Pacific Master to prove his class

He Jiong

Singapore racing continues on Saturday with an exciting 10-race card featuring both turf and dirt events.

Pacific Master, who stunned with a decisive win at big odds last time out, is set to challenge for a second consecutive victory in the Class 4 race over 1200m at Kranji.

Two starts ago, Pacific Master, jumping from pole position, could only manage to finish ninth. However, the performance was commendable given that he was shuffled back during the race and had to be steadied near the 750m mark, ultimately finishing just four lengths behind the winner.

Under the training of Jason Ong, the five-year-old gelding was held in a more forward position in his last outing, despite being overlooked in the betting. He surged strongly in the straight, eventually nabbing stablemate Wins One on the line.

With plenty of speed expected in this week’s field, he looks well-placed for a double remaining in the same class.

Three-year-old gelding Legend Sixty-Three caught the eye with an impressive debut run mid-last month. Despite being overlooked in the market, he put in a commendable performance, sticking on well off a frantic tempo to finish second over 1200m at this track.

The form has since proven solid, with the third-placegetter, Big Return, going on to win comfortably in Novice company. With that run under his belt, he now looks ideally weighted to score second-up.

The Jason Ong-trained Engine Start raced off the speed and closed strongly to finish sixth over this distance on turf last time out. Adding to the intrigue, he pulled up lame after the race, making his performance even more compelling.

Returning to the Polytrack is a positive factor, as he has a 50% strike rate over this track and distance. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 2 No 6 Legend Sixty-Three

VALUE BET

Race 1 No 1 Star North

JACKPOT

R108

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 2, 4, 5

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 14 SEP 24


RACE 1

1st Pick: WAR FRONTIER (4)

He was gallant in defeat by July two weeks ago in similar conditions going under by a short margin. Gets the same draw and will look very dangerous again here.

2nd Pick: VGOR (7)

Expect him to settle back and track the field as is his usual custom. He was a strong winner two starts back and kept that form strong with a satisfactory third placing at his most recent outing. Watch for support.

3rd Pick: OTAHUHU (3)

Stable apprentice will take four kilograms off and look to be sent forward as he likes to get rolling along. If he can obtain a nice run without doing too much work, he is right in this. Wasn’t beaten far last start.

4th Pick: LUCKY HERO (6)

Broke through for a well-earned victory last start coming from the tail of the field and breaking the 60.00 second mark for that trip. Leading stable and apprentice combine again.

RACE 2

1st Pick: BRAVO KID (2)

Was well supported last weekend in the market and looked the winner throughout until Mr Hooper broke a long drought to beat him by a head on the line. This looks his race to claim that first win but the seven day back up is the query.

2nd Pick: LEGEND SIXTY-THREE (6)

This three-year-old really caught the eye on debut being beaten half a length to Lim’s Shavano and will drop back in trip here. Should take plenty of natural improvement at his second start.

3rd Pick: LIM'S TETON (5)

Our leading apprentice PH Seow will take the ride for the powerful Lim’s stable coming out of a maiden last weekend where this mare was beaten two lengths. This looks easier and must be considered.

4th Pick: JO'S LEGEND (1)

Not much form to go off from his last two starts so the key factor to him this weekend is Nunes taking the ride and had a feel of him in a trial where he looked alright.

RACE 3

1st Pick: STAR VICTORY (8)

Expecting to see this gelding be sent forward something he hasn’t done for a while but with Queiroz in the saddle and drawing barrier one he gets back to a trip where he has a great record in the past. One to watch.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (1)

He is a winner of two of his last two starts and is racing in career best form against similar opponents during those wins. Rises up in weight but stable have him peaking.

3rd Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (3)

Looked a real danger until the barrier draw came out and drawing ten. It’s been a long time between wins with some huge runs between then but watch for betting support.

4th Pick: CHINA PEARL (4)

Comes into this race second up and dropping back in grade after an acceptable run at Novice level last start. Curatolo takes the ride and draws well to get a comfortable run.

RACE 4

1st Pick: STRIKE GOLD (3)

Take this entire with some risk as he can do a lot of things wrong with his manners but when he puts it all together, he can be the best horse in the field. If he jumps cleanly, he will be there at the finish.

2nd Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (2)

He has only missed a top three finish once from his last five starts with his most recent start claiming a win beating the in-form Surrey Hills. He can go back-to-back here.

3rd Pick: LAST SAMURAI (1)

Noted speedster who doesn’t usually hold up his form after a win but wasn’t beaten far last start and it all comes down to how quick he goes in those opening sectionals.

