No red light for this robot at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday with a 12-race turf and Polytrack fixture.

Jason Ong-trained three-year-old Roda Robot can make amends for his last-start defeat when he returns to Kranji in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1200m on turf.

Roda Robot has not had much luck at his last two starts, but still finished in the money on both occasions. Two starts back, the Mongolian Khan gelding came home a neck into second when being badly held up from the 450m to the 250m, before travelling three-wide throughout and sticking on for a second place again last time out.

This week Roda Robot finds a winnable race, in which he stands out as the form choice, and with even luck in running, he can go close to winning.

It could be a big day out for Ong, who currently sits third on the trainers’ log on 25 wins for the season – three behind current table leader Jason Lim on 28 wins.

The Singaporean handler unveils newcomer Akhtar in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

Akhtar formerly raced in Australia, where he was a one-time winner from seven starts. The son of I Am Invincible broke his maiden at Randwick in September 2021 before competing in a few quality handicap races at metro level. Despite not winning again, he was placed once in a $100k BM 72 race.

While Akhtar has trialled impressively for his local debut, and it appears to be his race to lose based on his strong overseas form, the main danger appears to be Flying Nemo, who boasts a great Class 4 record and is capable of returning to the winner’s list anytime in this class. -

BEST BET

Race 9 No 3 Akhtar

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 8 Decreto

JACKPOT

R384

Leg 1: 1, 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 15 JUL 2023

RACE 1

1st Pick: OPUNAKE (4)

In a race littered with class droppers, this Jason Ong trained galloper looks the pick off his last run where he qualified for class 5 but stayed up in class 4 and went down a slim margin to Time Travel in slick time.

2nd Pick: DOC HUDSON (1)

The second of the runners for AP Tan in this race who makes his class 5 debut after a solid first up performance up in class 4 to only go down by 3.4 lengths, big chance.

3rd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (2)

Back down to class 5 for the first time in a while and off recent form, the drop down will be welcomed. Hopefully amongst this company he can find some form which we couldn’t see of late at the bottom of class 4. Can place here but needs to lift.

4th Pick: FLAK JACKET (3)

The old boy finds himself back to class 5 again and finally draws a gate for once in his life. Amongst class 5 company he is always a chance and is proven to carry weight, you would be silly to leave him out of the numbers and quartet plays.

RACE 2

1st Pick: CITY GOLD TELECOM (1)

Narrowly defeated by his stablemate last start and as a result, has a proven performance at the races. Off the last run, he looks the clear horse to beat on race day form, expecting a big run.

2nd Pick: CASH KING (2)

Strong performance at the same class last start in behind Greatham Boy who could be a smart 2yo on the rise. Willing to respect the form, top three chance.

3rd Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (7)

Fair to say the debut wasn’t an ideal start to the career but had genuine excuses in the run. Has his trialled impressively and looks to bounce back but it won’t be handed to him easily, each way.

4th Pick: TANTHEMAN (3)

Solid trial winner between runs on July 4th. Has clearly had its chance to win races by now but despite not winning, he is rarely far from the winner.

RACE 3

1st Pick: FIREWORKS (3)

Beaten 1.80 lengths by See Yah and drops to division 2 here over his best trip. Off his last run, he should be hard to beat here.

2nd Pick: CROWN DANCING (4)

Solid on speed performance first up to only be run down by one horse in Red Roar. On the quick back up, expecting a similar run.

3rd Pick: TWO MILLION (2)

Broke through to win last start at career start number 13. Still did a few things wrong in the run but should take plenty of confidence from the win. This looks a tougher contest so a win would shock, but looks a big top three hope.

4th Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (1)

Comes into this event the highest rated galloper but is yet to win on turf. Can run top four with any luck of his current rating.

RACE 4

1st Pick: JUNE (6)

Hard to split June and September, both make very good cases. Should sit off them and finish strong from the back of the field like we saw in the trials, could impress under Manoel Nunes.

2nd Pick: SEPTEMBER (9)

Sits closer to the speed compared to his stablemate and with the rail out, this could suit him more. Trial win was solid and he looks the likely favourite in the field, a winning chance.

3rd Pick: GEOBELS GLORY (4)

Two trials leading up to the debut run have been a solid pass mark. Well bred by the same sire as Lim’s Kosciuszko in Kermadec, could surprise.

4th Pick: GENRICH (3)

Much like Geobels Glory, the two trials leading up to this weekend’s debut have been good enough. He won’t want it much further than 1200m being by Your Song, but like most of the progeny, he should show speed and be up in the mix late in the race.

RACE 5

1st Pick: MESMERIZING (1)

Comes into this after a narrow defeat to Engine Start. He carries 56kg here after the claim but should be able to produce a good run against this company once again, no query on fitness whatsoever.

2nd Pick: FREE FALLIN' (2)

Returns back to class 4 which looks a much more suitable class. Should race on speed and set the tempo of the event. If left alone, he can be a big danger, don’t underestimate.

3rd Pick: RAISING SIXTY-ONE (3)

Winner of his last two who is stepping up a level this weekend with the company he faces at the top of class 4. Will have taken plenty of confidence out of those two recent wins, each way all day.

