Pacific Commander to rule in Kranji Handicap

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday featuring an 11-race turf and dirt fixture.

Promising three-year-old Pacific Commander is primed to go back-to-back when he lines up in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Trained by Jason Ong, Pacific Commander has been consistently performing well since rising to Class 4 six starts ago, securing an impressive win in this class last time out. In comparison to his previous starts, he settled much closer to the speed that day before drawing away in the straight, scoring by 3.25 lengths over this track and distance.

This week Pacific Commander finds himself in a highly winnable race where a few horses were easily beaten by him in his latest outing, so there is no reason why he cannot continue his winning ways.

In the $75,000 Novice race over 1400m on turf, keep an eye on the Jerome Tan-trained three-year-old Super Baby. This three-year-old is erratic but possesses ability. Although luck hasn't been on his side in recent starts, he has the potential to bounce back in a race like this.

Despite often racing wide (or extremely wide as has been the case) in his recent outings, he has still performed well. To have a winning chance, he needs to jump cleanly and the rider must ensure he finds a favourable position during the race. Barrier 2 should provide every chance for the jockey to map favourably.

Granted, Steven Burridge-trained Bakeel looks the one to beat on current form. The one-time winner from four has been consistent, last seen checking in runner-up in a handy Class 4 race, which should account for something here.

Under leading jockey Manoel Nunes, Bakeel will prove hard to beat, but Super Baby does appeal at a better price. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 4 No 2 Pacific Commander

VALUE BET

Race 1 No 2 Great Command

JACKPOT

R144

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 7

Leg 4: 3, 4, 6

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 17 Mar 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (7)

Good run last start chasing home the dominant Pacific Charm. He has a great record on the poly track and should be kicking up from the inside alley to lead or find the box seat. He is well suited in this race and Nunes sticks aboard.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC GENERAL (5)

Powered home two starts back behind Silver Dragon and then tackled a similar race and had plenty of excuses in the run. Duric stays onboard and draws a great barrier. Can bounce back here.

3rd Pick: BENBO (1)

Goes well in class 5 and continues to live up to expectations each time he runs. A versatile horse that performs well on both the poly and turf track. He should be one of the main contenders in this but gets the outside gate. Will more than likely go back and run on.

4th Pick: GOLDEN WAY (11)

Still looking to break through here in Singapore and is getting close. Recently finished third behind Lim’s Bighorn on the poly track and was building momentum late. Will need to obtain cover from the awkward barrier.

RACE 2

1st Pick: ACE NINE (1)

Gets the Nunes factor this week from a great draw. He went well last start and boxed on down the straight, could surprise here.

2nd Pick: SILVER WARRIOR (9)

Going well in open maiden grade. Last two runs have been his best. He always finds the line and can be very competitive in this. Great draw and is a danger.

3rd Pick: JING JIN (7)

Went well over the 1400m most recently in class 5 when up on speed, didn’t settle during the early stages and held on for third. Will need to come across from an outside alley.

4th Pick: RAGING RABBIT (6)

Has a few minor issues in the gates on race day but has a great turn of foot. Should drag back from the outside barrier and run home late. Value play.

RACE 3

1st Pick: HAPPY WARRIOR (5)

Multiple champion jockey Vlad Duric takes the steer on this last start winner who has been well proven at this course and distance in the past. Gets a good draw in five and will gather support.

2nd Pick: TAVI WILL DO (8)

Has been racing well in recent runs without winning and showing that a win is nearby. Connections have called on leading jockey Manoel Nunes to get the job done here.

3rd Pick: NINEONEONE (2)

He will settle back as expected and look for that electric turn of foot that saw him win three runs back. Since then, has been solid placing twice and looks a danger again here.

4th Pick: LONGEVITY (3)

Wasn’t disgraced up in grade last start and gets to a more suitable race here this weekend. Brazilian jockey Carlos Henrique will give him a good steer from barrier four.

RACE 4

1st Pick: PACIFIC COMMANDER (2)

Beat a very handy one in Golden Brown last start when sitting up on the speed and putting a gap on the field to win by over three lengths. A return performance will be good enough to win here.

2nd Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (1)

Has been one of our most consistent performers over the last twelve months and sits here as our highest rated runner in this race. He will track the speed everywhere they go from barrier two.

3rd Pick: SHOW ALL SIXTY-ONE (5)

Will need some luck from the wide draw but showed he is up to the task last start when beaten half a length. Is yet to win on the Polytrack the negative for him.

4th Pick: WAR STAR (8)

Stable apprentice Seow will look to give him a trouble-free run from barrier three and must step up in class after a nice win in lower grade last start.

RACE 5

1st Pick: JULY (2)

Lightly raced 3yo that’s going super. His last two runs in maiden company have been his best. Chased home Otahuhu last time out in a weak field but will take plenty of improvement from it. Curatolo now gets the steer from barrier four. Good chance.

