Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Saturday with a 10-race turf and dirt fixture.
Six-year-old galloper Lim’s Dreamwalker is well-placed to return to the winner’s list when he lines up in Race 9, the $30,000 Class 5 Handicap over 1400m.
Following an unplaced effort over an unsuitable distance at his first start back down to Class 5 two starts ago, Lim’s Dreamwalker demonstrated significant improvement last time out. He travelled three-wide off the speed throughout but still finished strongly in the straight, finding only one too good over 1200m at this track.
Stepping up to 1400m, where notably two of his four career wins have occurred, looks to be a big plus for Lim’s Dreamwalker. Coupled with a 100% top-three strike rate in this class, he can prove hard to hold out.
Elsewhere, promising four-year-old gelding Lightning Strike is poised to score a fifth career win when he returns to Kranji in the $70,000 Class 3 race over 1800m on turf.
Lightning Strike had a fruitful season last year and it culminated in completing four wins in a row in late December.
Though the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained gelding has yet to score from two starts this year, both runs were encouraging, with a solid third-place finish first-up before he ran home strongly to finish fourth over 1600m last time out.
The extra distance will suit Lightning Strike better this week as he boasts an unblemished record over1800m. From an inside draw, he can prove a big winning chance under jockey Ryan Curatolo. - iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 9 No 4 Lim's Dreamwalker
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 3 Lim's Everest
JACKPOT
R1008
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Leg 2: 5, 8
Leg 3: 2, 4, 5
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 25 May 24
RACE 1
1st Pick: SIRIUS (7)
Starting to improve in his last few performances. Stuck on well last start behind Fast And Fearless and did the same the start prior. Okay draw and in-form jockey onboard. Main player.
2nd Pick: SILVER DRAGON (1)
Finds it easier now dropping down to class 5. Drawn low in one and should be in the first three or four in running. In-form and leading stable.
3rd Pick: CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE (4)
Had his chance on a couple of occasions now and should appreciate going up to 1200m on the Poly track. Gets a great barrier. Watch betting.
4th Pick: RED MANED (8)
Good run last start under similar race conditions, led the field, and peaked at the 250m. Darren Danis sticks aboard. Speed influencer and could upset.
RACE 2
1st Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (6)
Two great runs in maiden company most recently. Relishes 1200m and should get a good run from barrier four with Nunes onboard. Main player.
2nd Pick: SPIETH HEROINE (11)
This filly hasn’t had the best of the luck in the past. Good form lines coming out of her last race behind Tommy Gun finishing third. She’s been waiting to break though and gets another chance this week from a perfect barrier.
3rd Pick: SMART ONE (1)
He hasn’t been beaten far in the past. Last start he hit the line hard and has been improving with each run. Should kick up from barrier one and be up on speed.
4th Pick: SINGLE WARRIOR (2)
Had eight attempts to get close now and showed some promise last start when running home late. Should be fit enough.
RACE 3
1st Pick: BLUE IDOL (1)
Drops back to class five here for the Le Grange stable. The last time he was in this grade was November last year beating Luck Of Master. Proven at grade and trip goes close in this.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC BEAUTY (10)
Daniel Moor takes the steer from barrier nine. Not a very big filly and will look to settle in a positive position from that wide draw. She won her lone victory on this surface and expect support.
3rd Pick: SUPER BOWL (7)
Yet to get that championship ring that Super Bowl winners collect from seventeen attempts here in Singapore. Nunes has finished second on him in the past and looks a key booking.
4th Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (4)
Comes out of that Galaxy Bar race two weeks back where he led and boxed away to finish fourth. Probably better suited to taking a sit and finishing his race off. Quartet player.
RACE 4
1st Pick: MASTER PLAYER (2)
Has been continuing to improve with each run this season. Suitable over shorter and longer trips. Gets apprentice claims this week and could be a speed influencer.
2nd Pick: VERY SURPRISE (10)
Good win last start. Flew home from near last and comes down to 1400m this time. He can find it hard to hold form but will go back from the wide gate and look for runs.
3rd Pick: ANGEL BABY (13)
The blinkers really helped this guy last start when getting into a minor placing. He had some excuses and continued to hit the line. Could roll forward from the gate. Watch betting.
4th Pick: GOD'S GIFT (6)
Much improved run last time out over this trip. Obtains a good draw on this occasion and gets a key booking in Bruno Queiroz. Could surprise.
RACE 5
1st Pick: SMART STAR (1)
Swaps over to the turf surface after two very unlucky runs where he has finished second and third in what probably should have been wins had the luck swung his way. Stick with him here. Pinheiro has been called upon to turn his luck around.
