Lim's Kosciuszko for fifth G1 victory

Luke Middlebrook

Group 1 racing returns to Singapore racing on Sunday with the running of the Lion City Cup over 1200m.

Reigning champion Lim's Kosciuszko appears poised to secure his fifth Group 1 win when he lines up in the feature event to defend his crown. Lim's Kosciuszko has remained unbeaten from three starts this year since his failure in the International Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December.

Despite meeting top-class fields at the highest level in his last two starts, it appears that no local horses can currently challenge the Daniel Meagher-trained champion, when he toyed with his rivals and won easily.

Lim's Kosciuszko appears perfectly placed under the weight-for-age conditions on Sunday, as he resumes from a 99-day break and looked as good as ever in his most recent trial.

If there has to be a main rival for him, this year’s Derby winner Golden Monkey could be one to test his mettle.

Keep an eye on promising three-year-old Artillery in the Novice race over 1400m. Artillery's chances in the Group 3 Golden Horseshoe over 1200m were dashed due to being drawn out wide in barrier No 12.

Ridden for luck out the back, while the winner endured a perfect run close to the speed, he was the best of the rest coming home the quickest to pick up third prize.

In the lower division races, Lightning Strike makes his Class 5 debut after three starts in Restrict Maiden company, where he has shown ability competing against some above-average young horses.

Two starts ago, he finished a luckless fourth when being held up from the 400m to the 100m, before finishing fourth again behind impressive debut winner Roman Chief last time out.

He has turned in an eye-catching recent trial in which he attacked the line strongly late, so a much-improved performance won’t come as a surprise this week. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 11 No 1 Lim's Kosciuszko

VALUE BET

Race 1 No 5 Lightning Strike

JACKPOT

R126

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

Leg 2: 2, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 3, 5, 7

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 27 Aug 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: FORESHADOW (2)

Comes here off a nice performance last start going under by one length behind King’s Gambit. Stays in the grade and Duric sticks aboard. Holds strong claims.

2nd Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (5)

Not the most ideal barrier draw in (12) but he lines up in class five when being eligible for maiden races. Visiting jockey Hugh Bowman takes the ride and that will draw plenty of support.

3rd Pick: BIG DAY (14)

Holds nice course and distance stats for a race like this. If he can wind the clock back and find his best form, he could finish into the money. Lightweight chance.

4th Pick: CITY GOLD WARRIOR (1)

Drops into our lowest division of racing after struggling to mix it with the maidens and class four gallopers. Nunes will do the steering and that indicates some level of confidence.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LORD'S COMMAND (1)

Makes his Singapore debut after a short carrer with the Joe Pride stable in Australia. Has looked very sharp in his trials. He won’t be a maiden for long up here. Key player.

2nd Pick: WINDFALL (11)

Finished second on the synthetic surface in what was a solid pass mark coming into this. Draws very well for a good run early and will look a danger in the finish.

3rd Pick: LEGEND OF NIAGARA (7)

Has looked very sharp in his last two trials scoring under T.Krisna who takes the ride this weekend. Watch for any market moves in betting.

4th Pick: SMART ONE (3)

Looks to have some ability and once he straightens up his racing manners, he will be scoring a maiden win soon. Just needs luck from a wide barrier.

RACE 3

1st Pick: HURRICANE (5)

Jumped and motored to the front last start and was very dominant in scoring all the way. From barrier three this weekend you can expect similar tactics and can go on with it here.

2nd Pick: ASIF (2)

Was strong on debut last start being pipped on the line by a lightweight Fadaboy. Should strip fitter second up and will gather plenty of market support.

3rd Pick: AFTERMATH (7)

Strong course and distance stats over this journey. He sits one rating point lower than his last victory earlier this year. Draws very well in barrier one here.

4th Pick: LUCKY BABY (4)

Won in very good style by just under five lengths over this distance on the Polytrack surface. If he gets some luck from that horror barrier he can finish in the money.

RACE 4

1st Pick: GOD'S GIFT (2)

Got back to form last start with a promising minor placing over this distance. With Queiroz taking the steer from barrier four he will get the run of the race. Has a strong finish.

2nd Pick: SCHNEIDER (4)

On the quick backup from last week where he finished four lengths behind Roda Robot. His only career win came at this course and distance and looks a contender.

3rd Pick: CHOSEN ONE (10)

Has been finishing around the mark in this grade but struggling to find the line first. One to add to your exotic and place bets.

4th Pick: WATERY (7)

Connections were probably hoping for a better barrier draw so he will be on the back foot early in the race. If they go hard early and he can get cover watch for him to finish strongly with the claim.

RACE 5

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

Duric booked to try and end this geldings horrid run of minor placings. Will have to press forward from a wide draw but if he gets it steady up front, he can kick away.

2nd Pick: FIGHTER (2)

Just the two runs to his name over this distance resulting in one win. Strung out last run and he wasn’t able to fire but will relish the step up in distance.

3rd Pick: SPLIT SECOND (7)

His career best runs have come at this course and distance in the past including three wins and two placings from ten starts. If the rain comes, he will relish those conditions.

4th Pick: WIND TRAIL (1)

Gets back to class four which was where he scored his most recent victory back in April in a tough three-way photo. Weight shouldn’t be an issue.

