Kranji welcome Lim’s Kosciuszko return

Luke Middlebrook

Local champion Lim’s Kosciuszko returns to action as he lines up in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes

A race over 1200m on the Polytrack in Singapore on Saturday.

Lim’s Kosciuszko had a stellar season last year, scoring six victories and being placed once from seven local starts, including five Group-1 triumphs, before finishing ninth to Golden Sixty in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile in December.

“Kosi”, as he affectionately known, kicks off his campaign under handicap conditions this week, aiming to peak in May’s Grade 1 Kranji Mile.

“The Polytrack over 1200m suits too. But he definitely needs this run, and maybe one more, to get him back into racing mode before the big races,” trainer Daniel Meagher said. “He’s fit enough, but obviously not fully screwed down.”

If there was ever a time for him to be vulnerable, it would be in this week’s race. However, the champ looked sharp in his most recent trial, and facing a similar field that he has beaten multiple times, his class might just be enough to carry him across the line first.

In other races, keep an eye on Flying Success in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1200m on turf in Race 2.

Flying Success looks ready to run a big race dropping into this class for the first time, off the back of an eye-catching run into fourth in a Restricted Maiden race last start. Well back early from a wide draw, he came home strongly late, despite being beaten by 6.25 lengths.

He also raced wide and throughout on that occasion, as well as in his prior start, so coming into a low gate this week should turn his luck around. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 5 No 2 Eruption

VALUE BET

Race 8 No 10 Wan Legacy

JACKPOT

R56

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 5, 10

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 23 MAR 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (2)

Finished second to War Star in heavy rain conditions last start. The winner has since come out and won at class four level to show that race is strong in form lines. Expect a big result here.

2nd Pick: WEBSTER (3)

Talented ten-year-old who is making his class five debut at start number 68 for the Meagher stable who have done a marvelous job to keep him going. A win here would not shock.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (1)

These Pacific horses are flying lately, and a repeat performance of his last run will see here gather betting support. Hasn’t had much luck with wide barriers recently.

4th Pick: BLACKBUCK (6)

Speedy type who will look to find the front again from the draw. Rises up in distance after a nice second placing behind Santino who is better than class five. Looks a chance here.

RACE 2

1st Pick: RUBIK KID (6)

Connections opting to back him up six days later after a tough second placing after being forced to race wide without cover. Had excuses that run if he handles the backup looks the one.

2nd Pick: BUREAUCRAT (1)

Finished third to Ciango last month and recorded some slick sectionals coming from eleventh to be beaten one length. This is not a strong maiden and gets his chance to claim a win.

3rd Pick: FLYING SUCCESS (7)

Finds a much easier race than last start and drops 1kg from that run where he the first two across the line put a space on the rest of the field. Didn’t have luck from the barrier and should improve here.

4th Pick: BIG MAX (5)

Wind the clock back to August last year where he finished second to Last Supper at Restricted Maiden level you can see has some ability. Small field and should have a nice run in transit.

RACE 3

1st Pick: WAR STAR (4)

Looking for three straight wins this week, has a great record on the Poly track and should roll forward from barrier five. Seow sticks abord again with the apprentice claim and should be competitive again.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC MV (2)

Finished second behind Lim’s Saltoro last start when caught well back in the field. Should get a good run from a low barrier and gets Duric in the saddle again. Okay.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (5)

Bounced back in a big way last start to lead of the way in class 4. Will try and push forward from the outside gate and can be competitive here. Needs to be respected.

4th Pick: BABY TWINS (3)

Still looking to break through here in Singapore and can a hard horse to catch. Shows plenty of ability and hasn’t been disgraced. Watch betting.

RACE 4

1st Pick: NAVY SEALS (5)

Scored a win at big odds two runs back over this distance. Has been running well in his following runs and trialed on Tuesday morning coming from well back. Each way player.

2nd Pick: LAKSANA (1)

Headlines the ratings and brings strong statistics from this course and distance including two wins from six outings. Should show speed and look a big danger as they turn for home.

3rd Pick: SPLIT SECOND (2)

Should gather plenty of betting support as he gets back in class. He doesn’t stay in this grade for long and six of his seven wins have been at 1800m and further.

4th Pick: TONY'S LOVE (8)

Ran a much-improved race last start to finish third over a mile behind Jungle Cruise. If he can settle a bit closer than we may see another strong performance. Rates well here.

RACE 5

1st Pick: ERUPTION (2)

A very impressive 3yo who stepped up to 1400m last start and won well. He will be up on speed and finds a small field. Great record from just seven starts and gets Nunes onboard again. Going well and draws well.

2nd Pick: WINS ONE (3)

Had to contend with a wide draw last tart and still put in another great performance behind Lim’s Bighorn. He continues to show ability and is stepping up to 1400m for the first time. Key player.

