Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Sunday for an 11-race fixture, one week out from the Group 1 Kranji Mile.
In-form four-year-old Prioritize looks stand out and he is on track to land his third career win in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1700m on the Polytrack.
Prioritize has struck a purple patch of form with two wins and three placings from last five starts and there is plenty of merit to his fast finishing second last time out. Copping a nasty check shortly after the start, the son of Proisir was forced to settle towards the rear before making a bold move from the 700m, which saw him travel three-wide in an attempt to circuit the field.
Despite the mid-race exertion, the Stephen Gray-trained gelding still charged home strongly and found only one too good at the line over 1600m at this track.
Boasting a perfect record of two from two over this track and distance, Prioritize is well placed at the weights to make amends for his last-start defeat this week and he has to be rated a top winning chance.
Keep an eye out for Big Tiger in the final race, the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack. Several key factors could significantly improve his chances this week.
Firstly, he will be switching to the Polytrack (18-5-6-3) after an eye-catching run on turf (10-0-1-0) last start. Despite starting slowly and settling at the back of the pack, he finished strongly to produce the third quickest final section of the race, to earn fourth place.
In addition, he returns to Class 4 where he has a formidable record, boasting three wins and five placings in eight attempts. Furthermore, he won a trial convincingly in between races, indicating he is in good form leading up to the event. – iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 7 No 3 Prioritize
VALUE BET
Race 11 No 1 Big Tiger
JACKPOT
R256
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 4, 8, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 8
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 14 MAY 2023
RACE 1
1st Pick: GALAXY STAR (2)
Drops back to a suitable grade this weekend. Solid stats in this grade and all four of his career wins have been over this distance on the turf. Kellady knows this gelding well.
2nd Pick: SUN ELIZABETH (8)
Consistent mare who has had a stellar preparation racing off a low mark. With a lightweight and a good record at this mark she must be considered again.
3rd Pick: SONG OF NATURE (1)
Good to see him back in the winners stall last start. Will settle back in the field and if he produces his turn of foot can make it back-to-back. Possibly looking for further.
4th Pick: CHARGER (6)
Looking to bounce back to some form the old boy this weekend. Six of his eight wins in Singapore have come at this course and distance and his record is too good to ignore.
RACE 2
1st Pick: FIGHT ON (4)
Placed on three occasions so far in his short career. There has been a lot to like about his runs in terms of sectional timings and the form coming out of his recent starts. Could Sunday be his day?
2nd Pick: GRAND SUPREME (2)
Hit the line strongly a few weeks back where the winner had the advantage of carrying a light weight. He is building up to a win very soon and if he jumps clean, he can win this. Key booking with Moor jumping on.
3rd Pick: SILO (9)
Won a trial in 60.66 back on the 4th of May. Will have the advantage of carrying no weight and two-year-olds seem to be thriving in this grade recently.
4th Pick: KING GEE (3)
Was well supported on debut but never really looked a factor halfway through the run. Maybe with a run under his belt he can improve second up.
RACE 3
1st Pick: PETROGRAD (6)
Back to 1000m this weekend and draws a super gate for connections. Should find himself in a forward position off the inside gate and be strong to the line late with Ronnie Stewart in the saddle.
2nd Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (13)
First emergency yet to gain a start but recent form would put him right in the mix of winning contenders if he was to get a run. Last couple placings have been full of merit, respect.
3rd Pick: BABY TWINS (7)
1000m looks this colt’s ideal trip with plenty of speed. Pinheiro booked to ride from a middle alley and will find this easier than the group 3 company he faced last start.
4th Pick: HAMAMA (1)
Gets 55kg after the rider claim and despite the wide draw, she will appreciate the drop in trip and getting back onto the poly. Each way.
RACE 4
1st Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (1)
Singapore’s greatest place getter gets her chance to taste success on Sunday. With an inch of luck, she will be hard to hold out. She has shown glimpses of ability.
2nd Pick: BURGUNDY LAD (6)
Off the humble rating of 22 his last win came back in October of last year just one rating point over this same course and distance. Hasn’t been beaten far in recent runs.
3rd Pick: ATLANTEAN (5)
Rewind a year ago this gelding was in scintillating form and has won off this same rating (24) in that period. One for the multiples and a win wouldn’t surprise.
4th Pick: TURF BEAUTY (9)
Has a way of surprising the racing fans from time to time to finish in the money. Will be getting back early but with some hot early speed she can finish strongly.
RACE 5
1st Pick: LIM'S DENALI (1)
She has been off the scene since January and has the benefit of three trials to have her nice and fit for this race. Her lone win came at this distance and looks a live hope with four kilograms off for the stable apprentice.