4th Pick: V'INVINCIBLE (7)

Has the record to be able to sneak into a top four placing and if he does, he will return a strong dividend.

RACE 5

1st Pick: THE SHADOW (3)

Can be rather frustrating to follow in terms of inconsistent form performances but he did catch the eye last start and looks well placed in a race like this to go one better.

2nd Pick: WIND OF DUBAI (8)

This will be his fourth run back after a lengthy lay off so should be at good fitness this week. The key factor is the booking of Pinheiro who will partner him for the first time.

3rd Pick: SABAH WIN (7)

Nunes takes the ride and will need luck from barrier eleven, but he clocked very slick sectionals two weeks ago in a similar contest. Expect support in betting.

4th Pick: CENTURION (1)

Draws very well in barrier three for CC Wong who has had a good record on this old boy in the past. He is a 10-year-old but has a way of surprising at big odds.

RACE 6

1st Pick: OCTOBER (2)

He is flying recently, and the stable have kept him peaking and staying in a winnable grade. You cannot disregard winning form and he has been the best performed runner in this field.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (8)

Rider was questioned at his most recent start last weekend and ran on well to fifth position. He did race keenly in the early stages and if he settles well can be in the mix late.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC PADRINO (1)

Has held form with four minor placings since his last win and continues to sit at the top of the weight scale and gets the services of Daniel Moor. Small field so barrier not a concern.

4th Pick: ARYA PAKUAN (4)

He finished a length behind October last start. The winner headlines this field, and he has really turned a corner this preparation. Don’t exclude him here.

RACE 7

1st Pick: ENGINE START (3)

Well proven at the course and distance with three wins from six starts and gets Moor in the saddle. These colours have been winning recently and expect a big run here.

2nd Pick: FRENETIC (4)

Looked sharp in a piece of trackwork during the week and looks in a position to win here with Curatolo booked to take the ride. Does some of his best racing at this mark.

3rd Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (2)

Nunes will need to be at his best to navigate a good path from the wide draw he has been allocated. Ran a much-improved race last start and can hold the form.

4th Pick: SMART ONE (1)

Bruno Queiroz takes the ride aboard the top rater in this field and expect him to settle up on the speed searching for his first win at the mile.

RACE 8

1st Pick: NIMBUS STAR (3)

Continues to be supported in the market as he searches for his first Kranji win at start No 14. Krisna continues his association with him and can get that win here.

2nd Pick: SURREY HILLS (1)

Lots of positives for this four-time winner including an inside draw and the leading trainer and jockey combining with a great strike rate. Should be there at the end.

3rd Pick: JIN SAKAMOTO (4)

Comes out of that Surrey Hills race last start where he finished fourth beaten 1.60 lengths. Lightly raced at Kranji but has some nice form stats on the board.

4th Pick: PACIFIC MASTER (2)

Scored at huge odds last weekend but is on the quick turnaround. Change of surface not an issue as he has recorded two wins on the Polytrack.

RACE 9

1st Pick: TENNET TENTENNET (3)

Connections have sighted for a jockey change trying to turn those second placings into a win with Nunes getting the leg up. Cannot fault his form his combined beaten margin from three starts is 1.1 lengths. He is ready.

2nd Pick: LONGEVITY (4)

Brings good stats at the course and distance that reads (5:2-0-1). Pinheiro is one for one on him and they scored back in June winning easily by two lengths.

3rd Pick: RED DRAGON (5)

Just when it looked like he would get back into class five he scored a neck win over the fast-finishing Tennet Tentennet and CC Wong takes the steer. Performs well off this mark.

4th Pick: SACRED COMMAND (8)

Will have no option but to press forward from the wide draw like he did last start when beating Super Bowl two weeks ago.

RACE 10
1st Pick: ENERGY BABY (5)

Had to settle second behind Pacific Vampire but was the run of the race that day clocking great sectionals and his 1400m stats are strong with three wins.

2nd Pick: TE AKAU BEN (7)

Draws the inside barrier for CC Wong and although last start reads that he ran seventh he wasn’t beaten all that far. This gate is key to him getting the run of the race and looks a genuine top three player in this.

3rd Pick: FLYING NEMO (1)

Likes to get back and will require good early tempo to be able to pounce on his rivals late as is his usual style. Looked stylish in a trial win last week and he is exciting to watch.

4th Pick: GREATHAM BOY (4)

Won a trial last week clocking 1:00.11 and winning that heat in nice style. This is just his second start at the 1400m, so you take him on trust from his four wins at 1200m. Watch the market with him.