The Emirates Singapore Derby is one of the most iconic races on the Singapore Calendar. Michael Lee takes a look at the contest breaking down each runner. 

No 1: TITANIUM (Barrier No 1)
Jockey: A’Isisuhairi Kasim
Trainer: James Peters

Powerful galloper with a devastating turn of foot, but who needs to enjoy plenty of galloping room to be at his best. Trip is not a query being a son of Tavistock. Barrier No 1 may play against him, though, but Stewards’ Cup winning partner A’Isisuhairi Kasim jumps back on and knows which buttons to press. Blinkers off (like in picture above). Chance if he does not get hamstrung in traffic.

No 2: WELL DONE (Barrier No 6)
Jockey: Michael Rodd
Trainer: David Kok

One of the biggest improvers at Kranji. Has climbed through his grades steadily and proven to be a bombproof sort up to a mile. Needs things to go his way, though. The 2000m may be the last frontier, but from barrier No 6, if he gets a ground-saving run on the fence, and is saved for the last 200m, he will be a huge threat. The other asset is to have ‘Silky Hands’ Michael Rodd in the saddle.

No 3: MAJESTIC MOMENTS (Barrier No 13)
Jockey: Nooresh Juglall
Trainer: Patrick Shaw

Consistent miler who has forged a solid partnership with jockey Nooresh Juglall. Seldom disappoints. One of his rare bad runs was at his only test over 2000m (Fortune Bowl), but connections are confident he can see out the trip with the right passage. Suffered slight setback last week when he lost his rider in a barrier trial and had to gallop on Saturday instead. Beaten by stablemate Time Odyssey in a hit-out on Tuesday. Fair say.

No 4: AFFLECK (Barrier No 8)
Jockey: Danny Beasley
Trainer: Laurie Laxon

Former two-year-old and three-year-old champion who has not quite turned it on this year. Has not scored since May 2015 when he took out the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m). Plagued by some back problems, which partly explained his dip in form, but seems to have overcome them. Turned in his best 2016 performance to-date in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m), taking up the lead when nobody else seemed keen, getting mowed down late by Well Done. Question mark over 2000m but his class may see him hang in there.

No 5: BLUE DANUBE (Barrier No 11)
Jockey: Barend Vorster
Trainer: Patrick Shaw

Argentinian Group 1 winner who gave connections hopes he was back to his best shortly after a change of trainer back in February, winning impressively over 2000m. His form then nosedived even after trainer Patrick Shaw fitted him with shades. But the return to 2000m in the Derby should suit him better. Won a solid barrier trial last Thursday. Form seems to have peaked at the right time. No doubt about his stamina, but recent uninspiring runs do cast some on his ability to mix it with the best.

No 6: POSEIDON (Barrier No 14)
Jockey: Corey Brown
Trainer: Cliff Brown

Trainer Cliff Brown said Poseidon was probably short of one run when he resumed straight into the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1400m). That day, he tracked up in a handy spot but fizzled out in the home straight. He has since atoned with a cracking second to Mr Spielberg over 1600m. Unproven over 2000m. Faces a stiff task at this level over this trip and under weight-for-age conditions, compounded further by a wide alley.

No 7: MR SPIELBERG (Barrier No 9)
Jockey: Glen Boss
Trainer: Laurie Laxon

Genuine stayer who fell by the wayside after he succumbed to a heart fibrillation problem in the wake of a 2200m race on Singapore Gold Cup day in November. Has gradually come back to form, resuming over shorter trips before exploding away to a strong win in a BM89 race over 1600m two weeks ago. Big-race jockey Glen Boss has picked him over his winning Patron’s Bowl ride, Well Done, a sure pointer to his chances. The three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey went with proven stamina and his good knowledge of Pentires, and he is rarely wrong.

No 8: TIME ODYSSEY (Barrier No 20)
Jockey: Olivier Placais
Trainer: Patrick Shaw

One of the early Derby favourites courtesy of his effortless wins in January, but they were over the Polytrack. His form then tapered off, but trainer Patrick Shaw has not lost faith in the South African-bred by Jet Master. The on-pace runner resumed with an unplaced run to Well Done in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m) but showed his usual brilliance at a barrier trial last Thursday. The Polytrack lover led from start to finish and won in a canter. But the switch back to turf and a first test over 2000m may work against him in the Derby. Outermost alley will leave him with only one option: Forward.

No 9: MIGHTY WARRIOR (Barrier No 2)
Jockey: Oscar Chavez
Trainer: James Peters

Mighty Warrior will stay all day. Has a short burst and needs to have an economical ground-saving run to enhance his chances. Did not get such favours at his last run in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (1600m), a race which should be ignored. Was ridden positive and was caught wide for most of the trip. Got buffeted in the home straight and weakened out of it. Barrier No 2 will be a huge asset this time. Will get the run of the race and with a bit of luck, he can stay on for a place.

No 10: ROCKFAST (Barrier No 10)
Jockey: Manoel Nunes
Trainer: Mark Walker

Trainer Mark Walker’s best chance at breaking his Derby hoodoo, both here or in New Zealand. At first, the Kiwi handler was sceptical Rockfast had what it took to make the cut, but after two stellar wins over 2000m, albeit in lower grade (Kranji Stakes C), he was sold. The son of Fastnet Rock has had an ideal preparation building up to the Derby. Only query is whether he is up to this class. A bit of give in the track will boost his chances.

