Great Warrior to get back in No 1 box

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Saturday with an exciting 10-race card featuring both turf and dirt events.

Four-year-old gelding Great Warrior is poised to be rewarded for his consistent performances, aiming to return to the winner's circle in the Class 4 Handicap over 1800m on turf.

In great form, Great Warrior secured back-to-back victories four starts ago and has since collected minor placings in his last three outings. His latest effort two weeks ago was particularly commendable, as he was steadied early, settled off the pace, and finished strongly to claim third over 1600m at this track.

With regular jockey Manoel Nunes retaining the ride and trainer Jason Ong's stable enjoying a purple patch, amassing 18 wins since the start of August, Great Warrior looks well-placed for success this week.

The Jerome Tan-trained seven-year-old Khao Manee put in a gallant effort last start, finishing third despite facing traffic issues in the straight. Between the 400m and 200m marks, he struggled to find clear running room as two horses ahead shifted ground erratically.

It was not until they passed the 200m that his rider shifted him wide, where he responded with a strong surge, ultimately finishing just two lengths off the winner. With better luck in running, he can prove a big winning chance in Race 5.

In Race 7, another runner from Jerome Tan’s stable, Master Player, also impressed with a strong finish to take fourth place over 1000m last time out, clocking the fastest final 400m in 23.68 seconds.

Given the slow tempo of the race, his performance was commendable under the conditions, and he certainly deserves another chance this week. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 6 No 4 Pacific Atlantic

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 8 Master Player

JACKPOT

R256

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 8

Leg 2: 3, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 21 September 2024

RACE 1

1st Pick: WINS EIGHT (5) His last win he was rated 36 and now sits one point lower for the strong trainer and jockey combo of Ong and Queiroz. Draws well in barrier one and should give a good sight in the straight.

2nd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (8)

This eight-year-old is always capable of running on late and paying good dividends. Course and distance stats are good and thrives in this class.

3rd Pick: DIAMOND RING (6)

Should settle up on the speed from a favorable draw. Hasn’t been beaten far his last few and looks more of a place bet in this style of race. Watch for any support.

4th Pick: GREAT COMMAND (2)

Doesn’t get much luck in the barrier department and does seem to do his best racing when drawn lower. Jockey is riding in terrific form and must respect for quartets.

RACE 2

1st Pick: MY DETERMINATION (5)

Looked very slick at his trackwork during the week and although he finished sixth last start, he was only beaten 1.6 lengths to the winner and looks well placed.

2nd Pick: TANTHEMAN (7)

He is the lowest rated galloper in this field but has been running very well albeit without winning. Gets a key booking of Pinheiro who strikes well when teaming up with the stable.

3rd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (3)

At his best he can very much win this event. His 1400m long course record reads (13:4-3-2) and loves these conditions. Just hasn’t looked at his best recently.

4th Pick: THE WILD FIRE (4)

Made strong ground last start to be beaten just under three lengths. That was over 1200m and will appreciate the rise up in distance. Expect market support.

RACE 3

1st Pick: ELLIOT NESS (5)

Has drawn wide so will have to work out some tactics from that alley but Nunes retains the ride, and he was making up good ground last start. Holds the course record over this distance.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (4)

Thrives on this surface and the important stat to look at with him is the last time he won he was rated 57 and gets back to the same mark. Talented type.

3rd Pick: LUCKY BABY (3)

Could be the surprise runner in this field. Form his eighteen Kranji starts he has only been on the Polytrack four times and placed on one of those. Watch the market.

4th Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (6)

Not sure why she was in that turf race last start but put a line through that as she has never finished top four from five turf starts. Back to her favored surface and looks value.

RACE 4

1st Pick: MAKIN (2)

Runner up in the Singapore Derby and has some terrific runs to his name. This is a great lead up race to the Gold Cup in a few weeks and this looks a smart lead up race.

2nd Pick: BIG UNION (6)

Gets in well at the weights for Pinheiro on this talented type who has won four of his last five races in great style. This is a quick rise in class, but he brings great form.

3rd Pick: GHALIB (1)

The last time he ran this course he beat Golden Monkey when he steadied the pace up and was too strong. Gets a four-kilogram claim and looks a key player.

