Golden Horseshoe is hard to decipher

Singapore – As we count down to the end of what has been a remarkable racing season, the fact that only one two-year-old will contest the Singapore Golden Horseshoe just goes to show what a year 2020 has been.

The two-year-old in question is Irish-bred DRAGON SANDS and given the Covid delays to most Group races, the rest are now

South Hemisphere three-yearolds, headed at the ratings by ABLEST ASCEND.

And ratings will count for something in this relatively weakened Group 3 event with ABLEST ASCEND earning his No 1 saddle cloth after a good maiden turf win, followed by a close-up placing in Class 4.

Remarkably, there are only five other horses in the field of 15 who have won a race - and none has won two - and only LIM’S STRAIGHT comes into this undefeated after winning well on his race debut.

INFINITE WISDOM also won on debut and a solid fourth at Novice conditions at start two will give his connections some hope of Group glory with Vlad Duric wearing the St George silks a bonus.

Another with winning hopes is BOOMBA - who gets Ruan Maia - as he also comes off a solid Novice placing and had excuses (lame) for his only poor run.

But given the unknowns involved, many horses can improve on either solid debut runs or best efforts, with the market best guide on the likes of BOUNDLESS GLORY, GOLDEN WAY and even RELENTLESS, with his best work expected late.

Elsewhere on the card, Duric has not got many rides but can put a stamp on another Championship season with JUST STARS and MAN OF MYSTERY strong winning hopes in races 2 and 3 respectively and CRU BOURGEOIS some hope in an open maiden (Race 5).

BEST BETS Race 2 Race 3

Just Stars Man Of Mystery

VALUE BET Race 5

Supreme Fighter

JACKPOT

Race 7: 2, 3, 5, 6

Race 8: 2, 3, 8

Race 9: (1, 2, 6 and 7), race 10 (2, 4, 6, 7 and 8).