” claimed Fan.

“Silent Is Gold to beat Alqantur and Golden Monkey. War Commander the value.”

As for me, I think it’s an open race and a value play is the way to go.

Yes, I think Silent Is Gold is hardest to beat but Oscar (Chavez) on Golden Monkey won’t let him get a winning break (again) on Saturday.

But trainer Donna Logan is in rare form and I will be watching for both Deception and Montana Flash to cause an upset in what could be a great renewal of the Group 3 sprint.

– Singapore Turf Club

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