Lim’s charge looks in command at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday for an 11-race turf and Polytrack fixture.

Richard Lim-trained four-year-old Lord's Command looks on track for successive victories when he lines up in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

Lord's Command formerly raced in Australia under the name Shalatin, where he competed in some quality races and was placed seven times from 12 starts. He couldn’t have been more impressive on his local debut 20 days ago, however, when he completely demolished a maiden field, drawing away to score by six lengths over 1200m on turf.

The switch to the Polytrack shouldn’t pose a problem to Lord's Command, as he has trialled well on this surface since arriving at Kranji. With more upside to come, he looks extremely hard to oppose despite rising to Class 4 this week.

In Race 10, a $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on turf, keep an eye on the Donna Logan-trained Knippenberg.

His last-start third-place finish as the even-money favourite had merit to it as he raced wide and without cover from barrier No 11.

Prior, when drawn lower, he came home in slick time and secured first prize followed up by a fast-finishing second-place finish, so he should be running another bold race. However, it shapes as a highly competitive contest.

Trainer Michael Clements unveiled smart-looking Ghalib with an impressive winning debut performance last start, and the four-year-old appears headed higher. The race also boasts other last-start winners including, Charminton, Italian Revolution and Hasten. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 11 3 Lord's Command

VALUE BET

Race 10 No 2 Knippenberg

JACKPOT

R16

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 9

Leg 4: 3

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 16 Sep 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: LIM'S FUJI (1)

Has been back to the track for a quiet trial between runs after his last start second in non-winner’s grade. Two seconds from three starts in Singapore, a win is imminent.

2nd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (2)

Honest horses to run a minor placing, the wins are few and far between, place heavy each way.

3rd Pick: SIRIUS (7)

Winner of his last two over the same grade and distance. Has been well placed so far and should be able to pick up some prizemoney again this time.

4th Pick: BIZAR WINS (11)

Back to a winnable mark of 36 where he will carry 53kg. 1100m is ideal, the rider booking as well. Hopefully a leading rider takes the mount.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LEGEND OF NIAGARA (6)

Although he was beaten quite a margin by Lord’s Command last start, he was the only one who gave a sight in behind. This looks a much more level race, winning hope.

2nd Pick: VOLCANIC (8)

Trialled around Charismatic who was entered for this race but withdrew. Stepping out for his debut in Singapore, worth including in the multiples with Vlad Duric booked to ride.

3rd Pick: LIM'S SARAMATI (7)

Three trials in Singapore to date haven’t exposed too much, but there could be an engine under the hood. One must respect the stable at the moment who are airborne, a winning performance wouldn’t shock at all.

4th Pick: CASH KING (2)

Race Day form has been quite plain of late, but his most recent trial was too good to both the eye and on the clock to ignore. Nunes in the saddle this weekend, one for the exotics.

RACE 3

1st Pick: MT NISEKO (2)

Claimed a nice trial win in good style clocking 59.88 at his most recent trial. Makes his way from Australia where he raced under the Hayes family including a win at Geelong.

2nd Pick: FADABOY (4)

Racing very well over his past three runs. For a horse who was on his way back to class five he has outperformed his rivals with light weights and gets in well again here.

3rd Pick: TIME TRAVEL (3)

Gets the inside draw for Kellady who has won on this gelding in the past. He can show great early speed and the draw plays to his advantage.

4th Pick: REVOLUTION (6)

Has been a while since he has performed at his best but with good early speed, he maps well to fly home. Sits just one point lower than his last victory.

RACE 4

1st Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (4)

Narrowly defeated by Top Field who franked the form by coming out and winning again, respect amongst a field of this calibre.

2nd Pick: LIM'S EVEREST (12)

Heading to open maiden sees this son of Embellish get weighted super well for this. Expecting a drastic improvement with the sharp drop in quality of opposition.

3rd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (3)

Last start you can put a fat line through. At no stage did he get a proper crack at them. This looks a great race to try and redeem himself, each way.

4th Pick: SEAMLESSLY (5)

Like A Better Tomorrow, the last run over a mile was a complete forgive. Looks like a genuine miler so happy to give him another chance and hopefully he gets a bit more luck in running.

RACE 5

1st Pick: LEATHERHEAD (1)

The eight-year-old who is a winner of six races makes his class five debut after 58 starts in Kranji. He was brave last week and if he handles the quick backup this is well in his reach.

2nd Pick: TOP FIELD (5)

Should gather plenty of market support for the inform Ong stable and is on the cusp of making it three in a row. Only concern is his all-weather track form.

