Be with a buddy on the poly at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues this Sunday featuring an 11-race Polytrack card.

Promising four-year-old Sacred Buddy can make amends for his narrow last-start defeat when he returns to Kranji in the $75,000 Novice race over 1200m.

Purchased for merely $800, Sacred Buddy has proven to be a good bargain, with his prize money already surpassing $20,000 from only two starts. The son of Sacred Falls outperformed market expectation with an easy debut win in early November, before finishing a luckless second last time out.

On that occasion, the Desmond Koh-trained gelding raced wide, still fighting tenaciously in the straight but going down by a short head on the line. The winner of that race, standout three-year-old Silo, who is off to Hong Kong to continue his career, won again, which bodes well for Sacred Buddy to land his second career win this week.

Out to spoil the party for Sacred Buddy are a host of lightly raced horses, including trainer Tim Fitzsimmons’ pair Eruption and Lucky Hero.

Three-year-old Eruption scored his first career win in Open Maiden company two starts ago and backed it up with a second-place finish in a race of this nature. Lucky Hero races first-up off an excusable last-start ninth- place finish after racing wide as favourite. He tries the Polytrack for the first time, but always trials well on the surface.

In Race 1, keep an eye on four-year-old Wins One. Formerly named Foreshadow and trained by Shane Baertschiger, Wins One is making his first start for Jason Ong. He was last seen returning to Class 5, where he started as the $12 favourite over 1400m on turf. With Ong's proven record in improving stable transfers, Wins One's form could get a turnaround. – iRACE MAGAZINE

BEST BET

Race 2 No 11 Starboy

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 10 Diaz

JACKPOT

R120

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

Leg 2: 2, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 5

Leg 4: 2, 3

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 14 JAN 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: LIM'S FORCE (1)

Back into a winning grade where this mare has recorded seven wins in this class. Gets the in-form Marc Lerner aboard who has won on her in the past.

2nd Pick: TAKHI (9)

Got back into winning ways last start and Nunes will retain the ride from the wide draw in gate 12. He is proven at this mark and should bounce out and give a sight again.

3rd Pick: WINS ONE (6)

Lines up for his third start on the Polytrack for last years leading stable. Looked sharp in his most recent trial finishing second in good time.

4th Pick: SMART GAMBIT (2)

One of two last start winners in this race and rises sharply in the weights after that performance. He rises in trip but had a good turn of foot in that recent win.

RACE 2

1st Pick: STARBOY (11)

He is on the quick backup after finishing a strong second behind Lim’s Bighorn who made it a one- horse race. He has obviously pulled up well from that and Nunes should put him in a good spot from barrier four. Hard to beat.

2nd Pick: RUBIK KID (9)

Progressive type of horse who will be kicking that maiden tag if not this weekend, then very soon. Should be good form coming out of his most recent trial.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (3)

Very notable booking of Vlad Duric as he comes into this race off the back of a trial win where he clocked 61.22. Pacific Stable started the season well and watch for any market moves.

4th Pick: STRONG ACE (4)

Has been met with support in betting on a few occasions and has caught the eye in a few performances from 19 career starts. One for the multiples.

RACE 3

1st Pick: BABY TWINS (2)

Racing well over this trip and is always positive out of the barriers. Will sit near the speed. Last start chased home Red Dot strongly and should be in the finish.

2nd Pick: FIGHTING HERO (4)

Has been running okay in this class, had no excuses last start sitting on speed and faded late in the race. Had moderate trial of late.

3rd Pick: GOLDEN SENTIENCE (11)

Worked home well last start, does needs to sit closer in the run over this distance but goes well on the poly track.

4th Pick: ATLANTE LEGEND (6)

Needs to improve of recent form. Had an awkward barrier last time out and again this time. Will need to push forward of get some cover. Could be an outside danger.

RACE 4

1st Pick: LIM'S SARAMATI (3)

Trying to kick that maiden tag and will have to do it from a wide barrier for the strong Meagher and Lerner combo. Looks the only one in this with any form to go off.

2nd Pick: SMART ONE (2)

Should be in the market as he has some nice runs to his name. He has been beaten small margins behind horses that have gone forward in their career. Top three player.

3rd Pick: SAGE RULER (4)

Strong performance behind China Pearl but that was over 1400m on the turf. He has to come back in trip and switch to the Polytrack where his previous runs have been okay.

4th Pick: LEGACY REIGN (10)

It’s a battle of picking a horse to finish in the top four as there is some very wayward form to pick from. So from a good draw he should put himself in a nice position. Big price runner.

