Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Saturday for a 12-race fixture at Kranji Racecourse, the final meeting of the 2022 racing season.
In Race 8, the Class 4 1000m Handicap on the Polytrack, handy sprinter South Of The River is primed to complete a hat-trick of wins when he returns to the races second-up.
As a lightly raced five-year-old, South Of The River boasts an impressive record of two wins from three starts. Since blinkers were fitted two starts ago, the Statue Of Liberty gelding has yet to find anyone better, winning both starts by a combined margin of eight lengths over this track and distance.
Most recently, the Michael Clements-trained gelding defied the rise in class first-up when making all effortlessly at his Class 4 debut.
This week, South Of The River remains in the same class while a resultant seven-point penalty for his last start win looks hard to prevent him from carrying on with his winning ways.
Elsewhere, newly crowned Singapore Gold Cup-winning trainer Ricardo Le Grange will be confident that three-year-old gelding Hole In One can make amends for his last start defeat in Race 2, the Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on turf.
Following a few eye-catching barrier trials, Hole In One was heavily backed as the odds-on favourite on debut three weeks ago. Unfortunately, things just didn’t go his way that day when he was badly held up from the 450m to the 200m. Once seeing daylight in the concluding stages, the Spieth gelding ran on fairly for a luckless fifth over 1100m.
With the benefit of his debut run, Hole In One is open to any amount of improvement second-up and meeting a moderate field mixed with inexperienced runners gives him another good chance to break through. - iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 8 No 2 South Of The River
VALUE BET
Race 4 10 Ahorsewithnoname
JACKPOT
R12
Leg 1: 2, 3
Leg 2: 5
Leg 3: 6, 10
Leg 4: 1, 4, 8
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 26 Nov 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: LIM'S ZOOM (3)
Back to class 5 once again where he has been undefeated at the grade this year having dropped back three times for only one run each time. Draws well with Beasley booked to ride, clear horse to beat.
2nd Pick: AJ GOLDEN SIXTYONE (1)
Impressed at his return to class 5 last start going down a narrow margin. Switches to poly but is still a horse who finds a nice winnable race this weekend, among the hopes.
3rd Pick: TAKHI (4)
Nunes remains on board this weekend after running second his last two starts at the grade. Doesn’t draw well yet again but with some luck early, he could be a top three contender.
4th Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (9)
Consistently finding himself in the money of late and hasn’t had any favours either in the runs. A must for the multiples.
RACE 2
1st Pick: HOLE IN ONE (5)
Will appreciate the good draw, the rise in distance, the switch to turf and the race experience. Plenty of boxes ticked to see him run a good race.
2nd Pick: MEWAR (6)
Unfavorable draw but has caught the eye at the trials for the Gandharvi Stable. Expect a forward showing on debut.
3rd Pick: POPEYETHESAILORMAN (8)
Has the race day experience already which is a big plus. The switch to turf should also assist with leading rider Manoel Nunes booked to ride.
4th Pick: FEBRUARY (3)
Draws wide but much like Mewar, has caught the eye at the jump outs. Looks one of the standouts amongst the debutants in the race.
RACE 3
1st Pick: SURREY HILLS (8)
Lightly raced gelding who won his maiden back in April this year. Had a nice run on the speed first up to be beaten three lengths. Should strip fitter second up and with good early speed may take some catching.
2nd Pick: HEADHUNTER (2)
Continues to race well at the top of the ratings in this grade. Has had his opportunities to win from good barriers and just needs to find that extra length to be victorious again.
3rd Pick: SABAH STAR (1)
On the quick backup from last weekend where he finished seventh in a race that was recorded in nice time. This is his first time in class 4 since February where he recorded a win over a longer distance. Watch betting moves.
4th Pick: QAIDOOM (11)
Scored a well overdue win last start in a weaker class. She had a few luckless runs leading up to that and now she has a taste of winning could surprise on the rise in class.
RACE 4
1st Pick: AHORSEWITHNONAME (10)
1400m might still be on the shorter side of what she wants distance but its further than she got last start and the switch to turf looks great for her chances being a daughter of Adelaide.
2nd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (1)
Returns back to the 1400m on turf having impressed the start before on poly. Draws wide but is knocking on the door to win one shortly.
3rd Pick: RAFFIE (3)
Form suggests he struggles to string two solid runs together which dims the confidence knowing he ran well last start. The race he comes out of rated quite well so he must be included in the to two or three.
4th Pick: LIM'S FUJI (8)
Went very hard up in front on debut when known as Ocean Wedge. Hoping to see him settle better over 1400m second up, place chance.
RACE 5
1st Pick: MR HOOPER (3)
Draws the ace again and downgrades after a solid performance behind cash cove last start, horse to beat.
2nd Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (2)
Gains the services of Manoel Nunes ad finally draws a decent gate in his second run back in class 5. 59kg is the only concern.
3rd Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (1)
Carrying top weight from an unfavorable gate but has won his last two starts. Has the winning form on the board with Duric on board yet again.
4th Pick: LIM'S FORCE (4)
Last start winner over the track and distance. Looks a tougher race this time around but wouldn’t shock to see him placing again.
RACE 6
1st Pick: HARRY DREAM (5)
Knocking on the door to win one with a string of minor placings. Her last run has strong form lines behind Super Salute where she came from well back to go down by half a length. She will be rattling home late again.
