Luke Middlebrook
The spotlight at Kranji falls on the final feature race of the Singapore calendar year, where a competitive field is set to line up for Race 11, the $110,000 Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Saturday.
The recently concluded Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup should offer a reliable form reference for this week’s main event. Both Raising Sixty-One and Saturno Spring drew attention with their late surges, securing fourth and fifth positions respectively in the Gold Cup.
Merely 0.50 lengths separated them, marking them as formidable contenders as they step down to Group 3 this time. Notably, they boast commendable records at this week’s course and distance.
Among the contenders, the sole four-year-old in the field, Bestseller, generates significant interest on the light weight following impressive back-to-back victories in Class 3 races. He is the horse on the rise and no doubt trainer Ricardo Le Grange will have him in peak fitness for the featured event.
Elsewhere, promising four-year-old Golden Brown can make amends for his narrow last-start defeat when he returns to the races in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Trained by Tim Fitzsimmons, Golden Brown had previously been rested for 10 months before resuming with an impressive maiden win two starts ago in early August. Most recently, the Supido gelding was far from disgraced with a close second over this track and distance at his Class 4 debut. The form has since been franked with multiple runners performing well subsequently.
Returning from an 82-day break, Golden Brown has trialled well leading up to his first-up assignment this week. In what appears a below par Class 4 field, he can prove hard to beat. - iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 2 No 1 Lucky Goal
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 4 Jungle Cruise
JACKPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 4, 8
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Leg 3: 4, 6, 9, 11
Leg 4: 1, 2
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 2 DEC 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: CHARISMATIC (2)
She was impressive scoring last outing from a strong front running ride from the inside draw. Drawn wider this weekend and she has been proven on the turf in the past.
2nd Pick: GALAXY STAR (6)
Had every opportunity last start sitting up on the pace and was boxing on well to the line under Ronnie Stewart who retains the ride this week. Has one win and six minor placings at the Long Course over this distance.
3rd Pick: ON LINE (1)
First up since the middle of the year for Stephen Gray and the Falcon Racing outfit. He is a five-time winner up to 1800m and will probably need the run here. Expect to see him hitting the line late.
4th Pick: STARBOY (4)
Draws out in 11 for Nunes who was aboard this gelding last preparation when finishing five lengths behind Last Supper when he scored his maiden win. Watch for any betting moves.
RACE 2
1st Pick: LUCKY GOAL (1)
Our leading trainer and jockey combine again here with this son of Shalaa off the back of a nice on speed performance behind Eruption back on the 4th of November. Has had a few weeks between that run and draws the inside.
2nd Pick: JUNE (3)
Not seen at the races since the G3 Golden Horseshoe behind Greatham Boy where he came from well back to beaten 4.7 lengths. Three trials since October should have fit for a first up tilt but will have to be sharp from a wide barrier.
3rd Pick: LIM'S JINBA (12)
Brings nice form into this event after finishing second to Windfall in similar conditions two weeks ago. She was doing her best work late and expect her to improve second up here.
4th Pick: CHINA PEARL (6)
Should take natural improvement second up after an honest performance finishing fifth on debut. Didn’t have much luck in that race after being forced wide on the turn and can finish in the money.
RACE 3
1st Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (3)
Still a maiden after five starts including three minor placings. Brings some nice form behind some proven maiden winners and expect good market support for this Pacific Stable runner.
2nd Pick: FIRST BOWL (1)
The strong Meagher stable have this eight-year-old back to winning grade where he scored four starts back over this distance. Career stats at this course and distance include two wins and four minors.
3rd Pick: BEN WADE (6)
Was no surprise to see him win again last start for the stable apprentice who has a great record on this class five money spinner. Four of his six wins have come at the distance and again will be aided by the claim and a nice barrier.
4th Pick: SIRIUS (11)
Didn’t have much luck in his last start where he copped a heavy check at the 950m mark so you can put a line through that run. Lightweight chance who could give this field a shake.
RACE 4
1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (6)
Talented type who was a scratching at his most recent start. Gets into this field on a light weight for Ronnie Stewart and Tim Fitzsimmons. He was hot in the selections at his most recent start and expect him to go close here.
2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (1)
Always brave in this class and boasts an impressive record including ten wins and countless minor placings. Seven of those ten wins have come at this course and distance.
3rd Pick: CIANGO (7)
Gave a good sight last start when finishing second behind Buuraq Sixty-One two weeks ago. Blinkers go on for the first time and draws well in gate six. Can improve here.
4th Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (3)
Nunes continues his association with this six-year-old son of I Am Invincible who was an on-speed winner two starts ago. Well weighted and holds claims.
RACE 5
1st Pick: SHIHAB (2)
Has shown glimpses of ability here this season including a few minor placings with Nunes hungry to get a win here. Blinkers go back on for this week and drops back in distance.
2nd Pick: VOLCANIC (3)
Gets a horror draw and probably would have found his way into a top pick. His beaten margins aren’t big and is going to crack that maiden status very soon.
3rd Pick: BINTANG SIXTY-ONE (7)
Will carry a light weight here for one of our leading apprentices. Draws to get a nice run in barrier three and expect to see him take a forward role early.