RACE 5

1st Pick: TONY'S LOVE (4)

Marc Lerner will take the ride on a proven horse at this level. From nine career starts at this course and distance he has a win and four minor placings.

2nd Pick: KSATRIA (2)

Gets back into class five where he has a good record including a win and three minor placings at the course and distance. Gets the advantage of a 3kg claim for Jamil.

3rd Pick: GOLD LEGEND (1)

Yet to finish in the money from eight career starts but he makes his class five debut and gains the booking of Vlad Duric. Watch for any betting support.

4th Pick: NINEONEONE (7)

Get back and run on style runner who will need the speed to suit him for his strong finish. He sits two points higher than his last win back in October.

RACE 6

1st Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)

He’s usual pattern is to go forward, can get a little keen but is very brave and if he finds the front with cheap sectionals, he’ll be hard to beat.

2nd Pick: WAR PRIDE (2)

Struggled to hold out Silo last start, has a decent record on the poly track and needs to continue to improve to measure up.

3rd Pick: GREATHAM BOY (4)

Won a Group 3 in late July then went back to class 4. Has been performing well with minor placing in recent form. One start for one win on the poly track surface. Won a recent trial and should be fit enough.

4th Pick: ELLIOT NESS (8)

Goes well on the poly surface, trialed well in last December has shown to be competitive in class 4 with a second behind Rocketship in late September. Needs to bring his best.

RACE 7

1st Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (1)

Finished a nice second placing behind Outfit beaten a short margin at the start of December. His best performances have come at this course and distance including all four wins.

2nd Pick: GAMELY (5)

He has found a very rare patch of form since joining the Ong Stable a few runs ago. Back-to-back wins shows he is racing very well, and our champion jockey takes the steer.

3rd Pick: BENBO (7)

He has been showing glimpses that a win is near in his most recent outings. He turned plenty of heads in his maiden win but hasn’t quite risen to the levels many expected him to.

4th Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (4)

Always seems to be around the mark but does find it hard to win. This looks to be his level and the market support should be the best guide for his chances.

RACE 8

1st Pick: SMART STAR (1)

Had to push forward and lead last start, was keen in transit and only settled coming towards the turn but stuck on strongly to finished second. Distance should suit.

2nd Pick: RODA ROBOT (2)

Is a tough class 4 winner previously. Had some minor issues last start and didn’t measure up to that recent form. Had to go forward and faded very early in the straight. Has ability to be in the finish if he can improve from last run.

3rd Pick: SUPER BOWL (6)

Looking to break the maiden status in class 4 company. Has been competitive over different distances each start, it consistent and should be around the mark.

4th Pick: PACIFIC STAR (10)

Ran a nice third last start on the poly track in this class. Works home well late and could be a likely improver.

RACE 9

1st Pick: SACRED BUDDY (4)

Will be one of the key contenders, has showed great ability in only two starts. Has won a recent and the barrier won’t be a concern. Must respect.

2nd Pick: GUN (7)

Ran well in a competitive novice race last start, got into a perfect spot during the run and kept finishing off strongly. Gets an ideal draw in four and is positive from the stalls.

3rd Pick: ERUPTION (6)

In the same race behind Aniki, sat midfield and showed a late burst. Will need to holds form but has trialed on the poly previously.

4th Pick: SUPER BABY (9)

Jumps away very quickly, should be able to measure to this. Showed a great turn of foot last start and should be pushing forward.

RACE 10
1st Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (1)

Has been racing in better class races in recent past, now dropping back down to class 3. Has shown good form on the poly track over this distance and has won two recent trials.

2nd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (4)

Is a competitive class three performer with a solid record. Won well last start over this trip but comes back onto the poly track. Will be able to measure in this.

3rd Pick: RED DOT (7)

Won impressively last start, had to work early, and push forward from an outside barrier with a genuine speed and was dominant. Likes the poly track but rises to class 3.

4th Pick: GHALIB (5)

Had some excuses last time out. Slow away from the barriers and keen during the run. He is a class 3 winner and can bounce back. Won a recent trial on the 4th of December.

RACE 11

1st Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (3)

Has a decent record. Raced wide last start over this trip and struggled to pick up the leaders. Can find his best form in this race.

2nd Pick: STRONG N SMART (5)

A long time since his last start back in January of 2023. Has been at the trials throughout the year and could be a surprise first-up.

3rd Pick: SURREY HILLS (6)

Likes to lead and keep his rivals chasing. Held off some good class 4 competitors last start, and the Jason Ong stable are in great form. Did well in a recent trial, should be respected.

4th Pick: ITALIAN REVOLUTION (2)

Has a great record over this distance on the poly track. Did struggle to find his best form last time out, does take a while to wind up.