January looks best in April feature at Kranji

Luke MiddlebrooK

One of 12 races across the card at Kranji on Saturday, this year’s $150,000 Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) is a wide-open affair with multiple participants having good winning chances.

Trained by Donna Logan, ultra-consistent galloper January, who claimed the first leg, the Group 3 Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) last start, is ideally placed as the highest rated horse under this week’s racing conditions to make it back-to-back wins in the series, rising to his pet distance of 1400m.

However, leading trainer Michael Clements has a strong say with four in-form runners, with unbeaten Takanini a stand-out from his low draw and up-and-comer Pacific Warrior, who had strong form in Australia, suited by the step up in distance after debuting with a solid second over 1200m.

Champion jockey Manoel Nunes sticks with trainer Stephen Gray’s smart-looking youngster Arya Pakuan who is on the rise, while the Ricardo Le Grange-trained Bestseller warrants plenty of respect on his consistency.

Elsewhere, talented four-year-old Silent Is Gold is primed to score a fifth career win when he lines up in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1400m.

A four-time winner with a further five placings from 14 local starts, Silent Is Gold landed his first win in Class 3 two starts ago before finding one too good rising to Class 2 last time out. Sitting on the speed as usual, the Star Turn gelding took the lead from the 300m and was only caught in the final stride by last week’s Group 2 EW Barker Trophy winner Super Salute.

Besides Super Salute, the sixth-place getter of the race Fame Star also franked the form with a subsequent win in Class 2, so it bodes well for Silent Is Gold to return to the winner’s list dropping to Class 3 this week. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 7 No 1 Silent Is Gold

VALUE BET

Race 12 No 6 Lucky Hero

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R252

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4

Leg 2: 9, 11

Leg 3: Field (14 runners)

Leg 4: 6, 10, 13

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 29 April 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: APRIL (1)

Last seen in March where he finished 4.5 lengths to Shanghai Star who has since won again and brings good form. This is his class 5 debut and do not think he will stay in this grade for very long.

2nd Pick: JUST BECAUSE (2)

The last time we saw him at this mark was October last year when winning under Matthew Kellady over this distance. Should sit handy and will appreciate the drop back in class.

3rd Pick: CENTURION (5)

Strong win last start where he sat up on the speed and was just too strong for them in the concluding stages. Seven-time winner who can back up that performance.

4th Pick: TYPHOON (7)

Gets the services of Nunes and has the advantage of drawing barrier one. He must improve sharply to win but respect a runner from a leading stable.

RACE 2

1st Pick: DIAZ (1)

Finished second to Speedy Buck at this level over a shorter trip and had to burn petrol from a wide draw early. Stuck it out well to the line and the winner recorded a nice time. Will sit handy from barrier four.

2nd Pick: GRAND SUPREME (2)

Drops back sharply in grade after contesting the G3 3yo sprint. He was only beaten 5.5 lengths to the winner, and this looks a great steppingstone at start number three in Singapore.

3rd Pick: RHETT BUTLER (12)

Carries no weight being a two-year-old and well bred. Dam was placed at black type grade as a two-year-old and contested at the elite level. Trialed in easy fashion for this.

4th Pick: KING GEE (3)

Comes with race experience but also a string of trials in Australia since joining the Logan team. Won his trial with plenty in hand.

RACE 3

1st Pick: ROMANTIC (2)

Hasn’t won for over a year but is getting back to a very attractive mark in the low sixties. Not far away from another win.

2nd Pick: STAR GLORY (8)

Steps up from non-winners company to class 4 after tearing away from the rest of the field with runner up Strong Ace. A top three finish here off that win wouldn’t shock, keep safe.

3rd Pick: SPORTY SIXTY-ONE (6)

Third up this weekend after a couple of disappointing runs. Still boasts a track and distance record of three placings from five starts over 1200m and with the fitness in the legs, look for her to be running on this weekend.

4th Pick: OUR PINNACLE (1)

Beaten 2.4 lengths by Trident last start who franked the form running a great race in the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy. Willing to respect him here this weekend again as an each way contender with 54kg on his back after the claim.

RACE 4

1st Pick: SACRED SUITE (1)

Racing very well without winning so far in his career and this looks to be a very winnable race for the Tan trained runner. Woodworth on is a big watch.

2nd Pick: MYSTERY POWER (4)

Get back and run home style runner who has been clocking strong sectionals when attacking the line. Finding it hard to win but must include.

3rd Pick: CIRCUIT STAR (2)

Wasn’t able to be up on speed and found some trouble mid race at his most recent start. Go off his win two starts back where he was tough to the line and beat a few of the leading players in this affair.

4th Pick: GAMELY (7)

Tough old gelding who has earned plenty of prizemoney from his string of placings. His last two starts at this journey have been encouraging and will be one to watch.

