By Luke Middlebrook from iRACE magazine
Katak looks set to score his first win at Kranji on Saturday 22 January when he contests Race 10, the highest-rated race on the card, a quality 1400m Class 2 event.
Formerly trained by Cape Town-based Piet Steyn, this Highlands Farms bred five-year-old arrived in Singapore a highly-spruiked galloper after going unbeaten in five starts at Kenilworth, including a trio of Grade 3 events.
South African born Ricardo Le Grange, who celebrates 21 years in Singapore this year, has taken over the reins from Steyn.
Katak has not found the move to the East easy, with two no-shows in his first two Kranji starts.
However, he turned in a big third-up run when narrowly beaten into second in the Group 1 QEII Cup (1800m) before finishing a luckless fourth in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) last time out. On that occasion, he was held up from the 500m to the 400m but made up good ground late to finish two lengths off Lim’s Lightning.
Resuming off a 69-day break, Katak has taken out a recent trial in emphatic fashion, and with top jockey Danny Beasley jumping in the saddle, he is primed to break through.
Earlier on the card, trainer Michael Clements’ new acquisition Bounty Rainbows looks ideally placed to score a debut win in Race 2, a (R800,000) Restricted Maiden race over 1200m on turf.
Bounty Rainbows has displayed above average ability at the trials and, naturally, seems well-educated. This colt meets a moderate maiden field where the only danger seems to be his stablemate Alqantur, who has trialled well in both Singapore and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, trainer Timothy Fitzsimmons (5 wins) leads Daniel Meagher and Shane Baertschiger by one win so far for the 2022 season.
Red-hot Manoel Nunes (6 wins) has a one-win lead over Oscar Chavez. Nunes is striking at a high 33.33% so far this term, while Chavez is far from disgraced striking at 19.23%. Danny Beasley and Rizuan Shafiq are hot on their heels with four wins apiece, with the former striking at 21% and the latter at 23.52%.
Race-by-race analysis
RACE 1
1st Pick: WAWASAN (1)
Creditable second to Flak Jacket last start. Will relish extra 200m. Drawn off the track but he can come from off the pace. Solid claims.
2nd Pick: BOOM SHAKALAKA (3)
Nearly made all in first race of the season. May well adopt same tactics here. With some luck, can go one better.
3rd Pick: BEAT THE LIGHT (7)
Finally opened his account at his last start in November. Freshened up and is expected to go well again. Include.
4th Pick: WINNING HOBBY (2)
Stuck on well and even looked the winner at the 200m but was beaten by Country Boss late. Races better when close to the speed and wide gate doesn’t help. Take on trust.
RACE 2
1st Pick: DECEPTION (8)
Was well supported last start and caught the eye running home in the fastest sectional of that race. The switch to turf should suit but needs some luck from a wide draw.
2nd Pick: BOUNTY RAINBOWS (6)
Winner of both his trials in pretty good time. Manoel Nunes has ridden him in both of those and he sticks with him for his debut. Will be well supported in betting.
3rd Pick: BINGO MASTER (2)
Has race experience to his name. A nice placing last start behind Sand Box who on the day was a surprise win. Since then, he was a runner-up again and that form is standing up.
4th Pick: ALQANTUR (5)
Trialled nice since arriving. Should get a nice break from barrier two and must respect a first starter from this stable. Watch any market moves for him.
RACE 3
1st Pick: UNIVERSAL EMPIRE (2)
36.4% winning strike rate track and distance. Form suggests that he should be firing here fresh and is also coming off a nice trial win running sub one minute.
2nd Pick: BUURAQ (7)
Massive run once again last start, just too far back at the turn. Motored home into fourth and once again, gets enough pace to be running on here again late, hopefully settles a few pairs closer this time around.
3rd Pick: RENZO (6)
Was wanting a little late last start, but, possibly, the fact he didn't find the lead is a big reason for that. Happy to entertain in the hope he finds the front and keeps the pace genuine.
4th Pick: OUR PINNACLE (4)
Earns 1kg for its close second last start going down a nose. Should be sitting just off a quick tempo this weekend and be there to pounce on them late. Has to be considered as a threat.
RACE 4
1st Pick: EIGHT BALL (2)
Racing first-up this weekend. Has form behind some handy gallopers including Illustrious who came out and won well last week. Drawn awkwardly in 10 but should be there in the finish.
2nd Pick: GAMELY (11)
Ultra-consistent galloper who rarely runs a bad race. Will need some luck from barrier 11 but if he gets a nice run, will look a threat turning for home. Deserves more wins next to his name.
3rd Pick: BIZAR WINS (4)
Was a winner three starts ago in similar conditions. Aided by a 4kg claim and up on the speed. Can respect in this.
4th Pick: RED ROAR (9)
Strong win last start over the same course and distance. His history shows that he doesn’t usually back up and win after previous victories.
RACE 5
1st Pick: TURF BEAUTY (9)
Just nosed out by another mare in Blitz Power last week. On the quick back-up. Drop back in distance is not necessarily to her advantage, but with Manoel Nunes up, she will still give some sight in the home straight.