2nd Pick: JUNGLE CRUISE (2)
Draws well for our leading jockey in Bruno Queiroz. Wasn’t at his best last start when began awkwardly and was hunted forward. He is better than that and looking for him to bounce back here.
3rd Pick: GALAXY BAR (3)
Won well two weeks ago in lesser grade over a mile. He isn’t just a class five horse he has run second to Lightning Strike beaten a head back in November at this level. Can fill a spot.
4th Pick: NATURE CHIEF (6)
On the quick backup after finishing a long way back behind Super Baby. This will be his eleventh start of the season and has some nice minor placing form to his name over mixed distances. Tough gelding.
RACE 6
1st Pick: GOLD LEGEND (2)
After a couple of disappointing performances in the past, he turned his form around last start over 2000m finishing second to Tony’s Love. That was his career best run here in Singapore. Drawn well this time with Curatolo in the saddle.
2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (4)
His last two runs have been encouraging, both over the mile on the Poly track. Gets the in-form jockey Bruno Queiroz in the saddle from a middle gate. Should be considered again here.
3rd Pick: KHAO MANEE (3)
Has a great record on the Poly track, he continues to show improvement with each run and can hold his form. Should look to run on from the back of the field and shouldn’t have many excuses from barrier No 3.
4th Pick: TIGAROUS (9)
Electric turn of foot for a seven-year-old, finished off well last start when coming back onto the all-weather Poly track. Gets Nunes in the saddle. Good push.
RACE 7
1st Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (6)
His lone victory in Singapore came over this trip back in the middle part of last year. In a race that is full of top chances this gelding gets a gun draw in (3) for Daniel Moor. Ran a top second last start.
2nd Pick: JIN SAKAMOTO (2)
Got a nice win off the back of a strong trial last start in yielding conditions. Doesn’t get many favors from a wide draw and Nunes will have to be at his absolute best to get him home. With luck he can go back-to-back.
3rd Pick: AXEL (4)
He was catching the eye late finishing in third place. Has a terrific record over this distance and has been a great money spinner for connections for a long time. If they go quick early, he will be flying home late.
4th Pick: TE AKAU BEN (5)
Strong winner two starts back in a race that has thrown some strong form lines. Would have been more confident if he drew inside of ten. He possesses plenty of ability when things go his way.
RACE 8
1st Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (8)
He may be the lowest rated galloper in the field, but he brings some nice ability as he heads towards the Four-Year-Old series next month. This will be a nice guide heading to those races and draws well for the inform Fitzsimmons stable.
2nd Pick: ENERGY BABY (2)
Looked the winner everywhere but the line when Flying Nemo at $276 upset the party last Saturday. He is a talented type who always puts in a strong fight.
3rd Pick: ISTATABA (1)
Should get the run of the race from a low draw for Bruno Queiroz. She has been waiting for a longer distance and finally one opens up on the schedule for her. Group one placed and must be respected.
4th Pick: KING OF SIXTY-ONE (7)
Front running style runner who will look to roll forward from his outside gate and try to put a gap on them when straightening. On his past form he isn’t one that usually wins two in a row. Does take catching when left alone in front.
RACE 9
1st Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (4)
Huge run last start, was caught wide and a long way off the leader. He is back to his preferred distance of 1400m and gets Lerner onboard. Key player.
2nd Pick: CONTARELLI (3)
Couldn’t have asked for a better class 5 debut last start just beaten by a better horse on the day (Pacific Star). Stays at 1400m and will look to go back and run on late.
3rd Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (1)
Big performance last start in the same race behind Pacific Star. Draws wide on this occasion and Daniel Moor gets the ride. Fitzsimmons stable is in great form.
4th Pick: BOSS HENG HENG (10)
Should be considered in a field like this. Good run most recently. Woodworth now rides from an inside gate and could see betting support. Okay.
RACE 10
1st Pick: PER INCROWN (8)
Loves this course and distance with a record of 29:5-4-5 to his name. Nunes has been called upon by our leading trainer and that is a strong push for this last race. Watch betting moves.
2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (2)
Ran another brave second last weekend which was his first start on the turf for a quite a while. Returns to the Polytrack and Queiroz will look to give him a good ride from the inside barrier.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (5)
Key gear change with the blinkers going on for his fourth start here at Kranji. Not beaten far at recent runs and gets a key booking with Australian rider Daniel Moor for the strong Daniel Meagher stable.
4th Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)
He is going to try and lead them up as is his usual style of racing. He was far too quick for them to catch two runs ago and must always be treated with caution on this surface and at this level. Four-kilogram claim is key to his chances.