Fitzsimmons has a Monkey in his pack

Luke Middlebrook

Group racing returns to Kranji on Sunday with the running of the $150,000 Group 2 EW Barker Trophy over1400m, which will be a good guide for the upcoming Four-Year-Old Challenge Series as two talented four-year-olds stand out.

Last season’s champion three-year-old, Golden Monkey, who returned to his best in a Kranji Stakes A over 1200m last start after an excusable first run for 2023, has proven himself to be a top-class performer since his third-place finish in the Grade 1 Lion City Cup last year.

The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained talent will relish the rise in distance as his most impressive win was in the Grade 2 Three-Year-Old Classic over this distance last season. Another for Fitzsimmons, Mr Black Back, can give a sight with just an 50kg impost, but he’ll need to be rated better than in recent starts when left without a finish.

Trainer Jason Lim’s best horse, Super Salute, who has been unstoppable at his last five starts since a luckless fourth on debut in September last year, is clearly Golden Monkey’s main danger. Both horses are ideally placed at the weights under this week’s handicap conditions and tactics and luck in running look to be the decisive factors.

Elsewhere, promising four-year-old City Gold Star can go one place better second-up in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1100m on the Polytrack. A one-time winner with two placings from seven starts in Australia, City Gold Star caught the eye with a slashing second on his local debut two weeks ago, suggesting he is ideally placed in this class and can break through swiftly. He had excuses on debut—away awkwardly and subsequently travelling wide throughout – n but ate up the ground late and looked a “good-thing’ beat.

City Gold Star is open to any amount of improvement second-up and in what appears a below-par Class 4 field, he can prove hard to beat with champion jockey Manoel Nunes remaining in the saddle. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 3 No 4 City Gold Star

VALUE BET

Race 9 No 5 Twelfth Night

JACKPOT

R18

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 4, 5

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 23 April 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: ST ALWYN (4)

With a couple 1000m specialists in the race, tempo looks suited for something to come from the back. St Alwyn fits that profile in this race and will carry 56kg with the claiming rider engaged, big watch.

2nd Pick: SOUTHERN MASTER (1)

Carries 59kg for class 5 debut but is coming into this first up off a long break with a couple trial wins under his belt recently. Class will take him a long way in this race.

3rd Pick: BEN WADE (10)

Consistently finding himself in the money. Carries a lighter in the division one this week but get 52.5kg with 4kg claimer on board, weighted to run well.

4th Pick: GENTLEMEN AGREEMENT (2)

Last start there was no real tangible explanation for his run down in grade, never seemed comfortable. Hopefully second up can improve.

RACE 2

1st Pick: FIGHT ON (3)

Run last start was enormous, looks the clear top pick on paper. Hopefully we see him running on just as strong this weekend with Ronnie Stewart in the saddle.

2nd Pick: FEBRUARY (4)

Knocking on the door for a win and looks a logical threat to Fight On. Only missed running in the money on one occasion so far but looks to have gradually improved each start, keep safe.

3rd Pick: SWEET N SOUR (5)

First couple have starts have brought up some early teething issues. Nunes booked to hopefully iron these out at career start number three. Goes forward and should dictate the pace of the race.

4th Pick: MAXIMUM CONTROL (8)

New Te Akau runner to Singapore, hopefully can show some promise early, trials have been forward enough to expect a solid start to his Singapore career this weekend.

RACE 3

1st Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (4)

Steadied on heels shortly after the start and had to race wide on debut. Should strip much fitter from that run and the new stable are off to a good start.

2nd Pick: GREATHAM GIRL (1)

Drops in grade and returns to her suited surface. Last time she raced in this grade she won over this distance back in October and looks well placed here.

3rd Pick: TEARDROPS (6)

Caught the eye last start and fair to say the wide barrier cost her in the end. Was caught in a bumping duel down the straight and just needs luck. Draws better this weekend and hopefully her luck turns around.

4th Pick: ELLIOT NESS (9)

Lightweight each way chance who currently holds the course record over this distance. Solid run last start shows he is ready to win again soon. One to follow.

RACE 4

1st Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (8)

Had a spin around the track on Tuesday this week in preparation for this weekend’s debut. Bought unraced from the Nick Ryan stable in Melbourne and looks to be a nice acquisition for the Kok stable.

2nd Pick: GROOVY (6)

Great run last start to be done by a slender margin. Goes close here again with some luck in running and Benny Woodworth stays on board this week again.

3rd Pick: CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE (1)

Stable apprentice to ride with 4kg claim. His most recent trial was promising and looks a likely top three chance.

4th Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (7)

Hasn’t been able to draw a gate at all in any of its starts and as a result, it has been hard for him to put in his best effort. Should be winning a race soon, just needs the stars to align.

RACE 5

1st Pick: THE STAR (1)

Great weight relief heading into this class 5 return with 4kg claim. Has had enough runs this prep to be at peak fitness for this run, respect.

2nd Pick: CHIVALRIC KNIGHT (6)

Sent forward at the trials with Zaki on to win in good time. Runner up of the trial won last weekend. Zaki on this weekend, expect them to be positive out of the machines.

3rd Pick: WECANDO (2)

Senior rider engaged this weekend over a track and trip where he is a three-time winner, can win this with any luck, don’t overlook the old boy.

4th Pick: MO ALMIGHTY (4)

Far from disgraced last start where he made up good ground from back in the field to only be beaten three lengths. Looks to be enough speed here to suit him, place chance.

