Luke Middlebrook
The Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on turf stands out as the highest-rated race on the Singapore 12-race card on Sunday
At the other end of the spectrum, progressive four-year-old Renzo can make amends for his last-start defeat when he steps out in the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Renzo has been a consistent type since day one, finishing in the top four 13 times from 16 starts, including three wins. The Argentinian-bred gelding simply had no luck in his last three starts when racing wide throughout on each of those occasions.
Most recently, he covered a whopping 1222m in a race over this track and distance, but still checked into a meritorious fourth when missing by less than one length at the wire.
This week, Renzo is well placed in a below-par Class 4 field, where more than half of his rivals generally perform better in Class 5, so it has to be rated a golden chance for him to return to the winner’s enclosure with champion jockey Manoel Nunes in the saddle from barrier No 2.
Elsewhere, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Mr Black Back is well placed to score second-up when he lines up in the $50,000 Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.
Boasting strong overseas form, Mr Black Back was heavily backed as an even-money favourite on his local debut three weeks ago. Despite not winning that day, there was plenty of merit to his slashing third over 1200m when he clocked the fourth fastest final 400m (22.89 seconds) in a slowly run race, which was against the race shape.
Mr Black Back has since trialled well and he is highly suited by rising to 1400m, where he boasts a perfect record. Standing out as the best horse going forward, a second-up win looks well within his reach.
BEST BET
Race 12 No 1 Renzo
VALUE BET
Race 8 No 1 Mr Black Back
JACKPOT
R12
Leg 1: 1, 4
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 1
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 2 Oct 22
RACE 1
1st Pick: MIRACLE (3)
Ran into all sorts of bad luck last start following his impressive class 5 victory two starts back. Can bounce back here, racing well enough to win this.
2nd Pick: EASTIGER (7)
Narrowly denied victory last start but he is a horse who has recently found form again. Great chance to be in the finish again with any luck in running.
3rd Pick: ALEXANDER (9)
Took up control last start and led for a good chunk of the race only to be run down late. Gets the ace draw, should be leading again.
4th Pick: TOM CAT (4)
Coming out of the same race at Eastiger where despite being held up turning into the straight, he managed to get out and close off well to place in the race. Keep safe.
RACE 2
1st Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (3)
Easiest race this horse has contested so far in his four start career. Trials have been promising, looks set to win.
2nd Pick: BRIGGS (1)
The rise to 1200m and race day experience should assist his chances. Must lug the top weight though which looks to be the only worry for him.
3rd Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (6)
Now an eight-time runner up, she rarely runs a bad race. She deserves to win one as she rarely finds herself out of the finish.
4th Pick: THE STAR (4)
Fresh up here stepping out for career start number four. Another who faces a much easier field than what it has in the past and should be among the top place getters, respect.
RACE 3
1st Pick: CHARMINTON (2)
There is a lot to like about this horse and how he has started his career. Scored an impressive win against older horses last start and has since trialed in slick time in preparation for this. Classy gelding who will look a threat turning for home from a good barrier draw.
2nd Pick: TEARDROPS (1)
She was very impressive first up from a long break last start. She was doing her best work late and should strip fitter from that. Nunes takes the steer and has trialed well between runs.
3rd Pick: CASH COVE (3)
Winner of his last two in very nice style. Has been racing up on the speed and broke away to win by three and a half lengths in Novice grade last start. This is a bit tougher against experienced runners, but he has a bit of class.
4th Pick: HARRY DREAM (4)
She is a mare with a decent engine when things go to her liking. She sat more forward last start but managed a nice second placing. With good early speed she will be doing her best work late.
RACE 4
1st Pick: LAKSANA (1)
Strong course and distance record with two wins from four starts. Should appreciate the rise back to 2000m and will get plenty of market support.
2nd Pick: KING'S SPEECH (4)
Scored a nice win over this distance last start by two lengths coming from well back in the field. Meets a similar field and must be respected off that winning form.
3rd Pick: TONY'S LOVE (2)
Consistent class five galloper who is always well supported in the betting. If he isn’t winning, he is never too far away from the winner and that will keep him in good stead for this event.
4th Pick: KHAO MANEE (3)
Finished second behind King’s Speech over this distance last start. Looks to be an improving type who has trialed in good order for the Tan stable. Watch for any market support.
RACE 5
1st Pick: SUPER SIX (6)
Despite being 12 years old, his last two starts have indicated that another win isn’t too far away. Back to 1100m looks ideal, look for him to be in the first couple.
2nd Pick: THE JUN (7)
Runner up last start by a narrow margin and is also a recent trial winner. Expectations were that he would have won already this prep but that hasn’t come to fruition yet, gets a nice chance here.
3rd Pick: LIM'S PRIDE (3)
Was not far off the winner last start back in July. Has been freshened up and had a couple trials to prepare, among the hopes.
4th Pick: DIAMOND RING (1)
Heads to division 2 race after placing last start. Would need to improve slightly to win but his recent runs in the money cannot go unnoticed.
RACE 6
1st Pick: STRAIGHT N ARROW (6)
Three of his four attempts at this course and distance have resulted in minor placings. Brings form from Istataba who has since won again, and he looks to be a big improver here.