2nd Pick: MAXIMILIAN (2)
Ignore last run when trapped deep. Left without a sprint in straight. Shadow roll off. Can bounce back after drawing an alley.
3rd Pick: LIM'S SHOT (5)
Stablemate to the selection and who will appreciate the extra 200m after his closing fourth over 1000m last time out, though Polytrack is more his go.
4th Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (8)
Jockey queried for his ride last week. Jumped slowly but made some ground late. Appeals more for a place.
RACE 6
1st Pick: CON SPERANZA (3)
Missed away last start and settled midfield but was getting into the race when it was all too late. With a more positive position in running, he should find himself in the finish.
2nd Pick: SUN POWER (2)
Will also be up near the speed again. Last start was back on the fence and presented for a run but just missed running a close second. Back to turf a slight question mark but last run deserves respect.
3rd Pick: ROYALTY (9)
Should get the necessary pace to be running on late here again thanks to a couple of pace influencers in the race. At 600kg+ he is a big horse and was making good ground last start, the clear best in behind a classy Lucky Jinsha.
4th Pick: SUPERLATIVE (5)
Has a nice record on the Long Course over a mile with a win and second from two starts. That is enough for me to respect him here coming off a nice first-up hit-out over 1000m where he surprised running on for second.
RACE 7
1st Pick: BEN WADE (1)
Looks a standout on paper. Has only missed a place once in his last four starts and even then was three lengths behind the winner. Manoel Nunes on and barrier three. A lot in his favour.
2nd Pick: GLOBAL SPIRIT (7)
Two solid placings at his previous starts. Drawn nicely in five and should get the run of the race putting him in striking distance for the business end of the race.
3rd Pick: RETALLICA (4)
Ideal distance and liked his run last start behind Country Boss where he was wide and did it tough. Both of his career victories have come over course and distance.
4th Pick: LIM'S PRIDE (2)
Disappointing last start but no real reason why other than he was caught wide and failed to finish off. He is better than that and willing to give another look.
RACE 8
1st Pick: SAHABAT (2)
Talented sort who pulled up distressed after his unplaced run last start. Won back-to-back races before that. Yet to measure up at this level, but his five-length barrier trial win last week was impressive. Bold say.
2nd Pick: BE YOU (1)
Resuming. Was one of the leading contenders in last year’s 3YO series. Likely to roll forward from barrier two. Blinkers off. Might be hard to catch if he gets his own way in front.
3rd Pick: STENMARK (4)
Finally got off the mark at his last start. Has changed stables. Still in mint condition and though he faces a stiffer task, he can steal this with some luck.
4th Pick: SESON (9)
Seems to get along well with Oscar Chavez. No weight on his back but will be hard pushed to make his presence felt against the top three selections.
RACE 9
1st Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (1)
Looked all poised to break maiden status last start but was denied by a surprisingly combative Lion Spirit. Step-up to 1800m suits. Drawn awkwardly, but has maintained his good form and will be one of the main picks in this.
2nd Pick: KSATRIA (6)
Has got the foot on the till. From the way he charges home late, he should be right in the calculations in this. Each-way chance.
3rd Pick: SUN CONQUEROR (4)
Polytrack horse who was not disgraced when tackling Class 4 opposition last time out. Back in Class 5 and has won over the course and distance. Keep safe.
4th Pick: QILIN TOP FORM (12)
Put in his best run to date last start when a closing fourth to Super Atas over 1600m. Not quite winning material but certainly placegetting material.
RACE 10
1st Pick: KATAK (2)
Horse that is on the rise and in for a big 2022 season. He has shown in his limited races thus far that he is a very talented horse. His trials have been fantastic and this looks a really nice starting point for him this year.
2nd Pick: NEPEAN (3)
A horse who is racing here at his pet distance this weekend. Two-time winner on the short course and long course who is coming off a nice trial win on Jan 13.
3rd Pick: HEARTENING FLYER (5)
Winner of the final race of the 2021 season. Up in class but has been in fabulous order at both trials and track work. A big run up against stronger company would not surprise here.
4th Pick: MR CLINT (1)
Seasoned Group horse here in Singapore who returns for first race since May. Yet to break through on the Short Course but is a two-time winner at the distance on the Long Course.
RACE 11
1st Pick: BILLY ELLIOT (7)
In six starts, this son of Per Incanto has begun his career in impressive style. Two-time winner over 1400m across both turf tracks, he should be up near the speed and making his own luck.
2nd Pick: THUNDER (3)
Great course and distance record with a 42.9% top two strike rate. Quiet trial to prepare for this weekend, stable and connections both in form.
3rd Pick: THE WILD BUNCH (4)
On-speed galloper who of this field, looks the most consistent when it comes to recent performances. Has had a prep trial last week where he wasn’t asked for much, needs to be respected here.
4th Pick: GREEN STAR (2)
Arguably out of form but recent trials suggest that down in grade, we might see him get back to the Green Star of old. Happy to entertain as a horse you cannot leave out of exotic bets.