Rocket to star in Grade 3 sprint at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday for a 12-race turf and dirt fixture at Kranji Racecourse, highlighted by the running of the Grade 3 Rocket Man Sprint over 1200m on turf.

Although unbeaten four-year-old Pacific Emperor will be favourite and hard to beat, keep an eye on proven performer Rocket Star.

Barrier No 1 turned out to be a misfortune for him at this track a distance 29 days ago, as he was unable to make use of it in the early stages where he mapped worse than midfield and hemmed up in traffic.

Things only worsened as he turned for home, held up for the final 400m of the race as he crossed the line 6.75 lengths in 12th place after being unable to obtain completely clear running. Boasting a third-place finish to Singapore’s best horse, Lim’s Kosciuszko, five starts ago, suggests Rocket Star has the class to measure up in a race like the Grade 3 Rocket Man Sprint.

The Tim Fitzsimmons-trained four-year-old Golden Brown is primed to score a first-up win when in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Golden Brown has not raced since finishing fourth in a 1000m Restricted Maiden race at his second career start in October last year. Prior to that, the Supido gelding debuted with a slashing second behind Coin Toss, who is the standout contender for this year’s champion three-year-old title after winning the Grade 2 3YO Classic and the G2 Singapore Guineas.

Golden Brown has turned in an impressive recent trial for his return, in which he cruised to the line first by 2.50 lengths, suggesting he is ready to run a big race first-up and can prove hard to beat competing in Open Maiden company for the first time. –

BEST BET

Race 7 No 3 Golden Brown

VALUE BET

Race 11 No 3 Rocket Star

JACKPOT

R96

Leg 1: 3, 4

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 3, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 6 Aug 23

RACE 1

1st Pick: ELLIOT NESS (2)

Super run last start in his first run back at the grade. Better than class 5 on his day, any luck he wins this.

2nd Pick: BEYOND SACRED (1)

Runs up in class 4 weren’t too flash and the drop in grade will be much welcomed. Stable and connections have had a bit of luck lately and the stable apprentice jumps on to take three kilograms off, each way all day.

3rd Pick: FABU (3)

Backed up his maiden win with another good win taking out the race by 2.5 lengths. Hunting for three straight this weekend and if he finds the lead or a forward position, a top three finish is likely.

4th Pick: THE BROTHERHOOD (9)

Much like his stablemate Fabu, The Brotherhood hunts for a third straight win. He steps out in distance to 1100m this time around and unlike his stablemate, he will be back and running on. Look for him late.

RACE 2

1st Pick: SUPER PAN SWIFTLY (8)

Draws a little sticky for the debut run in Singapore and will need some luck early. Gets the services of our leading rider who has partnered him in two of the three lead up trials, respect.

2nd Pick: COMMANDER JONES (1)

Draws a superb gate this weekend and will carry 56 with a claiming rider on bard. Trialled up behind impressive debutant winner Roman Chief beaten a small margin in good time, can run well here.

3rd Pick: WRITTEN TOWIN (12)

Trials indicate he’s a smart horse this son of Written By and could run well this weekend. Duric booked to ride, expecting a forward showing and a top three finish.

4th Pick: MAY (5)

Missed a run as emergency in last week’s G3 Golden Horseshoe and was only entered for a debut run as they obviously have an opinion on the horse. This looks much easier, respect.

RACE 3

1st Pick: FORESHADOW (2)

Led all the way to win in okay time last start and looks to be a horse who will step up to the mark in class 5, winning hope.

2nd Pick: BINGO MASTER (5)

Peaked on his run early and dropped away to run 3rd. Has won over the track and distance and looks a top three contender on recent form.

3rd Pick: RED MANED (3)

Copped some collision on jumping and after making up the ground, he went down a small margin. Will be winning at class 5 soon enough.

4th Pick: KING'S GAMBIT (6)

Return to 1200m will be welcomed after making up good ground over a shorter trip last start to run in the money. Recent run was quite impressive, a repeat effort would see him going close in this with Nunes on board.

RACE 4

1st Pick: PRESTIGE STAR (4)

Looking for his third win from his last four starts. Claimed a strong win coming from well back over this course and distance last outing. Nunes taking the ride again is a big positive.

2nd Pick: RENZO (5)

Just the three wins to his name and has been well over a year since that last victory. Given a nice steer for the claiming apprentice last start beaten half a length to Webster. That form should hold up.

3rd Pick: BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (6)

The AJ’s Stable have had a stellar season and this gelding comes into this event with a strong trial win where he recorded 60.42 on the clock. Each way play here.

4th Pick: LAST SAMURAI (3)

This gelding knows one way and one way only. Lead and lead at all costs. If he finds the front without any competition his best can see him salute here but he tends to burn petrol early.

RACE 5

1st Pick: THE STAR (2)

Recent trial winner who steps into division two company this weekend. Although he carries more weight, this division change will be welcomed.

2nd Pick: BIZAR WINS (3)

Loves 1100m and division 2 should suit. The start will be crucial as he needs to be on speed, he can win if he gets away fast.

3rd Pick: RED ROAR (9)

Plenty of speed in this should see a horse like Red Roar get a chance to run on from the back. Got the race to suit last start and he capitalised big time, don’t overlook here.

4th Pick: SIRIUS (8)

Narrowly beaten last start to be beaten 0.2 lengths. Ben Wade who ran behind him has since franked the form and won the following start. A similar run would see him going close among division two company again.

