Ace to resume winning streak at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues tomorrow featuring an 11-race turf and dirt fixture.

Talented three-year-old Ace Of Diamonds looks on track to score a fourth straight win when he returns to Kranji in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.

Under the guidance of trainer Ricardo Le Grange, Ace Of Diamonds overcame a betting drift to secure a convincing maiden win three starts ago. The Swiss Ace gelding continued to impress with a double triumph in a subsequent Novice race, demonstrating remarkable tenacity despite the rise in class.

In his last outing, Ace Of Diamonds clinched another narrow yet impressive win, edging out Makin, a strong Class 4 contender, at the finish line. With consistency in performance and remaining in the same class this week, he is poised to be a formidable contender.

In the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack, promising three-year-old Greatham Boy is poised to secure a second career win.

Greatham Boy made an impressive debut at this track in June last year, clinching victory and following it up with a notable win in the Group 3 Golden Horseshoe, the only Black-Type race for two-year-olds, at his second career start.

Although he hasn't won since ascending to Class 4, the gelding has been placed on both occasions, including a solid third-place finish behind the standout three-year-old Silo in his latest outing.

Resuming off two eye-catching trial wins, Greatham Boy is well-suited to the switch back to the Polytrack, where he boasts an unblemished record. With more upside to come, he can prove challenging to beat in a below-par Class 4 field this week. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 1 No 2 Lim's Bighorn

VALUE BET

Race 6 NO 8 8 Tennet Tentennet

JACKPOT

R200

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7, 10

Leg 4: 1

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 3 FEB 24


RACE 1 
1st Pick: LIM'S BIGHORN (2)
He is a very exciting 3yo here in Singapore and will be extremely hard to beat, had a dominant win in Open Maiden grade last start and very impressive trial most recently. will be the main danger.

2nd Pick: SMART GAMBIT (3)
He is proven in class 5 and loves 1000m. He can sometimes begin awkwardly from the barriers but continues to improve and gets a couple of weeks off in between runs. Should be fit enough.

3rd Pick: SPEEDY BUCK (4)
Blinkers go on this weekend which should gather some respect. Gets a low draw and the drop to class five is key for him. Watch for any betting moves.

4th Pick: AHONE (14)
Finished second most recently and had excuses at the start and in the straight. He has an okay record with a couple of placings and one win but continues to show ability for connections. Should be showing early speed.

RACE 2

1st Pick: RUBIK KID (7)
Two nice minor placing from four starts. Likes to be up on pace if jumps well. Loves the poly surface. Will be right in this from barrier seven.

2nd Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (6)
Similar to Rubik Kid, he’s from has been moderate with a couple of minor placings but hasn’t been beaten far. Suited over this trip, watch betting.

3rd Pick: ARI (3)
He will need to improve drastically, hasn’t been finishing off he’s races well and draws out wide.

4th Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (2)
Gets the low barrier draw for Lerner and can kick up to sit in the first four. Was beaten 8.1 lengths last start but continues to bridge the gap.


RACE 3

1st Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (2)
Got shuffled back last start over this distance and flew home to finished second. With that recent drop to class 5 last start, he should find this competition easier. Laid inwards under pressure last start and should sit closer in transit from barrier two.

2nd Pick: HEY BOSS (4)
Closed off nicely last start behind Commander jones, dragged back to last from barrier one and will need to begin quicker on this occasion. Hasn’t been in the money so far but can improve.

3rd Pick: THE SHADOW (5)
Began awkwardly last start and stormed home to win over the 1100m. Might prefer the poly surface but has raced over the 1400m and turf a few times with a second. Will need luck in running.

4th Pick: SKY EIGHT (9)
Ran a nice second two starts back and faded last start when racing on the poly track. He will show a lot of early speed and should be able to hold form.


RACE 4

1st Pick: GREATHAM BOY (2)
Lightly raced three-year-old who won our best two-year-old race last year which was his last victory. Has won two trials in the lead up for this event. Queiroz on and drawn perfectly.

2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (1)
Proven performer at this course and distance with seven wins and eight minor placings. One of the toughest mid class performers going around at Kranji.

3rd Pick: WAIT U KNOW (5)
Scored a nice win at big odds last start. Had to wait for that pinpoint run to open up for him late but when it appeared he out sprinted the rest. Can go on with it here.

4th Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (4)
Sits two rating points higher than his last win back in October where he jumped and led throughout over this same distance. He can be amongst the top four finishers here.


RACE 5
1st Pick: TIGAROUS (3)
He is consistent in class 5. Ran a nice second last start when racing wide behind Crown Dancing. Will relish the distance and can sit anywhere in the run. Has a handy record.

2nd Pick: SCHNEIDER (4)
In the same race behind Crown Dancing and has been knocking on the door for a while now. Has had excuses in his last couple of runs. Will need to improve.