4th Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (4)

Has barely put a foot wrong of late and is incredibly consistent. Gets Nunes in the saddle this weekend and although he steps up against some tougher horses, he’s hard to not make a case for as a top three hope.

RACE 6

1st Pick: LEG DAY (6)

Went down as the short-priced elect in his Singapore debut. Returns here hoping to atone after the sub-par performance. Trials have indicated the horse has ability, not willing to count him out just yet.

2nd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (3)

After leading up the field, this son of Super One dropped away to only be beaten by one horse on the line. Fitness wise, he should be coming into this much stronger and the form has held up with Fabu going on to win once again against proven company the following start.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BEAUTY (12)

Has a super light weight heading into this weekend after running a great race in her Singapore debut. Weighted to run a good race.

4th Pick: SACRED GOLD (2)

Makes Singapore debut this weekend and has impressed at the trials in the lead up to this first start.

RACE 7

1st Pick: BEN WADE (3)

Heading over his ideal distance this weekend and back into division 2 company where he has thrived in the last 12 to 18 months. Plenty of boxes are ticked here for him to run a solid race.

2nd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (5)

Should be in the leading division in this field with only a couple others having the sped to match him early. If left alone up front, he could have something to offer.

3rd Pick: SIRIUS (4)

Draws very well this weekend with the leading rider booked on board. Still yet to break through in Singapore across his 16 starts here to date but consistently runs around the mark. He looks a good horse to be throwing in your trio and quartet plays.

4th Pick: CASH OUT (7)

Light weight and leads. Should be up front and have Lohnro Gold for company. Capable enough to steal a race with 50kg on his back, don’t overlook if you are playing the exotics.

RACE 8

1st Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (5)

Wide without cover last star and never got a chance. The return to 2000m is welcomes for this son of Contributor, conditions should suit.

2nd Pick: STAR JACK (3)

Ideal track and trip for him having his second run back in class 5. He is a four time winner at the distance and at this grade, looks a winning prospect.

3rd Pick: KHAO MANEE (1)

Yet to win over 2000m, but at this grade he is primed to run top three with any luck. There will be better races for him to win in the next few weeks but hard to not have him in the numbers for exotic bets.

4th Pick: ZOFFSPEED (4)

Won over the track and distance two starts ago in impressive fashion to get there at the death knock. This race looks a little stronger that what he faced there but look for him to be flashing late once again into the money.

RACE 9

1st Pick: AKHTAR (3)

Well bred son of I Am Invincible stepping out for Singapore debut. Has shown a fair bit of gusto at the trials and should be forward enough to run well here, respect.

2nd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (2)

Hung badly turning off the back last start with a 4kg claiming rider on board. Should lead here and hopefully atone for last start, worth another chance.

3rd Pick: FLYING NEMO (1)

59kg is a huge amount of weight for this horse who barely sits about 400kg, so the fact they have a 3kg claiming rider booked looks a plus. He is a tough competitor who rarely runs a bad race and is a big top three contender.

4th Pick: SIAM WARRIOR (4)

Well supported last start but failed to find a spot and got caught three deep yet again. Getting to an attractive mark, each way.

RACE 10

On the quick back up after a good win last start. Carries the 59kg at the top of the grad and looks set to be returning to class 4 very soon.

2nd Pick: LION SPIRIT (2)

Absolutely relishes the 1700m on poly and conditions see him running a solid race yet again, hard to see him not running top three in this event.

3rd Pick: SAYONARA (3)

Prefer him on the turf to the poly but in a race that falls away quite a bit he looks a place hope if he remains completely out of trouble.

4th Pick: MATSURIBAYASHI (7)

Dropping right down in the weights here and contests over what has been his best track and distance in the past. One to throw in for quartets.

RACE 11

1st Pick: ON LINE (1)

Copped a nasty check at a crucial stage of the race and had to be steadied. Probably should have won a race in class 5 by now but has had some proper excuses, worth another chance with Duric booked this weekend.

2nd Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (6)

Has been a model of consistency in recent months. Obviously feeling very well and the jump to 1400m should be no concern at all, top three hope.

3rd Pick: THUNDER (2)

Heads back to class 5 where he only spent one start last time he dropped down. He was arguably racing better last time he dropped compared to now, so confidence is not as high, each way.

4th Pick: BIG DAY (11)

Gets in here at the bottom of the weights with a senior rider on board in Bernardo Pinheiro. The return to turf is also very promising, place hope.

RACE 12

1st Pick: TIME TRAVEL (4)

Super impressive win at a price. Stable have been able to get their lower grade sprinters to continue their form so far this season, expecting him to back up that victory and run well again.

2nd Pick: KASSAB (1)

Drops to class 4 which he has proven at on numerous occasions. Hopefully amongst this company he can run a solid race, don’t leave out of your numbers.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (5)

Always deserves respect at this track and trip in class 4. Last couple of starts has seen her drop back to a good rating. Her best sees her going close in this.

4th Pick: THUNDER STAR (3)

Last start was a forgive after copping an early check. Hopefully we can see a similar performance to two starts back where he won very well, each way.