RACE 6

1st Pick: BESTSELLER (4)

Was a dominant winner when jumping at a short price carrying 59kgs. He steps up to class three which will be one of his hardest tests. He possesses plenty of ability this gelding.

2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (7)

Another brave performance to just go under in a tight photo at his most recent run. One of Singapore’s toughest horses who is always in for the fight. Nunes has a strong record riding this gelding.

3rd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (2)

After three wins at class four level he handled the step up to class three with a strong second placing behind Istataba. He is in rare form and can continue with it.

4th Pick: RAMBO (3)

Nothing went right last start and willing to put a line through that run. Before that we was very strong with a win and a minor placing. Some gear changes have been added.

RACE 7

1st Pick: KHAO MANEE (3)

Had no luck last start when steadied on two occasions and raced in crowded room at the 450m mark. He should attract plenty of attention in betting and look for a strong run here.

2nd Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (1)

Got back into the winners circle last start under Nunes in this class over 1800m. Looks like he will relish the rise in distance and will be aided by the 3kg claim.

3rd Pick: APRIL (2)

Duric booked to ride after they combined to finish behind Absolute Radiance last start who he must face again this weekend. Looked sharp at the track during the week.

4th Pick: TOP FIELD (8)

On the quick backup from last weekend where got much awaited win. Rises two kilograms from that win and if he has pulled up well then, he can be a player again.

RACE 8

1st Pick: ROMAN CHIEF (5)

Looked ultra impressive winning in Maiden grade by 4.3 lengths. Daniel Moor takes the ride and although he has drawn wide his ability alone could get the job done. Smart horse.

2nd Pick: CITY GOLD TELECOM (4)

Draws the ace barrier for Hugh Bowman. Drops back from class four grade where he was I that close photo behind big priced winner Grand Sage. Beaten under half a length his last three starts.

3rd Pick: ARTILLERY (11)

Has been plagued by bad barriers in his last few starts. Gets that again here and you would think he will have to settle back but is gifted by a good sharp sprint.

4th Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (10)

Finished behind Roman Chief in maiden grade last start who he faces again this week. Draws very handy in barrier three for Duric at 54.5kgs. One for the exotics.

RACE 9

1st Pick: ELITE INCREDIBLE (1)

We haven’t seen this gelding in class four since September 2019 where he won beating King Zoustar. Hugh Bowman booked to take the ride and his form is good enough to taste victory again.

2nd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (7)

Good performance to score coming from midfield and holding off the fast-finishing Great Warrior. Rises two kilograms in weight and brings good form into this.

3rd Pick: ENERGY BABY (2)

Rises up to the mile for the first time here in Singapore. Form is strong in his last few starts including a dead heat victory two runs back.

4th Pick: PACIFIC STAR (5)

If the track is playing to those coming from behind it will suit this gelding who seems to be a genuine miler. Not the most ideal barrier so will need luck.

RACE 10

1st Pick: CAVALRY (9)

Comes out of the G1 Singapore Derby where he had no luck after being flushed out wide and had to make a sweeping run. Was a strong performance and Daniel Moor will be aided by drawing barrier one.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (7)

Steps up to the mile after a great start to his Singapore career including four wins and a minor placing at Group three level. Not the most ideal draw but he is a classy gelding.

3rd Pick: CYCLONE (2)

Last time he ran over a mile was at Group one level finishing second to Lim’s Kosciuszko. Should be peaking second up and will be a key player in coming feature races.

4th Pick: MR BLACK BACK (3)

Suited at the mile and has a great record when racing over a mile and further. Looked very slick in a trial where he clocked 59.99 in that heat. Should take up a forward position.

RACE 11

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

Gets a gun draw in barrier four and should shoot forward early and give them all something to catch. He is Singapore’s best and reigning Horse Of The Year. Looking for back-to-back wins in this race.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (4)

Drops back sharply in distance after claiming the G1 Singapore Derby just over a month ago. He’s a smart horse and now that he is more mature maybe he can beat Lim’s Kosciuzko.

3rd Pick: MR MALEK (2)

Consistent sprinter who has come back from a cancer scare to claim his last two starts including a win at Group 3 level. Should settle midfield and deserves another feature win. Stable are firing.

4th Pick: GRAND KOONTA (3)

First up since March where he finished down the track. They have kept him very fresh with no trials and that could be a positive for him. Duric knows him well.

RACE 12

1st Pick: MAKIN (7)

Strong run-on debut after copping a bump early and then raced keenly in the back straight. Second up and Nunes booked to take the ride. Betting moves are the best guide for this gelding.

2nd Pick: KICK (6)

Finished on the heels of a smart one in Ghalib and rates well for a race of this depth. Should get a nice cart into it from barrier seven. Comes from a leading stable.

3rd Pick: LUXURY BRAND (1)

Hasn’t been helped by drawing barrier 14 on a course that doesn’t favor those drawn wide. He couldn’t keep up with the fast pace last start, but he has plenty of ability if the luck goes his way.

4th Pick: FROM THE NAVY (11)

Has dropped sharply in the weights since his last victory over a year ago. Some of his best performances have come at this course and distance and could add some value to the Quartet.