Katak in action in Grade 1 Raffles Cup

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing at Kranji Racecourse on Saturday is highlighted by the running of the $300,000 Grade 1 Raffles Cup over 1600m.

Star five-year-old and last year’s Horse of the Year Lim’s Kosciuszko returns to action in the feature event. Since his failure in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in December last year, Lim’s Kosciuszko has wasted no time returning to his best when claiming the Grade 3 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the Polytrack in emphatic fashion last start.

Simply making it a one-act affair on his first race start on the alternative racing surface, the Daniel Meagher-trained gelding looked every bit the winner throughout, drawing away in the straight to score effortlessly by 2.50 lengths.

Standing out as the highest rated horse in this week’s feature, effortlessly is ideally placed under the weight-for-age conditions.

However, it doesn’t look to be a walk in the park for the multiple Grade 1 winner as trainer Ricardo Le Grange’s formidable duo, Katak and Hongkong Great, can test his mettle as they are ready to hit peak form.

Elsewhere, promising four-year-old Golden Monkey gets his chance to score a first-up win when he returns to action in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on turf.

Golden Monkey is first-up off a 61-day break after an excusable last-start ninth-place where he endured a tough trip racing wide and without cover for throughout. Barrier No 1 should ensure Golden Monkey benefits from a more economical run, while accounting for jockey Simon Kok’s 1kg claim means he carries an advantageous 51kg. His main danger, King Arthur, who has also drawn well in barrier No 3, has to lump 57.5kg.

Looking well in his most recent trial, Golden Monkey appears ready to show up in the similar vein of form when runner-up to Lim’s Kosciuszko on his final start of 2022. – iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 10 No 4 Golden Monkey

VALUE BET

Race 12 No 10 Pacific Hero

JACKPOT

R12

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 4, 10

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 25 MARCH 2023


RACE 1

1st Pick: ST ALWYN (3)

Racing very consistently in this grade at his most recent starts with a string of minor placings. Strong statistics at this distance and will be leading player. The claim from Yusoff will be to his advantage.

2nd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (10)

On the quick backup after another minor placing. Still just the one-time winner and his recent form should be good enough to figure again here.

3rd Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (6)

Strong stats at the course and distance and is just one point lower than he was when he scored his last win. Looks a key chance and trialed strongly back on the 16th of March. Just needs luck from the wide barrier.

4th Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (8)

Steps up in distance after contesting 1000m events in recent starts. He is never too far from the winner in the finish and can show plenty of early speed.

RACE 2

 1st Pick: FEBRUARY (7)

Lining up for start number three after a solid third placing coming from well back and has since trialed well winning his heat in lead up for this. Should get support and will be attacking the line.

2nd Pick: SHIHAB (3)

Showed speed last start in this grade and has since trilled well against higher rated gallopers. Has three minor placings from six career starts and will be competitive here with Nunes booked to steer.

3rd Pick: MEWAR (5)

Showed last start that the mile was no concern with a solid minor placing in Open Maiden grade. Jumped and showed speed and should see him nice and positive in the run.

4th Pick: JUNGLE CRUISE (9)

Comes out of a moderate form race where the runner up won at his next start. That was over this distance and can finish in the money.

RACE 3

1st Pick: MALIBU BEACH (1)

Continues to race at this level and doesn’t disappoint. His last two seconds he has just found one horse better on the day and he is knocking on the door. Barrier 1, Duric on and looks set to go.

2nd Pick: WECANDO (3)

Finished fifth to Per Incrown four weeks back in class four. Drops back in class where he last saluted over this trip back in August. Stable is flying, big watch.

3rd Pick: MERCURY STORM (11)

Scored at good odds last start on the Polytrack surface. Has won over this distance three times in his career in the past and now he has a taste for winning again.

4th Pick: RED MANED (4)

Honest run to finish third beaten half a length last start. Seems to appreciate the distance and looks a horse that could race over further in the future.

RACE 4

1st Pick: DANCING LIGHT (1)

Solid trial performer in behind King Arthur who returns to class 4 this weekend. Drawn wide this weekend but still looks very hard to beaten with Duric booked to ride.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (2)

Winner of two of its last three starts and has been super consistent of late. Trackwork during the week solid enough, deserves a lot of respect.

3rd Pick: BABY TWINS (9)

Trackwork and trial heading into Singapore debut has been impressive. Many horses usually need a run but a top three finish isn’t out of the question.

4th Pick: TEARDROPS (6)

Nunes booked to steer here but the wide draw is a slight concern. Will need luck early but if she gets on the track, she can go close here.

RACE 5

1st Pick: MYSTERY POWER (1)

Heads the ratings for this low division. Has been around the mark without winning in recent starts and finds a suitable race to get that next win. Needs a strong pace to produce a strong finish.

2nd Pick: SUPER TALENT (3)

Sits two points higher than his last career win back in November where came from well back over this distance to get the win. Rates well and conditions suit him.

