Kok’s charge looks the ace at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday for a 12-race turf and Polytrack fixture.

Talented three-year-old Sabah Ace is a standout on the card and the up-and-coming youngster looks on track to continue his winning ways when he returns to Kranji in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Trained by David Kok, Sabah Ace has yet to find anyone better from three starts to date and he was last seen scoring an impressive win in this class in February. Despite enduring a three-wide trip, the son of Swiss Ace produced a sustainable burst in the straight, overhauling his rivals by 0.50 lengths over this track and distance.

Sabah Ace is well prepared with three trials for his return and in the most recent one, he found the line well to finish second without being asked to do much, suggesting he is ready to pick up where he left off before the break.

Elsewhere on the card, keep an eye on three-year-old gelding Great Warrior in Race 10, the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 Handicap over 1400m.

Michael Clements-trained Irish import, who was a one-time winner and two-time-place getter in six starts there, has turned in two promising runs into fourth place in both local starts since making his debut towards the end of May.

Most recently, he drew wide in barrier No 13 at this track and distance and was slow to begin, well back in the 14-horse field in last place but closing off the second-fastest in the event to finish a strong two lengths behind.

It was a promising run, but he needs to jump cleanly this week and put himself into the race early to enhance his winning chances. –

BEST BET

Race 12 No 2 Sabah Ace

VALUE BET

Race 10 No 7 Great Warrior

JACKPOT

R18

Leg 1: 2, 5

Leg 2: 3, 5, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 9

Leg 4: 2

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 8 JUL 2023

1st Pick: HURRICANE (1)

Heads down to class 5 after a 4th to Lim’s Straight who has since won again. Having not run since June 3rd, he has since trialled but looks set to run a big race here, even with 59kg on his back.

2nd Pick: STARHARMONY (4)

An awkward start made it mission impossible for this horse to win last start. Happy to overlook and respect him again in his second run back at class 5.

3rd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (7)

Consistently around the mark of late in the last few months and much like a few in the Ong stable, continue to race to their mark down in class 5. Stay here at 1200m, each way all day.

4th Pick: CHARGER (9)

Surprising that he has been down in class 5 as long as he has. He is always capable of a solid performance this son of Dick Turpin and Ismadi Amirul will claim 1kg to drop his weight to 55kg, top four contender.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)

Drops into division 2 company of class 4 this weekend of a solid trial. Should lead here and if left alone, can stick on with a 4kg claimer on board, respect.

2nd Pick: TEARDROPS (2)

Narrowly defeated again last start by 0.1 lengths. From the consistency perspective, this horse must be considered a top three chance but hard to tip on top, each way.

3rd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (9)

Wide without cover last start with no luck in running. Has proven amongst this calibre of company already without winning, a must for exotics.

4th Pick: PRESTIGE STAR (7)

Last start was a complete forgive copping interference from a riderless horse. Can bounce back here and be running on late like we saw in his victory two starts back.

RACE 3

1st Pick: ALWAYS INNOCENT (9)

Plenty of boxes ticked with him this weekend. Light weight with a solid 1000m record and has been up to the mark his last couple of starts, winning hope.

2nd Pick: NO MORE DELAY (1)

Makes his class 5 debut this weekend and after how he started his career, it’s amazing to see how far he has dropped. Natural ability should take him a long way here amongst this class of runner, respect.

3rd Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (5)

Loves 1000m and strikes a suitable race here. Top three contender in these conditions every day of the week.

4th Pick: THE BROTHERHOOD (7)

Solid winner last start to come from a long way back at the corner and win. Should get enough speed up front to suit his get back and run on style, each way.

RACE 4

1st Pick: PREDITOR (1)

Was strong to the line when running third in this class last start. He sits at the top of the rating points seven clear of the next best and thrives at this distance. Could be his day to score win number eight. Duric on and gets his opportunity.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC STAR (7)

Stepped out in the Group Two Singapore Guineas where he was six lengths away from stablemate and winner Coin Toss. His win at the mile the start before was very sharp and will be one who runs on from the back of the field.

3rd Pick: SMART STAR (6)

Lost no admirers last start beaten just under four lengths. Steps up to the 1400m this week and has the advantage of a trial win between runs. Watch for any market moves.

4th Pick: ENERGY BABY (3)

Rises up in distance after some nice performances over shorter trips. Showed he has trained on well with a slick trial last week. Jerome Tan stable in good form recently.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (3)

Class 5 division 2 over 1200m on turf is this mare’s bread and butter. She is never too far away when conditions suit, a must include.

2nd Pick: DIAMOND RING (2)

Worked to find the lead after copping a bump at the start of the race. Stuck on to run a placing in a similar race last start, among the winning hopes.

3rd Pick: CROWN DANCING (4)

Scratched before initial return and steps out here to get 2023 underway. Likely leader in the event, hopefully his fitness doesn’t give out.

4th Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (5)

Has had excuses the last couple of starts and is screaming for a bit of luck to fall his way. His best form sees him winning a race like this quite easily, each way.

RACE 6

1st Pick: LEATHERHEAD (6)

Finds his way into one of the easier contests he has faced for a while. Strong course and distance record of 21:5-1-1 shows he is up to the task here this weekend. Four kilogram claim looks more than ideal.

