It is the day of the Condor at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues at Kranji Racecourse on Saturday featuring a 12-race turf and dirt fixture.

Three-year-old colt Condor, trained by Tim Fitzsimmons, is primed to return to the winner’s enclosure when he lines up in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1000m on the Polytrack. Condor broke his maiden in fine style four starts ago and he has gone close to winning at his recent starts in Class 4.

Two starts ago, the son of Encryption finished a close third behind Cash Cove over 1100m before running a luckless fifth last time out, when he was unable to find sufficient galloping room from the 400m to the 300m.

This week Condor is ideally placed in a below-par Class 4 field where the main danger, Always Together, has drawn wide, indirectly enhancing Condor’s winning chance. He looks like the one they all have to beat from a low draw and stepping back to 1000m.

Elsewhere Luck Of Master looks well place to rebound after he had excuses in the run as the odds-on favourite over 1700m on the Polytrack last start, checking in 3.25 lengths into fourth.

After he was crowded on jumping, he was held up in the straight from the 300m until passing the 150m. Once he switched off heels and found clear galloping room, the race was all but over.

However, he found the line strongly.

Switching to turf and rising to 1800m are two significant factors that will enhance his winning chances, while in a race lacking depth, he stands out as the form choice.

In the Open Maiden Division 2 over 1400m on turf, China Pearl can break through third-up. It is hard to look past this three-year-old as he takes a massive drop in class from two starts in Restricted Maiden races into Open Maiden company.

On both occasions, he has come home strongly late, over 1100m on debut and 1200m second-up. The rise to 1400m third-up looks ideal, while the low draw should ensure every chance of winning. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 5 No 3 Luck Of Master

VALUE BET

Race 9 No 5 Hugo

JACKPOT

R192

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Leg 2: 1, 3

Leg 3: 2, 7

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 7

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 30 Dec 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: COMMANDER JONES (12)

Good record in this class, only the 6 starts but always around the finish. Comes onto the turf long course for the second time and draws a low barrier like its run behind Pacific Commander two starts back.

2nd Pick: ROOK'S GAMBIT (9)

Nunes sticks aboard the 4yo after finishing in the placing last start behind Free And Happy. Does step back in distance from 1600m. Has experience on the long course and should be the danger.

3rd Pick: ON LINE (4)

One of the older horses in the field. Does struggle to find his best from but wasn’t beaten far behind Gamely last start. Duric hops aboard which is a good tick.

4th Pick: NATURE CHIEF (1)

Had an impressive hit-out in a trial on the 14th. Jason Ong has kept the fitness levels high for the 4yo, giving him a trial each time between runs.

RACE 2

1st Pick: SACRED GOLD (1)

Has okay form for an open maiden, won a recent trial and draws perfectly in four. Has been on the turf but only one start on the long course.

2nd Pick: SEAMLESSLY (3)

Was forced to go forward last start and raced wide, settled okay on speed, boxed on in the straight and just faded late. Will get an easier run from barrier three.

3rd Pick: OCTOBER (7)

Has been running well in maiden company, three starts for two placing is a good record and shouldn’t be too far away from this.

4th Pick: RIVER DRAGON (4)

Jumped slow from the stalls and was a long way back last start. Has had a couple of weeks to freshen up. Draws a good barrier and should be a good chance at a big chance.

RACE 3

1st Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (4)

Was a blowout winner last start defeating Black Storm. Comes back onto the poly track and back to 1000m. Could hold its form.

2nd Pick: SONG OF NATURE (9)

Ran a nice race last start behind Last Samurai. Closed off rapidly from the back of field to finish third in a slowly ran race. Conditions are very similar, and the barrier shouldn’t be a worry.

3rd Pick: CONDOR (6)

Enjoys the poly track and the distance. Has shown great ability in this class. No luck behind Surrey Hills last start. Held up a crucial point and has trialed well recently. Won’t carry a lot of weight.

4th Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (3)

Does need to bounce back after last, laid in under pressure and raced wide. Nunes picks up the ride which is a plus but draws out wide.

RACE 4

1st Pick: LIM'S SINAI (1)

Has consistent form, been placing in maiden company most recently, has been ticking over with trials between runs. Raced wide last start and had excuses.

2nd Pick: TANTHEMAN (2)

Went to the back of the field last time out and pulled out wide in the straight. Fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Has the ability to break through and has a good barrier.

3rd Pick: TOP CONFIDENCE (3)

Was locked away on the fence last start and needed to make up plenty of ground. Gets apprentice claims. Should be a contender.

4th Pick: SURFING CLOUD (8)

Wasn’t quite up to the mark last start, was held up early in the straight and again at the 100m. Draws low and gets a claim. Stable is in great form.

RACE 5

1st Pick: TONY'S LOVE (1)

A 6yo with plenty of racing experience. Has been ticking over between runs with a recent trial. Has placed on the long course over this trip before. Draws well.

2nd Pick: NINEONEONE (9)

Had a good win back in October. Went down to 1700m from 2000m last start and is now back onto the turf, usually gets back and must contest with a bad barrier.

3rd Pick: ATLAS (11)

Been 5th behind My Determination most recently, has a consistent record on the turf and now changing from Shane Baertschiger to Jason Ong who’s in good training form. Went to the front in his recent run but faded late.

