Ghalib for third successive Kranji win

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday featuring a 10-race turf and dirt fixture.

In-form four-year-old, Ghalib, is primed to complete a hat-trick of wins when he lines up in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

Ghalib has recently been racing in career-best form, securing three wins from his last five starts. This streak has seen his handicap rating soar from 68 to 89 in merely four months. Despite facing a significant rise in class, from Class 3 to Kranji Stakes A, in his most recent outing, the son of I Am Invincible justified the odds-on favouritism with a facile 1.50-length win in this class.

Following a successful trial, Ghalib is ideally placed in a similar field to continue his winning ways this week. As the sole form choice, he can prove hard to beat from pole position and continue his rise through the grades, with the possibility of an assault on the forthcoming four-year-old series given his high rating.

In the $20,000 Open Maiden contest over 1200m on turf, keep an eye on the Leslie Khoo-trained three-year-old Big Max.

Big Max races on the quick seven-day turnaround after once again failing to run a drum on the Polytrack. On that occasion, although drawn wide, he cut across easily enough and endured a sweet run on the leader’s back. In the straight, he failed to let down and faded, finishing seventh and beaten by five lengths.

Returning to the turf track, where he has placed three times out of five attempts, and dropping in class are key pointers to his chance of improvement. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 8 No 3 Ghalib

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 6 Big Max

JACKPOT

R64

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4,

Leg 4: 3, 4, 5, 6

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 13 April 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: WINDFALL (3)

Put in a great performance last start when dropping down in class finishing second behind Summer Wind. He has good stats on the Poly track and looks like a nice 3yo for the in-form trainer Ricardo Le Grange. Carlos Henrique gets the ride from a perfect draw.

2nd Pick: BENBO (4)

He has mixed form in class 5 and can be hit or miss. Ran well three starts back behind Ciango over 1200m on the turf and has won on the Poly track in the past. Nunes is aboard which is a plus and can play apart in this.

3rd Pick: LIM'S ZOOM (8)

He has run well in this grade but keeps battling for a veteran. Ran a much-improved race last start behind Otahuhu and Lerner is aboard. Wide draw doesn’t help his chances.

4th Pick: RHETT BUTLER (9)

He could be a sneaky chance considering the weaker class 5 field. He is yet to produce a solid performance but has continued to mature with each run. Can surprise. Draws well.

RACE 2

1st Pick: STAR VICTORY (4)

Does his best racing over 1400m on the turf and lead all the way last start. Woodworth is sticking aboard and could do it again. Watch betting. Great barrier.

2nd Pick: BIG DAY (11)

In the same race behind Star Victory last start and found the line brilliantly. He will be a major player in this and should see plenty of betting support on race day. Apprentice claims.

3rd Pick: SAYONARA (8)

Great run last time out when finishing third behind Commander Jones. Bernado Pinheiro is coming in to ride for trainer Ricardo Le Grange and can upset.

4th Pick: BRAVO KID (10)

Best performance to date last start in maiden company. Looks to relish 1400m and will need to lift to another level to be competitive but won’t be without a chance in class 5.

RACE 3

1st Pick: HOLE IN ONE (5)

Nunes booked to take the steer and draws perfectly in barrier two. Not seen at the races since last September but recent trials have been strong.

2nd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (2)

Speedy type who should look to lead this field up with Pinheiro in the saddle from a midfield draw. Consistent place getter from his last six outings.

3rd Pick: PER INCROWN (4)

Expect him to get back as is his usual running style but can be very dangerous off a hot early speed. Seow knows this gelding well.

4th Pick: CASH COVE (9)

Blinkers go back on this weekend to try and recover some form that saw him looking like a horse that would rise through the grades quickly. Can improve.

RACE 4

1st Pick: TIGAROUS (6)

Form has been solid enough to say he is going to be met with plenty of betting support. Leading trainer and apprentice combine. Expect to see a big show in this lineup.

2nd Pick: KINABALU LIGHT (2)

Scored a nice victory two starts back in a similar rated race when beating Raging Rabbit. Draws the inside for returning jockey R.Maia. Watch market support.

3rd Pick: SKY EIGHT (3)

Led and gave a sight last start but failed to see out the race finishing a promising fourth behind Pacific Spirit. Gets a much better barrier draw this week.

