Maiden to start up engine at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Four-year-old gelding Engine Start can score an overdue win when he contests the Maiden race over 1600m on the Polytrack at Kranji Racecoure in Singapore on Saturday.

Following a fast-finishing fourth to promising type Montana Flash two starts ago, Engine Start was heavily backed into odds-on favouritism in his last start three weeks ago.

Despite crossing the line an easy first place by more than one length on that occasion, the Jason Ong-trained gelding was deprived of victory by an extremely bizarre accident as two pieces of packing became dislodged from his saddle near the 600m, resulting him in returning to scale 5.2kg under weight. He was subsequently disqualified.

This week Engine Start finds another highly winnable race, in which he stands out as the form choice against moderate rivals, and it looks highly unlikely for him to miss two penalty kicks in a row.

Quality Australian import Mr Black Back will pique a lot of interest and looks one to follow locally when he lines up in the Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Mr Black Back formerly raced in Australia, where he boasted an impressive record of two firsts and three seconds from six starts, including an easy 1.75-length win in a BM74 race at Wagga. The only occasion on which the Snitzel gelding missed the frame, was in the Group 1 Queensland Derby last year.

Mr Black Back has won both local trials impressively since relocating to Tim Fitzsimmons’ stable, and based on the strength of his overseas form, starting off his local racing career on a mark of 67 looks well ahead of the handicapper. The query being 1200m, as he definitely should appreciate more ground, but he did look sharp enough in his trials, at least.

BEST BET

Race 6 No 2 Engine Start

VALUE BET

Race 5 3 Whizz Fizz

JACKPOT

R36

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

Leg 2: 1, 2

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2

 SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 10 Sep 22


RACE 1
1st Pick: THE JUN (10)
Comes into this after back-to-back minor placings over this course and distance. Should show plenty of speed and give them something to catch.
2nd Pick: OLYMPIA (5)
Just a one-time winner in his career. Has a string of placings to his name and holds consistent form in this class. Will look a danger at some point when they turn for home.
3rd Pick: LIM'S DENALI (2)
One of the equal high rated gallopers in this field. She didn’t really fire a shot first up last start and has trialed nicely since. Willing to give her another chance.
4th Pick: BASILISK (1)
We haven’t seen him compete at this grade since 2019 when winning over 1400m. He has two wins to name on this surface and must be respected off the class drop.


RACE 2
1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (4)
Two solid winning trials in his lead up to his first career start. Gets the advantage of a light weight from our leading stable and Bayliss aboard. Look for good market support.
2nd Pick: COIN TOSS (3)
Really caught the eye last start behind impressive youngster Ejaz. Showed nice early speed and should naturally improve off that start.
3rd Pick: SHIHAB (5)
Two promising starts to date with one minor placing and most notably a fifth behind the handy galloper Pacific Star. Should improve with a few starts under his belt.
4th Pick: SUPREME ONE (8)
Finished third behind Cash Cove who has since won at Novice level and looks a horse for the future. Trialed nicely behind Golden Brown in the lead up for this.


RACE 3
1st Pick: ABSOLVIDO (1)
Fell last start and dislodged jockey. After vet check, was cleared with no injuries. Back in class 5 he looks competitive, must be respected.
2nd Pick: NORTHERN SUN (2)
On the quick back up after a second placing to Atlas where they flew along early. He was slow out and made up good ground late, respect again.
3rd Pick: WAR WARRIOR (3)
Another leader in the field thar could be in it a long way if he can jump and find the lamp lighting position. Has placed his two runs since returning to class 5 and can certainly do it again.
4th Pick: SUPER GENEROUS (4)
Consistent mare who has been running in good form at this grade. In form apprentice providing weight relief from an okay gate only enhances her ability to win.


RACE 4
1st Pick: STAR JACK (2)
Racing so well now and has put in solid performances on both surfaces in recent months. Track and distance winner already, respect.
2nd Pick: IMA (4)
Always a concern regarding race day and barrier behavior. If he jumps however on terms and leads, he will take some serious catching.
3rd Pick: KING LOUIS (1)
Former group winner who finally had class 4 success two starts back, a good run here would not shock.
4th Pick: CENTURION (6)
Track and distance winner in class 5. On the quick back up which looks an interesting tactic, keep safe.