4th Pick: JUNGLE CRUISE (6)

Raced keenly last start, had some excuses, and shuffled back through the field late in the piece. Lightly raced and should be respected.

RACE 6

1st Pick: RED DOT (1)

Really sharp away from the barriers, will be on speed. Hasn’t got a lot of race day experience but has run good times in its trials. Has good form against a few of these. Most recently scratched on the 17th.

2nd Pick: LIM'S ZOOM (6)

The oldest horse in the field. Draws perfectly, had a good win last start sitting on speed. Does come down to 1000m and enjoys the poly. should be very prominent in the finish.

3rd Pick: BABY TWINS (2)

Has had admirers when finishing in the placing last two starts. Lightly raced and hasn’t had too many excuses. Poly and distance shouldn’t be a concern.

4th Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (7)

Had a recent trial which was fair. Draws a sticky gate and needs to improve off recent form. Does have ability and more experience than most of the field.

RACE 7

1st Pick: SCHNEIDER (5)

Beaten favourite last start, post-race confirmed the colt was lame near-fore. Raced ungenerously in transit and boxed on down the straight. Has draw terribly and will need to bounce back in a big way.

2nd Pick: BIG DAY (8)

Dropped back in the field shortly after the start last time out, was a long way back and had some traffic late in the straight, was unlucky and could get a good run from the barrier and will carry almost no weight.

3rd Pick: CROWN DANCING (2)

Great front-running display last start. Dictated for Nunes who is aboard again. Barrier won’t be a concern, steps away very quickly and pushes forward. Can go back-to-back in this class.

4th Pick: CHIVALRIC KNIGHT (4)

Doesn’t have the best form lines but trialled well during the week and draws a good barrier, could be a danger at a price.

RACE 8

1st Pick: SMART STAR (2)

Lightly raced with two wins so far, both have been very similar. Sits on speed and does get a little keen during the middle stages in its races. Won at 1600m and 2000m, Distance shouldn’t be a concern.

2nd Pick: GREEN STAR (1)

The 10yo has plenty of experience over this field. Sat on pace last start off a slow speed and only just won. Will carry big weight and needs to bring his best form.

3rd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (3)

Is ultra consistent. Has been very unlucky to not get a win. Last start he dropped out the back and raced wide, flew home to finish second behind Roda Robot in this class. Distance suits and should be the main player.

4th Pick: EASY BREEZY (4)

Pretty inexperienced for a 7yo. Only 11 starts but hasn’t been disgraced. Hasn’t got the best record on the long course but should be fit and can run home late.

RACE 9

1st Pick: CHARISMATIC (1)

Her recent performances have been impressive to date, most recently 2nd behind Gamely which is a good form line. The distance and the poly track will help, always puts herself on speed which is a plus.

2nd Pick: WAR WARRIOR (3)

Had to go back in his recent start. Didn’t have clear running in the straight and flew home late for third. Right in this.

3rd Pick: SUPER BABY (6)

Did it tough last start racing wide, was gallant in defeat and it was a very honest run. Will need to jump better and get cover. Draws well and should be in the finish.

4th Pick: BIONICS (8)

Doesn’t draw the best barrier but jumped away from the stalls quickly. Got pressured in the straight and will need to improve to be amongst the finish.

RACE 10

1st Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (1)

Racing is great form, off the back of a sharp trial win. Does need to rise to 1800m and carry more weight but is proven in class 4.

2nd Pick: RODA ROBOT (3)

Two solid wins most recently, shows early speed and should be amongst the first four. Will be one of the key contenders.

3rd Pick: SPLIT SECOND (9)

Coming out of the same race as Roda Robot. Drew awkwardly last start and went back, had some excuses. Did well in his previous run before that but has recently gone up to class 4. Will need to bounce back.

4th Pick: ROCKY (8)

Last two starts racing behind Roda Robot. Now gets onto the turf, has always been around the mark for this class and could improve.

RACE 11

1st Pick: ANIKI (1)

Draws perfectly, only has the two starts but showed promise. Winning his maiden sitting on speed and on the poly. Now onto the turf and similar distance. Should be a key contender.

2nd Pick: CONTARELLI (2)

Only the one start but is an up-and-coming 4yo. Got back and had excuses in the straight, comes onto the turf and the barrier shouldn’t be a major concern.

3rd Pick: STOP THE WATER (9)

Two impressive performances to date. Had apprentice claims last start. Draws awkwardly.

4th Pick: STAR NORTH (3)

Honest win in his maiden last start. Drew perfectly and sat midfield. Can bring confidence and that turf experience into this. Still green.

RACE 12

1st Pick: SILO (5)

A very promising 3yo colt for Steven Crutchley. Has continued to prove himself. Measured up to the rise to class 4. Strong win last time out but carries more weight on this occasion. Is well fitted on the turf long course. Big player.

2nd Pick: MAKIN (1)

Rider dropped the whip in the straight last start, just losing to Ace Of Diamonds. Takes luck out of the equation and has a high cruising speed. On a back-up of two weeks and comes back to 1200m, well suited for this.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (2)

Ran a nice second back in May in this class. Has been trialling moderately of late with slow speeds. Could be an outside danger.

4th Pick: WAR PRIDE (4)

Had every chance last start. Faded coming into the straight. Didn’t finish off like usual. Sat behind the pace in a very slowly run race. Will need to peak.