Luke Middlebrook
Polytrack specialist Illustrious looks the one to beat in a Class 3 1200m Handicap, the highest-rated race on Saturday’s Kranji card at Singapore.
He finished runner-up last time and will be looking to go one place better on this occasion.
A four-time winner from 13 starts, Illustrious was far from disgraced with a solid effort at his Class 3 debut last start after scoring a six-length win in Class 4 two starts ago.
Displaying tactical speed as usual, the five- year-old grey led under blistering splits before being caught inside the final 200m, beaten 0.75 lengths into second over this track and distance.
Illustrious has since trialled well to maintain his form and with a better-timed ride, he can prove hard to run down at his second attempt in Class 3. Vlad Duric takes the ride
Elsewhere, Jerome Tan-trained six-year-old Big Tiger is on track to bounce back for a win when he lines up in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Since completing a hat-trick of wins in Class 4 in April, Big Tiger has yet to score at his last five starts, but he did go close to winning on a couple of occasions. Three starts ago, the gelding finished a solid third behind in- form galloper Senor Don over this track and distance in Class 3 before checking into third again at his penultimate start.
Punters can put the pen through his unplaced effort last time out as he couldn’t see out the mile and endured a horrid trip throughout.
This week, Big Tiger will relish dropping to Class 4, where he is three from four, while boasting an impressive record of four wins and three placings from eight starts over this track and distance holds him in good stead to land a fifth career win.
BEST BET
Race 9 No 1 Big Tiger
VALUE BET
Race 7 No 1 Fighter
JACKPOT
R36
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 3 Sep 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: TWELFTH NIGHT (2)
Downgrades to class 5 with proven mile form. Should be in this for a long way and draws the inside gate to find a solid spot in running.
2nd Pick: TIGAROUS (3)
Going well enough up in class 4 to make a serious impression here down in grade. Carries 57 with the weight claim of rider Th Koh, big danger.
3rd Pick: JUST BECAUSE (1)
Out to the mile for the first time but strikes the easiest race since his maiden win downgrading to class 5. If he handles the distance, he can certainly win.
4th Pick: MR BIG BROTHER (5)
Ran second in only attempt over the mile on poly back in August 2019. Draws a good gate and has been racing well of late, could threaten.
RACE 2
1st Pick: IBEX (6)
Gets in here with a nice light weight thanks to the claim and is coming off a solid second placing behind Shanghai Star where they ran nice time.
2nd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (2)
Led them up on debut with blinkers and knocked up late to be beaten a long way. Blinkers come off and should have appreciated the race day experience. Look for an improved run.
3rd Pick: WATERY (3)
Coming out of a strong form race with subsequent winners. This looks an easier task, respect.
4th Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (5)
Not sure if the switch to poly will assist this runner as they search for the elusive first win. On consistency, can’t be left out of the place chances.
RACE 3
1st Pick: RENZO (3)
Finished third behind Gold Ten Sixty-One over this distance last start. Has strong course and distance stats with form around Group winners in recent runs. Can bounce back here.
2nd Pick: BUURAQ (4)
All three of his career wins have come at this distance. Although he is yet to win on the Polytrack he has three minor placings on this surface. Was runner up to Charminton who has strong form around him in recent runs.
3rd Pick: LIM'S ZOOM (5)
Scored a win in class 5 by a decent margin of three lengths. Steps back up in class but finds a small field to bring that winning form into this event.
4th Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (2)
His form hasn’t been at his best in recent runs but if he can return to his best form he can do it in this small field. Maybe one for the multiples at some value.
RACE 4
1st Pick: MIRACLE (1)
Strong win last start under Blake Shinn to score. Loses no admirers with Vlad Duric in the saddle this weekend. If he’s able to handle carrying 59kg, he’ll take a power of beating.
2nd Pick: WILD BEE (3)
Track work has been solid. Since downgrading to class 5, he hasn’t been too far away from breaking through for a win and this weekend finds a nice race to do so, among the chances.
3rd Pick: ATLAS (6)
Back down to class 5 again where he is much more suited and competitive, a must for exotics.
4th Pick: ALEXANDER (5)
Has placed three of his last five runs at the grade and two of those placing have come at the track, distance and grade. Keep safe.
RACE 5
1st Pick: FADABOY (1)
Highest rated runner who has two credible performances to his name so far. Last start went up again experienced gallopers and looked the winner everywhere except the line. Looks a top pick in this.
2nd Pick: ROCKY (4)
One of the strong Logan runners who comes into this off a win in open maiden company last weekend. If he can handle the six-day turnaround he can play a big part yet again.
