Bank on a buddy to score at Kranji

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with an exciting 10-race card featuring both turf and dirt events.

Five-year-old Sacred Buddy, a quality performer, looks poised to secure back-to-back victories in this Sunday’s $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1100m on the Polytrack.

A bargain buy at just $800 as a yearling, Sacred Buddy has proven his worth, boasting four wins and four placings from nine starts. After an effortless win in Class 5 four starts ago, the son of Sacred Falls has shown excellent form in Class 4, with two victories and a second from three starts.

His most recent success was a tenacious 0.80-length win over 1200m on turf, where he raced on the speed and fought bravely to the line.

The switch to the Polytrack should be no concern for Sacred Buddy, who has consistently trialled and performed well on this surface. Facing a similar field as he remains in Class 4, he looks ideally placed to continue his winning ways.

In Race 9, the Jerome Tan-trained four-year-old Super Baby should deliver a much-improved performance. Backing up within seven days after an eye-catching fifth over 1200m, where he settled off the pace due to the shorter distance, he closed off strongly to finish just 1.75 lengths behind the winner.

Stepping up to 1600m this week is a significant advantage based on his impressive 4.80-length win over 1700m at this track in Class 4 two starts back, making him one of the better choices in the race. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 5 No 4 Lim's Smythe

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 5 Pacific Sonic

JACKPOT

R144

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 2, 5, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 18 August 2024

RACE 1

1st Pick: SANTINO (3)

Plenty of class droppers in the field that should go close, and this guy is no exception, he ran some amazing sectionals when he won first-up on the Poly track over this distance not too long ago. Should be right in this.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (2)

The last time he was in class 5 he was dominant and needs to be respected here. He will be short in the market and should look to roll forward and grind out the finish.

3rd Pick: LEGEND OF NIAGARA (1)

He was good last time in class 5 winning over this trip but now comes onto the all-weather Poly track. He hasn’t had as much racing compared to a few others in this field. Okay.

4th Pick: WAR FRONTIER (5)

Great return last start from a lengthy spell, fell one short of the placings under very similar race conditions as this race and should take natural improvement out of that. Value play.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LUCKY WARRIOR (2)

Great run last start, stuck on well over 1200m and has some strong form lines leading into this field. Nunes takes the ride from barrier two. Big push.

2nd Pick: BIG RETURN (10)

He was okay last start in the same race behind Wan Legacy, got dragged back to the tail of the field and didn’t have a lot of luck in the straight. Could bounce back here. Draws wide.

3rd Pick: CENTRAL LUZON (8)

She was okay last start leading the field up over 1200m and fading late in the piece. Bruno Queiroz sticks aboard and could look to push forward from the outside gate and lead.

4th Pick: SILVER STAR (5)

Was only fair behind Lim’s Everest in a weaker maiden field, was shuffled back in the run off a slow tempo and boxed on well to the line. Draws the inside gate. Watch betting.

RACE 3

1st Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (1)

His last two runs have been okay, finished second on both occasions and was working home late most recently behind the impressive October. Stays at 1400m this week, big push.

2nd Pick: STAR EXPRESS (2)

Could surprise in this race now coming back into class 5, last time he was in this grade he won well defeating Vgor. He has placed over 1600m on the turf in the past. Market is the best guide.

3rd Pick: JULY (4)

Only a one-time winner with a bucket load on placings from his short career in Singapore. Should be suited now rising to 1400m and the Falcon Racing outfit have been in great form.

4th Pick: PACIFIC GENERAL (5)

He was fair behind Lim’s Zoom, should be suited coming onto the turf this time around and stepping up over more ground. Watch the market.

RACE 4

1st Pick: ON LINE (2)

Much improved run last start in the same grade, was caught a long way off and powered home late to finished behind Fate To Win. He has one of the stronger form lines. Should go close.

2nd Pick: KHAO MANEE (1)

On his day he can be very dangerous, will need a genuine tempo and should be doing his best work late. Will now be going up to 1600m. Watch the market.

3rd Pick: SHIHAB (5)

Should produce a much better performance this time around and stays at 1600m, he was okay working home late last start and could be a value play.

4th Pick: WAN LEGACY (3)

Huge run last time out over this distance, continued to box on after a wide run throughout, a very tough customer and could surprise in this field.

