Luke Middlebrook
Leading trainer Tim Fitzsimmons sends out a host of runners with chances at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore on Saturday as he vies for champion trainer status for the season.
Of those, top class sprinter Lucky Jinsha can land his eighth career win when he contests the $85,000 Class 2 race over 1100m on the Polytrack.
Lucky Jinsha had been on a winning streak of five before it came to an end two starts ago when he pulled up lame post-race. Resuming off a 142-day break in mid-September, the Shooting To Win gelding wasted no time returning to his best form when defying the rise in class to score a facile first-up win over this track and distance in Class 1.
Lucky Jinsha has since turned in an emphatic trial, in which he led all the way to score by seven lengths in a race-like winning time of 59.09 seconds. Going out against a similar field this week, a double looks well within his reach.
Fitzsimmons also has quality Australian import Cyclone out to score two wins in succession in the $85,000 Class 2 race over 1600m on turf.
Cyclone formerly raced in Australia where he was a two-time winner with further six placings from 15 starts in high-quality races.
Following a fast-finishing fifth over an unsuitable 1200m on debut, the son of Pierro opened his local winning account easily last time out. Stepping up to 1400m, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained gelding showed a strong turn of foot in the straight to score by 0.50 lengths in a slowly run race.
Cyclone looks a serious contender for this year’s Grade 1 Singapore Gold Cup and with the featherweight on his back, he appears on track to continue his winning ways, despite meeting a quality field at his first attempt in Class 2 this week. – iRace Magazine
BEST BET
Race 7 No 2 Lucky Jinsha
VALUE BET
Race 11 No 9 Pattaya
JACKPOT
R72
Leg 1: 1, 2
Leg 2: 4, 5, 7
Leg 3: 6, 8, 9, 11
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 5 Nov 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: THE STAR (6)
Was in a rather competitive maidens his last two starts. Blinkers applied this weekend and with V Duric on board looks a plus. Both trainer and stable are in great form and we should expect to see his first win very soon.
2nd Pick: TAKHI (1)
He was narrowly denied a victory last start. Given his form in class 5 company, he will not be far from his next win in this grade and this race looks well suited too.
3rd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (9)
He had no luck and was denied a clear run in his recent start and yet found the line well when clear. He was not too far away from the winner and with R Stewart steering him this weekend, he can atone here.
4th Pick: BOUNTY RAINBOWS (11)
Although he is still a maiden after 8 starts, he is making some headway in his recent runs. Looks very much a work in progress and can improve.
RACE 2
1st Pick: HOLE IN ONE (4)
Can be rather keen during his recent trials here in Singapore prior to this debut. But he has shown such talented turn of foot on his runs and hit the line strongly. Will expect a big run this weekend.
2nd Pick: POPEYETHESAILORMAN (6)
Left behind a trace of blaze in his two trials here. Seems like a capable type and will not be surprised if he gets his first win this weekend.
3rd Pick: ITALIAN REVOLUTION (5)
Put on an attractive performance in his first race in Singapore. Has since impressed in his track work. Right in the mix.
4th Pick: SABAH ACE (7)
Looks quite a capable galloper in his two trials. With a moderate weight on his back and pacifiers on, looks to have big say here, a must for the multiples.
RACE 3
1st Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (6)
Broke class record last start in open maiden company. Nothing in the race has run remotely close to that time in class 4 and due to the class rise, he drops weight. Should strip fitter and be able to repeat last start performance. One to beat.
2nd Pick: TRIDENT (3)
Consistent horse in the field. Constantly puts in good runs and must never be forgotten or not respected.
3rd Pick: SATURNO SPRING (1)
Drops in grade but draws poorly. Up to the task but will need some luck early from the gate, top three hope.
4th Pick: MINI FORCE X (4)
Impressed in first run for the new stable, looking to see him improve more as he gets deeper into this preparation. One for the exotics.
RACE 4
1st Pick: ZOFFSPEED (7)
Ran into all sorts of bad troubles last start following his break from Sep 2022. Track work has been solid enough, he can bounce back here. A good value proposition.
2nd Pick: FATE TO WIN (5)
Has managed to knock in 2 wins from 24 starts. He had only one start at this distance and was well placed in that race. Look well suited here, will not surprise seeing him win this contest.
3rd Pick: SAYONARA (4)
Although he’s only managed to get one win here track and distance, he should appreciate the rise back to 1800m and should be in the finish again with any luck in running.
4th Pick: KING'S SPEECH (3)
Scored a nice win over a longer distance two starts ago by two lengths coming from well back in the field. Meets a similar field and must be respected off that winning form.
RACE 5
1st Pick: AHORSEWITHNONAME (12)
Making her debut race here this weekend. Had couple of trials that shows us she can run. She is a well-bred 4-year-old daughter of Adelaide and with M Nunes steering her, we will expect a big run.
2nd Pick: OCEAN WEDGE (8)
Seen twice at the trials ahead of Singapore debut. Led the field up and was nabbed on the line late but he wasn’t asked for too much in the trial by the rider. Should get a good guide on this horse’s ability this weekend.
3rd Pick: STAR VICTORY (10)
Produced an eye-catching run in his first start and has since put up some nice efforts in his two preparation trials. Looks well prepared and expect to have a big input in this race.
