Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Saturday for a 12-race turf and dirt fixture at Kranji Racecourse.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons’ new acquisition Mimosas looks well placed to score a debut win when he lines up in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1000m on the Polytrack.
Mimosas arrives at Kranji with an above-average record of two wins from five starts in Australia. The son of Squamosa was an impressive debut winner at Flemington back in May 2021 and he has since competed in a number of quality two-year-old and three-year-old races, including the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes in which he finished seventh.
Mimosas was last seen winning a BM64 race at Pakenham in June 2022, when he drew away to score by two lengths on the synthetic track over 1100m.
Mimosas is well prepared with three barrier trials, of which he won the recent two effortlessly, for his local debut while starting his Kranji journey on a mark of 65 rating points holds him in good stead to score in Class 4 this week.
Elsewhere, impressive debut winner Pacific Bao Bei can go back-to-back when he returns to Kranji in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1600m on turf.
Pacific Bao Bei formerly raced in the United Kingdom where he was a two-time winner with three placings from eight starts. The Michael Clements-trained gelding was heavily backed on his local debut one month ago and he didn’t let the supporters down, showing great tenacity to score a narrow but impressive win over 1400m.
The form has since held up well with multiple runners scoring subsequently, so it bodes well for Pacific Bao Bei to score a double remaining in Class 4.
Moreover, the rise in distance should suit him even better based on his overseas form and he appears to have plenty of points in hand. – iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 8 No 2 Mimosas
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 7 April
JACKPOT
R12
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 5, 6
Leg 3: 3, 4, 9
Leg 4: 7, 8
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 25 Feb 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: SUPER POSH (2)
Speedy galloper who was a winner in this class five starts ago. Since then, has chalked up some nice runs in class four and does his best racing when up in the front of the pack. Loves this distance and will get every chance from barrier two.
2nd Pick: FLAK JACKET (1)
Tough as nails this 12yo who has been racing so well over the past 18 months. The last time we saw him in this class was July 2022 where he scored by a length over this distance. Will appreciate the sharp drop-in class. Wide barrier the only concern.
3rd Pick: THE BULLET (3)
Hasn’t raced any further than 1100m in his short career. Returned a roarer at his most recent run when well beaten and has since won a trial in a nice time of 59.75. Can bounce back.
4th Pick: OUR SECRET WEAPON (8)
Well deserved win last start over this distance. Just needs everything to go his way early. This distance seems his go and not a yard further. Drawn in the carpark this weekend.
RACE 2
1st Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (1)
Looked impressive winning his trial under Vlad Duric who takes the steer this weekend. Settled back in the field and coasted through them to win with ease. Looks to have natural ability after placing in Melbourne before moving to Singapore.
2nd Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (7)
Has had four trials to date here dating back to June last year and yet to be seen at the races. Scored a nice trial win back on the 16th and the stable are always thereabouts when debuting these youngsters. Leading rider booked.
3rd Pick: STAR NORTH (8)
Comes out of that Knippenberg maiden where he finished third. Should naturally improve second up and seemed to trial in nice order since that debut run. Showed nice early speed in that event. Draws very well in barrier two.
4th Pick: BRANSOM (5)
Half-brother to seven-time Singapore winner Siam Warrior. Won his trial in a smooth time of 60.10 and should show natural speed. Stable with a nice hand in this event.
RACE 3
1st Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (4)
Has worked well leading up to his second start in Singapore after a successful debut win. Can certainly win again and looks like he will improve over more ground.
2nd Pick: HERO (1)
Lugs a big weight this weekend but is a proven horse and races over a more suitable trip second up for the season.
3rd Pick: AXEL (2)
First up winner who was caught wide the trip last start and still won. It was a tough performance, and he must be considered a top three hope again.
4th Pick: BORN TO WIN (7)
Absolutely no luck in the run being heeled in at a crucial stage of the race. Has since trialed, could flash home late.
RACE 4
1st Pick: LIM'S KNIGHT (1)
The last time we saw this gelding in class five was his last victory back in October 2021. That was over 1100m on that occasion and brings strong class four form down into this class. His price should shorten late.
2nd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (9)
Continues to collect a cheque for his connections and was hitting the line again at his most recent start. He finds it hard to win but must be thrown into selections off his most recent form. Will get that next win soon.
3rd Pick: OUTFIT (2)
He blew them away when scoring in this grade over this C/D back in September. Wasn’t tested in his most recent trial and should appreciate the three-month break. Comes here fresh.
4th Pick: WIND OF LIBERTY (8)
Still a maidener after 28 attempts here in Singapore. Showed nice early pace last start when going down by a length to Per Incrown. He’s showing promise but is very costly when he is supported.
RACE 5
1st Pick: APRIL (7)
Finished just over four lengths behind Knippenberg at maiden level last start. Form is very strong out of that race and will show natural improvement as he steps up in trip. Looks a nice race to get his first win.
2nd Pick: PLUS (5)
Making his debut this week after winning a trial in a slick time of 60.29 back on the 16th of February. Showed good speed in that heat and held on when not fully tested. Distance could be the query.
3rd Pick: ALL IN (1)
Not the strongest credentials by any means after nine career starts to date. However his lone placing came at this distance back in October and must be considered a top four hope.