RACE 5
1st Pick: LADY SPRINTBOK (1)
This mare makes her class five debut for the strong Meagher stable. We haven’t seen her since May and stable have a great record when debuting these runners in this grade.
2nd Pick: TAX FREE (2)
Scored nicely in this grade to score by just under a length. Two of his four career wins have come at this distance, and he is hitting form at the right time.
3rd Pick: DIAMOND RING (4)
Consistent galloper who looked the winner last start but had to settle for second placing. His record is strong to take out a race like this and look for him to settle just off the pace.
4th Pick: SUPER SIX (7)
Getting on in age now and although his best may be behind him, he can come out and run out of his skin from time to time. Still racing sound and strong.


RACE 6
1st Pick: ENGINE START (2)
Was the victim of being disqualified after losing 5kgs of saddle packing mid race. He won that race in nice style and as long as the gear is tight, he should be winning this.
2nd Pick: LEGACY REIGN (3)
Lining up for start number eight. Has three minor placings to his name. Has some nice form lines in Restricted Maiden grade behind handy gallopers such as Trident & Fadaboy.
3rd Pick: MISSILE RAIN (4)
Last start he jumped well to settle on the speed. We should see similar tactics and in a small field could have the favors up front and be a surprise winner.
4th Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (1)
Steps up to the mile for the first time after four career starts. His breeding shows he should appreciate the rise in distance. Each way claims.


RACE 7
1st Pick: MR BLACK BACK (1)
Former Australian galloper making Singapore debut. Boasts some nice form before arriving and despite the fact this looks on the shorter side of its ideal distance, he should be right among the hopes.
2nd Pick: HARRY DREAM (4)
Slow into stride last start and made up a stack of ground from virtually last to be beaten a length. With enough pace early, she should be closing late again, big watch.
3rd Pick: WEALTH ELITE (2)
Won well on the turf two starts ago. Has some nice form figures around this surface and must be considered as a top three player.
4th Pick: KNIGHT'S GAMBIT (5)
Wasn’t disgraced at all in his Singapore debut going down less than two lengths to some nice horses, should improve from that run and be in this a long way.


RACE 8
1st Pick: WEDNESDAY (7)
Scored his first win off a low rating of 25 points last start. Won that race quite easily and off that performance you can be confident of another nice showing.
2nd Pick: WHAT YOU LIKE (5)
His best career stats have come at this course and distance with a record that reads (18:2-1-3). Solid performance last start and will be finishing off strong again.
3rd Pick: GOLDEN TIGER (6)
Not many placings to his name but his form reads better than it looks. Should be nice and forward in the run and can be one for the multiples. That first win isn’t too far away.
4th Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (3)
Although her best form is on the turf surface, she does have some credible runs to her name over this course and distance. Keep her safe in your numbers.


RACE 9
1st Pick: KSATRIA (1)
Back to class 5 with a rating of 45 so at the weights, he’s well suited here to fire, looks the one to beat.
2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (3)
On the quick back up coming off a solid win last Saturday. If he has come through the race well, he can figure again.
3rd Pick: GOD'S GIFT (2)
Solid on speed performance last start where he held on to win a narrow margin. Apprentice on again with a claim, top three hope.
4th Pick: MAXIMILIAN (6)
Despite being wide without cover, he made a great surge late to close off and hit the line strong. Light weight place chance.


RACE 10
1st Pick: HONGKONG GREAT (1)
Finally gets onto the all weather for his third up performance this weekend and going off his Hong Kong form, we should see great improvement on this surface.
2nd Pick: SPIRIT OF BIG BANG (4)
Has run second his last four starts. Racing in a good vein of form and always must be considered for a top three placing.
3rd Pick: CIRCUIT MISSION (5)
Gets well weighted here to put in a big run for trainer James Peters. Recent trials suggest he is well for his first run since early July.
4th Pick: LEATHERHEAD (9)
Given a tick over trial on Tuesday ahead of this run. Class 2 looks a stretch but on the poly over the mile, it wouldn’t shock to see him figure in the minors.


RACE 11
1st Pick: DANCING LIGHT (2)
Has been freshened up and returns this weekend off two solid trial wins. Has the fresh legs advantage here and should be hard to beat.
2nd Pick: HEADHUNTER (1)
Carries top weight here this weekend in a race with plenty of speed on paper. Brought undone but wide gate last start, could atone here.
3rd Pick: YES ONE BALL (7)
Had to work hard early in the race after copping minor interference. Stuck on under the light weight to run second beaten a half length, place hope.
4th Pick: MASTER RYKER (6)
First up return was impressive. Looks to get the speed on paper again so if they go too hard too early, look for him late second up.