No 11: ARES (Barrier No 18)
Jockey: John Powell
Trainer: Cliff Brown

Ares is an up-and-coming Irish-bred stayer who hit his straps with a three-in-a-row between 1200m and 1600m this year. Trainer Cliff Brown has since geared him up for the Derby via a passage through the first two Legs, in which he was far from disgraced. Obviously, the 1 ¼ mile trip is more his cup of tea and with an astute jockey like John Powell (won Derby on Clint for Brown in 2011) in the irons, he could be the dark horse.

No 12: WINNING CAUSE (Barrier No 15)
Jockey: Antonio da Silva
Trainer: Patrick Shaw

The US-bred son of Giant’s Causeway is not a bad horse, but this looks a little rich for him. Yet to venture over 10 furlongs, and on breeding, being out of a Danehill Dancer mare, he is borderline. The backmarker’s work has been steady without being overly impressive. Prefer him in something easier.

No 13: NEWLANDS (Barrier No 12)
Jockey: Vlad Duric
Trainer: Stephen Gray

Trainer Stephen Gray has long tagged Newlands as his main Derby hope. The full brother to former handy miler Black Ice is a lot more settled now, and showed tenacious fighting qualities in his wins. But he also showed his limitations when stepped up in class. From his middle draw, he will try to tuck in, but realistically, he may be all at sea at this level.

No 14: BRING MONEY HOME (Barrier No 16)
Jockey: Shafiq Rizuan
Trainer: Tan Hor Khoon

Trainer Tan Hor Khoon does not often saddle Cup contenders but this horse has been a pleasant surprise to all and sundry. The noted on-pace runner was considered a no-hoper in the first Leg, the Stewards’ Cup, but ran out of his skin to finish fifth to Titanium. Flash in the pan it wasn’t as the son of Mr Nancho showed the same cheekiness in the Patron’s Bowl, running a close sixth to Well Done. Horror gate dampens his chances, though. Will be up there early, but this last Leg could unfortunately see him struggle home.

No 15: STREET TAIPAN (Barrier No 17)
Jockey: Matthew Kellady
Trainer: James Peters

Got in at the eleventh hour after Perfect P was withdrawn. Former Irish-based US-bred who has done nothing wrong in his handful of starts at Kranji, winning three races, but in lower grade. He was a little out of his depth in the BM89 race (1600m) race won by Mr Spielberg, with his jockey reporting that he did not stride out properly and was under the pump when ridden out. Still, he remains a difficult proposition in this lofty company.

No 16: BELIEVE YOURSELF (Barrier No 4)
Jockey: Alan Munro
Trainer: Hideyuki Takaoka

The game chestnut mare has come a long way since her fourth place to Mossfun in the 2014 Golden Slipper in Australia. Trainer Hideyuki Takaoka has sparingly raced the Japanese-owned mare, smartly building her up towards the Derby, albeit the 2000m remains uncharted waters. The daughter of Sebring, however, gives every indication, especially at her two closing thirds in the first two Legs, that she will run out a strong 2000m. Include in exotics. Good barrier enhances her chances as she will enjoy a trouble-free run in transit.

No 17 (E1): ZIP A DEE DOO DAH (Barrier No 19)
Jockey: Unfixed
Trainer: Leslie Khoo

Leslie Khoo’s horse with the catchy name had Derby etched across his forehead from a long way out, but the recent rise in class has seen him hit a bit of a speed bump. He does hit the line strongly, but the rangy individual is the type of horse who needs to get his momentum flowing from the 800m. Prep has been sound, but he is one rung below the top 16 and may miss out. If he does get in, he still faces a stern test.

No 18 (E2): GILT COMPLEX (Barrier No 7)
Jockey: Unfixed
Trainer: Cliff Brown

One of the finds at the end of last season, Gilt Complex has been less effective in higher grade, but his recent runs have seen him hold his own with aplomb. Can get the trip as he closed in late to Precious Gem over 2200m, but this is a different kettle of fish. Chances are remote if he faces the starter.

No 19 (E3): AIR FORCE ONE (Barrier No 5)
Jockey: Unfixed
Trainer: Steven Burridge

Bold frontrunner who would have been the clear candidate to take up the running had he been guaranteed of a berth, especially from the low draw. Can stay all day, but this is a much tougher proposition. Form hard to fault, but he is probably heading towards the easier BM67 race over 2000m two races earlier.

No 20 (E4): SMART LAD (Barrier No 3)
Jockey: Unfixed
Trainer: Mohd Yusof

Trainer Mohd Yusof pinned his hopes on this yet another “modest buy” from little-known sire Prince Arthur as his longshot heir apparent to his former champion and previous Derby winner Smart Bet (2002), not to mention the turf romance it would have brought on given they both race in the same yellow and navy blue hooped silks of Mr Lim Chong Sam. But after a gutsy win in a Class 4 race over 1800m, the longshot became even longer as he could muster only one third in four subsequent runs in lower grade. Look elsewhere