Clements has the goods in Kranji feature

Luke Middlebrook

Trainer Michael Clements has a stranglehold on the first leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge at Kranji racecourse on Saturday, boasting five in-form runners in the field of 16, with Pacific Hero and Pacific Warrior standing out as the strongest two of his brigade.

Pacific Hero broke through at start No 2 with an impressive all the way victory last start, while Pacific Warrior, who competed in strong 2YO and 3YO races in Australia, should acquit himself well first-up but will be improving with time over more distance. On class alone, he looks a serious contender.

Trainer Ricardo Le Grange’s talent Bestseller can spring an upset from gate No 1 under Manoel Nunes. Beaten a long neck third to Ejaz last start, who would have been the favourite in this race if he didn’t pull up injured last time, is the right form line for Sunday’s feature race and a big run is to be expected.

Speaking of champion jockey Manoel Nunes, he partners impressive debut winner Speedy Buck who looks on track to land a double in the $75,000 Novice race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

Speedy Buck had trialled well in both Singapore and New Zealand prior to his debut three weeks ago and he simply franked what he had shown in trials with a facile debut win that day. Despite a betting drift, the son of Shamexpress was always in touch throughout, sitting on speed to score by one length over 1000m at this track while recording a slick winning time of 58.57 seconds.

This week, Speedy Buck is well placed in a below-par Novice field, where more than half of his rivals are maiden runners and have shown little, so he can prove very hard to beat with Nunes jumping in the saddle. iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 7 No 4 Speedy Buck

