Faithful Leader to double up at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Highly promising four-year-old Faithful Leader is primed to go back-to-back when he returns to Kranji in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1000m on the Polytrack on Saturday.

Faithful Leader formerly raced under the name of Mr Burgundy in Australia, where he scored once and was placed twice from four starts. The Richard Lim-trained gelding was unlucky not to win his local debut in late November, when he was held up from the 400m to the 300m before checking home half a length into second.

Second-up, Faithful Leader simply proved too good for his Class 4 rivals when sitting on speed to score an easy win by two lengths over this track and distance while recording a slick winning time in 58.19 seconds.

Based on the strength of that win, he can prove mighty hard to beat remaining in the same class this week.

Elsewhere, the Te Akau Racing-owned five-year-old Aftermath can score an overdue win when he contests the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on turf.

Aftermath has been on a streak of three consecutive second placings and he was beaten less than one length on each occasion.

Most recently, the Spirit Of Boom gelding travelled three-wide throughout, but still let down well in the straight to find just one too good on the wire over this distance on the Polytrack.

This week, Aftermath is very much suited by returning to the turf track, where both career wins have occurred, and with champion jockey Manoel Nunes remaining in the saddle, he can prove a big winning chance from a decent draw. – iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 11 No 1 Faithful Leader

VALUE BET

Race 1 No 4 Zygarde

JACKPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 5, 7, 9

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS

RACE 1

1st Pick: SUN PALACE (3)

Nunes jumps aboard here again after they finished third last start in similar conditions. Just a one-time winner in his career so tread carefully but this looks a nice race for him to go for two.

2nd Pick: PURE PERFECTION (6)

This horse improved a lot last start when finishing in the minor placings behind Great Command. That is good form for this contest and Ronnie Stewart retains the ride. Watch any moves in betting.

3rd Pick: WATERY (2)

Makes his class five debut at start number nine. Trialed in nice fashion last week with the blinkers on and they have been applied for this run. Big watch on him this weekend.

4th Pick: SOUSUI (1)

Hasn’t hit the mark some of us thought he might have early on his career. After contesting maidens until now he should appreciate the drop to this class and Lerner takes the reins after starting his season well.

RACE 2

1st Pick: DIAZ (1)

Trialed nicely behind Watery who will go around in race one. They clocked a nice time of 60.39 that morning and he was hitting the line well. Strong trainer and jockey combination so will be well respected in the market. Draws nicely in barrier three.

2nd Pick: ITALIAN REVOLUTION (2)

Has finished in the money in all three of his runs to date. Looking to crack that win and it won’t be too far away. Should show speed from a wide draw and if he can get a comfortable run his race experience will come into play.

3rd Pick: TANTHEMAN (6)

Has had four trials to date and has been good enough to say there will be some support for him. CC Wong riding in terrific form and that’s a good tipping point.

4th Pick: THUNDER HERO (7)

Lines up for his debut the son of Belardo (IRE) and his trials have been forward enough to say he is ready to run well first up.

RACE 3

1st Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (1)

On the quick back up this weekend but returns to turf and up to a suitable distance where he has won from in the past. Provided he has come through the race well, with weight relief again he is right in this.

2nd Pick: DANCING TYCOON (7)

50% strike rate track and distance with a rider on board who has had success on him in the past. Rarely far away from the winner and consistency will take him a long way here.

3rd Pick: AFTERMATH (3)

Serial bridesmaid who find a nice race. Nunes to steer which is a plus but has done all his good work on the short course which is a slight concern.

4th Pick: SUMMER WIND (5)

Inside gate for this speedster who returns and should be able to find the front. If he can control the pace, he can hold on and win as we have seen in the past.

RACE 4

1st Pick: SUPER TALENT (1)

Senior rider booked carrying 59kg. Stable are obviously not concerned about the weight and amongst this field that falls away, he should be among the top few. Respect.

2nd Pick: AWESOME CONQUEROR (2)

Although the short course would be better for his racing pattern, this not a strong race and his returns to his pet distance of 1400m. One for the exotics.

3rd Pick: AUSPICIOUS DAY (4)

Quick back up for him this weekend. Up to 1400m is a plus and he wasn’t too far away last start. Respect the run and give him some thought.

4th Pick: MY BOSS (7)

Comes out of the same race as Super Talent where he was beaten 0.2 lengths. On those form lines, he must go in the mix.

RACE 5

1st Pick: POPEYETHESAILORMAN (4)

Draws nicely in barrier one. Last start finished behind Hole In One who finished in the money last weekend. Should be nice and positive in the run and has the advantage of race experience.

2nd Pick: STAR NORTH (6)

Being by Savabeel he may need some time to improve as he gets up inn distance. Trialed nicely on the 19th of January winning a trial in 60.62 under Beuzelin. Chance.

3rd Pick: APRIL (2)

On debut this weekend being by Swiss Ace (AUS) you would think he will be an early runner. Two trials ago he beat Mykyta who came out and won impressively in Restricted Maiden grade. That’s a good push.