3rd Pick: BIG DAY (5)
Won impressively two starts ago chasing a hot speed and flew home. Was disappointing last start but can bounce back with a good record over 1400m on turf and a great barrier.

4th Pick: EXCEED NATURAL (2)
The old boy has mixed form and will need to improve in a major way. Has good experience on the turf the trip and will need push forward from a wide gate.


RACE 6

1st Pick: SUPER BABY (7)
Steps up to the mile for the first time after a strong minor placing at Novice level behind Strike Gold. Just the one win to his name but has been racing well.

2nd Pick: SUPER BOWL (8)
Gets in well at the weights again after his last start performance where he came from well behind to finish second on a similar rated race. Looks a genuine each way chance from barrier one.

3rd Pick: LIM'S BESTBREAKER (3)
Was an eye-catching run behind Black Storm last start where he was beaten half a length. That was on the turf but has proven himself on this surface in the past.

4th Pick: GREEN STAR (1)
Sits as the top-rated runner in this field. If he can dig deep and find the form that saw him win two starts ago, he could figure against this lineup.


RACE 7

1st Pick: LAKSANA (2)
Has a good record over this distance in class 5. Won well last start when leading all the way, jumped fast and found the front easily. Might not be able to lead from the wide barrier on this occasion but is brave and had an okay trial most recently.

2nd Pick: KHAO MANEE (5)
Form has been improving, won impressively two starts ago. Recently finished third under similar race conditions and can fly home. Loves the turf track and will be over the 1800m for the first time from a sticky gate.

3rd Pick: TAVI WILL DO (6)
Continues to figure in the placings. Hasn’t had many excuses to date and lacks a great acceleration. Should get a soft run and has been behind some good horses in the past and wasn’t beaten too far.

4th Pick: WAN LEGACY (16)
Was in the same race behind Khao Manee finishing third. He should be well equipped on the turf and this distance.


RACE 8

1st Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (7)
Was the sectional performer from his last start coming from well back after beginning awkwardly. The race was run and won by the time he hit the line.

2nd Pick: PER INCROWN (11)
Returned to form with a strong second placing behind Elliot Ness last weekend. Stable must be happy with him to turn him out seven days later. Watch for betting.

3rd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)
Should show his usual zip and lead them up again. Does his best racing at this course and distance with a record of (14:3-4-1).

4th Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (2)
Hasn’t had much luck in the barrier department at his two starts drawing ten on both occasions. Just had to do too much work early and has held his own to the line.


RACE 9

1st Pick: LORD'S COMMAND (2)
Started his four-year-old series campaign with a tight win over 1100m on the Polytrack last start. Proven at this grade and has bigger races on his radar this season. Should have a good run form barrier four.

2nd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (1)
Dominates at this course and distance including a win two starts ago that made it four wins from five attempts. He will settle back and if the speed is on early, he will be flying late again.

3rd Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (3)
Comes out of the race where Lord’s Command won at the start of January. He was beaten 1.5 lengths that day and has performed well off this mark to show a win is possible here.

4th Pick: LUXURY BRAND (6)
Had a fairly successful season last year and comes here first up since November. Fresh legs should be good for him and can sneak into the exotics.


RACE 10

1st Pick: MAJOR KING (2)
Gets back in grade after finishing four lengths behind Super Salute at group level last start. Course and distance stats are strong including three wins and three minor placings.

2nd Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (3)
Rose up the ratings rather quickly last year and comes into this first up since October where he sat on the speed before knocking up beaten ten lengths. Kept together in his most recent trial. Nunes on and draws well.

3rd Pick: SACRED GIFT (4)
Sits three points higher than his last win back in December where he won at big odds. Has continued to perform well since then and will find this much easier. Watch for betting moves.

4th Pick: EJAZ (9)
Very progressive horse that has recorded four wins from five starts. Has been on the sidelines since March and is yet to be raced on the Polytrack surface. Has plenty of ability this gelding and carries no weight.


RACE 11 

1st Pick: ACE OF DIAMONDS (1)
One of our leading three-year-olds heading towards to the 3yo series in a few months. Brings positive form lines and has trialed in terrific order for this race. Looking to make it four wins in succession.

2nd Pick: AXEL (2)
Course and distance specialist and proved it last start with a come from behind win to make it five wins over these conditions. Must always be included in the numbers.

3rd Pick: ERUPTION (7)
Lightly raced gelding who caught the eye winning his most recent trial albeit in moderate time. Has proven form lines from his last few outings and could get some late support.

4th Pick: SUPER CONVINCE (5)
Both of his career wins have come at this distance as well as four minor placings, so he looks well placed to run a big race here. At his best can fill a quartet placing.