4th Pick: HURRICANE MARS (2)
Backs up rather quickly from his fourth placing in the same grade last Saturday. Was beaten a fair way but this race looks easier on paper.
RACE 6
1st Pick: LUXURY BRAND (2)
Has been such a consistent horse over the journey and returns for his first run in 2023. Has worked and trialed well enough to give a sight this weekend.
2nd Pick: SHANGHAI STAR (5)
Two strong seconds behind Mr Black Back and Street Of Dreams before heading for a spell. Nunes on, should be in the frame.
3rd Pick: INVINCIBLE TYCOON (1)
Last start winner making up a ton of ground on a yielding track. Conditions won’t suit here as much but winning form is a big plus.
4th Pick: SUMMER WIND (4)
Draw could be a tad costly if he works too hard early in the race searching for the lead. Can be in front a long way though if he can dictate and control the pace.
RACE 7
1st Pick: LOVING BABE (5)
His last victory back in May of last year off a rating of 37 was a tough victory from a wide draw. He is now two points lower in the ratings since then and stable finding some form.
2nd Pick: BEN WADE (2)
Looked the winner a long way out last start to give his rider his first career win. Relishes racing in this grade and even after that win remains in the second division to give him another live winning chance.
3rd Pick: LIM'S SHOT (7)
Continues to run well and finish amongst the money at the ripe old age of ten years old. He is a six-time winner and in this class must never be written off. His best could see him surprise here.
4th Pick: WILD BEE (3)
Disappointed last start and finished a long way back after racing wide throughout. This is easier and go off his win two starts ago. Can bounce back this weekend.
RACE 8
1st Pick: MIMOSAS (2)
Makes Singapore debut this weekend and comes here as a two-time winner in Victoria. Could make a big impression, big watch.
2nd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (6)
Proven contender and biggest danger to Mimosas with not only the form on the board in Singapore, but a win already this season. Drawn well enough to make a proper challenge.
3rd Pick: PETROGRAD (10)
Makes class 4 debut after a forgivable run in the Novice on January 23rd. Copped a check early and he never looked comfortable after that. Fast work this week was eye catching and carries a very light weight.
4th Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (3)
Tackles this race third up from a great gate with a big claim. A must add for the multiples.
RACE 9
1st Pick: SPLIT SECOND (1)
Drops back to class five after a seven-day turnaround where he finished third over this trip in a higher class. If the rain comes it will boost his hopes with an unbeaten record on a yielding surface. Nunes on a big plus.
2nd Pick: KING'S SPEECH (2)
Nice run last start when catching the eye and finishing into fourth spot. If you go off his win two starts ago when Beasley made a mid-race move and left them all off the bit, he has to be considered a genuine top three hope off that.
3rd Pick: SAYONARA (4)
Continues to run well in this grade and although he has never won at this distance. He has never finished worse than fourth in four attempts. Strong each way play in this field.
4th Pick: FOOTSTEPSONTHECAR (7)
Just the one career win to her name so far. Did trial on Tuesday in preparation for this. Holds a nice record over 2000m with three minor placings from four appearances. Could be value.
RACE 10
1st Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (5)
Has a fantastic track and distance record having only run out of the top three once (6:2-2-1). Nunes booked to ride and draws a fabulous gate, looks the pick of the lot on paper.
2nd Pick: TRIDENT (2)
Returns here for first up run. Has been a model of consistency so far in his career with five top two finishes in seven starts. Don’t underestimate him.
3rd Pick: BE YOU (3)
Raced wide after being ridden cold. Despite being caught in a sticky spot, he still rattled home to only be beaten 3.1 lengths. Should be better here with a race under his belt.
4th Pick: FROM THE NAVY (1)
Definitely a horse has proven in class 4 carrying weight, the question is simply whether he’ll need a run or not. Top four hope first up.
RACE 11
1st Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (10)
He was certainly the hard luck story last race. Struggled to get clear running and that was his race done. Can atone here with a very light weight.
2nd Pick: SUPER SALUTE (9)
Has done nothing wrong so far being a winner of his last three. Draws another great gate but loses usual rider due to low weight.
3rd Pick: FAME STAR (2)
Gets in very well at the weights here with the claiming rider on board who has won on him in the past. Should find the top here and be hard to run down, top three hope.
4th Pick: THE AUGUST (4)
Has been there about his last few starts against tougher fields than this. Can run a race here with some luck in the run.
RACE 12
1st Pick: KASSAB (8)
First up winner last preparation over the same track and distance in class 4. Up in grade now but proven fresh, respect.
2nd Pick: GOLD TEN SIXTY-ONE (7)
Comes into this with race fitness in the legs. Yet to run over 1000m in Singapore but draws well enough to run a race.
3rd Pick: CITY GOLD FORWARD (6)
Ex Aussie galloper who comes to Singapore with some solid overseas form. Question mark around how he will handle his first Singapore race day but if he can find some of that form, he should go close in this.
4th Pick: I AM SACRED (3)
Terrible gate draw this weekend for a horse who likes to lead. Will need to jump well to be in contention but is well weighted with a claiming rider going on board, sneaky each way chance.