2nd Pick: ACE SOVEREIGN (3)
Scored a well-deserved win last start over this distance leading throughout. Should see similar tactics applied here and gets in well at the weights with 55.5kgs. Draws well to be nice and forward again.
3rd Pick: GOLD KINGDOM (7)
e absolutely relishes racing in these conditions. With good anticipated early speed, he will settle back and round them up bringing class 4 form to this race. Should get plenty of betting support. Nunes on and a key booking.
4th Pick: GOLD REWARD (1)
He is a winner of two and placed on six occasions from twelve starts at this course and distance in his career. We haven’t seen him since winning back in January and trialed nicely in a lead up to this weekend.
RACE 7
1st Pick: BURGUNDY LAD (8)
Carried a light weight to run an eye catching third in a maiden where they ran great time. Despite heading to class 5, a repeat performance to last start would seen him in the finish amongst division two company.
2nd Pick: ATLANTEAN (3)
Has been a model of consistency in recent months and as a result, always needs to be respected. If there is enough speed in front, look for him flashing down the outside late.
3rd Pick: CIZEN LUCKY (6)
Two-time winner at the track and distance who broke through last start. Has since trialed well in between runs and looks set to run another good race.
4th Pick: FIGHT TO VICTORY (9)
Off the minimum mark and carries no weight this weekend. Despite being out of form, he has been wide without cover his last couple starts and hasn’t had a chance to show his best, possibly one for the exotics.
RACE 8
1st Pick: MR BLACK BACK (1)
This well-bred gelding from the strong Fitzsimmons yard should improve sharply second up. He was a little bit slowly away on the Polytrack and finished off strongly under Duric and he will stick with him again from barrier three. Onto the turf and up in distance looks ideal for him.
2nd Pick: LEGACY FORTUNE (2)
Last start led throughout to score in easy fashion. Some nice form has come through from race with Karisto who finished second that day scoring last weekend in slick time. He will roll forward and give them all something to chase. Nunes on is a big plus.
3rd Pick: IMA (4)
Scratched again at the barriers and has since trialed in good behavior Tuesday morning. If he brings his manners this weekend his form can see him being a genuine top four contender with a forward showing expected.
4th Pick: WECANDO (8)
Got a much-awaited win in Class 5 grade last start. This is much tougher than what he beat but apart from the top two in the ratings it looks open for a few to fight out the minors. One for the exotics.
RACE 9
1st Pick: SING OUR SONG (3)
Makes class 5 debut this weekend. Has been racing well enough in class 4 to make an impression here, one to beat.
2nd Pick: JUNGLE KING (2)
Put a line through last start, horse was held up and rider accidentally lost one reign at crucial stage. Was only beaten less than a length, can atone here.
3rd Pick: BIONICS (1)
Failed in first attempt back at class 5. Claiming rider engaged this weekend providing weight relief, worth another chance.
4th Pick: QAIDOOM (4)
Caught wide without cover and had excuses to not have anything left in the locker late. Has trialed well since, among the chances with more luck in running.
RACE 10
1st Pick: KSATRIA (3)
Despite missing away after colliding with the gates early, he stuck on to run a solid second. Proven to carry weight, respect.
2nd Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (2)
Laid out in the straight at a crucial time to go down a half length. Not far away from a win, must include.
3rd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (7)
Strong win up on speed last start, should take plenty from the victory and be in the finish once again.
4th Pick: HENG XING (12)
Finally broke through for a win last start. Despite this being a stronger race, he carries a light weight yet again and gets another good chance to win.
RACE 11
1st Pick: KING ARTHUR (2)
Runner up in the G1 Lion City Cup two starts ago. Didn’t lose any admirers on the Poly last start and should strip fitter from that. Stable seem to have him going well and looks a main threat. Draws very well and leading apprentice claims weight.
2nd Pick: GRAND KOONTA (1)
Continues to run well off a high rating. Because of that he has been allocated 59.5kgs on the weight scale but he was one of the eye catchers in the Group One last start, so a top three finish is well within his reach again.
3rd Pick: ENTERTAINER (5)
Well weighted here after just scoring last start on the Polytrack. He has never missed a place in three attempts at this course and distance. Comes from our leading stable and could be some value with a good run from barrier one.
4th Pick: MURAAHIB (3)
Gets back on the turf for the first time since November last season where he has some healthy course and distance stats. Should appreciate the rise back to 1200m. Each way claims.
RACE 12
1st Pick: RENZO (1)
He sits five points higher than the next runner in this division. Really caught the eye in a close finish behind Augustano last start and sticks to his suited track and distance.
2nd Pick: LADY SPRINTBOK (5)
She was far too good for class 5 last start and demolished them by four and a half lengths in good time. Two of her career wins have come at this distance and looks well placed.
3rd Pick: KING ZOUSTAR (4)
Consistent galloper who continues to race well at this grade. Five of his seven career wins have come in these conditions and can never be overlooked.
4th Pick: MASTER RYKER (6)
Strong win first up two starts ago in this grade. Didn’t have much go right second up being caught wide throughout and never on the track. Can bounce back again here.