Street Of Dreams faces challenge in Kranji Stakes

Luke Middlebrook

Exciting four-year-old Street Of Dreams steps out for his toughest test yet when he lines up in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1400m on Sunday.

Street Of Dreams has become unstoppable since breaking his maiden in October last year, winning his last four starts in emphatic fashion. Despite rising to Class 3 for the first time at his latest outing, the gelding sat just off the speed and hit the front near the 200m, before toughing it out to land a narrow but impressive win.

There is plenty of merit to the victory as the early sectionals were the fastest of all the races that day.

This week, Street Of Dreams tests his mettle against some of Kranji’s best. The up-and-comer takes on reigning Gold Cup winner Hongkong Great, star South African galloper Katak and other quality gallopers including Cyclone, Mr Black Back and Sky Eye, with Cyclone looking a great each-way chance on the back of an impressive first-up run over an unsuitable distance.

Elsewhere, the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained three-year-old Popeyethesailorman looks all set to shed his maiden tag in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden over 1400m on turf.

Popeyethesailorman is at his fourth career start on Sunday and he arguably should have won his first-up run over 1200m as he was held up for clear running from the 500m until passing the 200m. He had to be taken out abruptly to improve into clear running from there while the eventual winner had a free passage throughout.

Once taken out, he ate up the line late to check home a strong second place, beaten 1.75 lengths. With an unimpeded run this week, while looking ideally suited up in trip, he can get the job done from a nice, low draw. – iRACE Magazine

BEST BET

Race 2 No 1 Popeyethesailorman

VALUE BET

Race 11 No 13 Cyclone

JACKPOT

R24

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 8, 13, 14, 16

Leg 4: 3, 6, 8

SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 12 FEB 23


RACE 1

1st Pick: MALIBU BEACH (2)

Will appreciate the drop in grade after four runs in class four since winning back in September. Has a good course and distance record and should be well supported. Duric takes the ride is a big bonus.

2nd Pick: CONGAREE (1)

Hasn’t raced in this grade since his win back in April of 2021. That was over the mile but does have two career wins over this trip. Watch any market moves.

3rd Pick: GOD'S GIFT (9)

Caught the eye flashing home in this grade last start recording the fastest last 400m of that race behind Fort Mustang has since run well at his next start. Does get back but looks well weighted.

4th Pick: SMOKE AND MIRRORS (6)

Both career wins have been recorded over this distance in the past. With a solid tempo in the early stages, he can be the one to storm over the field.

RACE 2

1st Pick: POPEYETHESAILORMAN (1)

Had all the spinach last start and no luck where it counted. He was held up from the 500m to the 200m and gave the winner too much head start. He just needs luck here and should get it from barrier three.

2nd Pick: STAR EXPRESS (8)

Finished second to Italian Revolution who has strong maiden form in recent runs. This gelding can only improve off that run and could be a danger. Little concerning the wide draw.

3rd Pick: SHIHAB (3)

Dropped in class last start to finish third in class five. Has the blinkers on first time that day and looked to appreciate the head gear. From a leading stable so don’t exclude in your multiples.

4th Pick: BLUEJAY (11)

Three-Year-Old USA bred colt having his debut this weekend. Looked to show some ability winning his trial in nice time. Could be a surprise package.

RACE 3

1st Pick: ETWAS NEUES (1)

Never too far away from the winners in his most recent starts. Continues to race well around this grade and a win isn’t too far away. Lerner knows the horse well and stays onboard.

2nd Pick: HOSAYLIAO (5)

Always wise to follow when he starts to hit form. He has a strong record at this course and distance with three wins to his name. Can improve in this.

3rd Pick: FORTUNE STAR (3)

Finished fourth behind Prioritize last start and ran to his mark on that occasion. This looks a similar rated field and gets his chance to finish closer.

4th Pick: CIRCUIT STAR (6)

Has been racing consistently over shorter distances in recent starts. Gets to the mile this weekend where he has won in the past and has dropped sharply in the ratings.

RACE 4

1st Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (1)

Impressive first win in Singapore. Looks a smart type that can go on with it, clear horse to beat.

2nd Pick: WATER ROCKET (3)

Inside draw with Vlad Duric booked to ride. With a couple other main hopes drawn wide, he could get the opportunity to capitalise early from the gate.

3rd Pick: HEADHUNTER (2)

Happy to overlook the last run where the rider was fined for lack of vigor. Has been quite consistent at this grade and must always be considered a top three hope.

4th Pick: MISTER DYNAMO (6)

Class 5 winner in nice time last start in first up run for the year. Up in grade but could run well with a light weight and has run in the money at the grade in the past.

RACE 5

1st Pick: GRIFFIN (5)

Last three starts have been competitive where he has made use of positive barrier draws. Being in the lower division is an advantage and Nunes takes the ride. He draws one and will be up there running early.

2nd Pick: WILD BEE (2)

Scored a win in this grade last start with Nunes in the saddle. He only rises half a kilo in weight from that win and stable have been very strong this early in the year.

