Clements in the spotlight at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

It could be a big day out for trainer Michael Clements at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore on Sunday where be a 12-race turf and dirt fixture will be staged.

Clements currently leads the training ranks on 10 wins from 59 runners, with many chances across the card. Of those, promising four-year-old Pacific Bao Bei aims to go one better after a narrow last-start defeat in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1800m.

An eye-catching winner on his local debut over 1400m in late January, Pacific Bao Bei was expected to repeat the dose second-up over the mile but struck a small field where the tempo of the race was farcical. With the leader and eventual winner Lim’s Puncak Jaya afforded cheap early splits, Pacific Bao Bei raced keenly in midfield and chased well in the straight, only to miss by a nose in a ding-dong go on the wire.

Based on his prior overseas form, Pacific Bao Bei should relish the rise to 1800m this week, while reuniting with winning jockey CC Wong holds him in good stead to bounce back from a favourable low draw.

Elsewhere, Clements also has promising three-year-old Ejaz looking to pick up where he left off last season when he returns to Kranji in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.

Since finishing third on debut in July last year, Ejaz has been unstoppable with three consecutive victories, which culminated in his final appearance last season when the son of Street Boss landed an easy win at his Class 4 debut.

Travelling off the speed under champion jockey Manoel Nunes, the Clements-trained runner let down sharply in the straight to score by 2.25 lengths drawing away over 1400m.

Ejaz is well prepared with two barrier trials for his return and in the most recent one, he travelled strongly and finished second behind star four-year-old Street Of Dreams, suggesting he is ripe and ready to run another big race first-up. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 12 No 2 Ejaz

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 8 Charmshaab

JACKPOT

(Races 9 to 12)

R12

Leg 1: 1, 7

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5

Leg 4: 2

 SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 12 MAR 23


RACE 1 

1st Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (10)

Finds her most suitable track and distance that has seen her record three wins and two minor placings in the past. Gets in very well at the weights with 51kgs for CC Wong.

2nd Pick: CHARGER (2)

Always dangerous in this grade. Didn’t step up last start when heavily supported in betting but willing to forgive that performance. Don’t overlook him here.

3rd Pick: BEAT THE LIGHT (5)

Settled midfield last start with Nunes in the saddle on that day and he retains the ride. Hit the line strong for a minor placing and meets a very open field this weekend. Can go one better here.

4th Pick: KISS YOUR SONG (1)

Handy galloper who is making his class 5 debut for the Baertschiger stable. Probably would have preferred the Polytrack surface but this is a weaker grade. Watch betting.


RACE 2

1st Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (1)

Should take natural improvement from that first up run where he hit the line strongly from well back. Draws midfield for Habib and gets the Long Course to wind up. Looks the one.

2nd Pick: TANTHEMAN (5)

Drops back in distance from his last start where he went down in a tight photo to April. Gets the nice draw in five and the Woodworth and Tan team are building nice figures recently.

3rd Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (7)

Not the most ideal draw that connections would have wanted but will push forward from there and if he gets some early luck Nunes can have him there in the finish.

4th Pick: FIGHT ON (4)

Performed well late last year in maiden level only being beaten a neck to January who has gone on to perform in a higher grade. Nice trial back on the 28th February and will need some luck from the draw.




RACE 3

1st Pick: FLYING NEMO (2)

Undefeated so far in its brief career. Has the consistent form on the board which must be respected. Horse to beat.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (4)

Consistently races well and has drawn to get a great run under CC Wong. Plenty of boxes ticked for this daughter of Noble Mission to run a great race, keep safe.

3rd Pick: THUNDER STAR (1)

Stepping out this weekend for his Singapore debut. Comes here from the Maher/Eustace stable in Australia where he was a two-time winner over sprint trips. May need the run but respect the booking of Nunes.

4th Pick: DR KARDO (5)

Three-time track and distance winner who can show up at the best of times. Under the new stable banner for the first time this weekend, can run in the money if he an overcome the draw early


RACE 4

1st Pick: SEBASTIAN (1)

Making his class 5 debut this weekend. Should appreciate the sharp drop in class. This is his first test at the distance but has won up to a mile in the past.

2nd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (2)

Didn’t have much luck last start when stuck on the inside rail with a light weight. Should have finished much closer and with clear running can score here.

3rd Pick: TWELFTH NIGHT (4)

Came from the clouds to score over 1600m last start spoiling the favourite backers party in this class. He just needs good speed on early to produce his best finish.

4th Pick: GOD'S GIFT (8)

We haven’t seen him at this distance for a long time but when he did contest it he wasn’t far away from the winner in a higher class. Has been hitting the line strongly in recent runs.




RACE 5

1st Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (7)

Sat handy on the speed but found the winner too strong last start over this same distance. Should be well supported and must always be considered when racing around this mark. Nunes on is a big plus.

2nd Pick: SUPER POSH (2)

Has been racing very well in the past twelve months. This is his second run back in this division and gets to his suited distance where he holds career best stats. Young Jamil really gels well with this horse.

3rd Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (3)

Two minor placings from his last two starts have been solid. If they go hard early and someone is running on, it could very well be him. One for the exotic players.

