Le Grange to strike gold at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues at Kranji Racecourse on Saturday featuring an 11-race turf and dirt fixture.

Promising three-year-old Strike Gold appears poised to go back-to-back when he runs in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Strike Gold is already a two-time winner from eight starts, and he returned to his best form last time out when he scored an impressive win in a quality Novice race.

Stalking the leader that day, the Ricardo le Grange-trained colt sprinted well from the 300m mark to win easily by 1.25 lengths over this track and distance.

The form has since held up well, with third-place finisher Sacred Buddy subsequently finishing runner-up in this class, which bodes well for Strike Gold's chances of securing successive victories this week.

In Race 2, keep an eye on the Jason Ong-trained three-year-old Lucky Goal in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1200m on turf.

Lucky Goal looks ready to run a big race stepping into Open Maiden company after two encouraging efforts in Restricted Maiden races late last year.

After a fading eighth on debut due to doing early hard work from a wide barrier draw, he ran into third in his second race after he was carried wide in the straight. Trialling in excellent order ahead of his return, he is poised to run a big race in a below-par contest.

Other three-year-old Auspicious King will give him the most work to do. He, too, is down in class after contesting Restricted Maiden races and mixes similar form lines, while he was second to Lucky Goal in his most recent trial though safely held. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 3 No 1 Pacific Charm

VALUE BET

Race 6 No 8 Tennet Tentennet

JACKPOT

R72

Leg 1: 1, 3, 7, 11

Leg 2: 1, 5

Leg 3: 3, 5, 8

Leg 4: 2, 5, 6

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 17 Feb 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: NATURE CHIEF (1)

He’s been ticking over nicely in the last couple of weeks. Building a strong record in class 5 with two good seconds on both the poly and turf track. He should be up on speed and trainer Jason Ong is in red-hot form.

2nd Pick: CHINA PEARL (3)

He is an honest 3yo in class 5, comes out of a good form race behind Commander Jones when flying home for 3rd. He has a lot of promise but sits towards the tail of the field during the run. Draws wide but watch late.

3rd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (5)

He won well last start defeating the impressive Smoke And Mirrors. He goes well on the turf and should look to get cover from the middle gate. Curatolo sticks abroad.

4th Pick: PACIFIC STAR (2)

Been progressing nicely, had an improved run last time out on the turf over 1600m. Wasn’t beaten far behind Black Storm and is with champion trainer Jason Ong, could go close.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LUCKY GOAL (5)

He would likely push forward from barrier seven. Only had the two starts but won a recent trial in a moderate time. Nunes rode in trials and hops aboard for his third start. Watch betting.

2nd Pick: AUSPICIOUS KING (6)

Ran a nice second behind the impressive Ace Of Diamonds last start in restricted maiden company. Has had some time off and a recent trial which was encouraging. Gets a good draw and can measure up first-up.

3rd Pick: RUBIK KID (8)

Has been in the minor placings for the last two starts in open maiden grade. Gets an outside barrier and hasn’t been beaten too far in its races. Goes well.

4th Pick: OTAHUHU (2)

Needs to lift off recent form. Didn’t measure up in open maiden company but wasn’t disgraced. Needs to get cover from that outside gate but keep safe.

RACE 3

1st Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (1)

Broke the class record last start. Dictated for Duric with a blazing speed, never looked like stopping and won stylishly. Will be very hard to beat and gets a perfect barrier in three.

2nd Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (2)

He struggled to fire last start but had a wide run. Won well two starts back and finds an easy race on this occasion with a good barrier, will need to push forward and can bounce back.

3rd Pick: SIRIUS (9)

Ran okay last start behind Supermax, he is a poly track horse with a couple of nice performances but could sneak into minor money with a good run. Will drag back.

4th Pick: ARI (11)

Steps up to a weaker class 5 race, form in open maiden company has been fair but will need to sit closer in the run to be in the finish.

RACE 4

1st Pick: HURRICANE (2)

He does his best racing when racing in the lead and putting a gap on his rivals. Stats prove that and expect him to lead them up from barrier 11 for Nunes. Strong win last start.

2nd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (3)

He is as consistent as you could want a class four rater to be. Three minor placings behind horses who have continued to trump their form is all you need to know. Can score here and do little work from barrier one.

3rd Pick: PATTAYA (1)

Thrives at this distance and gets back into class four where his last win came back in September of 2022 on this surface. Watch for any betting moves.

4th Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (7)

Just the one win from ten career starts here. Has been running well in strong form races and the Pacific Stable are low flying in recent weeks. Expect support to come here.

RACE 5

1st Pick: SCHNEIDER (2)

A last start winner, chased home a hot speed and just got the win, he is very tenacious and continues to improve. Should be suited under these race conditions and will need to look for cover from barrier nine.

2nd Pick: TWO MILLION (4)

Dragged back to the tail from an inside barrier last start, had to sustain a long run from the 800m and worked on very strongly. Should get favors from barrier five. Watching betting.