3rd Pick: CIRCUIT STAR (5)

Finished a long way back on the Polytrack where he has done most of his racing recently. Scored a nice trial win where they clocked 60.53 and that should be a good indication he is fit and ready.

4th Pick: FLAMING KIRIN (12)

Still a long-time maiden who was flying home to finish four lengths off the winner over a shorter distance last start. Finds it hard to win but one for the multiples.

RACE 6

1st Pick: ISTATABA (3)

Undefeated track and distance in two attempts and returns here for her first up run of the year. Horse to beat in this field.

2nd Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (2)

Two wins and second from right attempts track and distance. Last start raced wide and barely got a chance to run on. With more luck in running, he can run a place here.

3rd Pick: SATURNO SPRING (5)

Last start winner who is dropping back in distance and has had two trials since that win. Racing well enough to win this.

4th Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (1)

Recent trial winner striking his easiest field that he has contested in a while. He is a mile winner on turf but is yet to win on the short course, one for the exotics.

RACE 7

1st Pick: ETWAS NEUES (1)

Comes off the back of two minor placings in this grade. Headlines the weights as one of three gallopers on a rating of 47. Stable look to have him in a suitable race.

2nd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (3)

Steps back on the Polytrack surface after two disappointing runs when heavily supported on the turf. Has scored on this surface in the past and placed on two occasions over this course and distance.

3rd Pick: GOLD KINGDOM (4)

Has had two maintenance runs at unsuitable trips of 1000m and wasn’t too bad in those starts. Gets back to a distance where has strong stats at in the past. Watch for any betting support.

4th Pick: KHAO MANEE (2)

His form is too consistent to not have him in the numbers. The only negative for him this week is he has never placed in two previous starts on the surface.

RACE 8

1st Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (5)

Draws an inside gate to find a nice spot in running up on speed. Form has held up from his last win, can go close here again with a much better draw.

2nd Pick: CON SPERANZA (1)

Drawn off the track but was impressive last start without winning. A class 4 victory shouldn’t be too far off but will need some luck early from the gate.

3rd Pick: AXEL (4)

Wide without cover the entire way last start. Put a line through the run, his first up win makes him worthy of another chance.4th Pick: FORT MUSTANG (11)

Light weight, inside gate. Can go forward and apply pressure. If he gets his own way up in front, wouldn’t shock to see him stick on.

RACE 9

1st Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (11)

Very well weighted in this event for the nine-time runner up who just finds it hard to get that maiden victory. 50% place strike rate at the course and distance has her in the mix. Wide draw isn’t ideal for her but gets Nunes on.

2nd Pick: CHARGER (1)

Gets allocated topweight and Seow will claim 3kgs off that after a nice third placing a few weeks ago in this grade. Hasn’t quite been at his best in his last two starts but he is always dangerous in this class. Watch betting.

3rd Pick: WATERY (2)

Racing in good form races over his last four starts and gets back onto turf for the first time since August of last year where he finished fourth. Can improve here with the change of surface.

4th Pick: BINGO MASTER (6)

Running well in recent runs and starting to find form. Was only beaten 1 ½ lengths to Sun Elizabeth at his most recent start and could step up.

RACE 10

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (4)

Has had two trials since his last run where he was wide without cover and never got on the track. Weighted incredibly well, respect.

2nd Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)

Comes into this event carrying a large weight off a rating of 105. Apprentice takes off some weight here? Top three player.

3rd Pick: GRAND KOONTA (2)

Such a fierce competitor who has struggled to win with such a high rating. Always gives his all and can never be underestimated, place chance.

4th Pick: SKY EYE (3)

Narrowly defeated by a horse with 46kg. Beaten by less than a length and this week gets a 4kg claiming rider back on board who has won on him in the past.

RACE 11

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

The 2022 horse of the year returns here 2nd up this season and into his first group 1 for the year. He was a group three winner first up and will be benefited greatly by WFA conditions, big chance.

2nd Pick: KATAK (2)

Strong runner up first up with a massive weight. Out in distance to a mile with a run in the legs should aid his chances, goes close here.

3rd Pick: HONGKONG GREAT (3)

Great on speed run last start from a tricky gate. Ran much better than anyone would have expected and like his stablemate, drops weight under WFA conditions.

4th Pick: MR BLACK BACK (11)

Blinkers on and comes into this first up this weekend. Would be a massive effort if he was to take this out with the weights against hi, but his trials suggest that he could be in for a big performance fresh.

RACE 12

 1st Pick: SIAM WARRIOR (1)

Back to class 4 this weekend and has been itching to get back in this grade. Duric booked to ride and draws a super gate, expecting a big performance.

2nd Pick: INVINCIBLE TYCOON (4)

Track work leading up to run has been solid. Won on a yielding track two starts back. Top three chance.

3rd Pick: AFTERMATH (3)

Ran sixth last start but the margin tells a different story. Wasn’t far away and picks himself as a top three chance on consistency alone.

4th Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (11)

Narrow second recently. Returns here with Nunes booked to ride again. If he overcomes the wide draw.