Leatherhead stands out on Kranji Poly

Luke Middlebrook

Quality Polytrack galloper Leatherhead looks the one to beat in Race 10 at Kranji on Sunday as he returns to his pet track and distance.

The Class 3 1600m Handicap on the Polytrack the highest-rated race on the 11-race card.

Since scoring a narrow but impressive win over 1700m here five starts ago, Riccardo le Grange-trained Leatherhead has been placed twice at his last four starts on turf. Most recently, the gelding sat second in running off a tearaway leader under a hot tempo before weakening in the straight to finish eighth over this distance.

This week Leatherhead is suited by returning to the Polytrack where he is a six-time winner from 22 starts. Boasting a formidable 45% winning strike rate over this track and distance, he can prove hard to beat with the aid of 2kg claim from leading apprentice jockey F Yusoff.

Meanwhile, the Jason Ong-trained four-year-old Engine Start looks on track to land his first career win when he contests the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1600m.

Engine Start has been knocking on the door recently, not being beaten more than two lengths at his last three outings. Last start, the Highly Recommended gelding was not suited by a slow tempo, but still found the line strongly to finish fourth over 1400m, recording the fastest final 400m sectional time in 22.54 seconds.

This week Engine Start is ideally placed in a moderate field where most of his rivals have shown little thus far, which provides him a golden chance to break through as he steps away from barrier No 1.

Donna Logan (41 wins) edged ahead of Tim Fitzsimmons (40 wins) on the trainers’ ladder last week, the pair in for a ding-dong battle until season’s end, while Brazilian ace Manoel Nunes (58 wins), who is sidelined through injury but due back early September, has a 28-win lead over CC Wong (30 wins) for champion jockey.

BEST BET

Race 2 No 3 Engine Start

VALUE BET

Race 10 No 2 Leatherhead

JACKPOT

R72

Leg 1: 4, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 9

Leg 3: 2, 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

 SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 21 Aug 22

RACE 1
1st Pick: BOUNTY RAINBOWS (5)
Blinkers go on for the first time this weekend. His first three starts have been on the turf and could be benefited by the switch to the synthetic surface. Watch any betting moves.
2nd Pick: NATE'S CHAMPION (3)
His form and track record is good enough to score here. Comes from a leading stable and former champion rider Duric is sticking strong with him after finishing fourth last start. Just needs some luck from a wide draw.
3rd Pick: SUPER GENEROUS (7)
Finished second behind Golden Dash who was far too strong on that day. Should show speed from the gates and settle up there in the first half of the field. Good form around her for a race like this.
4th Pick: ANGEL BABY (1)
Scored his maiden win over this course and distance two runs ago. Drawn well in barrier four and should have a comfortable run to have one crack at them.

RACE 2
1st Pick: WAN LEGACY (2)
Beaten 1.5 by Montana Flash and stuck on all the way to the line. The jump out to 1600m looks a plus for him this weekend.
2nd Pick: ENGINE START (3)
Coming out of the same race as Wan Legacy and if you respect that form line, he is a must include.
3rd Pick: MISSILE RAIN (1)
Looks one of the likely leaders in the field. Should be making his own luck up in front and if he gets away with some cheap sectionals, he could find himself in the finish.
4th Pick: NINEONEONE (4)
Has not been putting in bold runs like he was early in his career where he looked like a horse that wasn’t far away from winning one. Outside of the three above however, he looks the next likely hope.

RACE 3
1st Pick: THE JUN (7)
First up run was eye catching for the new stable and improvement off that would not surprise at all. Big threat.
2nd Pick: WAR FRONTIER (1)
There is no denying that he is a horse out of form, but he finds a winnable division two race here and looks a must include for the multiples.
3rd Pick: LIM'S PRIDE (4)
Narrowly defeated last start. Back to 1000m is not ideal as his better form is over 1200m, but in a race that falls away quite a bit, his class over some of these could see him in the finish.
4th Pick: FIGHT TO VICTORY (9)
Profiles very similar to Lim’s Pride as a horse who has been racing well enough to figure here despite having no form over 100om. One for exotics.

RACE 4
1st Pick: HEADHUNTER (1)
Fast beginner who can show plenty of gate speed and put himself in a good position. If he performs like he did two starts ago from a wide draw that will be enough to figure in the finish here. Strong form lines around him.
2nd Pick: FIRST BOWL (2)
He is a model of consistency this son of Battle paint. This is the best barrier he has drawn for some while now and he should have a more economical run-in transit and save some petrol for the finish.
3rd Pick: HARRY DREAM (3)
Blinkers go on for the first time for this mare from the Clements stable. Trialed nicely for this after settling back and finishing in strong time. Could upset these and surprise.
4th Pick: THE BULLET (4)
Lightly raced gelding who looks to have some ability. Mixed it with this grade last start beaten just over a length behind Lim’s Passion. Still learning and will continue to improve.

