Put your money on a Hero at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Saturday for a 12-race Polytrack fixture.

Quality galloper Hero looks on track to land his fifth career win when he lines up in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1600m on the Polytrack.

Hero boasts a solid record of four wins and three placings from 16 local starts. Two starts ago, the son of Warrior’s Reward finished a luckless third at his Class 3 debut when he was held up from the 400m to the 300m, before being dictated to by a wide draw last time out, still letting down well to finish fifth in a slowly run race over 1800m, beaten 1.25 lengths.

Hero has since trialled well to maintain his form and with even luck in running, he can prove a big winning chance in what appears a below-par Class 3 field this week.

Elsewhere, trainer Michael Clements’ new acquisition Leg Day looks primed to run a big race on debut, contesting the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race over 1100m on the Polytrack.

A three-year-old gelding by the thriving sire Shalaa, Leg Day won his sole trial in New Zealand, in which the second-place finisher, Wild Night, has since scored five times, becoming a Group 2 winner and a Group 1 place getter. Leg Day has had three local trials since arriving at Kranji, and what caught the eye was the most recent one, where he led all the way to score by 5.75 lengths in a fast-winning time of 59.87 seconds over 1000m.

Leg Day has shown nice potential in trials, making him a serious contender in this week's event. However, his stablemate, Greatham Boy, who finished second lumping 68kg in the aforementioned trial, deserves plenty of respect as he will carry the featherweight on race day. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 6 No 5 Grand Supreme

VALUE BET

Race 2 No 3 Leg Day

JACKPOT

R192

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

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 3

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 17 June 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: PACIFIC CHARM (1)

This well-bred son of Maurice gets to class five for the first time in his short career. He is probably better suited to the turf but brings some nice form lines into this. With Duric on he will be a big watch.

2nd Pick: STARHARMONY (2)

He is one for one in this grade when he contested at this level back in June two seasons ago. He has been fair in his racing since then but will appreciate this sharp drop-in class.

3rd Pick: COUNTRY BOSS (5)

Jumped and led over 1400m on the turf last start to score at a massive price and make the favourite punters kick the couch. He holds a good record at this course and distance and must be included.

4th Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (11)

Get back and run on style of galloper who has been attacking the line in recent runs and comes from an in form stable. If the pace is genuine early, he will be there in the finish.

RACE 2

1st Pick: LEG DAY (3)

There was a lot to like about his trial where he scored by 5.8 lengths in a slick time of 59.87 with Nunes getting a feel of him that morning. Champion rider sticks and comes from the strong Gandharvi Stable.

2nd Pick: LIM'S SINAI (4)

Was up on the speed early from his inside barrier last start and was beaten fairly by Fight On that day. Blinkers come off and with that race experience could be a sharp improver.

3rd Pick: GREATHAM BOY (8)

Half brother to Group 3 Merlion Trophy and Polytrack horse of the year Celavi. If he goes as good as his half sister does on this surface could be a surprise runner.

4th Pick: FIRE (7)

Won a trial in a moderate time of 1:01.36 and doing enough to score that morning. Draws out wide on the course and will need luck early.

RACE 3

1st Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (6)

Recent trial winner who is racing well at the moment. Despite having only won once over the track and distance, he has placed a number of times. Winning hope at potentially an each way quote.

2nd Pick: FIRST BOWL (9)

Not far away from class 5 ratings wise but strikes a great race over his ideal track and distance. Proven to win races at the bottom of class 4 in the past, don’t overlook.

3rd Pick: WATCH OUT BOSS (2)

1200m looks on the longer end of preferred distances for this son of Bullet Train. He is getting on in his career, but a class 4 win doesn’t look out of reach for him.

4th Pick: AMORE AMORE (1)

He will appreciate more distance further into the preparation on the poly track surface but has got enough form over 1200m to respect each way. Comes into this with the fresh legs which could be an advantage over some very deep into their campaigns.

RACE 4

1st Pick: BIG DAY (1)

Would be very surprised if he wasn’t there at the business end of this affair judging by his previous form. He gets back to 1200m where he has recorded a win on this surface in the past.

2nd Pick: RICH FORTUNE (5)

Strong win under Pinheiro last start where he drove up the inside rail and stuck it out for a strong victory. Should settle midfield and try similar tactics to give him a chance to make it two on the trot.

3rd Pick: RED ROAR (8)

On the quick backup from last Sunday where he went down by two lengths to The Brotherhood. He was one of the eye catchers making up the margin late. Watch for any betting support.

4th Pick: LIM'S SHOT (9)

Has been a very long time since this old boy has tasted success and he is one point off of the elusive rating 22 club. Occasionally pops his head in the mix and his last start third was good enough to be included here.

RACE 5

1st Pick: IMA (4)

One for one at the track and distance and has multiple wins at the mile on turf. Recent trial performance and the rise to the 1600m suggests a solid performance is a strong possibility.

2nd Pick: PER INCROWN (2)

The last couple of runs have solid enough and the stable is going well at the moment, watch market moves late.

3rd Pick: MESMERIZING (1)

Led up the field last start over the track and distance only to be run down and beaten by 1.5 lengths. Recent runs have been promising, respect here again.

