Get a Gold Star for racing at Kranji

Get a Gold Star for racing at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday at Kranji Racecourse featuring an 11-race turf and dirt fixture.

Quality sprinter City Gold Star looks primed to land his fourth local win when he returns to Kranji in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on turf.

City Gold Star has been racing in great form since kicking off his local racing career in April this year, scoring three wins and being placed twice. The Written Tycoon gelding finished a meritorious sixth in the Group 1 Lion City Cup three starts ago, well and truly outperforming his rating on that occasion, before franking the form with a subsequent win in this class.

Most recently, the David Kok-trained gelding secured a fast-finishing third in a slowly run race, while casting plates during the race also discounted his performance – a big run against the race shape.

Boasting a promising record of a first and a third from two starts in Class 3, City Gold Star looks capable of improving the record with a return to the winner’s list this week.

Elsewhere, in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on turf, keep an eye on the Desmond Koh-trained four- year-old Sacred Buddy.

The gelding outperformed market expectation with an impressive win on debut 35 days ago, sitting on speed and sprinting sharply in the straight to score by 4.50 lengths over this track and distance in an Open Maiden contest. In addition, effortlessly overcoming an awkward draw made the win even more compelling.

He has since trialled in fine style and appears to have still plenty to offer. Despite facing a competitive field, with Silo and Greatham Boy expected to take up a large portion of market percentage, he is worth considering for better value given his exposed form, on paper, reads inferior. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 10 No 4 City Gold Star

VALUE BET

Race 11 No 14 Sacred Buddy

JACKPOT

R144

Leg 1: 1, 6, 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 3, 5, 7, 14

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 9 DEC 23

RACE 1 
1st Pick: WAR WARRIOR (3)

Returns to class five where he recorded his last win four starts ago under Nunes. Clyde Leck takes the steer this weekend and should show a forward position from barrier four.

2nd Pick: SABAH WIN (6)

Last start winner who gets the booking of our champion jockey Nunes for the in-form David Kok stable. Draw is a little bit tricky but is a last start winner and stays in the grade.

3rd Pick: CITY GOLD LUCKY (1)

Makes his class five debut after eight ordinary performances since arriving here at Kranji. Should appreciate the drop in class and watch for any betting moves.

4th Pick: THE STAR (4)

Won a similar style race back in October under Vlad Duric but connections have called upon in form apprentice Rozlan who will take three kilograms off. Form is solid and can bounce back.


RACE 2

1st Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (8)

Last years dominant combination of Nunes and Fitzsimmons rejoin forces here for the first time in quite a while. Trialed nicely in moderate time showing a good turn of foot recently and finds a nice race here.

2nd Pick: STAR NORTH (3)

Should improve second up with blinkers on that he wore to a fifth placing trial recently. His maiden form earlier in the year is very strong and looks a key player.

3rd Pick: JULY (11)

Draws well down in the weights and is first up since August with three trials under the belt for our leading stable. Should get plenty of market support.

4th Pick: PRINCE LONHRO (1)

Severely checked after the start in a race where the leaders clocked a very quick 23.30 which is absolutely flying. He was off the bit the whole way and hit the line well. Will need luck from a wide draw.



RACE 3

1st Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (4)

Will look to get back early in the run form the wide draw. Gets the blinkers back on for the first time since July. He won his maiden with the blinkers on and form is solid.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC MASTER (2)

Draws perfectly in barrier two for Duric to position him up off the hot early anticipated speed. He should look a danger at some point down the straight.

3rd Pick: BABY TWINS (5)

His run was good on Gold Cup Day on the turf which is his unpreferred surface. He led them up easily and was beaten three lengths. Well suited back on the Polytrack.

4th Pick: WRITTEN TOWIN (11)

Lost no admirers behind Cash Cove when up in class after his maiden win two starts back. Building a nice profile and if he gets a nice run from the wide draw he can surprise.


RACE 4

1st Pick: GUN (5)

He will carry next to no weight after the claim for Jamil as he looked to resent the kick back on the Polytrack last start. His last start on the turf was strong behind a very good horse in Kungfu Hero.

2nd Pick: SURFING CLOUD (8)

On the quick backup after having no luck down the straight being held up for the better part of the last 300m. If he handles the backup and finds clear ground can go well.

3rd Pick: LIM'S SARAMATI (1)

Gets the blinkers added for the first time for the strong Meagher and Lerner combination who are striking at 23.1% from their last 39 runners. Should show plenty of improvement.

4th Pick: OCTOBER (6)

Comes out of the same race Gun competed in back in October finishing third. Caught the eye winning a trial in 60.27 and should be there in the finish.


RACE 5
1st Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (1)

He will look to go off as favourite coming off a nice second placing behind Blue Idol. Nunes has a great record on this gelding, and he will be winding up strong late.

2nd Pick: NINEONEONE (5)

He will need strong early pace to find his turn of foot that has seen him record three wins with two of those wins coming on this surface.