RACE 5
1st Pick: SHANGHAI STAR (4)
Yet to break through in seven attempts but back to maiden company here and on the turf he has to be considered.
2nd Pick: FREE AND HAPPY (2)
Didn’t show much in debut run however, the recent trial on August 11th was very eye catching. May have matured and turned the corner, an improved run this time would not shock.
3rd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (3)
Entire stepping out for debut after one trial run where he won in good time. Keep safe.
4th Pick: SIMON (1)
Needed the debut run and wasn’t disgraced either, should improve here this weekend. Trackwork to date has been positive.

RACE 6
1st Pick: FREE FALLIN' (2)
Duric has been called upon to get this son of Sacred Falls back in the winner’s stall. He holds strong course and distance stats and gets back to class five where he last won just over a year ago. Big watch.
2nd Pick: POROSHIRI (1)
Drops back in class where he was successful. Can do a few things wrong and Nunes looked to have the key to him. With Nunes still injured it is up to Zyrul to keep his mind on the job.
3rd Pick: MATSURIBAYASHI (4)
He had a much-improved run last start after being disappointing in the runs before that. He loves this distance and has a Lerner engaged in this. Trainers record for these races is very strong.
4th Pick: LION SPIRIT (3)
Two of his three career wins have come at this course and distance. Sat just off the speed last start to score easily for Pinheiro who retains the ride. Should have the run of the race.

RACE 7
1st Pick: WIND TRAIL (1)
Added another minor placing to his record last start and continues to race in honest style. He holds the best track record over this distance with stats that read (4:1-1-2). Gets his chance for win number five this week.
2nd Pick: KING LOUIS (2)
Has won over this course and distance in the past and gets the booking of Beasley. Not the most ideal draw in barrier 7 but his recent runs have been encouraging to figure here.
3rd Pick: GLOBAL KID (4)
Draws well for Simon Kok in barrier 4 and should have the run of the race. Scored nicely over 1800m last start and he could be prominent and go back-to-back in a small field.
4th Pick: STAR JACK (3)
He can mix his form but when he turns up and is in the mood to win he does it very sharply. Draws well but will settle at the back and finish off strongly. Each way claims.

RACE 8
1st Pick: STAR EMPIRE (5)
One could argue this son of Not A Single Doubt has quite luckless his last few starts. Recent trial was very promising, expecting a more forward showing here.
2nd Pick: GAMELY (6)
Winner of trial on the 11th of August. Despite only winning twice in his career, he places a lot and therefore always must be considered a place chance.
3rd Pick: SUPER SIX (2)
Getting on now but division two company is where we are going to see him win another race this late in his career.
4th Pick: WEDNESDAY (12)
Copped a nasty check early in the race last start and that destroyed his chances. Getting to an incredibly low mark and should be winning at some stage, keep safe.

RACE 9
1st Pick: HYDE PARK (2)
Four-time winner over the distance and has a great record at the grade. Back to class 5 he looks the clear horse to beat.
2nd Pick: LIM'S DENALI (3)
Been a while since we have seen her at the races. Expect him to show good early speed and lead this field.
3rd Pick: PINDUS (9)
Trialed well in the lead up to his return run. 1000m is his pet distance and he rarely runs a bad one at this grade and distance.
4th Pick: SUPER POSH (10)
Solid win last start with weight relief in wet conditions. This looks a much tougher field, but the winning form must be respected.

RACE 10
1st Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (6)
Given a masterful ride by Duric last time to score in impressive style. Switches to the Polytrack this week for his first career start on the surface. Winning form is good form, and he looks the one.
2nd Pick: AMORE AMORE (4)
Beasley takes the ride again after they combined to win last start over this track and distance. Beat King Louis that day who came out and won his next start, so form is solid around him.
3rd Pick: GOLD STRIKE (1)
Comes into this race as the highest rated runner in the field. Has never won on the Polytrack but those were over sprint distances. Formerly a runner up in a Gold Cup back in 2019.
4th Pick: CHEVAL BLANC (7)
One for one over the course and distance and both his wins here at Kranji have come on this surface. His best can see him winning this.

RACE 11
1st Pick: GREATHAM GIRL (2)
Classy win last start when she came from behind in a genuine run race to score for Beuzelin. He stays in the saddle and although she rises in weight, she can roll off some slick sectionals.
2nd Pick: ROCKETSHIP (3)
One of two mares who has a good grip on this field. Here best stats come over this course and distance and they have called upon Beasley to take the ride. Look for her to bounce back here.
3rd Pick: ABLEST ASCEND (1)
Did not jump all that well last start and never looked a threat when finishing down the track. His distance record is too good to ignore, and Duric takes the reigns for the first time. Watch for betting moves.
4th Pick: FIREWORKS (7)
Likes to settle back and storm over them. If he gets a genuine run race which he should in this. He can add some value to the exotics.