Field size suits Lim’s Kosciuszko at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday with an 11-race fixture highlighted by the running of the $1million Group 1 Kranji Mile.

A small field of 10 runners competing in the Kranji Mile over 1600m will make champion galloper Lim’s Kosciuszko’s job all the easier as he aims to defend his crown.

Lim’s Kosciuszko has repeatedly beaten fields similar to tomorrow’s lineup under both handicap and set-weights conditions. A typical example was his most recent outing in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy, which turned into a duel between Lim’s Kosciuszko and stablemate Lim’s Saltoro. They drew away from the rest in the straight with Lim’s Kosciuszko eventually edging out a win by a short head.

Standing out as the highest-rated horse, Lim’s Kosciuszko possesses a significant advantage over his rivals in this week’s level-weighted feature. Usual sparring partners Golden Monkey, Invincible Tycoon and Street Of Dreams will run their honest races while Cavalry could be the one to show further improvement.

Though the lineup in this year’s $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Guineas is not as stellar as it once was, the race remains highly competitive for the final leg of the Three-Year-Old Series.

Lim’s Bighorn seems to be the leading contender after claiming the Group 2 Singapore 3YO Classic by leading from start to finish. In addition, the blistering tempo was against him that day, so he can be hard to run down if allowed an uncontested lead again.

Ace Of Diamonds, the odds-on favourite in the Classic, was not ridden to his strengths. Drawing inside of Lim’s Bighorn, he failed to utilise his tactical speed to dictate on his own terms, resulting in a tactical defeat.

Bakeel, who charged home late and missed victory by a short head in the Classic, should relish the extra distance and can make his presence felt late. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 10 No 3 Pacific Vampire

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 4 Nimbus Cloud

JACKPOT

R4

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 7

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 18 May 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (1)

Played his part in the race taken out by outsider The Wild Prince who led and couldn’t be caught. This gelding was finishing hard late in the piece and looks the one to beat here.

2nd Pick: STARBOY (7)

Plenty of late money came for him at the jump. Had no excuses settling in a lovely spot fourth early in the piece and grinded away to the line for a top four finish. Leading stable deserves respect.

3rd Pick: WAIT U KNOW (3)

Makes his class five debut after struggling to find form since his lone win back in January at big odds. This is much easier than his recent races and watch for betting support.

4th Pick: CITY GOLD TELECOM (9)

Recent runs haven’t been too bad and finds an open field to put himself amongst the money. Should get a nice run mid race from barrier two. Each way player.

RACE 2

1st Pick: SONG OF NATURE (3)

Could be good value in a field like this. A few nice performances since his last win in September last year. Likes to get back and finish with a strong sprint. This is not a strong contest.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (1)

Has been holding his own recently at Open Maiden grade and class five not being beaten far in his last three outings. Handles the turf well and expect a strong push in betting. Daniel Moor back in town and riding well.

3rd Pick: TANTHEMAN (5)

If he can just try and settle a little bit closer in the run then he has been he may give himself a chance against this opposition. Just the one win to his name but has a handful of strong minor placings.

4th Pick: CENTURION (11)

Very honest nine-year-old who continues to collect a cheque for connections. Very hard to say he can win but has a way of coming out and performing well at big odds. Deserves respect in a field of this depth.

RACE 3

1st Pick: VGOR (3)

Heavily supported last start when coming from well back in the field but Golden Way pinched too much of a break to hold on. That was a sharp improvement compared to his recent runs.

2nd Pick: MY BOSS (8)

Leading trainer Jason Ong saddles up this seven-time winner who has two wins at the course and distance. Caught the eye coming from tenth to finish second beaten 1.5 lengths last start.

3rd Pick: THE WILD PRINCE (9)

A real form reversal as he was sent forward and led throughout to win at huge odds of over $200. That was his first win since 2022 and the eighth of his career. Can he back it up?

4th Pick: BLUEJAY (11)

On the quick backup after his second placing behind Sabah Win on the Polytrack surface last Sunday. Has won on the turf and placed over this course and distance. One for the exotics.

