Jinsha to get back on a winning track

Luke Middlebrook

Talented sprinter Lucky Jinsha is a stand-out bet on Sunday’s 11-race turf and Polytrack fixture at Kranji Racecourse as he tackles the feature race on the card, Race 10, the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

Boasting an impressive record of seven wins from 11 starts on the alternative racing surface, it earned Lucky Jinsha the Champion Polytrack Horse title at the Singapore Racing Awards for the 2022 season recently.

Despite tasting his first defeat over this track and distance in his last start, it was a run you can put the pen through as he travelled three-wide on speed and was entitled to weaken in the straight given the frantic tempo of the race.

Resuming off a 99-day break, Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Lucky Jinsha is well prepared with two trials for his return and what caught the eye was the most recent one, when he cruised to the line first by a clear margin of 5.25 lengths in fine style, suggesting he’s ready to bounce back in a big way.

Elsewhere, quality five-year-old gelding City Gold Forward looks on track to land his first local win when he lines up in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on turf.

A three-time winner with as many placings from 12 starts in Australia, City Gold Forward has performed well at both starts since arriving at Kranji this season. The David Kok-trained gelding finished a slashing second on debut before checking into a solid third behind highly promising General Command over this distance second-up.

This week, City Gold Forward is suited by returning to the turf track, where all his three career wins have occurred, and with champion jockey Manoel Nunes jumping in the saddle, he can prove a big winning chance third-up. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 10 No 2 Lucky Jinsha

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 9 Schneider

JACKPOT

R12

Leg 1: 2, 4

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 5, 7, 9

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 16 April 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (5)

Couldn’t sit as forward as he would have preferred when going down by a length from a wide barrier last outing. Holding consistent form lines this season and with luck will prove hard to beat from a midfield draw.

2nd Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (2)

Has one win and five minor placings at this course and distance in the past. Has been hitting the line strongly at his last two starts and comes into this race a serious threat.

3rd Pick: THE JUN (6)

Got back to winning ways last start for his first win since 2019. Now he has a taste of victory can train on and be around the mark. Watch the market again with him. Nunes on makes him appealing.

4th Pick: FLAK JACKET (3)

His last two starts in this grade he has been the victim of bad barriers and still racing well at the ripe old age of 12. His class five is solid and all he needs is luck early from another wide barrier.

RACE 2

1st Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (2)

Has the most consistent form out of any of these runners without winning and lines up as a genuine favorite due to his second placing last start. He is no superstar, but neither are his opponents this weekend.

2nd Pick: SHIHAB (6)

Was scratched last weekend and looked a nice chance in that field. If everything is all okay, he will be well supported in betting from that last run behind Nimbus Cloud. Should sit very handy in the run.

3rd Pick: CITIZEN (1)

Drops back to Open Maiden grade after competing at class 4 grade his last three starts. This is a much easier assignment and trialed nicely last week in preparation for this. CC Wong booked from a nice barrier.

4th Pick: GEMILANG (3)

Lines up for start number three and rises to the 1400m distance for the first time. Looks to be a horse that is taking his time to put it all together and Is an improving type. One to follow.

RACE 3

1st Pick: MEWAR (2)

Yet to break through for a win in Singapore but strikes a moderate 2000m race at class 5. Could be at an advantage considering that he has been racing in much stronger events than this, winning hope.

2nd Pick: SAYONARA (5)

Back onto the turf is the crucial factor for this son of Shocking. Needs grass and needs ground, gets both here, respect.

3rd Pick: KING'S SPEECH (4)

Back to 2000m and back to turf, plenty of boxes ticked for him to put in a great run. Stable also going well at the moment, each way chance.

4th Pick: SIR ELTON (8)

Yet to win over 2000m but rarely runs a bad race at the trip with three top 4 placings from six attempts. Each way hope.

RACE 4

1st Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (3)

Gets an uncontested lead here with nothing else in this race going forward. Much like the day he beat 3YO Sprint winner, January, if he gets left alone up front and can control it, he can have a kick in the locker late.

2nd Pick: SHANGHAI STAR (4)

Gets back but can run on strongly. Both the rail and speed map are against him but off his last win, he can flash into the minors here.

3rd Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (1)

Quiet tick over trial earlier in the week to get him set for the weekend. Draws the ace with CC Wong in the saddle, each way player.

4th Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (6)

Carries a super lightweight this and draws okay. Ran fourth at a price last start and caught the eye. The rise to 1600m is a big plus for him as he has won at the distance before.

RACE 5

1st Pick: RAISING SIXTY-ONE (1)

Gets to class five for the first time for a leading stable. Should have plenty of market support and already has a win at the mile on this surface. Hasn’t been beaten far up in higher grade. With Nunes on he will be supported.

