Luke Middlebrook
Top class sprinter Golden Monkey is primed to score a first-up win when he lines up in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on turf at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore on Monday.
Golden Monkey has had a stellar career thus far since relocating to Kranji in April last year, boasting a perfect Top 3 strike rate while scoring three times from seven local starts. The Star Turn gelding claimed the Grade 3 Three-Year-Old Sprint and Grade 2 Three-Year-Old Classic in emphatic fashion before proving himself still highly competitive against elder horses at the highest level, when finishing third in the Grade 1 Lion City Cup over 1200m last season.
Golden Monkey was last seen finding multiple Group 1 winner Lim’s Kosciuszko too good, but still checked into second over this track and distance while giving a healthy four lengths back to the third-place getter. The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained talent is well prepared with two trials ahead of his first-up assignment and he looks ideally weighted to return with a bang for the new season as he aims towards the forthcoming Four-Year-Old Series.
Elsewhere, Impressive last-start winner Hole In One can go back-to-back for trainer Ricardo Le Grange when he contests the $75,000 Novice race over 1200m on turf.
Hole In One was heavily supported on debut in a Polytrack 1100m race, but things just didn’t go his way when he was held up from the 450m to the 200m and had to settle for a luckless fifth. Second-up, he looked suited by switching to this track and distance when he sat on-speed before drawing away to score by 2.75 lengths.
Hole In One has since trialled well and in a small field of seven this week, his positive racing pattern holds him in good stead and he looks on track to notch a double.
BEST BET
Race 11 No 6 Golden Monkey
VALUE BET
Race 1 No 4 Fireworks
JACKPOT
R24
Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 2: 1, 3
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 2, 6, 8
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 23 JAN 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: TOM CAT (3)
Carrying top weight last start, he did well to get within two lengths after missing away and laying out in the concluding stages of the race. Should be in the finish if he jumps on terms this start.
2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (7)
Tear away leader last start caused quite a few in the race to be off the bit chasing quite a way from the finishing post. Back to 1200m which has been a great distance for him in the past, he can figure here.
3rd Pick: SUPER GENEROUS (5)
Last start winner with race fitness in the legs already this season. Tougher contest here but look among the main hopes.
4th Pick: FIREWORKS (4)
1400m would be much preferred but the long course and true rail position should assist his race pattern. Place hope with the big weight relief from 4kg claimer.
RACE 2
1st Pick: FREE AND HAPPY (2)
In a race that drops right away, his class 4 run last start where he had no luck and was beaten a little over three lengths should hold him in good stead amongst a bunch of maiden gallopers. Horse to beat.
2nd Pick: AHORSEWITHNONAME (8)
Trial during the week she raced a little keen early but closed off well enough. Race day form here has been strong enough to be amongst the top three placegetters.
3rd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (1)
Yet to win which may come as a surprise to many but he certainly has ability. Should be able to find a forward position in this field and get every possible chance.
4th Pick: SABAH WIN (9)
Forgive last start where he hung badly and cost himself and chance of winning. Hoping to see an improved performance second up.
RACE 3
1st Pick: LIM'S PASSION (1)
Races well around this mark with his last victory recorded one point lower back in July of last year. Meagher looks to have found a very winnable race for this gelding. Watch the market.
2nd Pick: AUGUSTANO (2)
Well placed here in a small field. Just one point lower in the ratings since his last win three starts ago beating a handy field. CC Wong jumps aboard and has a healthy record around this trip.
3rd Pick: FLAK JACKET (6)
One of our veteran gallopers who continues to race well in the past two seasons. He has had a nice spell and trialed in good fashion to show he can mix it in this field.
4th Pick: LIM'S ZOOM (4)
Lightweight chance who could sneak into the exotics going off his win in a lower class recently. With a small field to contend with may be a surprise finish.
RACE 4
1st Pick: FORT MUSTANG (2)
Arrogant on speed winner last start. With one of the top weights in the race, I doubt the game plan will chance much, straight to the front and roll them along.
2nd Pick: BEYOND SACRED (1)
Great to see this horse breaking through for a maiden win last start. Trialed well last week and should only improve second up with a win under the belt.
3rd Pick: KHAO MANEE (3)
Loves giving them a start but is consistent in his ability to run on and figure in the placings. Cannot be left out of all ups, don’t underestimate.
4th Pick: TWELFTH NIGHT (5)
Much like Khao Manee, can get well back in the field. Last start he came from a long way off to get within two lengths, one for the multiples.
RACE 5
1st Pick: HOLE IN ONE (4)
Debut win at the end of last year was super impressive and wasn’t missed in the market either. This looks a great next step for him being a track and distance winner ready.
2nd Pick: KICK (1)
Comes into this with race day experience and multiple proven performances at class 4 level. Strikes a winnable race here.
3rd Pick: BESTSELLER (6)
Went way to hard early sitting outside leader and he had nothing to offer late. Onto the turf should improve his chances and I think he’s worth another chance.
4th Pick: PETROGRAD (5)
On the quick back up after an arrogant win last week. Another who should be improved this weekend with a run and a win under his belt already this year, top three player.
RACE 6
1st Pick: COSMIC DANCER (5)
Started off his Singapore career in winning fashion. The minor place getter Great Command has since won and form looks solid to go back-to-back this weekend. Draws well in barrier three for Nunes.
