Pacific Victory stands out at Kranji

He Jiong

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

Promising four-year-old Pacific Victory is set for a first-up win this Sunday as he returns to Kranji for the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1000m on the Polytrack.

Trained by KS Tan, Pacific Victory won easily in Class 4 two starts ago and was last seen finishing a luckless fourth in March this year.

In that race, which was slowly run and dominated by on-pace runners, the son of Rubick endured a three-wide trip but still made significant ground in the straight, missing out by only two lengths over 1200m. In addition, his performance was further compromised by a slipped saddle.

As a lightly raced four-year-old, Pacific Victory should have some rating points up his sleeve and appears to be a strong winning chance in this below-par Class 4 field first-up.

The Jason Ong-trained three-year-old Cheval Pegasus appears to be ideally weighted to shed his maiden tag in the $75,000 Novice race (1400m). He was heavily supported last start, but luck was clearly not on his side.

In a small field of seven, it was surprising to see him travel three-wide throughout and be caught in the final strides, beaten by just a neck into second place.

With an ideal weight and a highly winnable race this week, he should finally break through if he gets even luck in running.

This year’s Guineas winner, Ace Of Diamonds, was thrown into the deepest water at Group 1 level recently, but he still managed a solid fourth in the G1 Lion City Cup two starts ago. With the minimum weight this week and a drop to Kranji Stakes A company, he should produce a much-improved performance. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 9 2 Ravalli

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Race 4 No 1 Nordic Star

JACKPOT

R96

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 10

Leg 2: 1, 3, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 25 August 2024

RACE 1

1st Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (1)

Nunes gets back aboard this class dropper who is always dangerous at this level and doesn’t stay off this mark for very long. The jockey has a great record on him and stable is doing well.

2nd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (3)

Gets back to his best distance where all of his wins have come, and our leading jockey retains the ride. He may be ten years old, but he shows the early pace of a two-year-old in these conditions.

3rd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (6)

He was reunited with his favourite jockey last start and they saluted with a strong win. He goes up six rating points from that win and remains in this grade and gets a gun draw.

4th Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (4)

Drawn very handy in barrier two and won his maiden over this sharp distance. Has shown early speed but with the anticipated speed drawn out wide he can take a sit and finish late. Expect some support in betting.

RACE 2

1st Pick: FREE AND HAPPY (1)

We haven’t seen him in this grade since December last year when he won on the turf over this same distance. A win in class four kept him there for a while but he looks ideally placed with Lerner booked to ride. Big watch on him.

2nd Pick: MY DETERMINATION (5)

Jumped and led them up in a role where we don’t usually see him in so maybe better suited taking a sit and finishing off strong late. Key booking with Nunes to pilot.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC BEAUTY (4)

She has hit a good patch of form recently that includes a strong win on Derby day and backed it up with a minor placing. CC Wong from barrier five should find a handy spot and is proven on this surface.

4th Pick: SCREEN SHOT (2)

From barrier one should be able to find a spot on the rail get rolling around that first bend. He is very lightly raced on this surface but does have one win from three starts.

RACE 3

1st Pick: HE'S MY HALO (2)

Lines up for just his third career start and gets plenty of positives with a nice draw in four and Nunes booked to ride. Has shown nice ability in his first two starts and gets a chance here.

2nd Pick: LOVER BOY (3)

Strung together two nice wins before leading them up over 1400m but failing to see out the journey and was beaten eight lengths that day. The drop back in distance looks more to his liking.

3rd Pick: LUCKY GOAL (1)

Seow will take 2kgs off and he has been thriving in recent runs including a win three starts back. If he runs up to his recent starts, he will be in the mix for a win here.

4th Pick: OUTFIT (6)

His last two starts read better than they look only being beaten just under three lengths last outing. If he can replicate that win three starts ago over this trap watch out.

RACE 4

1st Pick: LONGEVITY (2)

He’s had a break since his strong win in May, relishes these conditions on the Poly track and should be primed up for a solid first-up performance on the weekend. He had a stimulation trial back on the 15th of August.

2nd Pick: TENNET TENTENNET (3)

Was very unlucky last start out when beaten by Mesmerizing on the line, was a short price favourite on that occasion and will short in the market again here. He has good recent form in this race.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (5)

He did everything right most recently on the turf over 1400m and should show speed in this race. Going well but doesn’t have a lot of form on the Poly track.

