Lucky Jinsha to strike at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Talented sprinter Lucky Jinsha is primed to score a first-up off a 140-day break in a Class 1 1100m Handicap on the Polytrack at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore on Saturday.

A six-time winner from 15 starts, including five wins at this track, Lucky Jinsha has been one of Kranji’s biggest improvers after he changed stables from John O’Hara to Tim Fitzsimmons, rising 44 points in handicap in a short space of time.

The gelding had been on a winning streak of five before it came to an end last time out when stepping up to 1400m, fading late into ninth after posting some ultra-fast early splits on-pace. He also pulled up lame in the near fore, so it was just a run that you can put the pen through.

Lucky Jinsha is well prepared with two barrier trials for his return and looked especially well in the most recent one when he recorded a race-like winning time of 58:91 seconds.

Back to a preferred surface, Lucky Jinsha looks hard to run down with the light weight, but respect must be given to King Arthur, who drops back from his Group 1 second placing to Lim's Kosciuszko in the Lion City Cup.

Elsewhere, four-year-old gelding Lucky Charm can land his first career win in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1000m on the Polytrack.

Trained by Michael Clements, Lucky Charm had trialled well prior to his debut 20 days ago, so it was no surprise to see him well backed into favouritism. Showing tactical speed, the Maurice gelding led every post but the winning post, crossing the line 1.50 lengths into second.

With the debut run under his belt, and with blinkers applied for the first time, Lucky Charm is open to any amount of improvement and can get on the board.

BEST BET

Race 9 No 6 Lucky Jinsha

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 4 Songgong Hera

JACKPOT

R20

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3: 6

Leg 4: 1,2

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 17 Sep 22

RACE 1

1st Pick: BIONICS (1)

Drops to class 5 after solid performance last start over the track and distance. Track work has been solid, looks set to run well.

2nd Pick: HYDE PARK (4)

1000m specialist who failed to fire last start after a poor getaway. Happy to forgive and looks a big chance here to atone.

3rd Pick: PINDUS (8)

Has been around the mark his last couple and with the weight relief once again, could figure amongst the place getters from a good draw.

4th Pick: GOLD CUT (2)

Poorly drawn but has weight relief thanks to the apprentice booking. With a good jump early, hopefully can find the lead and if so, he will be in it a long way, respect.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LUCKY CHARM (10)

Far from disgraced in first run at the grade over 1100m. Blinker on first time this weekend, should take natural improvement and be hard to beat.

2nd Pick: BRIGGS (1)

One seen once 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 late in the trial by the rider. Should get a good guide on this horse’s ability here.

3rd Pick: KINABALU PRINCE (3)

Last start third was a decent performance. Draw a slight concern but he looks among the hopes.

4th Pick: GREAT COMMAND (2)

Back to 1000m looks ideal for this speedster. Third up we should see him peak fitness wise but he may have to work a bit early from the wide draw to find the top. Keep safe.

RACE 3

1st Pick: FREE FALLIN' (1)

Draws inside gate and is coming out of a strong second behind Lion Spirit. Should be winning a class 5 race again soon and gets a good chance here.

2nd Pick: TIGAROUS (2)

Has drawn wide again here in his second run back at class 5 where he was super competitive last start. With some luck in running, he’ll be in the finish.

3rd Pick: MR BIG BROTHER (6)

Big run last start where he led but was swallowed up late in the race by Fortune Star and Tigarous. Rarely runs a bad one and misses the top for so he is a must include for exotics.

4th Pick: LAKSANA (3)

Returns to class five but runs on the poly where he has never won. He has two placings from two attempts track and distance so a minor placing doesn’t look too far out of reach.

RACE 4

1st Pick: SUPER SALUTE (2)

Formerly trained by the Snowdens in Australia. He comes here with good breeding and a very sharp trial win he recorded a good time and looked a real eye catcher. Will get strong support.

2nd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (4)

Proven in this grade before and scored nicely on the turf last start. He looks better suited to this surface with a C/D record of (28:5-2-3). Can go on with it.

3rd Pick: SHANGHAI STAR (7)

Took a while to start his winning career after going down as favorite a few times. He looks to have some ability, and this will test if he can handle the higher grades.

4th Pick: HUGO (3)

Three of his five career wins have come at this course and distance. Came from well back in the field last start to catch the eye for minor placing. His best can see him in the finish.