3rd Pick: EJAZ (9)
Strong win at Restricted Maiden grade last weekend where had a strong turn of foot to score nicely. He backs up quickly but will appreciate the 51.5kgs to try and go back-to-back.
4th Pick: RAFFIE (8)
We haven’t seen him since June last year when finishing second behind Amazing Breeze who has since hit decent heights in his career. Two trials including a strong second in good time in preparation for his first up run.
RACE 6
1st Pick: FIGHT TO VICTORY (7)
1000m was too short last start, back to the 1200m here this weekend suits. A light weight sees him being one of the horses to beat here.
2nd Pick: SUPER TALENT (5)
Race was over early last start getting too far back. Did show glimpses of wanting to make ground late, look for a better run this start.
3rd Pick: RICH FORTUNE (8)
Racing at a level much higher than his rating suggests without winning. Always around the mark and this race doesn’t look very strong, could surprise.
4th Pick: RETALLICA (1)
Highest rated horse in the field. Despite being out of form, Vlad Duric booked to ride which could see the horse improve a few lengths this weekend.
RACE 7
1st Pick: FIGHTER (1)
Lines up on the Polytrack for his first start after two solid performances first up. Comes into this small field at the top of the ratings and his Australian form is strong for this.
2nd Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (5)
His two starts over this course and distance have resulted in a win and a second placing which was last start behind Gold Kingdom. Should be well supported in betting.
3rd Pick: EAGLE EYE (4)
Six of his nine starts over this course and distance have resulted in one win and five minor placings in the past. With a recent win two starts back he looks to be in good form and could be nice each way value.
4th Pick: BE YOU (2)
His only starts on the Polytrack have been over shorter distances where he has placed on two occasions. Didn’t disgrace at his first try at the mile last start and finds a nice race here.
RACE 8
1st Pick: BEN WADE (7)
Ran home well late in the race over 1000m. Back to his pet distance of 1100m and looks at the right stage of his preparations to be targeting a race like this. Big chance.
2nd Pick: DIXIT DOMINUS (1)
Weight relief should aid the chances of this maiden galloper to break through for a well deserved win. Distance a slight concern as some might be a little too sharp for him.
3rd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (4)
Been around the mark in recent starts. Quite an honest horse at this grade over sprint trips on poly, a must include for exotic plays.
4th Pick: JUNGLE KING (2)
Back to class 5 for the first time since dominant first up win. 55kg with the claim of the apprentice rider, at the weights he should be up to his neck in this race with any luck in running.
RACE 9
1st Pick: BIG TIGER (1)
Beaten just under five lengths last start over the mile. He drops back to a more suitable distance where all four of his career wins have been recorded. This looks an ideal race.
2nd Pick: CHARGER (4)
Was scratched on race morning last weekend and finds an easier race this week. His best career stats have come on the turf but has run some solid races on the synthetic surface as well.
3rd Pick: ZYGARDE (5)
Finds his way into the second division and strong performances at his last few starts holds him in strong contention for this. Should show pace and be up there for a good chance.
4th Pick: SALAMENCE (8)
Went down in a close finish last weekend at his first start in class 5. Although he is still eligible for a lower class his best form can see him in the finish yet again.
RACE 10
1st Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (4)
Proven performer on this surface and although wasn’t at his best last start after missing the start he stuck it out to the line strongly. Holds strong claims.
2nd Pick: PALETAS (2)
Starting to build a nice record over this distance and scored in nice style for the new stable last start. Rises in weight but form is strong for him to be considered again.
3rd Pick: NOWYOUSEE (1)
Dropping back in class after contesting the Group 1 Lion City Cup. Finished midfield that day and the start before that was placed in this grade so must be considered.
4th Pick: SIAM WARRIOR (3)
Finished last in the race Paletas won last start but was only beaten a length and a half in a small field. Trialed nicely in good time leading into this.
RACE 11
1st Pick: TEARDROPS (1)
Racing first-up this weekend since September last year. She has three trials under her belt this preparation so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. She is a speedy filly and could claim her first win here.
2nd Pick: KISS YOUR SONG (5)
Doesn’t win all that often in these last few years but all of his best performances have come at this course and distance and has proven before when racing at this rating.
3rd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (8)
Front running style galloper who was successful in class 5 last start. Should bounce out quickly and although it’s been a while since contesting this grade he could very well finish in the placings.
4th Pick: FIREWORKS (7)
With a strong projected early speed he should settle back in the field and tack on to finish strongly. Beaten just under a length at his last two starts in this grade.