4th Pick: RAGING RABBIT (5)

Connections have called upon Nunes to make this USA bred gelding find some form. His best run was three starts back behind Kinabalu Light who he faces here again.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SPIETH HEROINE (12)

She has a great chance on the weekend. Yet to break through here in Singapore but continues to improve with each run. Raced wide last start and hit the line hard. Should go close again from the inside gate.

2nd Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (9)

Ran into minor money last time out in Class 5 on the Poly track and Nunes gets the ride on the weekend. Should sit midfield and has plenty to offer.

3rd Pick: JULY (7)

Has an okay chance here. Does most of his racing over 1200m and the Falcon Racing camp are flying. Strong performances in his last two runs. Okay.

4th Pick: BUREAUCRAT (1)

Two minor placing of late and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Sat up on speed last start and just peaked on his run. Still green and should take improvement from those performances. Gets Favors from the barrier.

RACE 6

1st Pick: RED MANED (3)

Has great form leading into this race. Ran well last start over 1100m on the Poly track when up on speed, stuck on nicely for a minor placing behind War Star who has come out and won in class 4. Should go well from the insider barrier.

2nd Pick: OUTFIT (5)

He’s had a lot of excuses in the past and should be rolling forward form the outside gate, needs everything to go his way but should get every chance with Lerner aboard.

3rd Pick: TAKHI (4)

Does his best racing on the Poly track and has had a lot more experience than some of the opposition. Should get a good run from the draw.

4th Pick: SABAH WIN (6)

Will drag back from the outside barrier but hasn’t been beaten far in his last couple of performances. Ruan Maia gets the ride.

RACE 7

1st Pick: LIM'S FUJI (4)

Last start was his best performance to date. Stormed home from the back of the field to finish second behind Dancing Supremo, he found the line well and looks to be right in this. Will look to push on from the wide gate.

2nd Pick: TAVI WILL DO (9)

Ran okay last start over 1700m and is consistent. Now comes back onto the turf and down to 1400m which should suit. Good record on this course and distance. Awkward barrier but Nunes sticks aboard.

3rd Pick: SUPER BABY (2)

Been running okay recently, wasn’t beaten a long way behind Bakeel last start but meets a weaker field and get a moderate barrier draw. Been running in class 4 and should be flying home late. Had a recent trial.

4th Pick: CROWN DANCING (8)

A dangerous front-runner with a lot of ability. Continues to be competitive in this class and will jump and run from barrier six. Shouldn’t have too many excuses and will see betting support.

RACE 8

1st Pick: GHALIB (3)

A winner of three from his last five starts with his most recent win coming in this same grade of race. Nunes sticks and should have a beautiful run form gate one. Smart type.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (1)

Top rated galloper who has a group three win to his name last season. Gets back to a suitable trip to make improvement. Cannot be ignored.

3rd Pick: THE AUGUST (4)

Wasn’t able to lay a blow in a similar race last start behind Singapores best. Now we see him jump from a better barrier and giving another chance. Record good on this surface.

4th Pick: SACRED GIFT (6)

Should settle back in the running and look to have one crack at them late. Finished a strong second to Ghalib two runs back looks good form.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LAKSANA (1)

Gets the services of Nunes from a low draw. Didn’t get that luck in the barrier department last start and shouldn’t have to do as much work in the early stages.

2nd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (3)

Continues to bring that form forward since his much-awaited win two starts back. The winner Jungle Cruise was far too good, and he was the next best of the rest. Racing in a good space lately.

3rd Pick: NINEONEONE (6)

Will settle back as expected. Couldn’t make an appearance as the leaders went steady and he wasn’t able to bring himself into the race off the slow speed. Can bounce back.

4th Pick: COMMANDER (4)

Gets a low draw for the inform Marc Lerner in the saddle. Will have to jump cleanly if he is to be in contention. Last start was an improvement.

RACE 10

1st Pick: NIMBUS STAR (6)

Rises up to the 1400m with a string of strong minor placings over his last five starts. This is the best draw he has had for a while and will make use of it early. Top player.

2nd Pick: AXEL (1)

Thrives at this course and distance the ten-time winner. Blinkers go back on him this weekend and although he will be back in the field watch for him late. Jaden Lloyd to take the steer.

3rd Pick: TE AKAU BEN (8)

His last two performances have been brave and looking for him to capitalize on that recent form with a win here. Talented type who is more than capable of winning here.

4th Pick: AVALANCHE (4)

Came off a hot speed last start to finish into third place. Should take plenty of benefit second up and Nunes takes the ride for the Fitzsimmons stable. Watch for betting support.