Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing returns on Saturday for a 12-race Polytrack fixture at Kranji Racecourse.
Thriving five-year-old Lucky Jinsha looks primed to complete a hat-trick of wins when he lines up in the feature race on the day, the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1100m.
Lucky Jinsha was only beaten once from six starts in 2022 when stepping up to 1400m on turf. On the rest of the occasions, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained gelding just went unstoppable, including a customary all-the-way victory at his last start 63 days ago.
Despite leading off a blistering tempo, the son of Shooting To Win showed great tenacity late to keep his rivals at bay while recording a slick winning time of 1:04.26, which was only six tenth of a second outside the course record.
Lucky Jinsha is well prepared with two trials for his return and what caught the eye was the most recent one, in which he crossed the line first in a race-like winning time of 58.78 seconds, suggesting he is raring to go in the opening meeting of 2023 and can prove hard to run down.
Elsewhere, three-year-old gelding Bestseller looks on track to land his first career win in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1100m on the Polytrack.
Trained by Singapore Gold Cup winning trainer Ricardo Le Grange, Bestseller has shown ability on both starts to date. The son of Dream Ahead debuted with a luckless fourth in September when travelling wide
throughout in a 1200m race, before giving a good sight but probably found the 1400m trip too long and finished third last time out.
Based on pedigree, Bestseller is highly suited by the drop in distance while trying the Polytrack for the first time looks a big plus as he has always trialled well on the surface. With four-time Singapore champion jockey Vlad Duric taking the reins, he can prove hard to beat. – iRace Magazine
BEST BET
Race 11 No 4 Lucky Jinsha
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 5 Watch Out Boss
JACKPOT
R18
Leg 1: 2, 5, 10
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 1, 4, 5
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS
RACE 1
1st Pick: YES ONE BALL (4)
Unfortunately draws a wide gate here in a race that would have been very winnable had he drawn to the inside. Despite the fact the task is a little tougher, he should be around the mark if he jumps on terms under Vlad Duric.
2nd Pick: LIM'S DENALI (2)
Another who impressed in his final run for 2022. Weight relief provided thanks to stable apprentice R.Fahmi should assist with the poor gate draw, respect.
3rd Pick: TAX FREE (9)
1000m specialist at this grade. Recent trial win he hit the line really well, expecting a forward performance this weekend.
4th Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (1)
Apprentice rider booked as he hunts for third straight win. Draws midfield, look for him to be flashing home late.
RACE 2
1st Pick: ITALIAN REVOLUTION (6)
Unlucky not to get a run as emergency in the final restricted maiden for the year. Draws well and should be ready to go here, horse to beat.
2nd Pick: BESTSELLER (3)
Led them up last start in a strong RM event. Race has rated well, has the race experience over a few of these. Main hope.
3rd Pick: SABAH WIN (8)
Recent trial was promising from this son of Turn Me Loose. Debut run was a forgive and forget, plenty went wrong, can atone here.
4th Pick: MYKYTA (7)
Closed off well in his debut from back in the field. Draws the ace which should hopefully help him sit closer this weekend, one for the exotics.
RACE 3
1st Pick: RED DRAGON (2)
Closed off late to finish 2.8 off Ejaz in a solid class 4 event. Drops in grade, hard to not consider.
2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (3)
Beaten a narrow margin last start and has been a model of consistency in 2022. Wide draw is a slight worry but with some luck early, he can be in the finish again for sure.
3rd Pick: ETWAS NEUES (1)
Finished as runner up in his return to class 5 late last year. First up here since late October, he can threaten with fresh legs, top three lock.
4th Pick: ENDLESS (5)
Solid winner in driving rain last start. Despite this being a harder race he is never far away, one for the multiples.
RACE 4
1st Pick: QUADCOPTER (1)
Gets back to class four for the first time since August where he won with Lerner in the saddle who jumps back on this weekend. In four attempts at this C/D he has only missed a placing once. Big watch on this runner.
2nd Pick: REVOLUTION (2)
He is a get back and sprint home type runner with a very healthy record on this surface. All seven of his wins have been around this distance and with good anticipated early speed he will be running over the top of them.
3rd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (5)
He has one thing on his mind this USA bred gelding and it is go, go, go from the start. Should find the front easy and if he can settle enough to have some fuel left at the end he could go back-to-back.
4th Pick: WEBSTER (3)
The old boy is getting on a bit in age but there was a bit to like about his run last start. Class four is more his go at this point of his career and could be one to put in the multiples.
RACE 5
1st Pick: COSMIC DANCER (12)
Draws incredibly well for his Singapore debut. Has been doing enough at the trials to be super competitive here. As long as he handles it all leading up to the start without getting to worked up, he should be going close.
2nd Pick: CHARMSHAAB (11)
Trackwork during the week was solid. Looks a lightweight threat here as well on the proviso that he overcomes the wide draw.
3rd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (4)
Coming off a runner up placing last start. Recent trial was good enough, has had six attempts already though to break maiden status which is the concern, top three player.
4th Pick: TRIBUTO (1)
Yet to miss the money in two starts to date and last start finished a length off what could be a smart horse in Foxship. Should be around the mark here again.
RACE 6
1st Pick: LEATHERHEAD (1)
Can expect this guy to be a very short price with Nunes booked to ride and a strong record over the mile on the surface. Has trialed okay in preparation for this.