4th Pick: SUPER BOWL (7)

Huge run last week behind Lim’s Smythe, had to endure a tough run and continued to hit the line hard. Should be rock-hard fit.

RACE 5

1st Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (4)

Has been a while since he has tasted victory but one of a few that comes into this race not having a lot of starts in recent months. Gets a nice draw and holds a good record at the distance.

2nd Pick: LIM'S TETON (1)

This is his first run at class five level after some nice runs in Restricted Maiden level. He should appreciate the sharp drop, and this isn’t a strong field.

3rd Pick: DIAMOND RING (6)

This will be his fourth start in the space of a month but has been holding his form not being beaten far at his last couple of outings. Should gather support in betting.

4th Pick: SIRIUS (8)

Has the ability to fill the quartet placings. Just the three wins to his name but his career best is good enough to figure. When he runs well there is usually late support in betting.

RACE 6

1st Pick: FIRE (1)

Should get every chance from barrier four with Curatolo abroad, he’ll be one of the main dangers here and should be respected in this field.

2nd Pick: CHINA PEARL (2)

We haven’t seen him since January this year when he was racing behind Commander Jones. He’s only had the one trial leading into this race and trackwork suggests he could go close.

3rd Pick: OCEAN JUPITER (3)

Solid maiden win last start coming from near last and storming over the top. He had to endure a tough run and looks well placed in this race. Will need speed on.

4th Pick: CHEVAL PEGASUS (7)

He has been running some great races behind some of the same horses in this race and now Bruno Queiroz takes the ride. Watch betting.

RACE 7

1st Pick: FEARLESS WARRIOR (3)

Not the most ideal draw in nine but that is the same gate that he won from a couple of weeks back. Now that he has hit form he can continue on from here.

2nd Pick: ROOK'S GAMBIT (5)

Draws low in barrier one and was only beaten half a length to Onemorefortheroad who has some of the best form in recent months. Gets a chance here.

3rd Pick: EMPOWERING (9)

Stays at the mile where he ran second last start and was making good ground late that day. Daniel Moor takes the steer and watch for any late support.

4th Pick: LIM'S EVEREST (2)

Scored his first win in a moderate rated race but did do it in nice style for the strong Meagher and Lerner combination.

RACE 8

1st Pick: GHALIB (1)

He’s been a model of consistency for punters and connections, doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He will be well supported on race day and is a proven sprinter on the Poly track and on the turf. Main danger.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC VAMPIRE (3)

Comfortable win from this guy last start in class 3, doing what he does best, leading the whole way and leaving his rivals in his wake. He was very good over 1000m on the Poly track three starts back. Could do it again.

3rd Pick: ENERGY BABY (6)

Was flashing home last time out behind Pacific Vampire and could be well suited in this race. Does get back and run on, so will need a strong tempo and some cover in transit.

4th Pick: ACE OF DIAMONDS (5)

He’s been racing well in behind Singapore’s best horses, wasn’t beaten far behind Lim’s Saltoro and Lim’s Kosciuszko and could be some great value here. Goes onto the Poly and back down from 1600m.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LAST SUPPER (1)

He was huge last start over 1100m after a tough run being wide throughout and getting back in the field, he is the horse to beat but meets harder opposition here.

2nd Pick: RAVALLI (2)

Was scratched in the early morning two weeks ago and thus gone to the trials to hold his fitness. Can be very dangerous in this field from the low barrier.

3rd Pick: WINS ONE (4)

Good return from this guy last start, a noted front-runner with plenty of ability. Now coming back to a more suitable trip.

4th Pick: CHEERFUL BABY (8)

Gets in low at the weights and was a nice multiple winner before his last start. Will look to get back in an easier grade but could be a value player.

RACE 10

1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (1)

He’s been a promising horse for connections but seems to always find one better on the day recording multiple placings from his short career. He likes to roll forward and Ryan Curatolo sticks aboard.

2nd Pick: WAR STAR (5)

Huge win last start when well supported, apprentice Seow has taken the ride from barrier five and could go close again here. Key player.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC VICTORY (3)

Returning from a lengthy spell and could surprise in this field, CC Wong takes the ride and could push across from the outside barrier.

4th Pick: SURREY HILLS (6)

Could bounce back this weekend after an average performance last time around. Has been behind a nice upcoming horse in Big Union who has come out and won in class 3.