Star galloper back in action at Kranji

Luke Middlebrook

Singapore racing continues on Sunday, featuring a 10-race turf and dirt fixture highlighted by the running of the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy over 1400m on turf.

Champion galloper Lim’s Kosciuszko aims to add another feature race to his mantelpiece as he headlines the entries for this year’s EW Barker.

Although the race has a history of favouring lightweight horses on paper, history shows that the fields have mostly been comprised of runners on light weights anyway.

Generally, a champion like Lim’s Kosciuszko contesting an EW Barker is rare because of the handicap scenario, so he is somewhat of an outlier as he will be the first runner since Spalato to carry the impost of 59kg in 2015. But as ‘Kosi’ showed by winning the Gold Cup over 2000m under top weight, class still carries considerable weight.

With next month’s Grade 1 Kranji Mile as Lim’s Kosciuszko main aim, fitness could still be up for question second-up. Top-class gallopers such as Golden Monkey, Super Salute, Street Of Dreams and Invincible Tycoon will get their chances to topple the champ at the weights.

Golden Monkey, for trainer Tim Fitzsimmons, was far from disgraced with a close fourth-place finish in the Group 3 Committee’s Prize last time out. He was held up from the 300m to the 200m before closing off strongly once he saw daylight in the concluding stages.

With only 52.5kg on his back, he is expected to run a bold race, as well as reuniting with fly-in jockey Chad Schofield, who is two from two on the ‘second-best horse’ in Singapore. - iRACE magazine

BEST BET

Race 6 No 5 Dancing Supremo

VALUE BET

Race 1 No 2 Smart One

JACKPOT

R32

Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 2: 9, 11

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 21 April 24

RACE 1

1st Pick: DIAZ (4)

Makes his class five debut after one win and four minor placings from fourteen starts. He hasn’t quite hit the mark some thought he would, but this race can give him a confidence kill and should be among the market leaders with Chad Schofield engaged to ride.

2nd Pick: SMART ONE (2)

Was met with support in this grade last start and came from midfield to finish second to Pacific General. Has since won a trial in moderate time and is ticking over nicely.

3rd Pick: GRAND SUPREME (1)

Didn’t have the best run in transit last start and had to shift around to find clear running in the last 300m of the race. Hit the line strongly and can score here.

4th Pick: SUPER PAN SWIFTLY (8)

Showed speed from the wide draw last start and held on for a one length win over Fast And Fearless back in March. That race hasn’t yielded any winners since, but the win was solid.

RACE 2

1st Pick: SUPREME LINER (1)

You just need to see the horses this gelding has finished behind to see that he deserves a top pick in this race. Should race up on the speed and give a good sight to the rest.

2nd Pick: BRAVO KID (9)

He is on the quick backup after his second placing behind Star Victory who had them all off the bridle and chasing. If he handles the backup can be amongst the action again.

3rd Pick: BOARDROOM (4)

Improving well bred colt by Justify and is going to kick that Maiden tag very soon. Continues to catch the eye in his runs and the winkers did the trick last start.

4th Pick: COMBUSTION (2)

Gets back to maiden level after five runs at class four level. This is a sharp drop back in class and wouldn’t be surprised to see some support late in betting.

RACE 3

1st Pick: TANTHEMAN (3)

If he can regather the form that saw him win three starts back in this grade, he can add a second win to his career this weekend. Finds a very suitable race here.

2nd Pick: ATLAS (7)

Sat off the pace last start to finish fourth behind Start Victory who has since gone on to win again. It’s been a long time since he won but his career stats are good enough to fire here.

3rd Pick: BLUEJAY (8)

Has turned a corner at his last two outings producing two minor placings. His most recent start was behind Dancing Supremo who was far too dominant for this grade.

4th Pick: SILVER STAR (4)

Comes out of Restricted Maiden races his last four starts to tackle this lowly rated class five race. Should be decent odds and cannot be ruled out. Watch for betting support.

RACE 4

1st Pick: SMART STAR (2)

Unbeaten at one start over this trip last November where he was racing in a great patch of form. Hasn’t been beaten far in his recent starts and connections would have been waiting for this distance.

2nd Pick: SAINT TROPEZ (1)

Has two wins to his name since he arrived from Australia. His middle distance stats are strong and at this stage of the prep he should be ready to fire.

3rd Pick: SCREEN SHOT (7)

Toughed it out for a strong win in a weaker grade last start and drops sharply in the weights. Breeding shows he will stay and already has one minor placing at the 2000m.

4th Pick: NATURE CHIEF (5)

Finished second to Lim’s Smythe who was a scratching from this event over 1600m last start. Has gradually been stepping up in trip and gets a nice small field for his 2000m debut. Leading stable must be considered.

RACE 5

1st Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (1)

Continues to race well in this grade. Even though he finished fourth was only beaten half a length to Wednesday. Finds his way into the easier division of this race.

