Competitive lineup for G3 Kranji feature

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Luke Middlebrook

Thanks to the handicap conditions, a highly competitive field has emerged for the $110,000 Group 3 Committee’s Prize over 1600m on turf. at Kranji Racecourse.

Few would argue Golden Monkey with Jaden Lloyd up is the best horse in this week’s feature after defeating a similar lineup to claim the Group 3 Fortune Bowl (1400m) in emphatic fashion.

However, things get trickier this time as he has to concede weight to the rest of the field, at no less than 4kg. Street Of Dreams, who finished 1.25 lengths into second in the same race last time out, may turn the tables on Golden Monkey with a weight swing of 1kg and being third-up after a long layoff.

Lightweights such as Bestseller, Tiger Roar, and Dream Alliance could all spoil the party. They were poorly weighted in the Group 3 Fortune Bowl but now find themselves in a far better position.

Elsewhere, three-year-old gelding Mission Five can go one place better when he returns to Kranji in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Trained by Richard Lim, Mission Five showed tactical speed and found only one too good over 1100m at this track on debut in early January. The son of Invader produced another encouraging effort second-up when leading every post but the winning post, going down by a head over 1200m on turf.

Mission Five has since turned in an impressive trial in which he crossed the line first effortlessly. From a decent draw, he can prove hard to beat in what appears a below-par Restricted Maiden field. - iRACE magazine

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 9 MAR 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: SUPERMAX (7)

He has been knocking on the door for a long time now. Relishes the sprints distances on the poly track here in Singapore. Needs to hold a forward position and should get that with apprentice claims, great barrier.

2nd Pick: WINS EIGHT (10)

Best run to date was last start when he finished second to Smart Gambit, flew home from the back of the field and can keep improving with each run. Leading stable.

3rd Pick: SUPER PAN SWIFTLY (11)

Produced a good performance most recently over the 1000m on the poly track and can go close here. Slow form the stalls.

4th Pick: BLACKBUCK (6)

He dropped off expectations last start. Forget that effort and can bounce back from a gun draw. Going well.

RACE 2

 1st Pick: MISSION FIVE (1)

He is a very exciting youngster with a bright future for Richard Lim. His two career starts have been full of merit both on the ply and turf. He is the main danger in this and must be respected. Gets a great barrier and Nunes aboard. Main player.

2nd Pick: BOARDROOM (10)

He finished fourth in the same race behind Fire. Queiroz aboard now and won a recent trial comfortably. He needs to be considered and can run a big race.

3rd Pick: OCEAN JUPITER (5)

Great barrier and is consistent from only his nine starts, can measure up against the fancied chances in this. Watch betting support.

4th Pick: PACIFIC DREAM (4)

The last two performances were very encouraging. He has shown to be competitive on the poly and turf. Duric in the saddle from in inside alley. Keep safe.

RACE 3

1st Pick: GAMELY (5)

Ran on honestly last time out finishing second behind Boss Heng Heng, was held up at a crucial point in the straight and only saw daylight until the 100m. Gets a great barrier on this occasion and Nunes hops aboard. Main player.

2nd Pick: BLUEJAY (8)

One of his best performances last start, got a beautiful run behind the speed and boxed on to finish second behind the ultra-impressive Pacific Charm. Should benefit from that run and is suited on the poly.

3rd Pick: CENTURION (7)

The most experienced horse in the field and improved off his last run. Gets a great draw on this occasion and should get a soft run. Consider again.

4th Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (2)

Good draw and will push forward early. Shows some ability from just seven starts. Duric in the saddle. Must respect.

RACE 4

1st Pick: WINS ONE (3)

Looking for four wins in succession, went through the grades well and holds his form. Lightly raced 4yo for reigning champion trainer Jason Ong. He has beaten two handy horses both Bakeel and Last Supper. Hard to go past.

2nd Pick: LIM'S BIGHORN (4)

Only had the three starts but they have been exciting. A 3yo with plenty of potential, his two wins have come in open maiden grade and class 5 on the poly track. Goes onto the turf for the first time. Solid chance again.

3rd Pick: GALAXY BAR (7)

He went super in class 4 last start behind Lightning Strike, goes back down to 1200m on this occasion and more than likely will sit towards the tail of the field. Okay.

4th Pick: WAR PRIDE (2)

Going okay in class 4, wasn’t beaten too far in his last two runs. Could improve if he rolls forward and takes luck out of the equation.

RACE 5

1st Pick: DIAMOND RING (7)

Did well last start and gets Nunes in the saddle on this occasion, finds a weaker field and will see betting support, will need to push across from a wide gate. Keep safe.

2nd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (1)

He has a lot more experience compared to a few of these. Didn’t have too many excuses last start and boxed on for a minor placing. Watch betting.

3rd Pick: SIRIUS (6)

Form has been okay, ran a much-improved race last start behind Pacific Charm but will need to hold his form which he has struggled to do in the past. Leading stable.

4th Pick: BEN WADE (5)

Not far away from this. In the same race behind Pacific charm and goes well on the poly track. In with a chance.

RACE 6

1st Pick: LEGACY FORTUNE

Should be hard to beat, put in a great run last time out second behind King’s Gambit. Should see out the 1600m and is competitive in class 4.