RACE 5

1st Pick: KISS YOUR SONG (3)

He was huge in his class five debut two runs ago on the turf surface. Trainer has found the right race for him with four of his six wins coming at course and distance. Draws perfectly in three.

2nd Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (2)

Returns to class five where scored his last win back in January beating Bizar Wins. Will be supported in the market and his record is strong for a race like this. Seow has won on him in the past.

3rd Pick: AHONE (1)

Lightly raced USA bred colt who scored a come from behind win on this surface and will be looking for good early speed. Stable doing well with these recent purchases.

4th Pick: RIVER DRAGON (5)

Showed sharp improvement in Novice grade a few weeks back and was only 1.6 lengths away from the winner. Progressive type and one to watch.

RACE 6

1st Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)

Racing in super consistent form. Has been runner up twice since that last win, carrying weight on both occasions. Looks the likely leader again who can control the tempo from the front and with a 4kg claiming rider booked, one would assume they will try and tear away to win.

2nd Pick: DR KARDO (7)

Recent trial winner who has been racing well enough at the grade for his new stable. A win doesn’t look far away for this son of Not A Single Doubt, each way.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (5)

Ex Price/Kent Jnr runner who comes to Singapore as a synthetic track winner already. Despite making his Singapore debut, that form should take him a long way here. A promising trial on April 13th suggests he should be forward enough for a race like this.

4th Pick: NO MORE DELAY (9)

Returns from a bleed this week and has had a few quiet trials in the lead up to his return. Not far away from class 5 where he will be very dangerous, but one must always respect bleeders first up.

RACE 7

1st Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (1)

Returns to Class 3 after another Class 2 defeat to Super Salute. Now a group 2 winner, that form looks very strong for this horse downgrading to a class he won at two starts back. 4kg claiming rider will see him race at 55kg, big weight advantage.

2nd Pick: ELITE INCREDIBLE (3)

Came from well back to hit the line strongly over 1200m. Rise in distance will suit, look for him to be flashing late again third up for the preparation.

3rd Pick: WAR PRIDE (6)

Has won over 1400m on the long course in the past and despite the blunder last start, his form has been super consistent. Rarely too far away from the winners, a must add for exotic plays.

4th Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (2)

1400m long course winner in the past who get Nunes in the saddle this weekend. Had one start before being put back in the sheds for a couple months, trials have been promising enough, respect.

RACE 8

1st Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (4)

Racing consistently over the last four months and although struggling to get the win he is showing signs that it’s not far away. Strong course and distance stats. Strong worker during the week.

2nd Pick: THE JUN (3)

Beaten by the veteran Flak Jacket last start but lost no admirers going under by a quarter of a length. Trainer has him firing and one to keep following.

3rd Pick: BIZAR WINS (1)

Sits a few points higher than his most recent win but he is always dangerous around this distance and will appreciate being in the lower division of this race. Watch the market for support.

4th Pick: GOLD CUT (2)

Capable gelding who just needs everything to go his way. Has a quick turn of foot out of the gates and both of his wins have come at this surface. Can improve.

RACE 9

1st Pick: ZOFFSPEED (3)

Gets back to the Polytrack surface that has given his best performances including three wins from fourteen starts. Winner was too strong last start but attacked the line hard.

2nd Pick: ENDLESS (4)

Comes out of a good form race where Free Fallin’ scored by a neck. That winner has since won up in class weekend and shapes this gelding up as a genuine threat. Doesn’t win often but finds a nice race here.

3rd Pick: SKY EIGHT (1)

Wasn’t able to lead and dictate like he did two starts back where he scored by a good margin. If he can find the front again maybe, we see a better result but that last win wasn’t a fluke he just has to repeat it.

4th Pick: MISSILE RAIN (7)

Drawn well in five for apprentice rider. If he finds the front and has an easy time he can surprise here with a solid run two starts ago in similar conditions.

RACE 10

1st Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (1)

Never found himself out of the top three in his four starts to date. Working towards a win and recent gear alterations suggest a change in tactics this weekend, keep safe.

2nd Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (6)

Has beaten Pacific Bao Bei at this distance in the past. 2000m last start was probably a stretch too far at this stage of his career, back to 1600m is key, respect.

3rd Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (3)

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.

4th Pick: KHAO MANEE (10)

Easy winner down in class last start. Steps back up to class 4 where he has been unsuccessful thus far, but the last start victory was too good to ignore.

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: RENZO (3)

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.

2nd 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.

3rd Pick: TRIBUTO (8)

Recent trial winner who was able to break through in open maiden company last start. Steps up to his toughest test to date in class 4 but looks a horse who could rise to the challenge.

4th Pick: SAVVY COMMAND (4)

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.