2nd Pick: DIAMOND RING (4)

A win and a string of minor placings from his last six starts at this level. Our top stable Jason Ong has him firing and pays to follow him until his form slumps.

3rd Pick: SIRIUS (6)

Got his first win since the middle of last year under a top steer over 1200m last start. Just fell in on the line but looked the best we have seen him for a while. Deserves a spot in top four.

4th Pick: WEDNESDAY (11)

Got the win at good odds last start with a top front running ride from Zaki. Expect similar tactics here but he isn’t a horse known for keeping his form at a continuous streak.

RACE 6

1st Pick: DANCING SUPREMO (5)

Bolted in last start as he got back to class five, and that win showed he is a little better than that grade. A few winners have come out of that race and has since trialed well.

2nd Pick: COOL SIXTY-ONE (2)

Turned in a good performance behind Mt Niseko who is bringing good form from his races. Has dropped in the ratings since his last win and back to a winnable mark.

3rd Pick: CHARMINTON (4)

Stats are good at the distance and is getting back to a very winnable mark. He made up a stack of ground last start and the sectional timings were strong. Will need plenty of luck from the wide draw.

4th Pick: STOP THE WATER (7)

Showed he is versatile and not just an on-speed runner after being taken back from the wide draw. Ran on well to finish third and can make a statement at each way odds here.

RACE 7

1st Pick: LIM'S DREAMWALKER (1)

The last time he raced at this level he was the winner back in September of last year. Since then, he scored a massive upset beating the handy Black Storm at huge odds. Ready to score here with gun Aussie rider Zac Lloyd booked to steer.

2nd Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (3)

Has been consistent in his seven starts including five top three finishes from seven starts. Looks adaptable on both surfaces and deserves respect in this field. Inside draw gets plenty of favors.

3rd Pick: SUN RECTITUDE (4)

Proven at this grade and gets back to a winning mark. He never stays in this grade long and expect betting support late for him.

4th Pick: SONG OF NATURE (9)

Is ready to fire in this grade at any time. If they go quick in the early stages this gelding has a very strong turn of foot and must not be written off at this mark.

RACE 8

1st Pick: ANIKI (3)

Had to share the spoils with January in a dead heat last start. That race was run to favor the speed runners and they fought it out very well. He now faces a new task stepping up to the mile for the first time but if he is to be a four-year-old series contender he needs to.

2nd Pick: LIGHTNING STRIKE (9)

Four-time winner who has been improving each run. Sat off the speed and wasn’t able to catch the leaders first up. Should strip fitter second up and will appreciate the trip. Wide draw shouldn’t be an issue as he settles back.

3rd Pick: SABAH ACE (6)

Sat off a very hot speed and connections would have been counting the cash at the 400m mark as he swept by quickly to score by 3.3 lengths. Similar to Aniki he rises to the mile for the first time. In form Bernardo Pinheiro booked to ride.

4th Pick: ISTATABA (1)

Talented middle-distance mare who was placed at group one level last season. She will be attacking the line late and looks like a multiples player in this line up. Strong mare and must be respected.

RACE 9

1st Pick: LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1)

Returned to 2024 with a bang scoring on the Polytrack with 59.5kgs first up. Looked impressive considering he isn’t fully fit and at handicap conditions he will be giving plenty of weight away to the rest of the field. He is the best we have and must be respected. Should be camping off the speed from barrier nine and produce a big finish.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (2)

Draws the inside and Chad Schofield flies in for the steer on our level second highest rated horse we have in Singapore. Never got a clear crack at them last start and has trialed strongly since then. The weights at handicap conditions give him some positives.

3rd Pick: LIM'S SALTORO (12)

Up and coming four-year-old who is unbeaten and gets his biggest test to date so far. In form rider Bruno Queiroz takes the steer and should draw plenty of support. The Meagher stable striking very well this season.

4th Pick: BESTSELLER (7)

Claimed another group win in the Committee’s Prize last start that was a dogfight in the last furlong. He is a talented type who has a great career record and has risen up the ratings quickly.

RACE 10

1st Pick: GOLDEN BROWN (3)

Still an improving class four sprinter whose form is too good to ignore. He has only missed one top three finish from nine starts and just needs everything to go right.

2nd Pick: WAR STAR (1)

Continues to race consistently and lost no admirers after finishing third to Pacific Charm last start. Stable seem to have him firing and another win is well within his reach here.

3rd Pick: FILIAL DRAGON (2)

Copped a bump on jumping and picked his rhythm up to finish second last start. Gets back on the Polytrack where he has three minor placings and searching for that first Polytrack win.

4th Pick: SANTINO (10)

Blew them away first up after a long injury layoff. That was at class five level and judging by the time that he ran he can certainly mix it at this level. Expect more improvement and will be charging late.