4th Pick: FORTUNE WHEEL (5)

Broke through for a maiden victory in class 4 over a mile on poly. Stays at the same track and trip and has trialled between runs, a similar performance would see him going close in this again.

RACE 6

1st Pick: GRAND SUPREME (5)

This guy was beaten five lengths in a Group 3 race back in April. Has since finished third to Fight On who looks class four material and has since won a trial. Right race to break that maiden status. Nunes on and draws well.

2nd Pick: CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE (1)

Got very worked up pre-race last weekend. The found the front and skipped clear only to be run down in the final 100m. Weight looked to get the better of him and that performance can see him winning this.

3rd Pick: STRONG ACE (6)

Has been able to settle up on the speed at his last few starts and looks to be his preferred style of running. Ran second to Diaz last start and we are yet to see just how strong that form will be. Interesting runner.

4th Pick: FABU (3)

Draws out wide this weekend but has plenty of racing fitness on his side. Has to handle the quick eight day turnaround but holds claims for the multiples.

RACE 7

1st Pick: ZOFFSPEED (3)

Scored a nice win over a longer distance to bring up win number six here in Singapore. He actually has a better record over this course and distance including three wins and four minor placings.

2nd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (1)

Headlines the weights this weekend on ratings and brings consistent form in this grade. He just got too far back last start and if he settles on the pace will try to give these ones a shake.

3rd Pick: MR BIG BROTHER (2)

We don’t often see him at this course and distance but in his four runs at this trip he has been very handy. They include one outside of the top four finish and a win included.

4th Pick: TOP FIELD (8)

Stable is low flying and off a lightweight you can expect a bold showing. Caught the eye running on behind Sayonara last start and will appreciate the extra trip.

RACE 8

1st Pick: ALWAYS TOGETHER (3)

Narrowly defeated in his first run at class 4 company by less than a length. Should measure up to Novice grade.

2nd Pick: BRANSOM (2)

Led them up last start to only be run down late by a couple smart types in Novice company. Yet to race on the poly track surface but has a race pattern which could be more beneficial on it, keep safe.

3rd Pick: GOLD GOVERNOR (4)

Has proven itself in Victoria running multiple placings when in the care of Cliff Brown. Form should hold up in Singapore, each way all day.

4th Pick: SCHNEIDER (9)

Weighted well in this event to run a solid race. First run at class 4 was far from a success after recording a nice win in Open Maiden company. Hoping to see him bounce back and run in the frame in his poly track debut for the JHI Stable.

RACE 9

1st Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (1)

Sits at the top of the weights and rightly so coming off his last three starts finishing in the placings including an easy win two starts ago. Has the credentials to take this out.

2nd Pick: KISS YOUR SONG (5)

Just the one minor placing to his name since dropping back in class but failed to make an impression last start stopping quickly down the straight. He is better than that run and is one to follow. Will pop up soon.

3rd Pick: TAKHI (2)

Very disappointing last start when he loomed up on the turn and looked the winner. Possibly just felt the pinch from the fast early sectionals and Nunes stays aboard. He has a good record on this gelding.

4th Pick: BEN WADE (7)

Tough customer who has dropped that level of consistency in his last two starts. His class five record is too good to overlook and in a field of this depth he can figure in the multiples.

RACE 10

1st Pick: BIG TIGER (1)

Strong performance last start to go down by 0.4 lengths. Looks very capable to win a race at this grade and it only looks a matter of time.

2nd Pick: TEARDROPS (2)

Recent trial winner who looks the likely leader in the field. Form from previous race should hold up and looks a tougher race than what she faces this weekend.

3rd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (3)

Like Teardrops, should show speed. Comes into this race on a six day turn around which is always a slight concern, but he heads back onto his preferred surface with a 4kg claim, each way.

4th Pick: SOUTHERN SPEED (5)

Solid run last start after beginning a little awkward. A top four finish here would shock, watch market late.

RACE 11

1st Pick: PENNYWISE (1)

Led them up last start to only go down a slender margin. Has been racing well of late and a repeat performance of last start would see him in the finish once again.

2nd Pick: HERO (3)

Hasn’t raced since the 20th of May and comes into this event off a solid trial win in between runs. The drop back to a mile shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

3rd Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (2)

Came through the same previous race and tick over trial as Hero. 1600m looks an ideal trip for this 6yo by All Too Hard, each way prospect much like his stablemate.

4th Pick: FREE FALLIN' (8)

Comes into this race having not only won his last three races, but with poly track form. Form on the surface as well as a light weight should take him a long way here in his first attempt at class 3.

RACE 12

1st Pick: PETROGRAD (4)

Loves 1000m and should take plenty out of the last start run where he was a little wayward in the straight at a crucial stage, can go close here from an inside gate.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC ANGEL (2)

Five-furlong specialist on this surface and will relish the drop back from 1200m. Conditions suit for a big performance, a must for exotics with only 52.5kg on his back.

3rd Pick: CASH COVE (1)

First run over the distance in Singapore but returns from group company to class 4 following the 3yo series. 4 from 5 at the 1100m, 1000m shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

4th Pick: WAR FRONTIER (5)

With the speed that will be injected into this event, it should set up for a back marker like War Frontier to be flashing late in the race. Has won twice at the distance already, each way.