3rd Pick: SCREEN SHOT (3)

Just the one minor placing at his most recent outing over 2000m. He makes his Polytrack debut, and the breed are known to go well on it.

4th Pick: POROSHIRI (9)

Troubled galloper who can do plenty wrong with his manners but does have ability when racing at this level. He looks to be one who can fill the exotic bets.

RACE 6

1st Pick: FIGHTING HERO (10)

Races very well at this distance only missing a top four placing in one from five starts. Broke the clock at a slick 58.96 and nothing was beating him last start. Nunes sticks on.

2nd Pick: GRAND SUPREME (5)

Steps up from a nice maiden win over this same course and distance. Has always shown plenty of ability on the track and now that first win is done, he can produce more. Top chance.

3rd Pick: WAR ROOM (1)

Talented sprinter from South Africa who has only been seen once at the races since arriving at the end of 2021. He has obviously had his issues but looks sharp when stepping out at the trials.

4th Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (9)

Won at good odds last start when coming from well back with 50kgs on his back. Proved he can perform at this level and can be amongst the numbers again.

RACE 7

1st Pick: FIREWORKS (2)

1400m specialist who gets another chance to win at his favourite distance and grade, hard to beat here with conditions to suit.

2nd Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (5)

Makes class 5 debut in a strong enough race. Will appreciate the drop in grade after a solid performance up in grade last start.

3rd Pick: DANCING TYCOON (4)

Strong second last start indicating that a win in class 5 is not far away. Getting to a very dangerous mark now he is a couple points below the limit and not having to carry 59kg.

4th Pick: BINGO MASTER (1)

Racing to his mark at the top of the class. He has looked the winner turning for home his last couple attempts but has felt the pinch late, looks a top three contender for sure

RACE 8

1st Pick: THE WILD PRINCE (2)

On the quick back up this weekend and has rarely put a foot wrong of late without winning. Can lead from gate 1 and should be at 100% fitness, hard to beat.

2nd Pick: LIM'S FORCE (3)

Among the top contenders for horses who could swoop late and spoil the party. She is getting on now but still has that solid burst of energy late if they roll along up front and the map says they should.

3rd Pick: GROOVY (1)

Has won over this trip and would have loved an extra 100m last start. Conditions suit here, each way.

4th Pick: ST ALWYN (4)

They must really be flying up front for him to come into play. Expecting him to place but win looks a tall order.

RACE 9

1st Pick: THUNDER (8)

Races very well over the distance and loves the all-weather surface. Shot to the lead very quickly at his most recent win and draws to get a good run from barrier five.

2nd Pick: RODA ROBOT (4)

Racing very well including back-to-back wins at his most recent outings. Those wins have come on the turf and has only raced on the Polytrack once over 1200m where he finished fourth.

3rd Pick: FREE FALLIN' (2)

Duric is a key booking for this horse who is nearly back at a rating that saw him notch up three wins on the bounce in the middle part of this season. Watch for any betting moves.

4th Pick: PRIORITIZE (7)

Hasn’t been able to put the placings on the board in his most recent outings but hasn’t been beaten far from the winners. Good course and distance record including two wins.

RACE 10

1st Pick: GHALIB (4)

Scored nicely on debut nearly a month ago when beating Kick who ran very well into second place last start behind a very handy winner. Should progress nicely second up.

2nd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (2)

Should bounce out and settle in the first half of the field. Looking for win number three and trialled in strong style behind Katak in a hot time of 59.73. Top three claims.

3rd Pick: COOL SIXTY-ONE (1)

Comes here with a great course and distance record on the short course that includes two wins and a second placing from three starts. Could be the forgotten runner.

4th Pick: HASTEN (9)

Won at Restricted Maiden level in nice fashion on debut. Draws well in barrier three to get an economical run. This is a rise in class but looks to have ability.

RACE 11

1st Pick: LORD'S COMMAND (3)

Super impressive on debut where he made his opposition look second rate. He was never going to stay a maiden long since arriving and will look to jump very short in the market.

2nd Pick: DR KARDO (11)

He isn’t far off reaching class five where he will a top chance in that grade, but his course and distance record is too good to ignore including all three of his career wins. Top place chance.

3rd Pick: FIRST BOWL (10)

Draws nicely in barrier three off a lightweight for CC Wong. He is coming off a nice win in class five and brings positive form lines for a race like this.

4th Pick: CASH COVE (4)

Looking to get back into some form with his last win coming back in January this year. Has looked sharp at the trials coming into this and look for him to be attacking