RACE 5

1st Pick: DARC BOUNTY (1)

Jumped quicky but burned the speed and couldn’t sustain it to the finish. Looking to forgive that run and his best form can see him bounce back to winning ways here. Duric takes the steer an added bonus.

2nd Pick: SONGGONG HERA (4)

Just the one appearance over this journey and he did win on that occasion back in April of 2021 when leading throughout to score. Form is solid to show here.

3rd Pick: WATCH OUT BOSS (2)

Dropping back in class sharply after finishing down the track in the G1 Lion City Cup. We haven’t seen him in this grade since winning in August last year over this distance.

4th Pick: WATER ROCKET (7)

Yet to prove himself in this grade at a few attempts but does hold strong course and distance stats. In a small field and well handicapped he could add some value.

RACE 6

1st Pick: WAR FRONTIER (1)

Draws an inside gate once again but heads into this on the quick back up. The jump back out to 1200m should assist him, 1000m last start was too short.

2nd Pick: SUPER TALENT (8)

Around the mark in recent stat and with a low weight, looks to be amongst the chances, has caught the eye at track work.

3rd Pick: STAR EMPIRE (4)

Light weight this weekend with claiming rider engaged. Finds itself with a poor draw though once again, could make things a little tougher.

4th Pick: GAMELY (7)

Last few starts have been promising. Suggests that a win isn’t too far away but he has had plenty of chances to break through.

RACE 7

1st Pick: RENZO (1)

Very honest last start to go down just under a length after racing up on the speed. From barrier six and Duric on, he can settle there again and will you give you an entertaining watch if you are on him.

2nd Pick: CHAMPAGNE FINALE (6)

He looks to be a nice value runner. The last time he raced on this surface he was only one rating point higher and scored well at this course and distance. Each way claims.

3rd Pick: NATE'S CHAMPION (3)

Absolutely bolted in at class 5 level last start. This is much tougher but an impressive win like that cannot go unnoticed and must be respected as a serious player.

4th Pick: EIGHT BALL (4)

Consistent type who can surprise at times. His best form can see him measuring up in this and with a good run he can figure in the multiples.

RACE 8

1st Pick: GOLDEN TIGER (2)

Despite being a maiden galloper, he finds himself in a division two affair this weekend and last start proved he is a logical player in this race. Still doing a few things wrong in his races, but the win is not far away.

2nd Pick: ANGEL HALO (1)

Carries top weight but he is another horse in this race who should appreciate a division two race, top three contender.

3rd Pick: FLAMING KIRIN (5)

Track work was solid during the week. Despite being a 35 start maiden, over a mile on poly he must be considered as a place chance.

4th Pick: SPORTSCASTER (10)

Off the minimum mark of 22 but last start at big odds he showed big improvement on previous performances for his new stable, keep safe at odds.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (6)

Returned to the trials in a big way clocking an impressive 58.91. He has risen through the ratings since joining the stable and looks to have plenty of support this weekend. Gets in well with Hakim and a light weight.

2nd Pick: KING ARTHUR (2)

Was a very brave second in the G1 Lion City Cup being beaten just under a length to Lim’s Kosciuszko. He gets back to the Polytrack where he has recorded six of his eight wins.

3rd Pick: SURPASS NATURAL (3)

He is unbeaten over this course and distance and returns first up since April of last year. May need the run but is a classy galloper when he is right. Four-kilogram claimer booked to ride.

4th Pick: KHARISMA (1)

Joint top-rated galloper in this field. Although his form hasn’t been great at his last few attempts. His best performances can see him bounce back. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

RACE 10

1st Pick: KASSAB (1)

Lightly raced galloper with very strong form. Looks like he has had his fair share of issues in the past. If he returns like he did in April of this season he can win again for one of our leading stables. Four kilograms off for Mamat brings him right into this.

2nd Pick: OPUNAKE (3)

Sat up on the speed last start to record a strong win against some talented types. He loves this surface and if he can run a similar performance that will be enough to show in the finish.

3rd Pick: KICK (2)

Newcomer kicking off his career here in Singapore for our leading stable and Bayliss in the saddle. He has three trials under his belt and should be nice and fit from them. Watch for any market support.

4th Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (4)

Finished fourth in the race taken out by Opunake. Sat midfield and should map to have a similar run-in transit. His stats are good for this distance and looks a top four chance.