RACE 4

1st Pick: GHALIB (1)

Looking for three straight victories. Won impressively in Kranji Stakes A grade last start and never looked like stopping. The Burridge stable is in red-hot form. He should get a perfect run from barrier six and he won a recent trial in okay time.

2nd Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (4)

He will be the biggest threat to Ghalib in this race after putting in a mighty run last start only beaten a head to Singapore’s champion Lim’s Kosciuszko. Will look to find the rail from barrier two just as he did in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy. Leading jockey Bruno Queiroz is onboard. Big danger.

3rd Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (5)

Wasn’t beaten far last time out behind Pacific Vampire who looks like a promising horse for the four-old-series. He raced wide last start and now goes onto the Poly surface for the third time in his career. Okay.

4th Pick: KHARISMA (2)

A class horse. Forget his last run in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy, didn’t handle the corner and was under pressure a long way from home. Two starts prior he stormed home from the back of field in Kranji Stakes A grade over this distance after racing wide the whole way and finishing second to Lim’s Kosciuszko only beaten 1.5 lengths. Obtains a great barrier and is a key player.

RACE 5

1st Pick: BAKEEL (3)

Huge run in the Group 2 Three-Year-Old Classic last start, flew home to finish second to Lim’s Bighorn only beaten a head. He’s had some excuses in the past and can still be a little immature. He steps up to 1600m for the first time and Nunes sticks aboard. He has great staying capabilities and will let down powerfully over the mile. Hard to beat.

2nd Pick: LIM'S BIGHORN (2)

He made his presence felt in the Three-Year-Old series last start when taking out the Classic. He is an exciting horse for the future and loves to roll along. He is the likely leader and comes into this week with a trial under his belt. Shouldn’t have a problem crossing from the outside gate.

3rd Pick: LIM'S SMYTHE (6)

Things didn’t go to plan for this guy in the Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic last start, he was slow away from the stalls and was never in touch with the field. He continued to find the line and could be a sneaky chance in this. Chad Schofield is onboard. Drawn well.

4th Pick: BOARDROOM (8)

A great win last start breaking the maiden status, showing his improvement. He’s been a progressive horse and should be primed up for this race. The stable is having a crack at the Three-Year-Old series, and he could play a big part. Wide gate.

RACE 6

1st Pick: STOP THE WATER (4)

Well ridden last start by Bruno Queiroz timing his run well to score in this same grade. Not the biggest galloper but showed recently he can be ridden taking a sit.

2nd Pick: GREATHAM BOY (1)

Didn’t make a splash in the first two legs of the three-year-old series and electing to bypass the Guineas in search of a win in much lesser grade. This looks more to his liking and Chad Schofield takes the ride.

3rd Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (5)

Caught the eye flying home first up a few weeks ago. Should take plenty of improvement second up and when he is right has plenty of upside.

4th Pick: RUBIK KID (8)

Back-to-back wins in maiden and class five grade. Needs to lift a few lengths to figure against these proven types but continues to improve each run.

RACE 7

1st Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)

Had a lot to offer last start when caught a long way back, he was very keen during the run and the rider had a tough time trying to conserve his energy, once he got into the clear he powered home. He looks ready to win again and should go close.

2nd Pick: NATURE CHIEF (8)

Doesn’t know how to run a bad race. One of the more consistent horses in class 4 and usually sits up on speed. TH Koh sticks aboard and looks like the likely leader. He can see out a strong 1600m.

3rd Pick: SUPREME LINER (9)

Still a maiden here in Singapore but will be very competitive in this race. Most recently he finished second to Boardroom when racing wide and was very green in the straight. He can be a little one-paced but will keep grinding away. Should join Nature Chief in the lead. Awkward barrier.

4th Pick: SUPER BABY (6)

A small horse with a big heart. Hasn’t had the best of luck in the past and always looms up as a chance but needs to hold his form to be competitive here. Okay.

