Akhtar on track for back-to-back wins

Luke Middlebrook, iRACE magazine

Impressive debut winner Akhtar looks on track to go back-to-back when he returns to Kranji on Sunday in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1000m on the Polytrack.

Akhtar formerly raced in Australia where he scored once from seven starts. The son of I Am Invincible had trialled well prior to his local debut two weeks ago, so it was no surprise to see him receive heavy market support in the Class 4 event as he was ideally placed at that level to kick off his local racing career.

Sitting on speed and dictating on his own terms, the Jason Ong-trained four-year-old drew away in the straight to score by 2.25 lengths effortlessly over 1100m at this track.

Based on the manner in which Akhtar won his debut, he looks to have some rating points up his sleeve. Despite rising to Class 3 this week, his untapped potential holds him in good stead to continue his winning ways.

In race two, the $75,000 Restricted Maiden for two-year-olds and three-year-olds on turf over 1400m, keep an eye on Derby-winning trainer Tim Fitzsimmons’ entrant, Lightning Strike.

The three-year-old was well backed last time but had no luck last start, travelling well in midfield before being held up from the 400m to the 100m. Although a narrow gap eventually opened up in the concluding stages, it wasn't sufficient for him to be fully tested, resulting in a luckless fourth-place finish over 1200m at this track.

He has been improving with each run, and with better luck in running this week, it won’t be a surprise to see him finish in the money third-up.

Race-by-race analysis

RACE 1

1st Pick: LIM'S FORCE (1). The last three out of four times this mare has been in class five she has come away a winner. Stable do a great job finding the right race for her to score and Kellady takes the ride. She handled the big weight at her last win.

2nd Pick: SOUTHERN MASTER (5). Gets a nice run from barrier two for Nunes this weekend. He has been beaten under two lengths at his most recent starts and should get plenty of support in betting.

3rd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (6). Has career best stats at this course and distance that reads (24:3-6-2). For a five-time winner he looks set to add another notch to that record with a very handy barrier draw and looks well rated.

4th Pick: KSATRIA (2). This gelding has never won below 1700m so far in his career but really caught the eye last start over a sprint journey. Gets in well on the weights after the claim for S.Jamil. One for the exotics.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (3). Draws the ace for Harry Kasim after an unlucky start at his most recent start where he was held up in plenty of traffic from the 400m to the 100m. The race was done and dusted by then and all he needs is a clear passage.

2nd Pick: ROMAN CHIEF (5). Comes here for the Gandharvi stable after a nice trial win recently. The mare has thrown a few winners and with Nunes booked to ride he could be met with plenty of support.

3rd Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (1). He has been consistent so far in this grade in his five career starts. Hasn’t been too far away from some handy winners and looked very sharp winning a trial in 60.75 last week.

4th Pick: ACE OF DIAMONDS (9). Looked to really improve second up when showing early speed and just finding one better in stablemate Strike Gold. Visiting Hong Kong rider Dylan Mo takes the steer.

RACE 3

1st Pick: TIME TRAVEL (3). Showed good early speed and was able to get a nice cart into the race to score well under Matthew Kellady who retains the ride this weekend. He goes up 2.5kgs from that win and could be on track for back-to-back wins.

2nd Pick: DIAZ (5). The big question was if he could bring that Open Maiden win form into class four and that’s exactly what he did. Led them up everywhere until the last bit where he was beaten by a lightweight chance.

3rd Pick: WAR FRONTIER (7). Looks very well placed here for the KS Tan stable. Finished second to an exciting type in Akhtar last start. Does settle back but with good early speed could pounce at the right time.

4th Pick: OPUNAKE (6). Gets a good draw in barrier four for TH Koh who takes over from Nunes who got the job done on this gelding when down in class five last start. He has good figures in this grade and must be considered.

RACE 4

1st Pick: TOP FIELD (4). Massive run last start where he came from twelfth to finish second behind Red Dragon at class five level. Drops back to Maiden grade and that last start indicates his first win is very near. Stable have called upon Woodworth to guide him to the finishing line.

2nd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (7). Two weeks between runs where he settled on the pace for a solid minor placing beaten 1.3 lengths. Barrier eight isn’t ideal but should be spot on now with a few runs under the belt.

3rd Pick: AUGURIO (5). Blinkers go on for the first time and they have called upon our leading apprentice to take 4kgs off. Hasn’t been beaten far at his last two starts and hopefully the head gear sharpens him up.

4th Pick: STORM DEITY (2). Gets back to the mile where he finished second two starts ago. Should settle back in the run and will be biding his time to wind up late. In a race of this depth, he can be seen in the finish.

RACE 5 

1st Pick: SUPERIOR COAT (5). Comes into this off the back of two minor placings in this grade. He has handled a big weight recently and will appreciate the claim for Seow to carry 54kgs. Draws well in five and rates well.

2nd Pick: WINNING POWER (10). Speedy customer who draws a much better barrier (4) than what he did last start when he won. Stable have booked the services of visiting jockey Dylan Mo and if he breaks cleanly, he may give them something to chase.

3rd Pick: CONFLAGRANCE (7). Did it from a tough barrier last start under Nunes who has decided to throw his leg over again this weekend on the rising nine-year-old. Would be surprised if this old boy threw two wins together but there was plenty to like about that last win.