4th Pick: CHOSEN ONE (6)

Gets a nice draw in barrier 3 and racing fresh this weekend since last November. Could be hitting the line late to add some quartet value.


RACE 6


1st Pick: PACIFIC HERO (3)

Comes here as a horse with plenty of promise from Australia. Track work and trials so far have been slick and could hit the ground running this weekend with some luck from a poor draw.

2nd Pick: MIMOSAS (1)

Draws wide again after last start where the drawn brought him undone causing him to race wide.

3rd Pick: PETROGRAD (5)

Carries more weight this weekend after last start win, but one again draws much better than his biggest threats in the race. Provided he can gain an advantage early, he should be in the finish again.

4th Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (10)

First up win track and distance in class 5 was slick from a times perspective. Carries no weight and could be a value inclusion into exotic plays.



RACE 7

1st Pick: VERY SURPRISE (5)

Although beaten by four lengths at his most recent outing he doesn’t come up against a short price favorite this weekend. Seemed to improve stepping up to this distance and looks a key player.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (2)

Rises to the mile for the first time. Seems to be a bit one paced over the shorter trips so this could really suit him. Can race handy and gets the services of Stewart in the saddle.

3rd Pick: KWAZII (1)

Should be fit enough first up for this distance with three trials under his belt. Gets the advantage of a 4kg claim and has placed at this distance last year.

4th Pick: CHARMSHAAB (8)

Draws well in four for Yusoff and will look to improve as he steps up in distance. Hasn’t been too bad in his most recent runs to run a much-improved race here.


RACE 8

1st Pick: COIN TOSS (5)

Returns this weekend following an unlucky run at the end of 2022. Has trialed up well ahead of this weekend and looks to be a horse in for a big campaign. Light weight should assist.

2nd Pick: TIME TRAVEL (2)

Former Queenslander making Singapore debut. Sprint distance winner when with Tony Gollan known as Eureka Boom. May need the run but Manoel Nunes stays on following the trials, commands respect.

3rd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (4)

Speedy customer who worked incredibly well during the week. Looks our likely leader in the race. If he is in the finish or not will be dependent on whether he gets left alone early, each way claims.

4th Pick: HAMAMA (1)

Draw to be up front with Great Command in the first couple. Tough mare who has been known to do it at both ends of the race. A must include for the multiples.



RACE 9

1st Pick: LONHRO GOLD (4)

All five of his career wins have come at the 1000m and gets a chance this weekend to make it six. Likes to jump and run and should have that early position with CC Wong aboard.

2nd Pick: TAX FREE (1)

Has scored once in the past at this distance and headlines this second division on the weights. He does rise sharply in terms of weight carried but has good stats compared to these others.

3rd Pick: CASH OUT (7)

Very well weighted for this event on 51kgs and the in-form Ronnie Stewart to do the steering. Jumped and led from the start and stuck on gamely to finish fourth. He will be around at the finish.

4th Pick: SUN STEP (6)

Has never won further than 1000m in his 37 starts to date. There is a fair bit of early speed so will need to be handy when turning for the judge. Well weighted and can surprise.


RACE 10

1st Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (4)

Narrowly defeated by a slim margin after hitting the front and looking the winner a long way from home last start. Back here this weekend to atone and hopefully he can do that from a superb gate.

2nd Pick: SAINT TROPEZ (5)

Finally gets out to a suitable distance. Looks a nice derby prospect and third up this weekend must be respected.

3rd Pick: HERO (1)

Has since been back to the trials after a slightly disappointing first up run. Drawn a little sticky once again but Nunes booked here.

4th Pick: WIND TRAIL (2)

Consistent at this grade. From the right stable for a stayers event and has worked well during the week, great chance to fill the frame.



RACE 11 

1st Pick: SKY EYE (2)

Boasts a great track and distance record for 1100m on poly and carries a great weight in this event with Nunes booked to ride. On recent form, he should be hard to beat.

2nd Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (5)

Carries a light weight this weekend with the weights been quite compressed. On speed type who can be very dangerous over sprint trips on poly. 1200m would be preferred but he is still among the hopes.

3rd Pick: RED OCEAN (11)

Carries 46kg this weekend with App N.Rozlan booked to ride. Very rarely can people claim off the minimum, but this horse gets a rider who can. Expect them to jump and role and be the horse thy are chasing at the corner.

4th Pick: SURPASS NATURAL (1)

Highest rated horse in the event. 3kg claimer on board in PH Seow, can figure here with the right run, has been showing plenty in most of his recent runs.


RACE 12

1st Pick: EJAZ (2)

Returns to the races here for first run of the year after a fabulous end to 2022. Trials were sharp, looks set to return in a big way here.

2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (3)

As honest as you’ll find for class 4 horses. Consistent and tough always, cannot be taken lightly, rarely not in the finish.

3rd Pick: BESTSELLER (7)

Two-time novice winner getting the job done again last start. Up to class 4 but has certainly proven himself already to be considered a top three chance.

4th Pick: BIONICS (5)

Hasn’t missed the top two in quite a long time. Another honest campaigner who you can’t leave out of your trio’s and quartets.