2nd Pick: MELODY FAIR (2)
Just the two wins to his name and both coming on the turf. Not entirely hopeless on this surface with a minor placing over 1700m. Has strong form lines around his last two starts and gets CC Wong aboard.
3rd Pick: PRODIGAL (5)
He has a serious engine when he puts it all together. If Kok can get him to settle mid race and the tempo suits. He can rattle home in very quick sectionals. Yet to score on the poly but will be there in the finish.
4th Pick: MESMERIZING (4)
Won a trial in 62.75 on the 20th of December in a lead up for the first meeting of the year. If he can find the front and give them something to chase like he did winning his maiden, he could surprise.
RACE 7
1st Pick: TAKHI (2)
Partners up this weekend again with Manoel Nunes who seems to get the best out of this horse. Draws midfield, has enough speed to be on speed here or potentially lead them up
2nd Pick: PER INCROWN (1)
Ace draw and is coming off a solid performance last start running second after being wide and barely getting onto the track throughout the race.
3rd Pick: ABSOLVIDO (4)
Getting on now but he draws well and amongst this company, could figure in the placing with the right run.
4th Pick: HOSAYLIAO (5)
Looks the smokey of the field here. Terribly out of form but recent trackwork suggests he’s well and ready to run a nice race.
RACE 8
1st Pick: DARC BOUNTY (3)
Strong 1000m sprinter who has a solid record over this course and distance. With some luck from a wide draw his best form can see him figuring here.
2nd Pick: MOONGATE STAR (2)
Beat a very handy galloper in Silent Is Gold on the last meeting giving him his fifth career victory. Vlad Duric has been booked and that will only add to his favor in the market.
3rd Pick: PENNYWISE (1)
We haven’t seen this gelding at this distance for a long time, but he is unbeaten at both starts over this distance. He is a Polytrack specialist and will appreciate the 4kg claim for Rozlan.
4th Pick: PALETAS (7)
Draws nicely in barrier No 1 for TH Koh and did win a trial last week albeit in very slow time. Two wins from three starts at this trip shows he is well placed.
RACE 9
1st Pick: GOLDEN TIGER (5)
Gets the services of last year’s leading rider Manoel Nunes who only rides for the Khoo stable every so often. Has given a sight on numerous occasions and Nunes looks a key booking for this horse to find some of that best form.
2nd Pick: ATLANTEAN (3)
Would have appreciated the break from racing having plenty od starts in 2022. Won off a similar mark in his last victory, respect.
3rd Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (8)
Although the turf would be much preferred for this mare, she deserves a lot of respect amongst company of this caliber. If the results have shown horses a running on throughout the day before race nine, she comes right into contention.
4th Pick: BURGUNDY LAD (9)
Should but up amongst the first few and could give a sight. Finally broke through for an overdue win at the end of last year, top four hope if he can put his best foot forward.
RACE 10
1st Pick: WATER ROCKET (1)
Not the best barrier for this gelding so Duric will have to get him out of the gates and try not to be posted too wide. If Last Samurai runs well earlier in the day that will bolster the confidence in his form. Will be well supported in betting.
2nd Pick: BIG GREEN HAT (4)
Scored a win in the final race of 2022 in a thrilling finish. He has two wins from his last three starts and although it has taken a while for the penny to drop, he is starting to find good form.
3rd Pick: FIRST BOWL (3)
Went to the line under a nice hold in his trial last week. He really caught the eye on the timings at his most recent start clocking the second fastest final 400m in 22.76. If Lerner has him in the right spot, he could surprise.
4th Pick: SABAH ACE (7)
Scored on debut in Restricted Maiden level back in November. Seems to have some ability and it is a sharp rise in class but winning form is good form. Should get a nice guide on him after this run.
RACE 11
1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (4)
One of our most improved gallopers in the past 12 months. He can sit off a nice cruising speed and finish it off in nice style as well. Nunes on and draws well in barrier 5. His trial last week was exceptional.
2nd Pick: ROCKET STAR (2)
This gelding always catches the eye and has had his fair share of issues that has plagued his career. He is one for one at this distance and gets Duric in the saddle. He will get back but watch him fly late.
3rd Pick: ENTERTAINER (12)
Impressive course and distance record which has dropped away in the past six months. He is aided by a 4kg claim and a nice inside draw. If he can get a nice run, he might finish in the money at odds.
4th Pick: SURPASS NATURAL (3)
Gets a horror draw from barrier 12 so the apprentice rider will have to be very tactical and try for some cover. He can rattle off some good sectionals off a hot speed.
RACE 12
1st Pick: RENZO (4)
Barrier 10 is probably not a bad thing for this Argentinian bred 4yo. He drew one last start and was in restricted room fading to finish sixth. Nunes has been booked and is one of the best at getting them out and running and has won a trial recently. Looks one of the top picks.
2nd Pick: LIM'S PASSION (1)
In seven attempts at this course and distance he has only missed the top four on two occasions and has solid form in this grade over the past six months. Watch any moves on betting.
3rd Pick: FAITHFUL LEADER (5)
Caught the eye on debut finishing second in this grade back in November. Has since had a trial in a fast run heat and should strip fitter fitness wise from that. Looks a competitive galloper who isn’t too far from a win.
4th Pick: LIM'S FORCE (8)
Both of her recent wins have come in class five grade and it’s been over a year since we have seen her race at this level. She is a winner but this is much tougher.