4th Pick: ANGEL BABY (4). Not the worst run last start when settling back and storming home clocking good sectionals. Stable have been in form in recent weeks and from barrier two can get a nice cart into the race. Watch any market moves.

RACE 6 

1st Pick: FIGHTER (1). The well-bred son of Lord Kanaloa gets back to class four where he last scored back in March on a wet surface. Plenty of form from that last run with the winner Cavalry being in the finish for the Group 1 Derby last week. Big watch.

2nd Pick: KING OF SIXTY-ONE (2). Gets back on the turf after a fair performance on the poly a few weeks ago. He should be the speed influence in the race and if the new kid on the block (Queiroz) can rate him in front he could go all the way.

3rd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (5). Has done plenty of racing around these middle-distance races. He performs well on both surfaces and if you go off his form in the last five starts you would be mad not to have him in the numbers.

4th Pick: STAR EXPRESS (7). Rises up in class after scoring over 2000m two weeks ago in a moderate rated race. This is much tougher but winning form is handy to have in this small field.

RACE 7

1st Pick: PACIFIC DREAM (3). Gets the gun draw in barrier two for Simon Kok. Caught the eye late in Open Maiden grade last start and will appreciate the drop down to class five.

2nd Pick: COUNTRY BOSS (2). Gets two advantages this weekend and they are a claim for Fahmi as well as a good barrier in six. He thrives at the distance and rates similarly to when he won three starts ago.

3rd Pick: FIREWORKS (11). Got back to winning ways at his favorite distance of 1400m. Very dangerous at this distance and the trainer must smile every time he sees one on the program.

4th Pick: MALIBU BEACH (7). Always dangerous in this grade but he has just struggled to find the winning post when well supported. The support will come again because of the booking for Nunes, and he will need a good steer from a wide draw.

RACE 8

1st Pick: THUNDER STAR (1). Disappointed when well supported in betting last start. Looked nice and sharp during his track work this week and will look to press forward from a wide draw under Nunes.

2nd Pick: BRANSOM (2). Scored well in Novice grade and drops back in distance to 1000m where he hasn’t raced at that trip before. He looks to be a nice sprinter and this grade will test where he is at in his career.

3rd Pick: LIM'S DENALI (4). Very tough mare who has won two of her last five starts. Stable love putting the claimers on her, and she gets in well with 50.5kgs for our leading apprentice. Don’t dismiss her.

4th Pick: FADABOY (6). Finds similar conditions than what he met when winning carrying 48kgs. He will carry a similar weight and gets the inside draw again. If they go quick early, he can push go at the right time.

RACE 9 

1st Pick: BLUE IDOL (1). Brings consistent form in this grade over seven runs where his average beaten margin is about three lengths from the winner. Draws well to get a nice passage for Pinheiro and looks a big danger.

2nd Pick: SCREEN SHOT (4). Blinkers have been added after Nunes took the steer last start and they were beaten just under a length to Red Dragon. Hit the line well and the head gear added can only sharpen him up.

3rd Pick: ATLAS (6). Racing well since dropping to class five four runs ago. Has been placed over this distance on a few occasions and looks a genuine top four player.

4th Pick: FORTUNE STAR (3). Has to overcome a wide barrier but from there he must push forward. If he doesn’t get taken on his best previous form could see him skip away and give them one to chase.

RACE 10 

1st Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (3). From the wide draw in barrier 10 will have no choice but to roll forward. Holds a strong record at the course and distance with seven top four finishes from eight starts.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (5). Stays at the same course and distance that saw him win three runs ago. Since then, hasn’t been beaten far and Nunes booking is a big positive.

3rd Pick: IMA (2). Get back and run on style galloper who has scored in two of his last five starts. Rates well and just must handle the rise in weight.

4th Pick: FREE FALLIN' (1). Heads the fields on weights after a big season including three wins back-to-back from earlier this season. If he can find that form again, he can figure in the finish.

RACE 11

1st Pick: AKHTAR (9). Scored a strong win on debut over 1100m. Looks to be real progressive type here and being very well bred by G1 1000 Guineas winner Serious Speed he could be looking for further.

2nd Pick: COSMIC DANCER (6). Speedy customer who didn’t disappoint when racing up in grade against the impressive Pacific Emperor. If he finds the front easy will be hard to run down at his best.

3rd Pick: RED OCEAN (1). Will be aided by the claim for Rozlan who has a nice record when riding when this gelding. His best performances have been when carrying lighter weights but holds claims.

4th Pick: MAJOR KING (7). Draws the inside alley for Nunes coming off a win in class four grade. This looks to be one of his toughest races he has faced but we have seen the ability he has.

RACE 12

1st Pick: LIM'S STRAIGHT (4). Shooting for three wins in a row here. Has really turned a corner since having the blinkers applied and draws to get a gun run for Simon Kok. He looks primed here.

2nd Pick: LUXURY BRAND (2). We saw plenty of good form coming out of that three-year-old series last weekend and this guy has proven he can mix it with a win in class four back in February.

3rd Pick: FROM THE NAVY (8). Blinkers go on this weekend. Can be a keen going customer, so he is going to need the pace to be on early. Plenty to like about his run last start.

4th Pick: FLYING NEMO (1). Get back and run on style runner. Not much of him In terms of size but will be aided by the three-kilogram claim for Seow. If they go quick, he will be flying late.