Le Grange has an Ace up his sleeve

Luke Middlebrook 
Talented three-year-old ACE OF DIAMONDS looks on song for a hat-trick of wins when he returns to Kranji on Sunday in Race 9,  $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.

Trained by Ricardo le Grange, ACE OF DIAMONDS defied the betting drift (and barrier No 13) and broke his maiden in emphatic fashion two starts ago, before proving it no fluke when scoring a double in a Novice race last time out.

Despite the rise in class, the Swiss Ace gelding showed great tenacity to fend off his rivals 0.50 lengths over this track and distance. The form has since held up well with the second-place getter SILO scoring an impressive win in a Class 4 Handicap last weekend, which bodes well for ACE OF DIAMONDS to secure a third straight win as he steps away from barrier No 1 under Vlad Duric this week.

Drawn outside of him in barrier No 3 is the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained CREATIVE DREAMS, who broke through stylishly two starts ago in an Open Maiden over this week’s distance – his best distance at the moment it would seem – but dropped back to 1200m next start on his Class 4 debut.

Drawn wide in barrier 10 and ridden for luck, he turned in a slashing run into fifth, suggesting he can measure up in the grade. Back up to 1400m is key to his chances this week and the low draw should prove him a threat to ACE OF DIAMONDS.

Race 4 shapes as a competitive race for the Class 4 gallopers over 1200m on the Polytrack, but for a bit of value, don’t rule out trainer Desmond Koh’s entrant LEGEND OF THE SUN.

LEGEND OF THE SUN is coming off a fast-finishing fourth at his first attempt back in this grade 15 days ago after racing wide throughout from barrier nine. Gold Cup-winning jockey Marc Lerner takes over from an apprentice rider, which is a big tick in our book. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET
Race 9 No 4 ACE OF DIAMONDS
 
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 3 LEGEND OF THE SUN
 
JACKPOT
(Races 8 to 11)
R108
Leg 1: Field 
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 1, 2, 7
Leg 4: 1, 4, 12

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 17 Dec 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: OUR SECRET WEAPON (1)

Wanted to have a small buck after jumping and was forced to trial after those antics between runs. Forget his last performance and go off recent starts that show he is a 1000m runner through and through. Needs luck from wide draw.

2nd Pick: SUPER BABY (5)

Still looking for win number one here but caught the eye in a recent trial win beating Makin in a time of 1:01.15. Gets back and hits the line strongly. Betting could be a guide.

3rd Pick: SUPERMAX (7)

Brings nice form behind proven class five winners such as Lonhro Gold and Groovy who has since won recently. Should position up nicely early in the run.

4th Pick: GOLDEN WAY (10)

Plenty to like about his performance behind the veteran Flak Jacket to be beaten half a length. That was a big improvement and can run into the money here.

RACE 2

1st Pick: BINTANG SIXTY-ONE (5)

His last two outings he has been beaten under a length behind Longevity and Shihab respectfully. Likes to put himself into a positive spot early and stable going well in recent weeks.His last two outings he has been beaten under a length behind Longevity and Shihab respectfully. Likes to put himself into a positive spot early and stable going well in recent weeks.

2nd Pick: LIM'S EVEREST (6)

Boxed on after settling midfield on the Polytrack last start and will appreciate the switch back to the turf surface where has placed in the past.

3rd Pick: STEADY PUNPIPI (13)

Made good headway last week behind Fortune Wheel to be beaten three lengths. Is on the quick backup in search of breaking that maiden status.

4th Pick: LIEBESTRAUM (4)

Placed last start at 2000m and to be honest he does want further but his form is solid enough to finish in the minor money. Has placed at the mile in the past.

RACE 3

1st Pick: BIG DAY (14)

Nice performance behind My Boss who has franked his class five form over the last few months so that will be strong enough form to figure here. Carries just 47kgs after the claim.

2nd Pick: STARBOY (7)

He will face stablemate Gamely again here and give weight away which is against him. Looked to be making good ground late that day and will be supported.

3rd Pick: CASH KING (1)

Continues to sit at the top of the weights in this level and has held his own beaten small margins at his last two starts since winning his maiden. Should show good early speed.

4th Pick: GAMELY (13)

Jumped and led to record his first win for quite a while from an inside draw. He won that race off our lowest rating and is well weighted again here with 50kgs. Stable have him in good shape, but wide draw makes it tough.

RACE 4

1st Pick: RED DOT (1)

Off the back of an impressive trial win. Is suited on the poly and over this trip. Lightly raced with three starts, one win and a second. Barrier shouldn’t be a concern, needs to be respected.

2nd Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (8)

Well experienced on the poly. Has been improving form of late with a win in this class during November, does show early pace and will try take luck out of the equation.