4th Pick: SOUSUI (3)
Despite being bumped during his last start and racing quite green, he was still able to find the line well. He can surprise and figure in the finish.
RACE 6
1st Pick: EXCEED NATURAL (2)
Narrowly denied victory two starts ago but he is a horse who has recently found form again. Great chance to be in the finish again with some luck in running.
2nd Pick: SEE YAH (6)
Consistent class 5 galloper who is always well supported in the betting. If he is not winning, he is never too far away from the winner and that will keep him in good stead for this event.
3rd Pick: BIG DAY (12)
Has been competing in this surface and distance for quite some time. Was in all sorts of trouble in his last few outings. With nothing on his back this weekend, will not surprise if he run a big race.
4th Pick: AWESOME CONQUEROR (7)
Got a much-awaited win in Class 5 grade in July this year. This is not much different strength wise to the field he beat then. Apart from some in form horses, it looks open for a few to fight out the minors. One for the exotics.
RACE 7
1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (2)
Trialled up enormous last week in preparation for this weekend's race. Should only improve second up, Nunes gets back on board, hard to beat.
2nd Pick: SKY EYE (4)
Racing so well this year and returns to a sprint trip on poly where he put in a solid run two starts back in behind Lucky Jinsha. Looks one of the main threats to the favourite.
3rd Pick: MURAAHIB (5)
Light weight here for his third up run. Should be peaking now and hopefully we see him put in a career best run. A top three finish is not out of reach.
4th Pick: NEPEAN (8)
Blinkers go on here. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had any luck getting the rain required in his previous turf starts but he gets 48.5kg for this weekends assignment. Hopefully we see him making his own luck up front.
RACE 8
1st Pick: LEATHERHEAD (1)
Proven Polytrack performer who gets a great chance here over this track and distance in class 4. Duric stays on board and draws well to find a solid spot in running.
2nd Pick: AXEL (3)
Draws the ace again this weekend and meets Thunder much better at the weights this time around. Racing well enough to win this.
3rd Pick: THUNDER (2)
Winning form must be respected. Carries another 5kg with a senior rider climbing on board as he hunts for three straight wins.
4th Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (4)
Should find best form over this track and distance. Draws well, should be in it a long way with CC Wong on board again who gets along with this horse very well.
RACE 9
1st Pick: FIREWORKS (2)
All his 7 wins were in this course and distance. He is the track and distance specialist in this field and was just narrowly denied by less than a length last start. Should be able to score this time round.
2nd Pick: DIAMOND BEAUTY (1)
Nice tough win last start and remains in a winnable class. With a small field, she should be hitting the line strongly and winning form is good form.
3rd Pick: SKY EIGHT (3)
Although still a maiden after 5 starts, he was met with some talented gallopers in his recent encounters. Seems a nice type who we have not seen the best of yet. Big improvement expected.
4th Pick: SALAMENCE (9)
He certainly isn’t a model of consistency this horse, but he has shown some signs of bouncing back in Aug 2022 at the same track and distance. If that form stacks up, he will be right there in the finish.
RACE 10
1st Pick: CYCLONE (5)
Impressive winner last start in class 3. Carries 48 this weekend and despite the rise in class, it looks a great race to target and win before heading to the Gold Cup in three weeks time.
2nd Pick: SUPER IMPACT (7)
In a battle at the bottom of the Gold Cup list to earn points. Needs to win here to confirm a spot in the field and despite the fact he must drop back to a mile to do it, he is third up and should be fit enough to take this out with no weight on his back.
3rd Pick: OCEAN CROSSING (4)
Third up and back to a suitable distance and he also works his way toward our final feature this year. Draws well, top three player for sure.
4th Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (6)
Consistently puts in a great run. Rises to class 2 here but with absolutely no weight on his back, he can certainly pick up a pay cheque here and run in the money, keep safe.
RACE 11
1st Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (6)
Despite only winning by a length last start in his first up run for the campaign, it was a much more impressive win than the margin represents. He is up in class this weekend but is once again aided by the claim and should be fighting out the finish if he can replicate the performance.
2nd Pick: MY MAN (12)
Weighted well here. Finally starting to improve in his racing and looks more comfortable out there. Will get the rolling tempo required to be flashing at them down the outside late.
3rd Pick: STENMARK (3)
Aided by the claim here once again, he can be a fickle horse at the best of times. Has drawn wide but if he gets to the gates safe and sound without getting too worked up and jumps well, he should be in this a long way.
4th Pick: GOLD TEN SIXTY-ONE (11)
Poly would be preferred but the last start victory is too hard to ignore. Look for him to be leading as usual and controlling the race with Nunes at the helm.
RACE 12
1st Pick: SUPER SALUTE (3)
Carries top weight here in this race after last starts win but gets another crack at this grade. He’s afforded this weight for good reason and although it will be a lot to carry, he should improve from last start and be hard to beat again.
2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (7)
Meets Super Salute much better at the weights this time around and going off last start, if he races just as well, he should be in the finish. Very consistent horse who always runs a solid race.
3rd Pick: SESON (11)
Class 5 victory was very arrogant. This is obviously going to be much tougher back to class 4 but hopefully he has taken some confidence from the win. Place hope.
4th Pick: BIG TIGER (1)
Beaten less than a length last start. Draws the ace to jump and find a spot in behind the leader or a little further forward to be within striking range at the corner. Keep safe.