4th Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (3)

A strong winner of his last two starts but they were over 1200m. He is yet to win over these slightly longer trips and you are taking him with some risk if he is favorite.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SPIETH HEROINE (1)

Gets a nice draw in barrier three and comes out of a nice Novice race last month. Just one ordinary performance from her last five starts shows she is in good form.

2nd Pick: EMPOWERING (6)

Scored a grinding win at this grade last start and drops back 200m in trip where he has placed at in the past. Drawn to get a beautiful run for Carlos Henrique.

3rd Pick: ROOK'S GAMBIT (8)

Brazilian gun jockey Bruno Queiroz gets aboard him and searching for this geldings first win since June. Blinkers on is a key gear change. Stable is in good form recently.

4th Pick: BEN'S CHAMPION (2)

He is a winner of two of his last five and his most recent start was a victory over this trip. He has really turned his form around this season and stable have him peaking.

RACE 6

1st Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (2)

On the quick backup from last week where he finished three lengths back from Strike Gold. Gets a much better draw and must have pulled up well to race again.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC ATLANTIC (4)

His last three starts have been on the turf and gets to the synthetic surface where he has run some nice races. Blinkers go back on for this weekend.

3rd Pick: SONGGONG HERA (1)

Surprised with a win back in January and has been on the sidelines since that victory. Comes into this with fresh legs and two trials under the belt. Watch for any betting.

4th Pick: PACIFIC HERO (5)

Went forward last start and was one of the first ones beat finishing ten lengths from Sacred Buddy. Will need to dig deep to improve here.

RACE 7

1st Pick: SALAMENCE (3)

Sat wide on the corner and had a tough fight to the line beaten a length to Mr Hooper. That run was a good indication that a win is near for this now nine-year-old.

2nd Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (1)

Gets his regular partner in Nunes again and has been finishing on average 1.5 lengths to the winner at his last four starts. Just looks one paced at the end.

3rd Pick: COMPELLING (4)

They took the blinkers off last start, and it looked to be the trick with a nice second placing behind Supreme Liner who rates better than this field. Can go one better here.

4th Pick: WAIT U KNOW (5)

Very interesting runner in this event as he gets the services of our leading jockey in Bruno Queiroz. Just the one win to his name here and watch for any market support.

RACE 8

1st Pick: DELILAH (7)

She was heavily supported two starts ago and saluted for a nice win. The winning jockey from that day gets back aboard and she switches back to a winning surface.

2nd Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (2)

Will need some luck from barrier eight but Nunes does know this gelding well. He has great stats on this surface, and this is his second run back in the grade.

3rd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (8)

He has really been catching the eye lately over these Polytrack sprint races showing that a win is nearby. Watch the market closely for any late support.

4th Pick: QARAAT (1)

This gelding has amassed more than $600,000 in prize money and saluted 11 times. Racing first up and looked well in that however his second up stats are much more promising.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S SMYTHE (4)

He looked in a bit of trouble last start when he jumped a short price and was held up on the corner. Once he got out he was too strong for that field and has Gold Cup aspirations in three weeks.

2nd Pick: NIMBUS CLOUD (6)

The last time he raced at this course and distance he beat King Of Sixty-One back in July last year off a rating of 53. He now sits one point lower than that win.

3rd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (1)

The last time he raced at this trip he beat Lim’s Smythe who is fancied to win here and will jump from the same gate as that day. Deserves plenty of respect.

4th Pick: ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (7)

Queiroz will continue his association with this gelding, and he looked to drop the bridle last start over 2000m but picked up well to run into third. Exotics player.

RACE 10

1st Pick: WINS ONE (1)

Gets a terrific draw in gate one for our leading trainer and jockey combo. Five minor placings recently and all in good form races shows he is a leading player in this field.

2nd Pick: RUBIK KID (6)

Rider was questioned in that last start third placing stating that the gelding was laying out under pressure. Was still a very good run when you watch it and a win wouldn’t surprise here.

3rd Pick: CHARMINTON (4)

Hasn’t been beaten far at his last four starts and Nunes takes the ride from barrier eight on the Long Course. He just needs to find a nice position early to be there at the business end of the race.

4th Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (11)

A horse with plenty of ability who needs everything to be in his favor to score. The wide draw is less than ideal but he can be finishing off late in the piece.