3rd Pick: AVALANCHE (4)

First-up this weekend from a lengthy spell. This 4yo son of Street Boss for Fitzsimmons has only one start but won a recent trial in moderate time and could be a value play.

4th Pick: LIM'S SARAMATI (7)

Won his maiden on the Poly surface two starts back and hasn’t been able to measure up in class 4 yet. Only had five starts but finds a suitable race here. Watch betting. Good draw.

RACE 6

1st Pick: DIAMOND RING (10)

He has turned a corner recently including a last start win over 1000m under Manoel Nunes. Still has good stats at this trip including five top three finishes. Stable is on fire.

2nd Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (6)

Looking for his first win since November last year and has been holding his own since that victory. Must be considered for the exotic plays.

3rd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (1)

Put a line through his last start where he wasn’t able to take up a forward position where he does his best racing. He is better than that run and can bounce back here.

4th Pick: SUPER PAN SWIFTLY (5)

Still hunting for that first Kranji win at start number eight. Has been settling back in his runs and if the speed suits he can run on again into some minor money.

RACE 7

1st Pick: WINNING STRIDE (2)

He has been knocking on the door a long time now, keeps finding one-better on the day but is up against a weaker field this weekend and has a chance to break the winning drought. He is well suited over the 1800m and should find a good spot in the small field.

2nd Pick: KING OF SIXTY-ONE (1)

One of the main dangers to Winning stride. He has a great record over the longer distances on the turf and returns off the back of a strong trial win. Key player.

3rd Pick: ELITE JUBILATION (3)

Put in a much-improved performance last start leading up the field in the same race as Winning Stride and suck on for a minor placing. Should appreciate coming back to 1800m and will one of the main dangers if he holds his form.

4th Pick: FEBRUARY (4)

A horse that can go close but will need to lift to another level to win. He has been behind a few of these in the past but shows he can stay the distance. Okay.

RACE 8

1st Pick: DANCING SUPREMO (1)

Significant class dropper who makes his class five debut for the Fitzsimmons stable. Yet to win at Kranji but was only beaten 1.5 lengths behind Lim’s Saltoro which is good enough to win here.

2nd Pick: SONG OF NATURE (2)

Dropped back in grade last start and the support came but he couldn’t get past Sun Rectitude and expect him to settle back and fly home late again. Well placed in this.

3rd Pick: GAMELY (8)

Finished off last year with two wins and has been prominent with some minor placings so far this season. He gets in well at the weights again and will look a danger.

4th Pick: BLUEJAY (12)

Just a one-time winner here at Kranji and hasn’t quite hit the mark that most thought he would in his career. A much-improved run last start beaten half a length showed he is back in a good space.

RACE 9

1st Pick: GRAND AVANTE (1)

Drops down to class 4 on the weekend for the Lerner and Meagher combination. He obtains the inside barrier and has okay form on the Poly track. Watch betting.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (4)

Going well, had two solid performances most recently and should get a good run from barrier two. Nunes on and will be a key contender.

3rd Pick: SURREY HILLS (3)

He hasn’t been too far off most recently and will need to hold his form. He should push forward from barrier three and could be a place chance again here.

4th Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (8)

Has been known to get back and fly home on this surface. Should get cover from barrier four and can be competitive on his best form.

RACE 10
1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

The champ is back. The 6yo returns this weekend for his first run here in Singapore for the new year after a break from his stint in Hong Kong. He will be first-up on the Poly track over 1200m and may need the run. Right now, his main target is the G1 Kranji Mile in May.

2nd Pick: SACRED GIFT (10)

He ran a huge race behind Ghalib last start when caught in traffic, stormed home to finish second and could be amongst the placings again here. The 8yo does his best work on the Poly track and had a recent trial which was moderate.

3rd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (4)

He dropped off from his run two starts back when he defeated the Fortune Bowl winner Golden Monkey in Class 1 but can figure here. He now comes back down to 1200m and onto the poly track. Could go close.

4th Pick: THE AUGUST (7)

Won well last time out in Class 2 over 1000m on the Poly surface when he got dragged back. Should be respected as a chance here but meets tougher opposition.

RACE 11

1st Pick: WAR PRIDE (3)

Really consistent, ran well last start finishing third behind Lim’s Bighorn and continues to be amongst the placings. Should kick up from the inside draw and be up on speed.

2nd Pick: STARBOY (10)

Gets the perfect barrier draw on the weekend and will look for the box seat. Great record (12-2-2-3) and will be one of the main dangers.

3rd Pick: THUNDER LEGEND (5)

Nunes go aboard from gate three. Finished second behind Greatham Boy in late February which is great form leading into this. Needs to be respected.

4th Pick: LAST SAMURAI (4)

A dangerous front runner with a good amount of racing experience. He now comes back onto the turf and will be able to find the lead from a low draw. Okay.