4th Pick: SINGLE WARRIOR (5)

On debut in November finished sixth behind Hole In One who was the superior horse that day. Should strip fitter from that run and CC Wong stays aboard. Watch the market.

RACE 6

1st Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (1)

Was supported in betting last start and although didn’t produce a win he was only beaten half a length to David’s Sling. This is his best distance with most of his career best performances coming at 1200m.

2nd Pick: ALWAYS INNOCENT (2)

His form has really dropped off in the past year, but you cannot ignore his record in this class and his Polytrack record. Could be a bit of value with the market focusing on his recent form.

3rd Pick: STAR EMPIRE (5)

Drawn out wide for CC Wong in barrier nine so will need some luck from the wide draw. Finished runner up to Rumble who has since run well last weekend. Each way claims.

4th Pick: CITY HALL (9)

Gets in well at the weights with 50.5kgs after Rozlan takes his 4kg claim. Form is solid for this weaker of the two divisions. Don’t dismiss him.

RACE 7

1st Pick: WAR PRIDE (1)

All signs through his track work and trials point to the fact that he’s ready to fire first up. Drawn out slightly but gets the services on Nunes this weekend.

2nd Pick: BE YOU (2)

Can be a handful on race day but if he puts it all together, he can win a race like this. Draws to find a nice spot in running and trialed well leading up to this.

3rd Pick: DECEPTION (5)

Another fresh up this weekend. Was really hitting some nice form towards the end of last season and hopefully and can pick right up where he left off.

4th Pick: STRONG N SMART (4)

Recent trial was solid enough. Stable going well at the moment, keep safe in quartets.

RACE 8

1st Pick: NINEONEONE (7)

This is one of the hardest races to pick with no form lines to go off. He has probably one of the best runs in his past few that resembles some positivity and that is a third placing two runs ago. That will be good enough to win this.

2nd Pick: TWO MILLION (4)

Competed in Restricted Maiden grade last start and was only beaten five lengths to the handy horse Mykyta. This is a much easier contest for him.

3rd Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (2)

Ronnie Stewart takes the ride from barrier four and hasn’t been beaten too far as opposed to other runners. Could be hitting the line late.

4th Pick: SUMMER GLITTER (9)

Could fill a position for the exotics with some respectable runs over the mile on this surface in his early days. Kasim takes the ride and knows the horse well.

RACE 9

1st Pick: SHIHAB (2)

Maiden galloper who heads a class 5 here looking for that first win. Strikes a nice race and is coming out of some nice maiden events where the winners have gone on to prove themselves in class 4 and above.

2nd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (5)

Consistent galloper who gets and inside gate. Hopefully they can utilize the position and find themselves in behind the leaders. Will need some luck late in the race but if he can pop out and get a clean run, he could give a sight.

3rd Pick: GOD'S GIFT (7)

Light weight for him this weekend with Jamil in the saddle claiming 4kg. Solid run last start and track work during the week has been great.

4th Pick: BILLY ELLIOT (1)

Proven at the top of class 5. Arguably disappointing last prep but returns here and hopefully we can see him turn a corner.

RACE 10

1st Pick: CENTURION (2)

Strikes an awesome race in his return back to class 5. Off his form in his last few starts, he should be too good for these if he gets a decent run in transit. Horse to beat.

2nd Pick: SAYONARA (5)

Close second to stable mate last start. Has the race fitness in his legs, each way danger.

3rd Pick: ETWAS NEUES (1)

Must be respected in class 5. At this grade, track and distance two tarts back, he was beaten a slim margin. Can go very close again.

4th Pick: NINESIXTHREETHREE (6)

Should be giving the leaders a fair start but if they roll along here, he can make plenty of ground late, don’t dismiss.

RACE 11

1st Pick: FAITHFUL LEADER (1)

Was awfully impressive last start and strikes another class 4 event with some weight relief due to a claiming rider who won on him last start. Draws well, should be in the finish again.

2nd Pick: HAMAMA (4)

Really impressive in her first run for new connections. New year trial was also impressive enough to suggest a forward run first up, looks the likely danger to the top weight.

3rd Pick: QAIDOOM (6)

Speedy customer with a light weight. Should roll forward and be one of the horses the field are chasing at the turn.

4th Pick: SUPER POSH (10)

Lightweight specialist amongst class 4 company. Will give them a start but should be making ground late down the outside. Top four hope.

RACE 12

1st Pick: LIM'S BETTERREADY (5)

Draws very favorably in barrier one for Lerner. Had to settle for second place behind Great Command. He went forward last start and should expect similar tactics.

2nd Pick: COUNTRY BOSS (1)

Drops back to class 5 where he last won back in January of last season in similar conditions. Drawing out wide isn’t the most ideal for him but he relishes racing in this grade. Watch any market moves.

3rd Pick: GRIFFIN (7)

Caught the eye finishing second last start in what was his best performance to date since coming from Western Australia. Draws well in barrier three and will be up there fighting for an early position.

4th Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (4)

Proven class five galloper who gets the services of Duric in the saddle. He has a nice record on this horse with one win from two rides. His best is good enough for a race of this depth.