2nd Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (2)
Failed to fire on his return to this grade last start and was crowded around the home turn. That wasn’t really an excuse for the performance but if you go off his best form he looks a top three player all day long.
3rd Pick: FABU (7)
Two solid second placings coming into this and has really turned his form around in the last month or so. Small field here and looks promising.
4th Pick: OUTFIT (4)
Sat fourth in the run after copping a bump jumping away and was in crowded room. Hasn’t been able to replicate his dominant win from last year but runs have been good enough to select.
RACE 6
1st Pick: PACIFIC SONIC (5)
Just the one trial to his name and that saw him finish a neck in second place in moderate time. Should be ready to fire first up. He won two trials in Australia before making the journey. Big watch from barrier two.
2nd Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (4)
Did everything wrong in the run last start but was still catching the eye late to finish third. Should appreciate the rise in trip and can challenge here.
3rd Pick: CITY GOLD FRIEND (8)
Comes from a stable who are having a good run in recent weeks. Should show natural improvement and holds claims on an each way line. Nunes on a bonus.
4th Pick: SIMON (2)
Career best run to finish second behind a pretty handy one. Was just pipped on the line but that was over 1400m. Looked to improve when running more on the pace.
RACE 7
1st Pick: PRIORITIZE (3)
Raced well enough last time out to the races in behind Free Fallin’. Gets a nice weight swing on the topweight this week and will be aided by Nunes in the saddle, horse to beat.
2nd Pick: FREE FALLIN' (1)
Rises sharply in weight after claiming back-to-back wins. He is a horse in form but the weights are against him. He will need to be good to win but a placing wouldn’t shock, each way.
3rd Pick: STAR JACK (5)
Won over this track and trip off a light weight this time last year. Working towards another win, keep safe.
4th Pick: RAISING SIXTY-ONE (4)
Up in grade after class 5 win last start. Hopefully takes some confidence from that but this is much harder.
RACE 8
1st Pick: ALWAYS INNOCENT (5)
Two minor placings in a row in a class where he has recorded his best performances. Can show good early speed but needs a hassle-free run to score. Big hope.
2nd Pick: LONHRO GOLD (6)
Speedy type who boasts five wins on this surface but yet to win at this distance. He was only half a length behind Big Day and fought on well.
3rd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (3)
Consistent in his runs this year and brings nice form lines to this event. He will sit up handy in the run and give you a thrilling watch when they turn for the judge. Tries hard but just struggling to get that next win.
4th Pick: AHONE (1)
Headlines the ratings and not too sure what caused that disappointing performance last start. His win two runs ago was top rated win and if he can replicate that he can run well.
RACE 9
1st Pick: TIGAROUS (7)
Back to turf with a key rider booking for this weekend. Ronnie Stewart has been the go-to rider for Richard Lim and the combine here once again with a horse who gets conditions to suit, respect.
2nd Pick: CLERGYMAN (1)
Narrowly defeated last start and gets back to arguably a better distance at 1800m. Beuzelin stays on board hunting for another win on this son of Artie Schiller, a must for exotics.
3rd Pick: ENGINE START (5)
Has been racing up in class 4 his last couple starts despite qualifying for class 5. Nunes booked which is key as he has won on this horse before. Not the easiest horse to ride and has been frustrating to punters over the journey, top three hope.
4th Pick: FATE TO WIN (9)
Easy watch on speed last start. This looks a tougher field and 1800m with his racing pattern will be a tougher assignment. Must respect winning form.
RACE 10
1st Pick: SHANGHAI STAR (1)
Winner of his last two starts and looks to be a horse that can go on with it. Ridden upside down last start and was still able to win. Watch for him late flashing from the back.
2nd Pick: SOUSUI (11)
Light weight contender in this race who gets a great draw and an in form rider in the saddle. Narrowly defeated his last couple, can win.
3rd Pick: VGOR (2)
Inside draw this weekend over his ideal track and trip. Coming out of some strong form races and his best effort would see him winning this.
4th Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (4)
Narrowly defeated by Shanghai Star last start. Should be on speed, whether he gets a soft lead or not is the big question. Top three chance.
RACE 11
1st Pick: TEARDROPS (2)
Form from last starts dead heat has been franked with Cosmic Dancer winning last week, drawn to get a fabulous run in transit, respect.
2nd Pick: BIG TIGER (1)
Drops back to class 4 with a claiming rider taking three more kilograms off his back. Drawn super, can go close in a race of this calibre.
3rd Pick: NATE'S CHAMPION (7)
Strong winner last start sitting deep the trip. This looks a tougher assignment, but his winning form must be respected.
4th Pick: MAJOR KING (8)
Last start was a little questionable not running to his price in the market. Has been back to the trials since where he caught the eye, can bounce back here.