RACE 6

1st Pick: PRIORITIZE (5)

Didn’t have much luck in running last start and had to make a looping run but still fought it out well. Gets back to a surface he has thrived at this season and watch any late market moves.

2nd Pick: REAL EFECTO (1)

Scratched behind the barrier last start and has since come through well. The last time he ran at these conditions he finished a brave second and headlines the ratings. Rates well with the four kilogram claim from our leading apprentice.

3rd Pick: LEATHERHEAD (4)

Had to get back from a wide barrier last start and just needs more luck to bounce back to winning ways at this mark. His record is too good to ignore including five wins at the course and distance.

4th Pick: MESMERIZING (2)

Strong winner three starts ago and hasn’t had the smoothest runs in recent starts. Noted front runner who if left alone early can break away and give them something to chase.

RACE 7

1st Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (2)

Solid run last start and strikes a winnable race here again. 1400m would be preferred on turf but this isn’t an overly strong field.

2nd Pick: LOVING BABE (4)

Caught the eye again last start. A win isn’t too far away, racing off a very winnable mark and has a two kg claim to assist him this weekend. Place hope.

3rd Pick: LIM'S SHOT (7)

Always consistent at this grade and distance. Gets some weight relief from the stable apprentice, another chance in an open race.

4th Pick: WEDNESDAY (8)

He is a runner who can pop up into the minor placings at the best of times in these sorts of races. Light weight here being almost off the minimum mark, one to add if you are playing the exotics.

RACE 8

1st Pick: THUNDER STAR (2)

Moved up to second place on protest last start after being caught in a bumping duel down the straight. Jumped much cleaner last start and with even luck will be hard to beat here from barrier five with Nunes on.

2nd Pick: WATCH OUT BOSS (1)

Didn’t disgrace at his return to class four last start after being forced to race wide in a speedy affair. Keep him in your numbers on an each way line for the five-time winner.

3rd Pick: PETROGRAD (5)

Came undone by the horse he beat the run before in Mimosas but held his own going down by 1.5 lengths. From his seven starts he holds a nice record and with luck in running from barrier one he will look a danger.

4th Pick: MONTANA FLASH (6)

First up this weekend with a few quiet trials under his belt. Brings nice form lines from last season and will strip fitter for this run. Watch him as he rises in distance and one to follow.

RACE 9

1st Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (1)

Makes a long-awaited class 5 debut this weekend. In recent runs up in class 4, he has been racing well enough there and down amongst this company no should be very hard to beat.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (4)

Narrow winner last start over the same distance and grade. This looks a tougher assignment but with the winning form on the board, he can run a placing here again.

3rd Pick: BLUE IDOL (2)

Caught wide last start and went down a short margin. Has recently won a trial and should be heading into this ready to win.

4th Pick: TWELFTH NIGHT (5)

Gets back but finds a race with enough pace to run on late. Will struggle to win the race but looks a top four hope for exotics plays.

RACE 10

1st Pick: CYCLONE (4)

Just missing a minor placing at his last two starts. Continues to build a nice profile and is crying out for more distance. Trialed in nice style when winning his heat in nice timing. Looks the one. Should have a lovely run from barrier six.

2nd Pick: SATURNO SPRING (10)

Racing in great form from his last five outings including two wins and two minor placings. Last start was beaten by a derby bound four-year-old who got in very well at the weights.

3rd Pick: FIGHTER (12)

Last start winner who surprised at big odds and could take plenty of conditioning from that first up win. Well bred gelding who looks set for a nice prep and winning form is solid. Rises sharply in class.

4th Pick: HARD TOO THINK (3)

Dropping sharply in grade for a two-time Group 1 winner. There are no Lim’s Kosciuszko’s in this field and look for him to run a much-improved race.

RACE 11

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (5)

Last year’s champion three-year-old steps up to his hardest contest so far in his short career. He is unbeaten at this distance and there was a lot to like about his last start win. Gets the gun draw in barrier two.

2nd Pick: SUPER SALUTE (6)

One of our most prolific horses this season making it five on the bounce at his most recent start. Good form coming out of the horses he has beaten and stable have him firing for this assignment. Big chance with Nunes picking him.

3rd Pick: ROCKET STAR (1)

Headlines the ratings and will get Bernardo Pinheiro in the saddle. Has been a long time since he won but rarely runs a bad race in this grade. Will get back and storm home.

4th Pick: SACRED CROIX (2)

Massive run hitting the line strongly in the Group 1 Raffles Cup last start. Has won at this distance twice before and always runs into one or two better on the day. Knocking on the door to win a feature. Solid barrier drawing gate three.

RACE 12

1st Pick: INVINCIBLE TYCOON (4)

Talented type who has impressed in his four Singapore starts including a win in wet conditions three runs back. If the track softens up by his race, he should be the one to beat and has since trialed sharply.

2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (2)

Consistent class four galloper who tries very hard and is always around the mark. Brings solid form lines to this race and will be in contention again.

3rd Pick: AFTERMATH (3)

Both of his wins have come on turf and although his form has dropped off he hasn’t been beaten far at his most recent outings. Each way claims.

4th Pick: TE AKAU BEN (11)

Scored a win in Open Maiden grade when first up carrying plenty of extra condition. This is his toughest test but looks to show nice ability on the track. Will need luck from the wide draw.