2nd Pick: FIRST BOWL (3)
Consistent galloper who doesn’t win all that often but holds good form and a healthy record at the distance. Should be just off the hot speed and produce a nice finish late.
3rd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (4)
Led them up in blistering sectionals last start to fade off late which he was entitled to do. Should show similar tactics and will look the winner turning for home. Just depends how much fuel he burns early.
4th Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (1)
The last time we saw him race in this class was his last victory back in April of last year winning over 1400m. He has never won on this surface in nine attempts. He does get a 4kg claim to bring him into consideration.
RACE 7
1st Pick: RUMBLE (9)
Popped up to win at massive odds last start where he was first up off a long spell. With points gained from the win, he still only sits at a rating of 27 and should be winning a few races if he can replicate last starts performance.
2nd Pick: BEAT THE LIGHT (1)
Form around Bionics who was able to come out again and win in class 4 the following start, must respect him here in a race that falls away.
3rd Pick: MERCURY STORM (4)
Copped a nasty check early in the race last start and had plenty of excuses. Can bounce back here and run well with some luck this time around.
4th Pick: TURF BEAUTY (12)
Off the minimum mark but has trialed well recently. At the weights, despite being out of form she is hard to ignore after almost running one minute dead in that lead up trial. Top four hope.
RACE 8
1st Pick: BORN TO WIN (4)
Looks to be one of the standouts of the card. Nunes jumps aboard for the strong Fitzsimmons stable. On Gold Cup Day he finished a brave second to Street Of Dreams who has since won again and he looks the one to beat here.
2nd Pick: SALAMENCE (7)
Strung together two nice wins in class five grade winning both by some impressive margins. Will need to improve a bit to score in this grade but you can’t ignore his winning form.
3rd Pick: MARIANA TRENCH (5)
Caught the eye running home behind Ima off a very fast tempo. That was a shorter distance and gets to a more suitable distance that will allow him to finish off. Another win isn’t far away for this galloper.
4th Pick: HARDCORE (2)
Should get an economical run from barrier one for Kellady who knows this horse well. Earlier in his career he did win over this distance, and he is a lightly raced gelding who could add some value.
RACE 9
1st Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (1)
Caught wide without cover last start and had excuses. Before that had strung together a couple wins. 3kg claimer booked to ride again so he should be among the chances with 56kg.
2nd Pick: BIZAR WINS (6)
First up he came in well above his proven weight and was found wanting late in the race. Hopefully has trimmed up condition wise heading into this second up run. Nunes sticks with him which is a plus.
3rd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (5)
Arguably out of form but recent trial showed plenty of promise, could figure in the placings here with a good run in transit.
4th Pick: SUN STEP (8)
Speedster who will relish the 1000m. Lowest rated horse in the field but has the speed to lead them here and be in front a long way.
RACE 10
1st Pick: FLYING NEMO (3)
Just the one start to date that resulted in a win back in October on this surface. Ran a really slick time and form has been consistent from that race. Will get the run of the race for Kok in barrier one.
2nd Pick: OPUNAKE (7)
On the quick backup from last weekend where he finished fourth around this same distance. There isn’t much depth to this race and his recent form is good enough to feature.
3rd Pick: WIN WIN (1)
Does have one win at this course and distance in the past. Had excuses last start when disappointed finishing 9th. Problems should be solved and Duric sticks which is a big positive.
4th Pick: CHAMPAGNE FINALE (4)
Take this gelding on your own peril but don’t be surprised to see him figuring in the finish. Surprised a few runs back at big odds and could have a repeat with a 4kg claim for Jamil.
RACE 11
1st Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (6)
Looks primed to have a big season after a dominant three-year-old season. This is a nice steppingstone towards the Derby later in the year and Nunes jumps aboard. Tricky barrier to overcome but class should get him over the line.
2nd Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)
One of our leading sprinters who has been allocated 59.5kgs. That has been eased with Yusoff’s 2kg claim but will need luck from a wide draw. His course and distance stats are great, and he must not be forgotten as a danger to the favourite.
3rd Pick: FAME STAR (4)
Proven group winner who races well around this mark. He will have his eyes on some feature races this year but with Seow’s claim and nice barrier that allows him to roll forward he will look a danger turning for the judge. Each way claims.
4th Pick: GRAND KOONTA (2)
He has been one of our highest rated gallopers for some time and although he doesn’t win too often, he does catch the eye in the finish. His C/D record is ultra-impressive with four wins from five starts and a second placing.
RACE 12
1st Pick: SATURNO SPRING (4)
Has been scratched on a few occasions so hopefully all has been rectified. He races well at this distance with his last win recorded in October of 2021. Lightly raced galloper who can figure here at his best.
2nd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (2)
Does most of his racing around this distance and although he probably prefers the Short Course, he has good credentials on the Long Course and a win wouldn’t be out of the blue.
3rd Pick: SAINT TROPEZ (1)
Former Australian trained galloper who has made his way up here for a possible Derby campaign. Has had two quiet trials in lead up for this and will be happy to see him finishing off strong.
4th Pick: PACIFIC BAO BEI (6)
Irish bred four-year-old from the strong Clements stable. Won a trial back in December beating Cosmic Dancer who has since won again. Watch any moves in betting.