Luke Middlebrook
Talented three-year-old gelding Pacific Warrior is primed to land a hat-trick of wins for trainer Michael Clements on Saturday when he returns to Kranji in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Formerly known as Smax in Australia where he was a one-time winner with one placing from two starts, Pacific Warrior has progressed impressively since kicking off his local racing career in late April.
Not only has the Caravaggio gelding won both local starts, but he also has demolished the fields in style, showing tactical speed to score by a combined margin of 8.25 lengths over this track and distance.
Returning from a four-week let up, Pacific Warrior has trialled well as usual leading up to this week’s race. Despite rising to Class 3 for the first time, his untapped potential holds him in good stead to continue his winning ways.
Elsewhere, four-year-old Major King is one who can atone in the Class 4 Handicap over 1100m.
Put simply, his last start - when he finished third at this track and distance - was a horrifying watch for supporters.
Starting from barrier No 11, he had a slow start and was on the backfoot. Near the 1000m mark, he had to be steadied when he got too close to the heels of another runner.
Furthermore, he had to be steadied again near the 750m mark and was carried outwards from that point.
As stated in the stewards' report, he “raced extremely wide and without cover” so there was merit to his placing, considering that the winner led and won with an uninterrupted run. From barrier No 2, he should map the winner and be bouncing back in a big way. – iRACE Magazine
BEST BET
Race 12 No 3 Pacific Warrior
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 7 David's Sling
JACKPOT
R24
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 11, 12
Leg 2: 2, 6
Leg 3: 5
Leg 4: 3
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 24 June 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: DANCING TYCOON (1)
Strong second last start in his return run to class 5. He has proven that win in this grade carrying a heavier weight isn’t out of the question, respect here.
2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (4)
Has been very consistent in recent weeks. Gets back in the run but there looks enough pace here for him to be running on as always, each way prospect.
3rd Pick: STAR VICTORY (5)
He has placed on three of four attempts at the track and distance and returns to the poly after a strong performance last start, don’t overlook from the ace draw.
4th Pick: MALIBU BEACH (2)
Boasts a great top four record at the track and distance despite only having won once of his ten attempts. One to throw in the exotics at each way odds with 54kg after the claim.
RACE 2
1st Pick: GOLDEN SENTIENCE (4)
Coming off a solid trial recently and has got proven form in stronger races than this. Working towards a win for trainer James Peters, top three contender.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC DREAM (7)
Weighted well with 49kg in this event and the only Singapore trial to date was solid. Comes from the stable of Joseph Waldron in Victoria having had two trials at Pakenham. Watch the market.
3rd Pick: COAST (2)
Has only had the one trial in Singapore but steps out here for his Singapore debut as a four-year-old. Another we will be watching the market closely on, stable have had good success in the last year with debutants and the money has always come for them late.
4th Pick: SMART ONE (3)
Only beaten 1.8 lengths in debut run. Ronnie Stewart booked to ride this runner who should appreciate the extra ground and the race day experience, each way claims.
RACE 3
1st Pick: PACIFIC HERO (1)
Top rated galloper who looked the winner after leading throughout to just get rolled in the last few strides. Looks to be the testing material here. Duric to take the ride.
2nd Pick: MAJOR KING (4)
Blew the start and came from a long way back to be beaten just under two lengths last run. He will need to be clean out of the machines here and not give away another big start. Has ability but can do a few things wrong.
3rd Pick: HAMAMA (3)
Should sit nice and handy on the speed as is her usual racing style. Yet to win at the distance but boasts a 75% place record at the trip.
4th Pick: KNIGHT'S GAMBIT (2)
This is the shortest distance he has raced at in his Singapore career. Shouldn’t be too phased by it with a win at 1200m on this surface in the past. Each way claims.
RACE 4
1st Pick: FABU (2)
Still yet to break through for a win but has recently changed hands in ownership and raced well last week despite being wide without cover. On the quick back up and drops in distance which should aid his chances, winning hope.
2nd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (4)
Had a quiet trial recently in between runs having not run since May 14th. Has had some excuses in the two starts to date, hoping for an improved performance with a little more luck.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC SPIRIT (8)
Weighted well for this coming in as a two-year-old. Couldn’t get much from the trial as he had a very quiet time around the track, but he is well bred and could surprise on debut.
4th Pick: FORESHADOW (5)
Another debutant who hast done much as the trials in the two runs to date but was not tested either. Hopefully the son of Nostradamus is forward enough to run well on debut under Matthew Kellady.
RACE 5
1st Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (2)
The mare continues her way down the ratings still yet to win a race. She finds herself in division 2 company of class 5 and this race looks one of her easiest tasks yet, can win this.
2nd Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (1)
He is a proven horse who strikes division 2 and despite having to carry the weight, looks much better than a lot of the horses he faces, a win wouldn’t shock.
3rd Pick: DIAMOND RING (4)
Faded late after leading and laying out under pressure. Back to division 2 sees him as a live top three hope in this race.
4th Pick: DAVID'S SLING (7)
Heavily supported last start and made up a stack of ground to go down by less than a length. Has had a tick over trial between runs, watch the market.