VALUE BET

Race 12 4 Lucky Hero

JACKPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 1, 6, 8

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 08 April 23
RACE 1 
1st Pick: MALIBU BEACH (1)
Has run second his last three starts and is never too far away. Can go close but must lug 59kg again.
2nd Pick: BINGO MASTER (4)
Strong winner last start who put the race to bed with a furlong left to go. A similar performance would see him in the finish again.
3rd Pick: WECANDO (2)
4kg claiming rider engaged once again. Got squeezed out turning for home and cost him some momentum at a crucial stage. Working his way towards another class 5 win.
4th Pick: CHARGER (3)
Strong run in behind Bingo Master. If you respect that form line, he comes into contention here again.
RACE 2
1st Pick: STAR GLORY (3)
Drops weight coming into this event. Has gone well enough his last couple to figure here, expecting a big run in a weak race.
2nd Pick: CITY GOLD GALAXY (1)
Comes into this event having had one start in Adelaide when trained by Will Clarken. Comes into this 12 rating points higher than the next horse so they have elected to use a 4kg claiming apprentice. As a result, he has a much more appropriate weight for his Singapore debut and could have a slight class edge on a few of these.
3rd Pick: STRONG ACE (5)
Caught the eye in a recent trial between runs. Although he hasn’t been able deliver race day, he has been well supported most starts. Knocking on the door run a top three placing and gets a great race here to do it.
4th Pick: SPIRIT OF D'WIND (12)
Carries no weight here and of the multiple 22 rated horses in the race, he has been racing the best. Gets back and flashes home late, look for him to be winding up down the outside.
RACE 3
1st Pick: ROCKETSHIP (9)
She found form again at the end of last preparation before having a spell. Has since trialed in very nice order clocking a slick 59.73 for the judge. She finds it hard to win recently but fresh legs are to her advantage. Four kilos off after the claim.
2nd Pick: THUNDER STAR (3)
Missed the kick on debut and was game over from the start. Has since trialed in good time and they took the blinkers off for that morning. Look for sharp improvement. Nunes goes on again.
3rd Pick: ROMANTIC (4)
Racing very well this year with a string of minor placings. Gets back to a distance where he has a few wins to his name and his form is too good to ignore. Draws well in four.
4th Pick: BIONICS (6)
Switched to the turf last start and couldn’t settle in his usual spot and found the field a bit sharp. There are no Ejaz’s in this lineup and will appreciate the switch back to the Polytrack. Can bounce back here.
RACE 4
1st Pick: BIG DAY (2)
Last start win could have easily been the easiest watch so far this year. He cruised home to victory by 3.3 lengths.
2nd Pick: CIRCUIT STAR (3)
Narrow winner last start where he had to fight all the way to the line to stave off Flaming Kirin after being caught wide without cover. Can go close here again.
3rd Pick: SEE YAH (6)
Strong behind Circuit Star beaten 1.1 lengths last start, well weighted here.
4th Pick: GAMELY (8)
Led them up with a light weight last start and was nabbed late. Strikes a similar race and should lead again.
RACE 5 
1st Pick: SATURNO SPRING (2)
Looking for three on the bounce after an exciting win where he charged through the pack to score over the handy Dream Alliance. Trainer has done a super job placing this horse and looks the goods again here.
2nd Pick: HERO (5)
Presented perfectly last start and showed the ability we knew he had after a four-year-old prep where he ran into better horses. Looks on the up now. 
3rd Pick: FIGHTER (6)
Strong win first up under Duric where he went around at big odds. Very well bred and could be an improving stayer for the future. It all depends on how he presents second up.
4th Pick: SAINT TROPEZ (9)
Caught the eye running into fourth position to go down by a length to Hero. He is stripping fitter after three starts and gets to a distance that he has been aimed at. Watch the betting.
RACE 6 
1st Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (3)
Strikes a nice race her now got back to a winnable mark. Turf would be preferred but he has won over 1200m of poly in the past. Looks a winning hope in an open race.
2nd Pick: LOVING BABE (5)
Never looked comfortable at any stage last start. Hopefully settles this time around and has something to offer late, looks a winnable race for him and he puts his best foot forward under Manoel Nunes who has won on him in the past.
3rd Pick: DECRETO (10)
Closed off incredibly well last start and ran out of his skin. Light weight again this weekend. If they roll up front, he can run on late and flash into the minors.
4th Pick: FIREWORKS (1)
1400m specialist running over 1200m. Lacks 1200m form and poly form but he is the classiest horse in the field on his day and could run a cheeky race with 4kg off thanks to the rider booking, don’t overlook completely.
RACE 7
1st Pick: SPEEDY BUCK (4)
Traveled strongly on the bridle for his debut win and had all the luck with the leader hanging out and opening the passageway for him. Drew away to win nicely in Maiden grade. Should show natural improvement second up. Nunes is a big booking.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC MASTER (3)
Formerly raced as Sketch in Australia. Just the one trial in lead up for this and was held together. Placed at listed level over 1000m at Flemington and his lone win came on a heavy track at Mornington. Watch betting.
3rd Pick: PRESTIGE STAR (2)
Back-to-back minor placings and on the quick backup after a horror watch where he raced on heels but hit the line better than anything in the race. Should have finished closer on that day.
4th Pick: LASLOS (8)
Lines up for start number two. On debut settled back after jumping slowly and copping a check early. Gets in light on the weights and looking for sharp improvement. One for the exotics.
RACE 8 
1st Pick: BENBO (1)
Last start was a head scratcher to say the least. Worth another chance in class 5 company after his impressive open maiden win.
2nd Pick: LIM'S FORCE (5)
Beaten just under a length last start and strikes a race that on paper doesn’t look any stronger, can run top three again here.
3rd Pick: BEN WADE (8)
Consistent horse who always gives his all. A must include for trio’s and quartet’s as he doesn’t miss collecting a cheque very often.
4th Pick: WAR WARRIOR (7)
Slow away last start and was forced to race wide without cover as a result. With more luck in running, he can win a race of this calibre. 
RACE 9 
1st Pick: SHIHAB (1)
Still a maiden heading into this contest but strike arguably an easier field to what he has been racing in his last couple. Top three chance.
2nd Pick: KHAO MANEE (4)
Gets back to mile on turf which has been a successful trip for him in the past. Expecting a forward run, one for the multiples.
3rd Pick: TWELFTH NIGHT (2)
Gives them a start every time he goes around. Looks to be enough speed in this event to see horses like him and Khao Manee run on. Look for him flashing down the outside late.
4th Pick: VERY SURPRISE (3)
One could question the strength of the field he beat last start. Nevertheless, he has winning form which is more than most of these so he must be considered a top four hope.
RACE 10 
1st Pick: REAL EFECTO (2)
Should get a nice dividend on this gelding who is unbeaten from one start at this course and distance. The last time he ran at this trip was in 2021 and has some nice form this preparation. 
2nd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)
Yet to miss a place in four starts for the well-bred son of Sea The Stars. He will look a danger at some point down the straight, but he is just struggling to go past them in the battles. A win is coming again.
3rd Pick: PRIORITIZE (8)
Racing in terrific form with a few wins on the Polytrack surface in his last few starts. Has improved sharply and on a lightweight must be considered a top four player. Watch betting.
4th Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (7)
The last time we saw him race at this distance was February 2022 where he claimed a win under Nunes. He is six points lower than that occasion and thrives over these longer trips. Value runner.
RACE 11
1st Pick: PACIFIC HERO (3)
One of many Clements runners in this feature. He came out and scored very easily leading throughout to beat a nice field. He will strip fitter for this and has all the credentials you need to win a race like this. CC Wong booked and draws in 8.
2nd Pick: TAKANINI (11)
Showed a lovely turn of foot when scoring on debut on the turf surface. He beat Arya Pakuan who was a winner here last weekend and form looks to be holding strong. Will only improve second up and gives Clements another good chance.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (4)
On debut in Singapore since arriving from the Chris Waller stable. He finished third in a Ming Dynasty at Group 3 level in Australia and has competed against the best two-year-olds last season. One to watch. Trialed sharply in 60.18.
4th Pick: LUXURY BRAND (2)
Scored a nice win first up in class four grade and beat a very competitive field on that day. Has had a nice freshen up and gets the fitness from a recent trial. Loves this course and distance.
RACE 12
1st Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (1)
Very tough and consistent galloper who was a winner two runs ago then finished behind the talented Ejaz at his most recent start. Two wins from six starts at this C/D. Looks the danger.
2nd Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (3)
Trialed nicely on the 30th of March behind Rocketship in nice time. Comes from Australia on debut here after a win on the synthetic in Pakenham and two minor placings. Watch any betting moves.
3rd Pick: HURRICANE (8)
Had to burn early petrol to find the lead last start from barrier 8 and just found the winner too good in Luxury Brand who steps out in the 3yo sprint. Had a quiet trial since then and could be nice each way value. Speedy customer.
4th Pick: SACRED COMMAND (2)
Will improve and strip fitter after an eye-catching run behind Ejaz on the 12th of March. Should sit positive in the run and looking to go well second up.