3rd Pick: TALING PLING (9)

Has the two wins so far, last start was held up in the early part of the straight and won well. Enjoys this distance and the poly track.

4th Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (6)

Does need to bounce back after last start where he was trapped wide throughout and bumped shortly after the start. Could upset.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SCHNEIDER (3)

Continues to build strong performances at his most recent starts to show that next win is nearby. Finds his way into a lowly rated race and expect a bold performance here.

2nd Pick: CROWN DANCING (5)

This is just his third start at the mile that has resulted in one second placing in the past. Still struggling to win a race here in Singapore but will look a threat upon turning for home.

3rd Pick: MYSTERY POWER (10)

He has been off a low mark of 22 for quite some time now and will most likely settle back which is the norm for him. Didn’t seem to appreciate being ridden forward last start.

4th Pick: VERY SURPRISE (6)

Very one paced style of galloper who has just the one win to his name back in March of this year. Watch for any betting moves but holds a spot here.

RACE 6

1st Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (6)

Was checked at the 1000m last start but won well. Will be flying home late. Has had a few weeks off to freshen. Looks primed for this.

2nd Pick: SUPER BOWL (7)

Coming out of the same race as Roda Robot. Will be back in distance and on turf which should suit. Was on speed last start.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (1)

Is proven in this class. Comes out of the same race as King’s Gambit. Okay last start, boxed on late.

4th Pick: BLACK STORM (4)

Lightly raced, wasn’t asked for much in a recent trial. Coming out of a minor placing in Novice class. Should be a likely improver.

RACE 7

1st Pick: MY DETERMINATION (1)

Jumped fast from the barriers and got the box seat last start, drew away late and relished the distance. Is very competitive in this class and has confidence from that most recent win.

2nd Pick: DARCY (2)

Coming out of the same race behind My Determination, began awkwardly and had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of straight, worked home nicely on the long course and was only beaten 2.3 lengths.

3rd Pick: SEAMLESSLY (10)

Was scratched on the 9th of December, finished second behind the in-form My Boss during late November. Will rise in distance from 1400m. Usually sits just behind the pace.

4th Pick: ROOK'S GAMBIT (7)

Raced wide with no cover last start, has freshened up with a recent trial. Lightly raced and can tackle this class.

RACE 8

1st Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (1)

Gets back to a winning mark where he has been well supported at in the past. Will appreciate the drop back in class and watch for late betting support.

2nd Pick: OPUNAKE (3)

Hasn’t been seen In class five since winning back in July over this course and distance leading throughout. He did it with 59kgs that day and proven in these conditions.

3rd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (8)

Massive eye-catching run finishing second a few weeks ago. Pacific Commander was too strong for him, but he was the next best performer of that race.

4th Pick: HUGO (2)

Class five debut for this five-time winner who holds all five wins on this surface. Looking for his first win since October 2010 at class three level. Big watch on him.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (2)

Is ultra consistent in this class, in hot form with a win last start over this distance. Has only been on the long course once with one second. Had a moderate trial of late, will enjoy these race conditions.

2nd Pick: SUPER CONVINCE (5)

Always around the finish for this class and distance. Looking to bounce back after being run down late last start, has some experience on the long course. Will be a solid improver.

3rd Pick: ACE OF DIAMONDS (4)

Brave win last time out defeating Silo, who is a recent class 4 winner. Should be an up-and-coming 3yo. Can measure up to the rise in class.

4th Pick: MONTANA FLASH (8)

Well suited at this distance and on the long course. Always around the mark in class 4. Laid in under pressure over concluding stages last start and had excuses.

RACE 10

1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (1)

Comes off the back of a sharp trial win, was a touch slow from the barriers, given plenty of time to wind up for Duric, will give weight and draws out wide. Will need to push forward, is the key contender in this.

2nd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (7)

Last start winner in this class, will likely be on speed from the gate. Comfortable winner in a recent trial, should be able to measure up.

3rd Pick: SUPER SALUTE (2)

Raced wide and was caught a long way back in the G3 Merlion Trophy, closed late for a minor placing. Has recently trialled behind Golden Monkey. One of the main players.

4th Pick: RELENTLESS (6)

Has a great turn of foot, just faded late in the G3 Colonial Chief stakes. Coming back onto the turf and is back in distance.

RACE 11

1st Pick: LUCKY BABY (1)

Raced wide last time out but flashed home. Will need to settle closer but draws perfectly to be in the first four.

2nd Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (3)

Is proven on the poly over this distance. Found one-better last start in Great Command. Pushes forward and should be fighting out the finish.

3rd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (11)

Had great cover and a soft run last start with apprentice claims. Can be slow away from the gates but will carry no weight.

4th Pick: GROOVY (6)

Impressive last start winner, won with merit over this distance off a fast speed and ticks a lot of boxes for this race. Has measured up to the recent rise in class.