Luck to change for Smart Star at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday with a 10-race turf and dirt fixture at Kranji.

In-form five-year-old Smart Star can atone for a luckless last-start defeat in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1700m on the Polytrack.

Smart Star hasn’t had the best of luck in recent runs but has still performed admirably, never beaten far away at the finish. In four of his last five runs, the David Kok-trained gelding has been forced to race wide and cover extra ground, while in his most recent race over 2000m on turf, his second-place finish had a ton of merit as the rider made a mid-race move while also covering ground around the bend.

The switch to the Polytrack suits Smart Star this week, where he has won twice from six attempts. Additionally, he boasts an unblemished record of one win from one start at the track and distance.

In the same race, keep an eye on Super Bowl for leading trainer Jason Ong. Super Bowl had his first run for Ong the last time he raced, a month ago. However, on that occasion, he didn’t get conditions to suit.

Starting from barrier No 10 over 1400m on turf, he raced three-wide and without cover in midfield, which left him without a finishing effort, and he was beaten 4.25 lengths into 10th position.

He will be suited switching back to the Polytrack this week, and with the light weight, he certainly has what it takes to improve on his last-start failure.

In Race 7, the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1400m on turf, Creative Dreams appears poised for a promising first-up return run.

Creative Dreams is capable of producing a quick time for the final 400m if the race is run to suit, and he enters this race first-up off a good-looking trial. Though he is yet to break through in Class 4, he boasts three promising placings in the grade, while this week’s race isn’t the strongest of Class 4 fields. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 4 No 1 Smart Star

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 8 Creative Dreams

JACKPOT

R96

Leg 1: 3, 8

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 6

Leg 4: 3, 5 ,13

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 12 MAY 24

RACE 1 
1st Pick: SIRIUS (7)
He can be competitive in this race. Hit the line well last start over this trip. He was a little green in the straight and didn’t get a real crack at them. Can continue his good form and should get a good run from the barrier.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC SCOUT (2)
Got the maiden out of the way last start in open company. Will more than likely be on speed from the inside gate and the Pacific Stable are in terrific form.
3rd Pick: TAX FREE (3)
A veteran in class 5 that never runs a bad race. Should benefit from the short spell and gets Curatolo onboard. He had a recent trial which was okay.
4th Pick: RED MANED (5)
Speedy type who should press forward from his alley and has run some promising races in the last few months. Can box on at the end in this grade.

RACE 2
1st Pick: FLYING FIGHTER (7)
He will be one of the biggest dangers in this considering a lot of these horses are coming out of the same races. He finished second to July last month and the Burridge stable are in great form. Nunes aboard.
2nd Pick: SACRED GOLD (12)
Just beaten by Pacific Scout last start in the same class as Flying Fighter and had plenty of pressure in the straight. Okay.
3rd Pick: LOVER BOY (3)
Best performance to date was last time out in the same race behind July finishing third, completely missed the start and run on late. Will be in with a chance again here.
4th Pick: WINS EIGHT (10)
Huge run last start sitting up on speed and being run down late. Will be the obvious speed influencer and should get every chance over this trip. First time on the Turf and drawn wide.

RACE 3
1st Pick: BOSS HENG HENG (2)
Scratched at his most recent outing and was a well fancied pick that day so giving him another push with a positive barrier draw in barrier two for Woodworth to steer.
2nd Pick: FATE TO WIN (8)
Not sure why he went back last start but he is a much better performer when ridden on the speed and has a great record over this course and distance. Expect late money support here.
3rd Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (3)
Looked sharp in his trackwork with Nunes in the saddle who has ridden him in the past but lines up in a very moderate rated race to give himself a chance.
4th Pick: RAGING RABBIT (7)
Two minor placings from his last three outings shows he is moving forward, and a race of this depth is right in his spectrum. Needs to handle the one-week backup but trainer must be happy with him.

RACE 4
1st Pick: SMART STAR (1)
Had a horror run sitting three deep in a field of six over 2000m last start and casting a plate too. Had more excuses than anything in that race and still ran second. He is tough and goes well on both surfaces.
2nd Pick: MESMERIZING (2)
Having his third start for the new stable and held his own to the line last weekend behind the lightweight and favorite Free And Happy. Should be up there early in the run and be strong.
3rd Pick: ERUPTION (3)
Just his second start on the Polytrack in his nine-start career. He boasts two wins and three minor placings as he steps up to the distance for the first time. Could be just what he is looking for at this point of his career. Nunes on a plus.
4th Pick: LIM'S PUNCAK JAYA (4)
Looking for some form resurgence from this three-time winner who was beaten a long way behind Hasten last outing. Hasn’t fired a shot when ridden quiet so maybe a forward showing early will help him find form. Don’t discard him here.