2nd Pick: MATSURIBAYASHI (5)

Holds the best course and distance record over this trip than any other horse with stats that read (14:5-1-2). If he can get back to his glory days, he will be there in the finish. Habib takes the ride.

3rd Pick: LION SPIRIT (4)

The last time we saw him at 1700m he scored a win back in August last year when rated six points higher than he comes in at this weekend. Has been around the mark and just looking for further which he gets this run.

4th Pick: MAXIMILIAN (9)

Finished third to Tony’s Love who has since been placed up in grade last weekend so there is solid form around his previous runs. His last win came off a rating of 24 and will be aided by the lightweight.

RACE 6

1st Pick: OUR FINAL OFFER (2)

Jumped much better last start to finish second over 1200m. Looks like he will appreciate the rise in distance and holds nice form to take this out. Wide draw makes it tricky but has the form.

2nd Pick: SCHNEIDER (9)

He is a get back and fly home style horse who clocked a nice time at the end behind Sun Rectitude on a leader dominated surface. Continues to catch the eye and a win is coming. Carries no weight again.

3rd Pick: GRANDEUR (1)

Finished last but only beaten 5.5 lengths at Novice grade last week and is on the quick backup. Should appreciate the drop in class and must be respected against these.

4th Pick: HURRICANE MARS (5)

Just the one minor placing and that was his most recent start where he led and just foundered the last 100m. If he gets steady sectionals early on can grind it out.

RACE 7

1st Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (1)

Didn’t take him place in the 3YO sprint. Was arguably one of the winning hopes in the event. This looks potentially an easier task if he can put his best foot forward, respect.

2nd Pick: SPORTY SIXTY-ONE (2)

On her day, she absolutely blitzes this field. She oozes class and should be winning a race soon, respect.

3rd Pick: MAJOR KING (3)

Trialled well leading up to this, top three hope on his day with Nunes in the saddle.

4th Pick: ROCKY (4)

Great winner last start down in grade. Back to class 4 but watch the market, if he gets late support, he is worth following.

RACE 8

1st Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (6)

Stable have done a great job keeping this old mare in winning form. A winner of two of her last three starts she only rises 2kgs from that last win and must be considered again.

2nd Pick: SACRED SUITE (7)

He is a horse to watch in coming starts. Although his record isn’t that impressive when he has placed, he hasn’t been far from the winner and that first win isn’t far away.

3rd Pick: GOLD CUT (4)

Not a bad run on the turf last start. Sat off the speed and grinded away to the line beaten 1.1 lengths behind Sun Rectitude. Will be in the picks but the big question around him is the 1200m distance. Will just need luck from the wide draw.

4th Pick: SONG OF NATURE (5)

Could be one to sneak into the top four with and eye-catching run last start where he came from well back. Hasn’t done much since his maiden win but looking for improvement.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LEGEND OF THE SUN (1)

Solid run at Kranji Stakes A last start in behind Golden Monkey. This looks an easier assignment.

2nd Pick: CITY GOLD FORWARD (6)

Over raced early in the run and cost himself a chance of winning burning too much petrol early. Working his way towards a win.

3rd Pick: LIM'S DREAM (2)

Same form lines as Legend Of The Sun. This looks a much more winnable race for both of them, each way all day.

4th Pick: WAR PRIDE (8)

Strong second last start and seems to be holding his own at the bottom of class 3. Don’t completely overlook.

RACE 10

1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (2)

2022 Polytrack horse of the year returns to the race and strikes this event very well weighted. Can go close here. Nunes jumps on and has trialled well in readiness for this.

2nd Pick: SKY EYE (4)

Strong second last time to the races. Strikes a great race and his best would see him going close in this event.

3rd Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)

Carries top weight here but he’s afforded the weight because he’s the clear horse to beat. Hopefully the 59kg doesn’t bring him undone.

4th Pick: RED OCEAN (8)

48kgs here after a great lightweight win last start. At the weights, he’s a logical place chance, respect. Found winning form and can continue it.

RACE 11

1st Pick: TAKANINI (9)

Solid winner in one of the more stronger restricted maidens of late. Heads to class 4 this weekend after being scratched in the 3YO Sprint. Certainly looks up to the task, respect.

2nd Pick: COIN TOSS (7)

First up winner coming from last on the poly. Seems to be a horse that will improve racing on the turf, can go close here.

3rd Pick: VGOR (1)

Last run performance was a complete mystery. Hopefully improves here, looks to be a horse that is better than class 4 on his day.

4th Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (2)

Working his way towards a win at this grade. Last start missed away and gave himself no chance, also over raced. Can win this on his day but would need to be at his best.