RACE 8

1st Pick: RAVALLI (4)

First start here in Singapore since coming from the Leon & Troy Corstens stable in Victoria, Australia. Won a maiden at Echuca last October and stable have a good record when debuting these types and Mark Zahra looks a key booking.

2nd Pick: SANTINO (6)

Scored a terrific win first up two runs ago in slick time. His recent performance was strong when going up to class four and finishing in the money. If the pace is on early this gelding has a good finish. Low draw is a plus for him.

3rd Pick: HOLE IN ONE (3)

Failed to gain a start last weekend and this probably looks more to his liking. He has had five starts at Novice level with his best being a second placing to Bestseller who is a multiple group winner.

4th Pick: ARTILLERY (5)

Ran a strong second placing two starts ago in the first leg of the three-year-old series. Connections dropping him back to a suited distance as they elect not to contest the Guineas. Key player here.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

After a gallant win in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy, the champion aims for back-to-back wins in his biggest target for this year. He recorded his highest time form rating of his career last start when giving the field eight kilograms. He can sit up on speed or look for the box seat from barrier seven. He will find this much easier at set weights, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down so far this year.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (2)

He looks like the biggest threat to Lim’s Kosciuszko, finishing third in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy. He didn’t have the race to suit him last start and peaked on his run at the 250m. He is a class galloper and will drag back from the wide alley and appreciate a genuine tempo. He had a tune-up trial last week which he was well-held to the line.

3rd Pick: INVINCIBLE TYCOON (4)

This guy continues to improve with each performance. Stormed home from the back of the field last start in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy only beaten three lengths and is a live chance again in this race. He finished second to Lim’s Kosciuszko last year in the Raffles Cup and always runs out a strong last 300m. Had a moderate trial most recently.

4th Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (5)

He’s just fallen short on a couple of occasions. Had every chance to take a feature race earlier in the season. He just missed out in the Group 3 Committee’s Prize two starts back behind Bestseller who came out to finish fourth behind Lim’s Kosciuszko most recently. That form reads well leading into this race with Bestseller not running. If it starts to rain on the day, it could play into his hand.

RACE 10

1st Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (3)

He’s had a short but illustrious career so far in Singapore, formally raced in Australia. He won easily on debut in class 4 and continued his dominance last start in class 3 when annihilating the field comfortably. He is a very exciting new horse for the leading trainer Jason Ong, he will be targeting the Four-Year-Old series soon. First time stepping up to 1400m this week and gets an ideal barrier. Hardest horse to beat.

2nd Pick: ANIKI (4)

Had a tough run up on speed last time out in this grade and faded early in the straight. Nunes gets the ride this week and will look to push across from barrier ten. His trackwork during the week was very impressive and should set a genuine speed.

3rd Pick: MAXIMA (2)

Resuming this week from a lengthy spell. Last raced in November of last year. Could’ve had some issues in the past but the stable has kept him ticking over with a couple of trials which have been encouraging. He is the biggest wildcard in this race and if he brings his best, he’ll be competitive.

4th Pick: ENERGY BABY (6)

Finished second in this grade last start, got a beautiful run was just beaten on the line. Should be suited under these race conditions and doesn’t do a lot wrong. In good form and could be a value chance in this.

RACE 11

1st Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (1)

A noted front runner with plenty of ability. He’s been very consistent in his last couple of attempts in this grade. He deserves another shot this weekend. Drawn well in four and Bruno Queiroz is onboard. Likely leader.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC GOLD (6)

Could be a big danger in this race. Hasn’t been beaten far in the past and Daniel Moor gets the ride. Had a couple of attempts on the Poly track with just the one placing. Could see betting support.

3rd Pick: COLONEL SON (4)

He won’t be too far away from the speed. Goes well on the Poly track and can bounce back this week after his fourth last start. Okay draw.

4th Pick: PACIFIC STAR (8)

Recorded back-to-back wins, steps up to class 4 this week. He won impressively last start thanks to a great ride. Gets an inside gate and could kick up for a handy spot during the race.