Big Union seeks fifth win in seven starts

He Jiong

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

Promising four-year-old Big Union is set to pursue a hat-trick of victories this Sunday in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1100m at Kranji.

Trained by Jerome Tan, Big Union aims to secure his fifth win in seven starts since making his local debut just four months ago in May. He notched a tenacious win in Class 4 two starts ago and followed it up with a convincing victory in Class 3, despite being held up at the concluding stages.

This week, Big Union faces a race that, on paper, suggests a fast tempo. With a favourable run, he should be well-positioned to unleash his impressive turn of foot and continue his winning streak.

Richard Lim-trained Wind Of Dubai hasn't had much luck in his two starts this preparation, racing wide throughout on both occasions and losing both plates during his first-up run in early August. Despite these setbacks, he still managed to finish third and fourth, demonstrating his competitiveness in Class 5.

Now, being ready to peak third-up, he has the potential to make amends in Race 4 (Polytrack 1200m).

Trained by Jason Ong, Super Bowl finished a better-than-expected fifth over this track and distance last week, despite traveling three-wide throughout. Prior to that, he recorded the second-fastest final 400m (24.56 seconds) to finish runner-up over 2000m in Class 4.

Boasting a perfect record in Class 5, he must be considered a strong winning chance in Race 7 of the day. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 6 No 2 Strike Gold

VALUE BET

Race 2 No 3 Fortune Wheel

JACKPOT

R108

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 6

Leg 2: 1, 3, 7

Leg 3: 1, 4, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 1 SEP 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: OTAHUHU (1)

Great run from this guy last start when dropping back into class 5. Had apprentice claims on that day but now in-form jockey Bruno Queiroz hops aboard and could improve once again. Drawn out.

2nd Pick: SANTINO (3)

Good run behind Legend Of Niagara last start when in a competitive class 5 filled with horses dropping back in grade. Now finds a suitable race and should look to find cover from the outside gate.

3rd Pick: SMART ONE (4)

Lead them up last start over 1600m and now drops back to a more preferred distance. Curatolo sticks aboard and he is proven on the all-weather Poly track. Watch the market.

4th Pick: VGOR (6)

Stormed home for a strong win last start in this grade. Krisan stays onboard and draws out wide. Should look to get back and power home. Could see betting support again.

RACE 2

1st Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (5)

A proven 1400m horse with plenty of upside in this grade. He should look to get back and flash home. He comes into this race off a light break and will see support in the market.

2nd Pick: SUMMER WIND (2)

Been racing so well over 1400m most recently and could spice up this field. Last start he was very keen in the run. Stable is in great form, and they have two leading chances here.

3rd Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (1)

He finished third to Lim’s zoom last start in a busy finish and now steps up to 1400m where he has recorded a win and multiple placings. Could go close again.

4th Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (3)

He won well two stats back in this grade and was only fair most recently, should look to sit more forward and come into the race earlier. He was one-paced last start but could bounce back.

RACE 3

1st Pick: NIMBUS CLOUD (3)

Comes with a nice draw and some good form to his recent starts including a recent trial win. Looks well weighted and can be there at the finish.

2nd Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (1)

CC Wong takes the steer on this four-time winner who is yet to win at the 1700m but has great stats on the Polytrack over a mile. Expect late support in the market.

3rd Pick: ROCKY (5)

Gets a plum draw in one where he can position up nicely in the early running. He is back to the same rating of 51 that saw him win just over a year ago. Looks good value here.

4th Pick: GREEN STAR (4)

Still showing some ability the now eleven-year-old and finished second behind Nimbus Cloud in a recent trial. Could be a quartet filler.

RACE 4

1st Pick: PACIFIC SONIC (1)

Has one of the stronger form lines leading into this race after winning last start defeating Lucky Hero. Now will find it harder drawing out in barrier twelve and will carry top weight.

2nd Pick: WIND OF DUBAI (2)

He was only fair last start behind Pacific Sonic and got caught too far back in the run. CC Wong retains the ride and will need to try and sit closer in transit. He’s had excuses in the past. Okay.

3rd Pick: THUNDER STAR (6)

Things didn’t go to plan last start in the same race behind Pacific Sonic, jumped slow and mustered up to sit on speed, couldn’t hold the gallop and faded in the straight. Could bounce back.

4th Pick: THE WILD PRINCE (9)

Huge run last start, sat up on speed and stuck it out to the finish getting into second behind Delilah. Watch for any betting support.