2nd Pick: RUBIK KID (1)

Huge run behind Auspicious King last start who has come out and won in class 4. Won a recent trail on the 7th and looks primed for this. Good barrier and consistent. Gets apprentice claims.

3rd Pick: SWEET N SOUR (4)

First up from a few months break. Last run was in August and found the line well. Had three trials to prep for this and gets the inside gate. Watch betting.

4th Pick: RIVER DRAGON (5)

Okay run last start in open maiden grade back in December. Had a couple of moderate trials of late and could show up here.

RACE 6

1st Pick: RODA ROBOT (1)

What a tough horse he is having his sixth start this season that has resulted in two wins over these middle distances. He is showing no signs of training off and will gather support again.

2nd Pick: PRIORITIZE (6)

Much improved run last start behind Lim’s Bestbreaker to show that next win isn’t too far away. If he gets a strong early tempo that will play in his favor.

3rd Pick: BLUE IDOL (5)

Will carry no weight and gets the services of the in-form Carlos Henrique. He has had one win from three starts over this course and distance. Can surprise here.

4th Pick: TENNET TENTENNET (7)

Should get a lovely run from barrier one and make use of the lightweight advantage. He has been beaten under two lengths his last two starts and holding his own.

RACE 7

1st Pick: KINABALU LIGHT (2)

Has been around the mark in his last couple of runs. He loves the staying trip on the poly track and won impressively in this grade. He had a recent trial which was okay and shouldn’t be too far from the placings in this.

2nd Pick: KHAO MANEE (1)

A consistent 6yo with plenty of racing experience. He can be competitive in class 5 but needs a lot to go his way. He has great acceleration and finds a weaker field on this occasion. Can improve from his last run and go close.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC SPIRIT (3)

Ran on well two starts ago in the same race behind Kinabalu Light and boxed on late, then went back to 1400m on the turf and put in an okay effort most recently. He will need to improve but is lightly raced. Going well and should appreciate being back on the poly.

4th Pick: TIGAROUS (5)

His best stats are on the poly track over this distance and should be able to measure up against a few of these. Always around the placings and finds a suitable race. Not bad.

RACE 8

1st Pick: BAKEEL (2)

Classy youngster who is second up for this preparation and was strong in defeat behind Wins One last start. Nunes on and has had a tune up trial between runs. Looks in shape here.

2nd Pick: OCTOBER (4)

He brings good form lines to this race including a win over Fire who has since won at his next outing and has been freshened up for this event with two trials. Talented type.

3rd Pick: FIRE (3)

Finally cracked that maiden win under Chad Schofield last start and is more than up to this level off that performance.

4th Pick: SUPER BABY (5)

A string of consistent performances in his last five runs including a win four starts back. He should enjoy a comfortable run from barrier two for Iskandar.

RACE 9

1st Pick: COMMANDER JONES (4)

He is an honest horse with plenty of scope. After his first win here in Singapore, he continued to race on in class 5 and is now building a good record over 1400m on the turf. He’s had some excuses in the past and Curatolo sticks aboard which is a plus.

2nd Pick: SCHNEIDER (11)

Dislodged rider in most recent run but eats up 1400m and has an electric acceleration. He should be the main danger in this and is known for holding his form. Can go close again.

3rd Pick: STAR VICTORY (13)

Draws the outside gate and had trouble finds the front like the he did two starts prior. Has the ability to cross on this occasion and could bounce back.

4th Pick: GOLDEN EIGHTYONE (1)

He broke his maiden here in Singapore last start on the poly track over the 1600m. He could possibly tackle class 5 again but will need to bring his A-game.

RACE 10

1st Pick: ENERGY BABY (1)

He was backed for enough money to break an economy last start to start a short price favourite. He paid dividends with a tough win gunning down the leader to score easily. Can win again. Talented type.

2nd Pick: STAR NORTH (4)

He came out and beat Ace Of Diamonds last start to show he is a horse to be respected. Has had over a month between runs and did win a recent trial back on the 7th of March. Watch betting support.

3rd Pick: TE AKAU BEN (6)

Returned to form with a nice third placing coming off a slow early gallop which made that run look better than it reads. He has ability and looks an each way play.

4th Pick: CREATIVE DREAMS (5)

Strong performer who always runs well but seems to find one better every time he steps out. His runs and stats show it’s not if he wins again but more so when?

RACE 11

1st Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (6)

First up since Gold Cup Day last November when beaten under a length to the very handy Lightning Strike. Has had two trials to tune him up for his assault from a strong stable.

2nd Pick: JIN SAKAMOTO (3)

We haven’t seen this five-year-old at the trials since his second placing back in November last year. He has had four consecutive minor placings and finished behind some handy ones in those defeats.

3rd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (1)

Doesn’t get much luck from the barrier so Duric will have to be at his best to get this ten-time winner back in the winner’s stall. He made up good ground behind Lim’s Saltoro and deserves support.

4th Pick: STRONG N SMART (4)

Gets a senior rider in the saddle third up for the preparation and was very strong first up over this course and distance. Could be the value play of the race.