RACE 5
1st Pick: CONTARELLI (1)
He’s had some issues in the past and hasn’t had the best luck, but he can break through under these conditions. Drops down into weaker grade with weaker competition in comparison to class 4. Obtains a good barrier and could go close.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC STAR (3)
He won well last start over 1400m and stormed home from near last. Staying in the same class should help and he will see plenty of support. Will look to run on late. Watch betting.
3rd Pick: GEOBELS GLORY (2)
Similar case to Contarelli, drops down to class 5 and will find this easier but he was disappointing most recently over the shorter trip in class 4. He’s looking to step out over more ground and can bounce back.
4th Pick: MY DETERMINATION (6)
In the same race behind Pacific Star finishing second, lead the field with a strong tempo and continued to box on. Tough competitor and can measure up again.

RACE 6
1st Pick: MASTER PLAYER (2)
Put in a great run last start on the turf behind Commander Jones. He struggles to hold form but could be a big player in this weaker field.
2nd Pick: SHEESH (10)
Good win most recently over the longer distance on the Poly track, lead most of the way and never look like slowing down. Comes down to 1200m which could be too sharp for him. Apprentice claims.
3rd Pick: BEN WADE (7)
Nice run last time out, peaked on his run and boxed on well. He will see support and should be up on pace again. Nunes onboard from barrier three. Going well.
4th Pick: SABAH WIN (4)
In the same race behind War Warrior finishing fifth. Didn’t have a lot of luck and could be a value chance in this.

RACE 7
1st Pick: NIMBUS STAR (3)
Two strong minor placings with his most recent minor coming at this distance behind Te Akau Ben who was just too strong in the finish. Draws well in barrier two and should take up the running and give them a scare.
2nd Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (8)
Professional place getter who continues to run well. Holds his own in this grade and broke his maiden along with five minor placings at this course and distance. A win wouldn’t shock here.
3rd Pick: AXEL (2)
Champion jockey Nunes gets back aboard this ten-time winner for the first time since November last year where they saluted over this distance. Last few starts have been plain, but he has a way of bouncing back at big odds. Nice each way play here.

4th Pick: COMMANDER JONES (11)
Gets in well at the weights and sits one point away from being in class five. Talented type who will be winning again very soon. Quartet filler.

RACE 8
1st Pick: MAY (7)
Will be near favourite in this. He’s been racing in class 4 company for a little while now and ran a huge race finishing second two starts back over 1200m on the Poly track. Should be fitter now had three trials before coming into this race. Great barrier.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC SONIC (6)
A hard horse to measure up in this race. Performed okay over the sprint distances in class 4 and didn’t show much when he dropped down into class 5. Ran a most improved performance last start and could repeat in this grade.
3rd Pick: WAR WARRIOR (4)
Last start winner over this trip on the Poly track and flew home from the back of the field thanks to a great ride. Not without a chance in this race. Value play.
4th Pick: SUMMER WIND (1)
Had some excuses most recently and should appreciate coming back into class 5. Last time he was in this grade he won well. Could surprise.

RACE 9
1st Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (4)
The long-awaited class five debut has arrived and will be a key player here. In form Ryan Curatolo has been booked and this six-time winner will want some rain to help his chances.
2nd Pick: A BETTER TOMORROW (1)
This former Western Australian trained gelding has found form since winning his maiden back in March. Two strong minor placings since that win shows he is training on well.
3rd Pick: LIM'S FUJI (6)
Caught the eye flying home for third last start behind Super Baby showing he is looking for further ground. The Meagher and Lerner combo are flying and looks a big player in this.
4th Pick: GALAXY BAR (2)
Not seen in this grade since October last year where he saluted over 1400m. Yet to win at this distance but ran a strong second in his two attempts. Watch for betting.

RACE 10
1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (5)
Consistent without winning recently and gets plenty of advantages from barrier three. Ryan Curatolo takes the ride for the first time and looks a real top three player.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (3)
Two nice runs since joining the Meagher stable from Australia. Should strip much fitter third up and Woodworth retains the ride. Watch any late money for these Pacific Stable runners.
3rd Pick: HOLE IN ONE (13)
Currently sits as first emergency but should there be a scratching, he will be a huge chance off this mark with Nunes booked to ride. Brings great form lines from his career.
4th Pick: ATLANTE LEGEND (7)
Doesn’t win all that often but when he does it’s usually at big odds. Should settle nicely early from the positive draw and wasn’t too far away from the impressive Pacific Vampire. Quartet player.