RACE 5

1st Pick: THE WILD FIRE (3)

Strong win last time out, looping the field and storming down the outside, won with plenty of merit and could back it up in the same grad here. Should be well supported.

2nd Pick: MY DETERMINATION (4)

He’s been a great horse for connections but always finds one better on the day. Only a one-time winner with multiple placings but should be right in this. Market is the best guide.

3rd Pick: APRIL (1)

Not a bad return from this guy last start, sat just behind the speed and stuck on a placing behind Pacific Star. Should trip fitter from the run and take natural improvement out of that. Still lightly raced.

4th Pick: KHAO MANEE (8)

Okay behind Shihab last time out, didn’t handle the corner well and balanced up a long way off the leader. Race didn’t go to suit and stays at 1600m. Okay.

RACE 6

1st Pick: STRIKE GOLD (2)

After some promising runs on the turf, he stepped out and beat a highly rated class four field at the start of last month. He looks a much sharper sprinter on this surface and deserves respect.

2nd Pick: NIMBUS STAR (4)

Still a maiden in Singapore after twelve starts but gets plenty of advantages in this race including a gun draw in four and recent placings behind some promising types.

3rd Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (3)

Beaten a neck to the speedster Last Samurai a few weeks ago and was hitting the line better than anything in that field. Probably should have had a few more wins to his name and looks well placed here.

4th Pick: SURREY HILLS (1)

Was heavily supported in betting last weekend where he found the line well and gave the stable five winners for the day. The quick seven-day turnaround is the big query.

RACE 7

1st Pick: SUPER BOWL (2)

He’s been a solid competitor in class 4 and hasn’t been beaten far in his last couple of runs over long distances. He is going to be backing up once again but now comes into class 5 and should find this easier.

2nd Pick: SACRED COMMAND (1)

Was in the same race as Super Bowl when behind Red Dragon and drops down to a more reasonable grade. He is proven at 1700m on the Poly track. Watch betting.

3rd Pick: THE WILD CHIEF (3)

Huge win two weeks ago, he stays in the same grade and on the Poly track but will meet tougher opposition this time around. Could surprise. Key player.

4th Pick: NAVY SEALS (6)

Lead the field up over 2000m last time out and stuck on nicely for minor placing. Now switches onto the Poly track for a first time in a while.

RACE 8

1st Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (1)

Looks prime this weekend to turn those recent minor placings into a win with CC Wong booked to steer and will get a lovely run from barrier three. Should be short in the market and rightly so.

2nd Pick: OCTOBER (3)

This gelding has had a real turnaround in form and both recent wins with a combined winning margin have been 7.5 lengths have been in sharp style. Will need a touch of luck from barrier No 10 this Sunday.

3rd Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (6)

He is a two-time winner from his last four starts including a strong victory upstaging Pacific Padrino who looks a key player in this event. Can surprise down in the weights again.

4th Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (5)

Looking for his first win since May 2022 but has a string of minor placings. Some of his best career runs have come at this course and distance so give him a look in this.

RACE 9

1st Pick: BIG UNION (4)

One of Singapore's best performers over the last few months that have accumulated four wins and going from Maiden grade to class three in quick succession. Not many here do that.

2nd Pick: ANIKI (1)

Returned to the Polytrack with a nice second placing after a stint in group company against his own age group. He showed good early speed in that last run and should do the same from the wide draw.

3rd Pick: LORD'S COMMAND (9)

Has caught the eye during the week with some strong trackwork and gets our leading jockey Bruno Queiroz and an unbeaten course and distance record. Big watch.

4th Pick: DANCING LIGHT (8)

Returned to class four with a great win over Surrey Hills back in June. Even though he has placed at class three level he does look better suited to class four when he gets back to that grade.

RACE 10
1st Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (3)

Gets the inside draw with CC Wong booked to ride. Didn’t begin all that well last start and never looked comfortable in the run. Senior rider goes on and has great stats in these conditions.

2nd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)

The speedster got back to winning ways last start with Queiroz who retains the ride. Goes up five rating points from that win and has never won carrying more than 58kgs before.

3rd Pick: LIM'S BIGHORN (2)

Has a great career record that sees four wins including a Group three victory and two minors from eight starts. His last two starts have been sharp and the Polytrack suits him here. Must respect the Meagher/Lerner combination.

4th Pick: PER INCROWN (7)

Could be the value player in this race with some nice eye-catching runs at his last couple behind Ravalli and War Star. He has six wins and ten minor placings to his name over this course and distance. From our leading stable watch for betting.