3rd Pick: CAPTAIN SINGAPORE (1)

Was again heavily supported last start and the money was left in the bag with another minor placing to his name. A win isn’t too far away but he has been costly.

4th Pick: RETALLICA (4)

Finished second to Wild Bee in similar conditions last start. The weights are turned around by 1kg this weekend so he may get the upper hand. Races very well around this distance.

RACE 6

1st Pick: SUPER SALUTE (3)

Winner of his last two. Nunes combines with Jason Lim yet again on the day. This looks his toughest test so far but he’s definitely got some ability and cannot be underestimated despite having had only three starts in Singapore.

2nd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (5)

Drawn inside and could be very dangerous here. Trials and race day starts so far this year have been superb and he looks like a horse in for a big season. Big danger.

3rd Pick: STENMARK (2)

Poorly drawn this weekend but had plenty of excuses last start. Will need some luck to find cover but if he doesn’t, he should find himself in the finish.

4th Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (1)

Weight relief will be a big help. Rarely runs out of the money and draws the ace, respect.

RACE 7

1st Pick: SUPER TALENT (3)

Racing well in recent months and seems to thrive at this distance. His last win in November of last year were in similar conditions and this race looks well in his reach.

2nd Pick: BIG DAY (6)

Stable hitting some strong form in recent weeks. He is looking to go back-to-back after scoring in these conditions last month. If the money comes late, he will be a big danger again.

3rd Pick: MYSTERY POWER (1)

Last start was one of his best runs in some time finishing off strongly for a minor placing. Has had a freshen up since then and can fill a top four placing at his best.

4th Pick: RUMBLE (8)

Scored at big odds two starts back and backed it up with a nice performance finishing fourth in this grade at his most recent run. Harry Kasim retains the ride and stable going well.

RACE 8

1st Pick: GOLD KINGDOM (9)

Five-time winner on the poly track over a mile. Gets in her with a nice light weight, can go close.

2nd Pick: SAVVY COMMAND (2)

Turf is preferred but has won on the poly once before. Last start was too short distance wise in his class 4 return, this looks much more suitable.

3rd Pick: THUNDER (1)

Narrow second in behind King Louis last start before the new year's break. Has had two return trials in preparation and gets weight relief with Yusoff to ride.

4th Pick: MESMERIZING (4)

First up win was solid over the same track and distance. Hard to knock him here as a place hope even though this race looks a harder task, one of the multiples.

RACE 9

1st Pick: THE WILD PRINCE (2)

Drops back to class five after an eye-catching performance in class four where he finished second. Strong course and distance stats with four of his seven wins being recorded. Big threat.

2nd Pick: ZYGARDE (4)

Raced wide without cover to finish second to the fast-finishing Sousui last outing. If he gets more luck this weekend can possibly go one better.

3rd Pick: BLUE IDOL (1)

Another promising run last start for this Argentinian bred gelding. Headlines the ratings and on the backup shows he has recovered well from that last run. South African rider C.Habib gets onboard.

4th Pick: JEWEL SIXTY-ONE (3)

Comes here fresh for the strong combination of Fitzsimmons and Nunes after a break. Has had four trials since then and will get support in the market. Big watch on him.

RACE 10
1st Pick: OPUNAKE (7)

Smart performance in behind Flying Nemo where he just got beat and gapped the rest. Racing very consistent and can go close here again.

2nd Pick: TEARDROPS (4)

Speedy mare who draws the ace to hopefully find a good position in running. Nunes to ride for Fitzsimmons who have been a dynamic combination in the last 18 months.

3rd Pick: BIONICS (5)

Winner of his last two. Seems to have really turned a corner and could place here again, this looks tougher though.

4th Pick: COSMIC DANCER (6)

Happy to rule a line through last start, never settled. Hopefully conditions this weekend will suit better and he can bounce back into the money.

RACE 11
1st Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (16)

Looks a serious up and coming horse who strikes his toughest test yet. Gets in with a lightweight and strikes this race with race fitness in his legs. Lots of horse here just starting out with bigger fish to fry.

2nd Pick: SKY EYE (8)

Comes into this after a solid win at the same grade last start. Nunes jumps on this weekend and has the winning form on the board.

3rd Pick: KATAK (1)

Carries a big weight but has shown enough at the trials that he will be forward enough to run well this weekend.

4th Pick: MR BLACK BACK (14)

Gets a lightweight this weekend for his first up run in 2023. May have drawn the best out of any horse in the race, hopefully utilizes it well.

RACE 12

1st Pick: WIN WIN (4)

Trainer and connections going very well with their horses in recent times and must always be respected. Ace draw to hopefully find a nice spot in the run and be in the finish, main chance.

2nd Pick: FADABOY (9)

Returns to the races for the first time in 2023. Didn’t really fire after his maiden win like we expected but the break could have done his justice. Hopefully we see him go to another level this season.

3rd Pick: PACIFIC STAR (8)

Last start before the season end was a total question mark. Went too bad to be true. Can atone here with fresh legs.

4th Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (1)

Didn’t get on the track first up, complete forgive. Proven horse at this class, keep him in your mind for Quartets.