RACE 6
1st Pick: PRIORITIZE (3)
Has a string of minor placings since his win five starts ago. They stepped him up to 2000m and was brave in that attempt. This course and distance looks more his go with a (3:2-1-0) record.
2nd Pick: RAISING SIXTY-ONE (2)
Given an absolute peach of a ride by Ronnie Stewart to score last start and has since won a trial showing he has trained on well from that performance.
3rd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (6)
Holds good stats when racing at this course and distance that have resulted in a win and two minors. Very tough middle distance runner who warrants respect in this small field.
4th Pick: KHAO MANEE (7)
Returns to the Polytrack after three tries on the turf since his last victory. Very lightly raced on the synthetic but his one try at this distance resulted in a minor placing. Value runner.
RACE 7
1st Pick: STAR EXPRESS (2)
Ran super last start over 1400m to go down by less than a length. The race he was in looks like it should hold up form wise and the jump to a mile should be a plus, respect.
2nd Pick: STRONG ACE (6)
Yet to race further than 1400m in his career and further than 1200 on the poly track. Always seems to be met with market support and his breeding suggests a mile shouldn’t be a problem, each way.
3rd Pick: MEWAR (4)
Comes out of the same race as Star Express last start. Has proven mile form without winning, his last run at the distance saw him run 4th in stronger company than what he faces this weekend. Among the winning hopes here.
4th Pick: TYPHOON (8)
Looks the next logical hope in a race that falls away quite heavily. Gets 46kg with the booking of App N Rozlan from a wide alley, maybe one to throw in the quartet.
RACE 8
1st Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (1)
Beaten 0.6 lengths in his return to class 5 last start. Rarely spends more than a couple starts in the grade, horse to beat.
2nd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (9)
On speed galloper with a light weight who should be leading here due to the wide draw and need to press early. Will be hoping to get a few cheap sectionals and try to kick away at the turn, each way.
3rd Pick: HEALTHY STAR (7)
Great 1000m record still intact after placing last start over the track and distance. He barely received any luck in running and was brave to only go down 1.8 lengths, respect here once again.
4th Pick: BIZAR WINS (6)
Back below the rating he won off last time and Nunes climbs aboard. He is on the quick back up this weekend and although 1100m would be preferred, he can run top four on his day.
RACE 9
1st Pick: LION SPIRIT (1)
Very brave to the line last start and had a horrid run early where he was forced to race without cover for most the journey. Looks a top player again this weekend.
2nd Pick: GOLD KINGDOM (6)
His last win came back in August of last year in a higher grade. Since then has had a few good and bad runs. He excels at these middle distance poly races and last run was solid.
3rd Pick: ENDLESS (9)
Broke through for a much awaited win last start and brings plenty of form into this event. The win was tough but his career record shows that he doesn’t string two wins back to back. Each way claims.
4th Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (3)
Expect support from one of our leading stables especially when he runs in this grade. Has mostly been kept to the turf but has placed in one of his two Polytrack starts.
RACE 10
1st Pick: FLYING NEMO (2)
Returns to his more favoured surface after an eye catching third last start where he had to change course and duck back to the inside. He is only little but possesses a great turn of foot. Nunes on and a great draw.
2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (3)
Six of his nine career wins have come at this course and distance in the past. His last win was only one rating point lower than what he comes with here this weekend. Big watch on him.
3rd Pick: BIG TIGER (1)
Dropped the rider a stride out of the barriers last weekend and stable have elected to send him around again. Had support that day and his record is good when racing around this mark.
4th Pick: PACIFIC GOLD (6)
Second start and should improve after that run last month. Stable have sent him to the trials since and looked comfortable finishing second in that heat.
RACE 11
1st Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (5)
He is a winner of four of his five starts here in Singapore. Seems to love racing on this surface and he is the new kid on the block from a stable that is in great form.
2nd Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (1)
Form has dropped off for this gelding in recent runs and just hasn’t had that will to win that we have seen from him in the past. Could have been some underlying issues and hoping for a big return off his trial win.
3rd Pick: ROCKET STAR (2)
Has been freshened up since his run in the EW Barker Trophy where he finished 10th beaten 5.6 lengths. Two trials since should see him come into this fit and ready. Plenty of ability this guy.
4th Pick: GOLD STAR (6)
Gets in well at the weights here and lost no admirers when he finished fourth last start in this level. Won a trial last week in good time and looks a nice each way play.
RACE 12
1st Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (3)
He has been ultra impressive in his two wins so far. He now has to do it at a higher level but his dominant win in very good time indicates he will handle the rise. Classy horse.
2nd Pick: COSMIC DANCER (7)
Looking for four on the bounce this weekend for the inform Jason Lim stable. Brings good form here with Teardrops who he dead heated with two starts back finishing in the money last week.
3rd Pick: MIMOSAS (5)
Racing very consistently since arriving with his worst run resulting in a fourth placing from five starts. He will look a danger at some point turning for home. Just needs a smooth run early.
4th Pick: SACRED GIFT (1)
Sat off the pace last start and was well beaten by General Command who looks a classy type. Headlines the ratings here and such must carry the big weight. Can improve.