4th Pick: CITY GOLD WARRIOR (11)
Drops 7kg from his run last week behind My Boss where he was beaten 3.5 lengths. Inside barrier will be to his advantage and looks one for the quartet.
RACE 6
1st Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (5)
Gets a gun draw in barrier two for Duric who takes the steer again after being beaten two lengths to his stablemate last start. Thrives at the distance and will look a big chance.
2nd Pick: KARISTO (1)
Highest rated runner in this field. Will be aided by the claim and doesn’t necessarily need to lead like he did on the turf last start. Has won off this rating in the past.
3rd Pick: HOLE IN ONE (9)
Talented type who tackles the mile first up since September when beaten just over a length to February. He has strong form some very talented types. Looks an each way play.
4th Pick: RED DRAGON (2)
He is a winner of two of his last five starts over this course and distance. Gets in well after the claim for Faiz and is racing in great form.
RACE 7
1st Pick: FLAK JACKET (1)
Shoots up in the weights as he finds his way into the second division of this race. Will behoping for some genuine early speed and his best can see him score here.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (3)
On the quick backup after finishing second to Fast And Fearless last weekend. He goes up five kilograms in weight from that run but gains the booking of Duric.
3rd Pick: BIZAR WINS (7)
Three of his four wins have come at this distance, and he has worked his way down the ratings to a mark of 26. Gets the inside barrier and can gain a nice run early.
4th Pick: GOLDEN WAY (4)
Has shown some nice performances this season including being beaten just under four lengths to Sabah Win last week. If he handles the quick backup could surprise.
RACE 8
1st Pick: ATLAS (11)
Three minor placings from his last four starts showing he is ready to claim a win very soon. Stewart should be able to give him a cruisy run early from the inside draw.
2nd Pick: COMMANDER (5)
Three minor placings from his last four starts showing he is ready to claim a win very soon. Stewart should be able to give him a cruisy run early from the inside draw.
3rd Pick: FORT MUSTANG (1)
Free front running style galloper who will take up a forward position from barrier two. Has scored a win and a minor placing over this course and distance in the past.
4th Pick: JUNGLE CRUISE (4)
Vitor Espindola has been booked to ride this gelding who has shifted to the Burridge stable since the retirement of Takaoka. Proven at the journey and can give a sight.
RACE 9
1st Pick: MAJOR KING (1)
He was huge just going under in the G3 Merlion Trophy last start beaten a whisker to Pacific Emperor. He continues to improve and looks a huge threat to his opposition.
2nd Pick: BRANSOM (12)
He rises sharply in grade coming off the back of a class four win in October. He will be aided by a light weight for Ronnie Stewart and is an ever-improving sprinter.
3rd Pick: THE AUGUST (3)
He brings strong form at this level with some minor placings behind Kharisma and Silent Is Gold in the last few months. Gets a gun draw in barrier two and should sit closer.
4th Pick: SACRED GIFT (9)
Came from well back in the Merlion Trophy two runs ago to finish sixth and wasn’t beaten far at his most recent outing. Course and distance stats are strong to play a part.
RACE 10
1st Pick: MONTANA FLASH (8)
Comes out of that Super Convince race where quite a few face each other again. He sat more forward in the run than he usually does but expect him to show his strong turn of foot here.
2nd Pick: SUPER CONVINCE (4)
Two-time winner who has won both his career wins at this distance. He has shown that his form is proven in other races and our leading stable will have him on song here.
3rd Pick: ERUPTION (5)
Will need plenty of luck after drawing out wide but if he spears across and gets a nice run he can play his part. Has trialed nicely since his last run winning his maiden over this trip.
4th Pick: MAKIN (2)
Proven at the distance when winning three runs ago at this distance beating Jin Sakamoto who was narrowly beaten last weekend. Will need luck from the outside alley but is a danger.
RACE 11
1st Pick: BESTSELLER (11)
Classy type who faces a tough ask at group level against older horses. Continues to rise up when thrown against tough opposition and the light weight will be well in his favour.
2nd Pick: RAISING SIXTY-ONE (9)
He was huge in the G1 Gold Cup where he raced wide throughout and attacked the line strongly finishing fourth. Gets back to a course and distance where he has thrived at this season.
3rd Pick: SATURNO SPRING (4)
He was one of the eye catchers in the Gold Cup who was sent out at a huge price against boom stablemate Lim’s Kosciuszko. Proven on the surface and will be positioned nicely.
4th Pick: RELENTLESS (6)
He has mainly been kept to the turf surface in his career, but he did win his maiden race on this surface a few years ago. If he can resurface his form from last year, then he can be considered.
RACE 12
1st Pick: FIGHTING HERO (4)
Expect him to use that inside barrier to his advantage and get rolling early putting a few off the bit of the turn. He has an impressive cruising speed and has since won a trial.
2nd Pick: TEARDROPS (2)
Gets the favour of a nice draw in barrier four for Duric who brings good career form for a race of this depth. She can be costly to follow but continues to trial well and a win is near.
3rd Pick: LEGEND OF THE SUN (1)
We haven’t seen this gelding in class four since May of 2021 where he scored over this course and distance. Looks well placed in this event and watch for market support.
4th Pick: PACIFIC MV (3)
Gets back to the surface that saw him win and place on two other occasions in the last few months. He has been beaten small margins to some handy ones like Maxima and Bransom.