2nd Pick: CHARMINTON (1)
Nothing went to plan last start when finishing fifth in this grade. Has been marked as improving galloper who headlines the ratings here. Looks well placed in the second division of this race from one of our leading stables.
3rd Pick: WATER ROCKET (2)
Showed nice toe last start over this course and distance only to be swallowed up by Revolution in good time. Strong course and distance stats put him right up there as a winning prospect.
4th Pick: PACIFIC STAR (8)
On the quick back up after finishing third behind impressive galloper Dream Alliance on the turf. Hasn’t been disgraced in his first five starts up here resulting in a win and three minor placings so far.
RACE 7
1st Pick: LIEBESTRAUM (2)
Out to 2000m could be exactly what this runner needs. Gets weight relief with leading apprentice on board, could run a career best race here.
2nd Pick: KHAO MANEE (3)
Requires a rolling tempo to put best foot forward but he is never too far away. Respect.
3rd Pick: ZOFFSPEED (8)
Dead heated to victory last start and was running on super late. Shouldn’t be phased by the extra distance, place hope again.
4th Pick: KING'S SPEECH (5)
2000m specialist at this grade, a must include for trios and quartets as he is rarely far away from the winners over ten furlongs.
RACE 8
1st Pick: SOUTH OF THE RIVER (2)
Jumped straight on the rail and gave them something to chase winning in nice fashion off a long break. He was entitled to knock up late and should appreciate that run under his belt.
2nd Pick: LIM'S PASSION (1)
Drew wide last start and finished strongly to run second behind War Frontier who was far too strong. Holds a nice career record over this course and distance never missing the top four in six attempts.
3rd Pick: OPUNAKE (7)
Racing very well this season with a win a few starts back in this grade. His last two starts he has been beaten by Greatham Girl and Cash Cove who are above average and his best can see him figure in the finish.
4th Pick: HURRICANE (11)
Looks to be a nice horse with plenty of ability. If he can break cleanly and be up there in the running should be competitive at the finish. This is tougher but is on the improve.
RACE 9
1st Pick: CHIVALRIC KNIGHT (6)
Draws quite wide here but to the eye, his performance last start was very impressive. If he can overcome the wide gate early, look for him to be amongst the winning hopes late in the race.
2nd Pick: SALAMENCE (3)
Led all the way last start to win well. Draws an inside alley yet again but carried 59 here this weekend, should be in front a long way.
3rd Pick: FIREWORKS (2)
Back to 1400m looks to be key for him to be putting his best foot forward this weekend. Only issue is the wide draw but the booking of Duric looks to be a plus.
4th Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (8)
Huge run first up. Hoping to see a good performance this weekend second up, stable apprentice on board claiming 4kg.
RACE 10
1st Pick: CON SPERANZA (1)
One this seasons handy four-year-olds where he contested a Singapore Derby and did so very bravely. His last few runs in class 4 have been full of merit and although he probably prefers the turf his best form sees him in the mix. Nunes on a big plus.
2nd Pick: SATURNO SPRING (6)
Didn’t fire a shot last start on the turf but has since trialed steadily for a return to his suited distance on a surface where he has recorded two of his three wins.
3rd Pick: TIGAROUS (11)
Settled midfield to score over 1800m last start off a lightweight of 50.5kgs. Looking to make it three wins on the trot and like they say winning form is good form. Keep safe.
4th Pick: HARDCORE (3)
Drops back in class after a strong second behind stablemate Preditor a few weeks ago. Continues to catch the eye and a repeat performance of last start sees him right up there as a leading player.
RACE 11
1st Pick: LORD JUSTICE (6)
Looking to make it five wins in a row after a dominant display last start in this grade. Amazing training effort to see him rise through the classes as quick as he has. Looks the one on paper. The claim of Seow and barrier one brings him right in this.
2nd Pick: KASSAB (7)
Both starts at his course and distance has resulted in a win and a minor placing. Last start finished midfield on the turf and statistics show he will appreciate the switch back to the Polytrack surface. Will need some luck from the wide barrier.
3rd Pick: NOWYOUSEE (1)
Has been racing in good form at his last couple of starts in this grade. Went down by a length behind Preditor last start and drops back to his suited sprint distance. Don’t write the old boy off.
4th Pick: WATCH OUT BOSS (2)
We haven’t seen him win since August of last year but gets to a suited distance of 1100m and has good form around his previous runs. Tough horse who can surprise.
RACE 12
1st Pick: BIG TIGER (1)
Had to carry the full weight of 59kgs behind handy galloper Super Salute where he caught the eye clocking a slick 23.43. Rates well and must be included.
2nd Pick: COIN TOSS (8)
Finished third in the same race as Big Tiger coming from well back to make up more ground than any runner. Winning form coming out of that race with King Zoustar who finished 11th scoring a win last weekend.
3rd Pick: RENZO (4)
Rates well in the weights and continues his consistent form without winning for some time. With enough luck in running, he can surprise and must be respected as a multiples player.
4th Pick: BIG GREEN HAT
(7)Two-time winner who has taken a while for the penny to drop. Has some strong form lines when carrying light weights and looked sharp in his trackwork during the week. Looks some value in the race.