3rd Pick: RAGING RABBIT (7)

He has been gradually improving at his last three starts including a nice minor placing over this trip at his most recent outing. Connections adding blinkers to sharpen him up.

4th Pick: MR BIG BROTHER (4)

Hasn’t quite been able to bounce back to winning form since returning to class five three starts ago. He should appreciate no weight after the claim, and you shouldn’t forget him.


RACE 6

1st Pick: EASY BREEZY (4)

Very brave behind Lightning Strike last start after copping a nasty check at the 1050m mark sending him back through the field. Hit the long strongly and will be looking for a more trouble-free run.

2nd Pick: HERO (3)

Nunes has been called upon to get this gelding back to winning ways. Our champion rider has had seven rides on him now for two wins and three minor placings with his most recent win back in March. Can improve here.

3rd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (2)

Finished second to Smart Star a few weeks back with that winner coming out and scoring again in nice style last weekend. Will probably press forward from the wide alley and will need a lot of luck.

4th Pick: LONGEVITY (14)

Proven at the distance with a maiden win on the Polytrack last start beating Shihab who subsequently won last weekend in a tough win. He is well weighted here at a price.


RACE 7

1st Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (2)

James Peters has caked upon Nunes to take the steer on this seven-year-old who comes into this off a nice third placing behind Sabah Win. Draws well and looks a key chance.

2nd Pick: RICH FORTUNE (6)

Seow will be hungry to score on this now eleven-year-old after a few minor placings not beaten far in his recent six starts. Best barrier he has drawn in some time.

3rd Pick: SUPERIOR COAT (5)

The last time Marc Lerner was aboard this gelding they finished second to Rich Fortune who he faces again this weekend. Always performs well in this grade and can score.

4th Pick: BENBO (7)

He hasn’t been able to score since his debut run over this course and distance back in February beating a very moderate Open Maiden that day. Returns to the Poly which will play in his favor.


RACE 8

1st Pick: FORESHADOW (1)

Gets back to class five where he recorded his last victory back in August after doing it all the way from barrier to post. Rises 9kgs from his last start but maps well and will relish this class drop.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (2)

Came from well back last start when heavily supported in betting to go under by half a length to Charismatic who has since ran second last week so form is holding strong.

3rd Pick: GOD'S GIFT (10)

Has a stellar record at this distance and will be aided by the three-kilogram claim after Jamil takes the weight off. Knows the horse well and will need good early speed to finish off.

4th Pick: TAVI WILL DO (12)

His form has been consistent enough over his last five starts that have recorded a win and a minor placing. That win was over this course and distance and should play a forward role.


RACE 9

1st Pick: CONDOR (9)

Quite a few of these runners come out of the race that Cash Cove won a few weeks back and this colt finished third beaten half a length. Draws well in barrier one for Nunes to not spend too much in the early stages. Big watch.

2nd Pick: ITALIAN REVOLUTION (2)

Was sent forward from a wide draw under Ronnie Stewart over 1000m and never looked in doubt winning comfortably by 1.3 lengths. Rises slightly in trip but holds a key chance now he is back in winning form.

3rd Pick: SURREY HILLS (12)

Continues to tease punters that a win is near, and it will come in the not-too-distant future. Expect plenty of early speed with this gelding being one of them. Watch for any betting moves.

4th Pick: CONTARELLI (5)

This former Mark Walker trained four-year-old gets the blinkers added for his Kranji debut. Has one win to his name over 1100m at Taupo back in March. His trials have been quiet so watch for him fresh.


RACE 10

1st Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (4)

Nunes has ridden a few of the fancies in their recent starts and throws his leg over this David Kok trained runner who was a winner two starts back beating Dream Alliance who finished second in the Gold Cup. Draw not the best but can present here.

2nd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (8)

His career best performances have all come at this distance on the Long Course. Gets the advantage of a nice barrier to position up early and can bounce back in a big way here.

3rd Pick: ASIF (2)

Racing in very nice form over his last five starts that have recorded two wins and two placings. After Seows claim he will carry 54.5kgs. Scratched at his most recent start where he was a key chance.

4th Pick: MT NISEKO (13)

Eligible for class four off a rating of 67 but being thrown in here up in class but down in weight could be a smart move from the trainer. Will need to dig deep to win but has some favors.


RACE 11 

1st Pick: SILO (7)

Talented youngster who gets in with a light weight and a decent barrier (3) for the Seow/Crutchley combination. Does his best racing this trip and comes into this well.

2nd Pick: GREATHAM BOY (3)

Our best two-year-old of the season was brave beaten by a proven class four galloper last start. He has the benefit of a trial win between his first and second up runs. Draw is against him here.

3rd Pick: FROM THE NAVY (4)

Got back to winning ways two runs ago before finishing second to a real up and comer in Last Supper at his most recent start. Should press forward and play his part.

4th Pick: KICK (5)

Still a maidener after 12 starts here at Kranji but gets the booking of Nunes from nice barrier. He has placed twice in his last five outings at this level and can find his way into the finish.