2nd Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (1)

Ran on from the back of the field last start defeating Legacy Fortune in the last stride. He is very consistent in this grade and go close again here.

3rd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (5)

His most recent minor placing behind Per Incrown was okay, didn’t have too many excuses and has won over 1600m in class 5 before. Value chance.

4th Pick: CONTARELLI (7)

He obtains a perfect barrier on this occasion and get Carlos Henrique in the saddle. Hasn’t shown a lot of improvement from his last couple of runs but might be able to sneak into the first four.

RACE 7

1st Pick: PACIFIC STAR (1)

He recently dropped to class 5 and couldn’t get into the placings but has been proven in class 4 and continues to surprise. Handy record (25-3-0-4) but now goes down to 1200m which is the only query.

2nd Pick: QARAAT (2)

Has a great turn of foot on the poly track, usually gets dragged back and will need to find a good spot from the barrier. A 10yo that should put up a fight against this weaker field.

3rd Pick: CITY GOLD TELECOM (4)

Little disappointing last start in this grade. Will go back from the middle gate, gets the Nunes factor this time which is a big plus. Keep safe.

4th Pick: CHARISMATIC (5)

Didn’t have the acceleration to match in his most recent run, goes well in class 5 but this is a different assignment. Worth considering, he gets the inside barrier. Value play.

RACE 8

1st Pick: MAKIN (4)

Last start was his best performance yet, was caught in trouble in the straight and powered home thanks to a great steer from Nunes. Finds another class 3 and steps up to 1600m against similar competition. Will be a short price favourite and should be hard to beat. Main danger.

2nd Pick: TRIDENT (6)

Coming out of the same race behind Makin, was crowded during the run and had some excuses. Has placed behind the impressive Silo before and gets Ronnie Stewart in the saddle this week. He should get his chance.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (7)

He is a last start winner and might be looking for further, likely to sit close in the run. Can be competitive here.

4th Pick: BLACK STORM (12)

The last two performances have been encouraging, had every chance most recently and peaked on his run. He needs to be respected in class 3.

RACE 9

1st Pick: BABY TWINS (1)

His preparation has been encouraging so far, ran a nice second most recently over the 1100m and now drops back to 1000m, should be up on speed and finds a suitable race to break the maiden.

2nd Pick: SG SIXTY-ONE (2)

Ran a minor placing most recently which was positive, always shows plenty of speed and loves the poly surface. He is a serious threat if he gets a good run. Needs to be respected.

3rd Pick: SURREY HILLS (3)

Dropped off in his most recent performance in the same race behind Dancing Light. He is a keen front runner and will be able to bounce back on this occasion. Watch betting.

4th Pick: SMART GAMBIT (7)

Goes up in class but has a great record on the poly track. He’s had a couple of excuses at the start in his last few runs and might need things to go his way. Not far away from this.

RACE 10
1st Pick: ANIKI (9)

He continues to show ability when going through the grades, did the brute of the work last start when leading and stuck on gamely behind Makin. Doesn’t find a very strong field here and should be the key player.

2nd Pick: GRAND AVANTE (11)

Proven in class 3 just from his 12 starts. Finished third behind Ghalib off a tough run when racing wide and back. Should be able to take some improvement from that and had a moderate trial of late.

3rd Pick: EJAZ (5)

Great record so far (5-4-0-1), loves the sprint distances and is looking for class 3 success. This is a harder race, but he is ticking over nicely with a couple of trials. Can go close.

4th Pick: HURRICANE (12)

Steadily improving with each run. Comes back onto the turf which should help and will be the speed influencer. Can upset and trainer Fitzsimmons is in good form.

 RACE 11

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (1)

His first-up run was huge, then he dominated the Group 3 Fortune Bowl defeating top class rivals. He should appreciate going up to 1600m from a perfect barrier, he will be very short in the market. Jaden Lloyd now replaces Chad Schofield and has top weight.

2nd Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (5)

Ran a nice second behind Golden Monkey in the Group 3 Fortune Bowl, had a soft run and improvement drastically from his first-up effort. Gets a 5kg weight relief compared to Golden Monkey but draws out and Ronnie Stewart rides again. Key player.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (3)

Flew home in the Fortune Bowl from near last and was held up in the straight. He might find this easier if he can get across from an outside barrier. He will enjoy stepping up to the mile. Consistent.

4th Pick: TIGER ROAR (8)

He always runs a good race, wasn’t beaten far in the Fortune Bowl. Great record (16-7-3-2) from only 16 starts and can surprise. Keep safe. Value play.

RACE 12

1st Pick: AUSPICIOUS KING (10)

He is an up-and-coming 3yo for Leslie Khoo, broke his maiden easily over this distance on the turf, will need to measure up to class 4 but finds a weaker field. He is a main danger.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC VICTORY (4)

Won well last start defeating Scared Buddy in this grade. Won a recent trial in a very good time, will see support in betting and is always consistent.

3rd Pick: NIMBUS STAR (5)

Has recorded three minor placings from 6 starts, relishes the 1200m and comes onto the turf for the second time. Keep safe.

4th Pick: STARBOY (9)

Going well, stepped up to class 4 comfortably and put in great performance last start. Promising young horse over the sprint distances and should considered.