RACE 6

1st Pick: ENGINE START (4)

Stable is airborne at the moment and this gelding finds himself in a very winnable race. Proven at the grade and the distance.

2nd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (8)

Always consistent but just struggles to find the finish line in first place. Likes to sit up on the speed and just ran into a much classier galloper last start. Big watch on him.

3rd Pick: SUPER BOWL (1)

Stripping much fitter now after three runs since arriving. Not an overly big sized galloper but showed his hand last start beaten under a length to Sabah Star.

4th Pick: GREAT WARRIOR (6)

Has been met with plenty of support in his three runs so far. Yet to put anything on the board coming from well back each time but the race just seems to be over by the time he hits top gear. Can improve here.

RACE 7

1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (3)

Came out recently to win a trial stopping the clock in 60.65. Has form around the 3yo champ in coin toss and with race day experience in the legs, doesn’t look too far away from a win.

2nd Pick: SACRED GOLD (2)

Great debut run in behind Foreshadow. Foreshadow looks a hope in class 5 this weekend and the form from that race should hold up, winning hope.

3rd Pick: BRAVO KID (8)

Second in a recent trial behind the smart debutant winner Roman Chief. Trial was in good time, top three chance.

4th Pick: BEHIND PLAYER (7)

Runner up in a trial on July 25th beaten less than a length. Bravo Kid looks the pick of the debutants for the stable but a solid performance by this son of Derryn wouldn’t surprise.

RACE 8

1st Pick: LUCKY BABY (7)

Blew the start last run and had to come from the rear doing it the hard way. He rocketed home to finish second and probably should have won. Needs to jump.

2nd Pick: WEBSTER (4)

Great to see the old boy score a much-deserved victory as he enters the twilight of his career. Maps well here and can continue his way this weekend.

3rd Pick: GRAND AVANTE (2)

Plenty to like about his run behind Bestseller. Gave them a big head start but was one of the quickest sectional performers and may try and settle a bit closer here.

4th Pick: PACIFIC RAINBOW (6)

On debut for the Clements stable. Well bred son of Maurice and won a trial in a time of 61.02. May need a few runs as he won his maiden over 1918m in Australia.

RACE 9

1st Pick: SAYONARA (3)

After a string of top four placings on the poly, this runner returns to his preferred surface. Set to run a big race here, big chance.

2nd Pick: ABSOLUTE RADIANCE (4)

Working back to a very attractive mark and the distance looks more than ideal for him to give a sight here, a must include for the exotics.

3rd Pick: NINEONEONE (8)

Narrowly defeated last start over 2000m coming from off the pace. Distance shouldn’t be an issue and if they run along, it will only enhance his chances to win, each way hope.

4th Pick: HAPPY WARRIOR (6)

Big priced winner last start coming from back in the field. One could question the strength of the race he won last start, this looks much tougher.

RACE 10

1st Pick: RAMBO (4)

Beaten in a tough battle on Derby Day a few weeks ago. Had the race in his hands but So Hi Class just had the lunge at the right time. Still ran bravely and looks set to continue what’s been a profitable prep so far.

2nd Pick: TRUMPY (1)

This prolific placegetter had to settle for another minor placing with Bowman doing the steering at his most recent outing. Got held up at the furlong and copped several bumps blowing his chances of scoring win number two here. Give him a chance but tread carefully.

3rd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (8)

In form galloper with three wins back-to-back leading into this. He is one for one on over this course and distance and has built an impressive career here with seven wins so far. He is the one to follow.

4th Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (5)

Sat up on the speed at his most recent outing but couldn’t keep up that pace dropping off to finish last. Seems to have come through that run well and trialed in nice style last week.

RACE 11

1st Pick: PACIFIC EMPEROR (9)

He looks to be the new kid on the block scoring in all four of his Singapore runs to date. He has risen from class four to class two in a space of two runs and looks to be peaking at the right time for this test.

2nd Pick: SKY EYE (1)

Headlines the ratings off a mark of 100 after recently joining the Richard Lim stable. Holds great stats and form lines over the last 12 months. Trialed sharply last week and comes here a live chance. Duric booked to take the steer a big plus.

3rd Pick: ROCKET STAR (3)

Had a horror run last start from the inside barrier. Stewards report is all you need to see stating he never got a crack at them from the 400m to the winning post. Forget he went around that day and give him another chance here.

4th Pick: THE AUGUST (4)

Strong winner two starts back and lost no admirers when finishing second behind Mr Malek last month. Yet to win on the Long Course in his career but does have four minor placings to his name.

RACE 12

1st Pick: JEWEL SIXTY-ONE (3)

First up since April where he beat Sousui who came out and relished that form. Should have fitness on his side with two steady trials leading into this. Market will be best guide.

2nd Pick: PACIFIC STAR (4)

Lost no admirers last start where he was snagged back as he likes to do but the pedestrian gallop, they went at just didn’t suit him. He needs everything to suit him but has ability.

3rd Pick: CITY GOLD TELECOM (5)

Has arrived in nice fashion with one win and minor to his career here in Singapore. Must rise from Maiden grade but looks to have the stats that say he will be competitive in this grade.

4th Pick: SEE YAH (9)

Another consistent galloper who has brought that class five forward and impressed. Should take up the running and give them something to chase from the inside barrier.