January chases Group 2 success at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

The Group 2 $150,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m at Kranji Racecourse on Saturday is a highly competitive race, in which several horses have a realistic chance of winning.

Trainer Donna Logan's ultra-consistent January, who won the Group 3 3YO Sprint in his last race, is well-positioned as the highest-rated horse under this week's racing conditions to secure back-to-back wins in the series.

However, leading trainer Michael Clements, has four contenders in excellent form, with Takanini unbeaten and a standout from a low draw. Pacific Warrior, a promising addition to the Kranji ranks with a strong Australian record, could benefit from the distance increase after a solid second-place finish over 1200m.

January's stablemate, Knippenberg, made a strong impression with an impressive fourth-place finish despite starting from an unfavourable position in the 3YO Sprint, and he could be a crucial player in the upcoming race, given his ideal draw.

Bestseller, trained by Ricardo Le Grange, has been another consistent performer and deserves a lot of credit.

Elsewhere, in a bid to return to the winner's list, lightly raced five-year-old Lim's Straight is set to take the turf in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m.

With only one win and two placings in seven starts, Lim's Straight's last performance with blinkers for the first time turned heads as the Strategic Maneuver gelding showed significant improvement.

Although held up badly from the 500m to the 100m, the five-year-old finished with a strong one-length into second place behind Invincible Tycoon over the same track and distance.

This week Lim's Straight looks to build on this promising performance with a decent draw and the services of in-form jockey Simon Kok remaining in the saddle. With a bit of luck in running, the gelding could prove a big winning chance and return to the winner's circle once again. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 2 No 3 February

VALUE BET

Race 11 No 8 Takanini

JACKPOT

R128

Leg 1: 1, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7

Leg 3: 1, 5, 8, 10

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5, 10

 SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 6 MAY 2023


RACE 1 
1st Pick: ATLAS (1)

Drops into class 5 this weekend with a 3kg claiming apprentice on board. Weighted to get every possible chance this weekend and should go close, respect.

2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (7)

Although 1400m and a turf track would be preferred, this horse has been far from disgraced his last two, running on late into second his last two outings. Can place again.

3rd Pick: SOUTHERN MASTER (2)

Copped interference and never looked comfortable at any stage last start. Nunes sticks here, can bounce back.

4th Pick: WIND OF LIBERTY (5)

Still yet to win in Singapore but has placed three occasions in 10 attempts track and distance. Logical top four player.


RACE 2

1st Pick: FEBRUARY (3)

Far from disgraced last time out to the races and the placing doesn’t do the performance justice. Daniel Moor jumps in the saddle as this horse returns to the mile where he was second last time contesting the distance.

2nd Pick: SINGLE WARRIOR (6)

Comes through the same race as February and should appreciate the rise to 1600m. Benny Woodworth stays on board as this horse works toward his first Singapore win.

3rd Pick: APIS (2)

Wide without cover and never got on the track last start. Forgive last run, top three chance in this.

4th Pick: TOP SHOW (5)

A mile is key for this runner. Has been working out towards this distance and with the fitness in the legs now, could figure in the finish.





RACE 3

1st Pick: PACIFIC STAR (7)

Much improved run last start to finish half a length from Trident who followed up that win with a brave run at Group 2 level. He is a get back and run home style galloper who gets in very well at the weights.

2nd Pick: LIM'S STRAIGHT (9)

Was an absolute horror watch last start when supported at a massive price with blinkers on. He saw nothing but backsides the entire straight and all he needs is daylight to figure with that performance.

3rd Pick: ITALIAN REVOLUTION (6)

Dropping back from group company where he just had to do too much work from a wide draw, and it showed at the end. Has some ability this gelding and will hold his own in this grade and moving forward.

4th Pick: THUNDER LEGEND (2)

On debut for one of our leading stables. Formerly trained in the UK where he recorded two wins up to 1600m. Trial was good and watch any betting support.


RACE 4

1st Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (3)

Draws a little closer in this weekend and that could be key for him to put his best foot forward, expecting best performance to date.

2nd Pick: STRONG ACE (4)

Back to a maiden after striking a stronger restricted maiden field last start. Gets 52kg with Simon Kok in the saddle claiming one, each way hope.

3rd Pick: CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE (1)

Solid run last start on debut where had all favours from the gate. Draws out wide but still get a 4kg claim, can figure again.

4th Pick: GROOVY (2)

Jump cost him a top three finish last start. Back to 1100m looks key and Woodworth stays on board who has helped this horse turn the corner and improve, likely to be in the finish.



RACE 5
1st Pick: OUR SECRET WEAPON (1)

Looks one of the better hopes on the program this weekend. 55kg with the claim, apprentice riding well, would be shocked to not see this horse in the finish.

2nd Pick: MR HOOPER (2)

Draws the ace for his second run back in class 5. At this grade, you’d be silly to overlook him for exotic plays.

3rd Pick: SUPERMAX (6)

Hasn’t been seen at the races since May 2022. Nunes jumps on for return run after partnering him a couple trials recently. Keep safe.

4th Pick: CASH OUT (7)

Speed influence with a featherweight this weekend. Should lead her from gate three and looks the one they will be chasing at the turn.


RACE 6

1st Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (2)

Wasn’t able to run last week due to the postponement of this race due to weather and was a genuine chance in that event. Stable looking to adapt a more forward approach for this talented but frustrating gelding.