3rd Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (10)

Gets a wide barrier on this occasion, raced keenly last start and sprinted home for a minor placing with no weight. He is experienced and will need to go back from the gate. Has an average record.

4th Pick: BIG DAY (6)

Shows a great dash of speed in his races. Clyde Leck hops aboard and will need to contend with a wide barrier, sees a lot of support on race day so watch early betting. Can figure.

RACE 6

1st Pick: RED DRAGON (2)

Last seen finishing third to Smart Star beaten 2.5 lengths that day. Can mix his form but is well proven at this course and distance with one win and a minor from two starts. Nunes booked to ride is a big plus.

2nd Pick: MESMERIZING (1)

Looked the winner everywhere but the post as Lim’s Bestbreaker drove up his inside to score. He is second up this weekend and should take plenty of fitness from that run.

3rd Pick: SUPER BOWL (4)

He was well supported in betting last start and had an economical run sliding up the inside picking his runs. Failed to gun them down late but can be a top three player here.

4th Pick: TENNET TENTENNET (8)

One of the quicker sectional performers from that last start where carried no weight and rocketed home. Watch for any betting moves late. Can surprise with no weight and a low draw.

RACE 7

1st Pick: QARAAT (2)

The 10yo keeps fronting up, won well last time out on the poly track sitting off speed. Draws a great barrier and will get apprentice claims. Has a recent fitness trial. Right in this.

2nd Pick: TAKHI (11)

Draws a perfect barrier, loves the poly track and always rans well and will be on speed. Nunes sticks aboard and will see support in the market. Can be a little one-paced but is very game in the finish. Solid record with plenty of placings.

3rd Pick: LIM'S FORCE (6)

She was disappointing in the drop back to class 5 two starts back. Improved dramatically last time out behind Our Secret Weapon finishing 3rd, loves the sprint distances, and gets barrier three. Good chance again.

4th Pick: HUGO (5)

Draws the inside barrier and could be on speed. Last two runs have been encouraging, both minor placings from opposite gates and racing wide. Has had a couple weeks break to freshen. Okay chance.

RACE 8

1st Pick: STAR EXPRESS (3)

The James Peters stable is in solid form for a small yard. This gelding is proven at the distance and holds strong claims in this very open class five field. Gets plenty of favors from barrier one.

2nd Pick: LAKSANA (1)

Lost no admirers carrying the 59kgs last start and grinding it out well to the line beaten 1.5 lengths to Navy Seals. Two wins and a minor to his name over this trip and Duric booked to steer.

3rd Pick: KHAO MANEE (6)

One of the eye-catching runs behind Navy Seals coming from last and making up a stack of ground to finish fourth. Expect some market support to come for him late.

4th Pick: TONY'S LOVE (8)

Hasn’t been able to fire a shot in recent runs when supported but does seem to perform better over this longer trip where he has two wins to his record. Give him another chance.

RACE 9

1st Pick: STRIKE GOLD (5)

Got back to winning ways at Novice level last start in a strong display. Has been a patient wait to see this talented type back to his best and he has a three-year-old sprint on his radar. Should get a gun run from barrier three.

2nd Pick: PER INCROWN (9)

Rocketed home to score on the outside of Filial Dragon who lines up again this week. Last two runs have been solid, and he is in a good space lately. Leading stable trains.

3rd Pick: GROOVY (1)

Wasn’t able to catch the speedy Hurricane last start but had to come from 10th in the field to only be beaten two lengths that day. A winner of two of his last five starts.

4th Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (2)

Gathered plenty of support last start and looked the winner everywhere but the post. Lightly raced in Singapore and will be winning very soon.

RACE 10

1st Pick: SKY EYE (1)

Headlines the ratings in this field and forget he went around last start after losing a shoe and suffering a laceration in the run. Good stats over this course and distance including three wins and six minors.

2nd Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (3)

Came so close to winning in the New Year Cup but beaten by a proven group horse that day. Won a recent trial in a very slick 58.72 and hopefully he can get back to winning ways. Draws well in barrier four.

3rd Pick: GHALIB (5)

This is the shortest distance the son of I Am Invincible has raced at but building a nice record that reads 8:4-1-0 in his short career. In very good form and deserves respect with Nunes from barrier one.

4th Pick: MAJOR KING (2)

Get back and run on style sprinter who was catching the eye late behind The August beaten 2.6 lengths. Struggling to get another win but must be considered here at his best.

RACE 11

1st Pick: LIM'S CRAFT (2)

Sits just one point higher than his last win back in July of last year where we won over this distance. Looks very dangerous down in class this weekend. Money should come for him.

2nd Pick: STAR NORTH (5)

Spoiled the favourite Ace Of Diamonds party last start and had the advantage of 8kgs lighter than the second horse. Did run good time and can go on with it here.

3rd Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (7)

He is always in the market and deserves respect on his form however he has been a costly horse to favourite punters. Still has an impressive career record and continues to run well.

4th Pick: KING OF SIXTY-ONE (1)

Won over 2000m last year and had a very profitable season with a couple of wins to his name. Stayers have a way of running well first up and can be a top four player.