RACE 5

1st Pick: LIM'S SMYTHE (4)

CC Wong fresh off a win at Group 1 level last weekend for this team has been booked to ride on this lightweight hope. Was only beaten 1.5 lengths last outing and has had a fitness trial for this. Stable going well.

2nd Pick: ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (5)

Looking to make it four wins consecutively but must rise up to class four where he hasn’t been influential in the past. He looks a different horse in his new stable and must follow winning form.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)

One of a few with a proven record at this distance and has done plenty of racing recently but struggling to get that next win. Moor continues his partnership with him.

4th Pick: SUPER BOWL (6)

Draws well in barrier four and gets the leading trainer and apprentice combo. Will carry a lightweight and steps up to this trip for the first time.

RACE 6

1st Pick: DIAMOND RING (4)

Ran a nice second most recently behind Captain Singapore in the same grade, he continues to get into the placings and is a very honest horse. Bruno Queiroz sticks aboard and should push forward from the outside gate.

2nd Pick: WIND OF DUBAI (2)

Great return from this horse last start, was powering home late in the same race behind Captain Singapore and should take natural improvement out of that run. CC Wong takes the ride. Watch betting.

3rd Pick: LUCKY HERO (1)

Hasn’t been beaten far in his last few performances in class 5 and is good on both the turf and all-weather Poly track. Will get the two-kilogram claim from apprentice Seow and could surprise.

4th Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (8)

He can be very hit or miss this guy, needs everything to go his way with a hot tempo. He draws well and could be flashing home late. Track work during the week was good. Okay.

RACE 7

1st Pick: FORTUNE STAR (5)

When Bruno Queiroz teams up with the CT Kuah stable you have to take notice of their strike rate. He draws one this gelding and will look to get a gun run and loves these races.

2nd Pick: FRENETIC (2)

Always around the finish recently but seems to find one or two better at the finish. He will get back and look to fly home late. Needs good pace on early.

3rd Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (3)

Has struggled to get back to form this now nine-year-old and connections have called upon Nunes to get him back somewhere. Career best record at this course and distance.

4th Pick: CENTURION (4)

At the senior age of ten years old he claimed a nice win two starts ago and has been promising that for a while. Jockey reunites on him with a record of (22:5-3-0). Watch betting.

RACE 8

1st Pick: SOUSUI (5)

Bringing good form lines this preparation with a win and plenty of close placings. Gets a big rider change with Nunes taking over. Will need some luck from the wide draw but keen for another win.

2nd Pick: STOP THE WATER (1)

He was brave to lead throughout for the apprentice who rated him well in front. He gets another chance here and that four-kilogram claim will be key to his chances.

3rd Pick: OCTOBER (6)

Was heavily supported last start and paid dividends by bolting in under Bruno Queiroz. He retains the ride and that last start win is good enough to figure here.

4th Pick: PACIFIC ATLANTIC (3)

Finished half a length to Dancing Supremo last month in a very nice form race. Has been finishing behind some very capable types and his recent trial looked sharp.

RACE 9

1st Pick: SMART STAR (5)

Terrific course and distance record and Nunes was one of a few jockeys to get this frustrating horse to finally win. Gets a great draw and will be catching the eye late. This is an ideal race for him.

2nd Pick: SUPER BABY (7)

He was okay last weekend behind stablemate Big Union who is really raising eyebrows recently. Gets to a more suited course and distance where he won two starts back.

3rd Pick: KING OF SIXTY-ONE (1)

Should position up front early as he likes to do and get rolling along with a solid tempo. He likes these small fields but needs to bring his turf form onto the Polytrack where he only has two starts on the surface.

4th Pick: ANIKI (3)

In weeks gone by the form coming out of the Singapore Derby has been electric. The winner won a Group one last weekend and a horse beaten 14 lengths won at his next start. With those stats keep him safe.

RACE 10

1st Pick: SACRED BUDDY (1)

Really likes these types of races and is a winner of three of his past four outings. Draw isn’t ideal in barrier (9) but he looks the class horse in this field.

2nd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (2)

Expect him to show his usual early speed from the draw. Bruno Queiroz takes the ride on him for the first time and has a terrific record when riding for the stable. Watch late betting.

3rd Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (4)

Pulled up lame in behind last start which was a genuine excuse for that performance and has had two nice trials in slick time to show he can bounce back in a race like this.

4th Pick: ELLIOT NESS (8)

Very interesting runner who has the services of Nunes and is first up since the start of the year. Not seen at recent trials and currently holds the course record over this distance.