2nd Pick: KING OF SIXTY-ONE (5)

Should get out and get rolling in front when the pass the finish line on the first lap. Still looking for that first win here but last few starts have been promising.

3rd Pick: AMORE AMORE (2)

Gets back to the same rating (63) that last saw him win over this course and distance back in June of last year. Fitter now after three runs this preparation.

4th Pick: IMA (4)

Has won over this course and distance back in April where he came from last and scored in a strong finish. Will need the pace of the race to suit him but looks a big danger to these.

RACE 7

1st Pick: MAGDALENE (9)

1600m looks an ideal journey for this mare on the quick back up who comes into this race 4th up and fit. Should appreciate the trip and be among the winning hopes.

2nd Pick: BLUE IDOL (1)

Over raced early and never looked comfortable in the run. If this horse can settle, he should have something to offer late in the race. 1600m looks no concern distance wise, can atone here.

3rd Pick: CENTURION (7)

Distance no concern for this son of zed who was one of the eye catchers behind a dominant Mr Big Brother who got it his own way up in front. The wide makes it a little tough, but some luck early in the race and the ability to find a back would see him running close here.

4th Pick: GRAVITON (5)

Has trialled since his last start win over the same track and distance. Looks one of the likely leaders in the race, top four chance.

RACE 8

1st Pick: CAVALRY (1)

Plenty of hype around this gelding who finished sixth in the VRC Derby at Group One level as three-year-old. Plans are to attack the Derby here in a few weeks and will gather plenty of support. Aussie rider Daniel Moor looks a key booking from the inside draw.

2nd Pick: RED DOT (9)

Came from midfield on the Polytrack surface first up to score nicely on debut a few weeks ago. His breeding indicates he is looking for more ground and should take improvement second up.

3rd Pick: COOL SIXTY-ONE (8)

Looking to make it back-to-back wins after beating a strong field at a lower-class level. Lightly raced here and is showing signs of being a consistent performer for the James Peters stable. Holds strong claims here.

4th Pick: WEALTH ELITE (3)

Looked sharp in a trial last week where he clocked a slick time of 60.31 and has had the benefit of four trials since his last run back in November. Could be the surprise runner on fresh legs.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (2)

Ran a narrow second to Bizar Wins last time out and gets a nice weight swing on him this weekend. Doesn’t spend too much time in class 5 usually so a win shouldn’t be too far away.

2nd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (5)

Massive win last start sitting wise throughout and shooting away to win by almost 5 lengths. Hopefully has taken plenty of confidence from that and he can come out an put in a repeat performance against stronger company.

3rd Pick: LASLOS (1)

Dropping back from novice company to class 5 and should appreciate the drop in grade. 59kg is an obvious query, as well as the wide gate, but a top three finish wouldn’t be out of the question.

4th Pick: BIZAR WINS (8)

Solid win last start but the worry is he rarely strings two wins together so although you should include him in exotic bets, it’s hard to have him on top.

RACE 10

1st Pick: FIGHT ON (5)

Had to rise in class after winning his maiden two starts back. He was very sharp against older horses going down by half a length. He brings good form from his maiden races and will measure up in this grade. Nice draw in barrier five.

2nd Pick: RAMBO (1)

Has been off the scene since November of last season. Very lightly raced Argentinian bred who has the benefit of four trials coming into this first up run.

3rd Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (7)

Caught the eye flashing home from the back of the field after being slowly away. Clocked slick sectionals and will take plenty of improvement third up.

4th Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (2)

If he takes up the running and gets some nice early sectionals, he could make a case against some of these.

RACE 11

1st Pick: SKY EYE (1)

Headlines the weights with 59kgs this week off a rating of 100. Plenty to like about his form lines for this affair. He beat The August two runs back and he has since won so form is holding strong.

2nd Pick: MR MALEK (2)

Returned to the winner’s stall with a great rail hugging ride at Group three level last start. He is a horse that has had plenty of issues but looks back to his best. Will need luck early from the wide draw.

3rd Pick: ROCKET STAR (3)

You would be mad to leave this guy out of your selections. Although it has been a while since he last won, he has run behind some of Singapore’s best and brightest in recent years and attacks the line each start.

4th Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (9)

Returns to the turf after going under as a short, priced favourite to The August on the Polytrack surface. This is only his second start on the turf since arriving and holds strong claims. Nunes retains the ride on a light weight.

1st Pick: SABAH ACE (2)

Talented type who steps out here first up this weekend. Seems to handle the Polytrack well with all three wins recorded on this surface. Jockey and trainer combo striking well together recently.

2nd Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (5)

Showed good speed from the inside alley last start to be caught on the line by Paletas. Has a strong profile for race of this rating with career best stats at the course and distance.

3rd Pick: WEBSTER (9)

Probably the best performance we have seen from him in some time where he was edged out by the ever-tough King Zoustar. Look for another strong run this weekend.

4th Pick: LIM'S BESTBREAKER (1)

Hard to ignore the fact that he is dropping sharply in class. Not seen at the races since June last year and shouldn’t be carrying too much condition with three steady trials.