2nd Pick: RENZO (7)

Lightly raced over 1400m on turf where he has placed on both occasions across both courses. Narrowly defeated last start and on recent runs, he cannot be overlooked.

3rd Pick: BOOMBA (1)

Returns to class 4 where he has a stellar record. Proven to carry weight in this class and should be in the finish with any luck in running.

4th Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (4)

Narrowly defeated by less than two lengths his last couple starts. Consistency wise, he looks a likely place contender. Form suggests 1400m is a more ideal trip but he has the race fitness to see out 1600m this deep into his preparation. Loves a wet track.



RACE 7

1st Pick: TIGAROUS (2)

Nothing went right last start where he was crowded at the start and caught wide throughout jumping from gate 11. Comes into this again quite a few points below the class 5 threshold and looks a decent winning hope for trainer Richard Lim.

2nd Pick: SAYONARA (4)

Led them up last start on the turf and wasn’t too far away. Returns to the poly here but draws out off the track. Will need some luck early.

3rd Pick: MATSURIBAYASHI (5)

4kg claimer jumps on board this 1700m specialist this weekend. He was quite plain last start but gets into this race carrying 51kg. Each way all day.

4th Pick: LION SPIRIT (3)

Narrowly defeated last time out by 0.2 lengths and comes into a very similar race here. Gets the services of Manoel Nunes this weekend and looks a winning hope from an inside gate.


RACE 8

1st Pick: PER INCROWN (1)

Just the one start over this course and distance that resulted in a win way back in January of 2021. He led throughout on that occasion and if he finds the front here could give them something to catch from barrier three.

2nd Pick: SAVVY COMMAND (2)

Last start was a head scratcher to say the least after finding nothing late from a good position in running. On his day he is a much better horse than recent form suggests, hopefully we can see him turn a corner soon.

3rd Pick: LEATHERHEAD (4)

Raced wide throughout last start and made it near impossible to win from where he was. His course and distance record of five wins and two placings is too strong to ignore. Each way.

4th Pick: MASTER OF COIN (3)

Has caught the eye running on late in his last two starts to score a minor placing on both attempts. Should settle back but with a good early tempo he has the form to figure.




RACE 9

1st Pick: LASLOS (2)

Eye catching win in open maiden company last start. Didn’t win by much when it comes to margins, but it was strong enough to be 
competitive here if he can repeat the performance.

2nd Pick: BINGO MASTER (3)

Another strong performance last start finishing a nice second following his victory the start before. Always around the mark and don’t expect anything different here on Saturday.

3rd Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (7)

Draws a great gate with a claiming rider engaged. Carries 52kg of a really nice rating of 38. Can win this with any luck in running.

4th Pick: GEMILANG (1)

Yet to win in three open maidens to date but came from well off last start to run in the money. Would need to be good to win but a top three isn’t out of the question in this class 5 that falls right away.


RACE 10

1st Pick: ROCKETSHIP (2)

This speedy mare returned with an impressive victory first up under the stable apprentice. She had the advantage of a four-kilogram claim and can go either way second up. Mares can be unpredictable but holds good claims from that previous win.

2nd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (7)

Course record holder over this distance and although his last win was down a class, he really caught the eye finishing behind the victors and had to change course when hindered. He is getting close to scoring again. Gets a good barrier.

3rd Pick: COSMIC DANCER (3)

Brave win to share the race with Teardrops. He made use of the good draw which cost him dearly at his previous start. He has plenty of early speed this guy and can back up that win.

4th Pick: PRESTIGE STAR (9)

Well weighted here considering he scored a strong win at Novice level a few weeks ago. Has been a progressive type and his consistent form should be enough to lure you in. Can surprise.



RACE 11 

1st Pick: TAKANINI (8)

Comes into his first group race appearance with an undefeated win streak. Last start over the 1400m, he took his racing to another level following the maiden victory and looks a live chance in this feature event with Calvin Habib partnering him again.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (5)

In a race that was arguably too short for him, he was able to put in a solid performance and gain race day experience in Singapore. He should be a much-improved prospect this weekend heading out in distance and shouldn’t be taken likely despite the horrible draw for Marc Lerner.

3rd Pick: JANUARY (1)

Winner of the first leg of the three-year-old series who gets out further in trip to a more ideal distance this weekend. Looks primed to go close again in this, although it is a much stronger race this time around.

4th Pick: BESTSELLER (7)

Runner up behind January beaten a narrow margin. Yet to produce anything better than a third over 1400m but should be set to run a solid race, each way chance from a middle draw.


RACE 12

1st Pick: GOLD TEN SIXTY-ONE (4)

Consistent four-year-old who has scored four wins here in Singapore and comes into this with two strong trials. Likes to sit up on speed and will be positive from a wide gate.

2nd Pick: ILLUSTRIOUS (2)

Couldn’t cut it up in class and has been freshened up for a crack at this race. Showed a good pair of heels in his trial win clocking 59.73. Only concern is never winning at this distance in the past but draws well for Duric in barrier 4.

3rd Pick: MIMOSAS (10)

Stable have a great brigade of runners in this event and this lightly raced gelding has come with big wraps. Good form around his win two starts ago and strode out nicely to win his trial leading into this. Moor takes the steer but will need to be smart from a wide alley.

4th Pick: LORD JUSTICE (5)

Worked his way up the ratings scale very quickly last season and is first up since February when beaten one length to Big Tiger. Will take the fitness from three trials. Strong hope.