Luke Middlebrook
Singapore racing continues on Saturday for a 12-race Polytrack fixture at Kranji Racecourse, with a quality Class 3 1200m field lining up in the highest-rated race on the card.
Resuming in Race 11, highly promising four-year-old Street Of Dreams with Manoel Nunes up, can pick up where he left off last season when he returns to Kranji in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.
Street Of Dreams has been unstoppable since breaking his maiden with an astonishing six-length win over this track and distance three starts ago.
Despite meeting much stronger rivals at his subsequent two starts in Class 4, the Dundeel gelding’s massive talent held him in good stead when he showed a blistering turn-of-foot on each occasion, scoring by a combined margin of 5.50 lengths over 1400m and 1600m on turf.
Street Of Dreams has trialled enormously for his return while the switch back to the Polytrack and the drop in distance shouldn’t pose any problem to him as his impressive maiden win suggests, therefore he looks on track to continue his winning ways first-up.
Elsewhere, newcomer General Command looks all set to score a debut win when he contests the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1200m on the Polytrack in the final race.
General Command formerly raced in Australia where he scored once and was placed three times from 10 starts under the name Hunnam. All of the Shalaa gelding’s races were at Metro tracks in New South Wales and Victoria and his sole win occurred in a two-year-old race at Caufield back in April 2021.
General Command has won both local trials in emphatic fashion since relocating to Jason Lim’s stable, and based on his overseas form, he looks ideally placed to kick off his local racing career on a mark of 62 rating points in Class 4 and can prove hard to beat. – iRACE magazine
BEST BET
Race 11 No 3 Street Of Dreams
VALUE BET
Race 5 No 4 Red Dragon
JACKPOT
(Races 9 to 12)
R24
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1, 5
SINGAPORE RACE ANALYSIS – 14 JAN 23
RACE 1
1st Pick: CASH COVE (1)
Hard to see him not opening short prices favorite here. Looks a big contender in much stronger feature events later in the season. This looks merely another step towards that, hard to beat.
2nd Pick: LIM'S STRAIGHT (3)
No luck first up, horse never got on the track. Inside gate this time around and carries no weight with the claim, respect.
3rd Pick: WECANDO (9)
Not too far off the drop to class 5 where he has a much better record, but he has trialled nicely and could be one that can figure in the minor placings.
4th Pick: SUN ACE (7)
Last start winner who returns to class 4. This will be much tougher, but he looks the next logical pick in a race that falls away quite heavily.
RACE 2
1st Pick: HEALTHY BABY (2)
Nunes jumps aboard this Jason Ong trained four-year-old. Looks to have trained on nicely in the off season winning a trial in 61.35. The trainer and jockey combination have a strong strike rate.
2nd Pick: GREAT COMMAND (1)
Comes into this race off two minor placings, the most recent one being just last weekend. The stable has booked a four-kilogram claimer to relieve some weight and looks a main hope from barrier two.
3rd Pick: LIM'S BETTERREADY (4)
Draws the inside for Harry Kasim who should be able to put him in a handy position from that gate. Has two trials under his belt since November and this looks to be one of the easier races he has contested.
4th Pick: STORM DEITY (5)
Lines up for his sixth career start without much form on his side it’s tricky to place just how good he is. He did run on late in the race over a mile in November and this could be nice steppingstone to a win soon.
RACE 3
1st Pick: GOLD CUT (5)
Speedy galloper who will look to press forward from barrier four. His form did drop away for a while before an eye catching second in November. Has since trialed smartly and looks a big threat.
2nd Pick: DIAMOND RING (4)
Nothing went right for this gelding at his most recent start when receiving a bump and losing all momentum. If you go off his win two starts ago, he is right in this but will need some luck from barrier seven.
3rd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (3)
On the quick backup from last weekend where he finished fifth beaten under two lengths in this class. Ronnie Stewart looks a key booking as he has ridden this gelding before. Watch the market.
4th Pick: YES ONE BALL (1)
Another runner backing up from last week where he drew wide without cover for the whole race. He is much better than that performance and looking to see some improvement this weekend.
RACE 4
1st Pick: WILD BEE (2)
This course and distance looks to be his best judging by his record (22:4-2-1) and the booking of Nunes just bolsters his profile for this race. Trialed nicely leading up to this and draws perfectly in barrier four.
2nd Pick: RETALLICA (1)
This son of Magnus is a three-time winner in the past with all of his victories coming on this surface and around this distance. Has won a trial two weeks ago and looks fully wound up for this race.
3rd Pick: LIM'S SHOT (4)
Veteran ten-year-old gelding who is looking for career win number seven. It’s been well over a year since his last victory but finds a small field without a lot of depth. His best could see him surprise here. Each way claims.
4th Pick: GAMELY (6)
Doesn’t have the best barrier in eight so will need to bounce cleanly and have a cruisy run to figure. He doesn’t win all that often but can finish in the minors at his best.
RACE 5
1st Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (1)
Vlad Duric’s only booking on the program. Very dangerous at this grade, proven to carry weight and has performed on the surface in recent times, despite the fact he is a turf preferred runner.
2nd Pick: RED DRAGON (4)
Arrogant win in class 5 last start. This will be much more difficult, but the win had enough merit to give him respect.
3rd Pick: LEATHERHEAD (2)
One could argue he had every chance to win last week under Manoel Nunes. On the quick back up with 4kg claiming apprentice on board, keep safe.
4th Pick: LUCK OF MASTER (3)
A turf track and 1800m would be ideal for this horse but you can be sure that Nunes will have him rolling into the race at the right time. Rider gets along well with this horse and that can’t be taken lightly.
RACE 6
1st Pick: PETROGRAD (7)
Draws very favourably in barrier two for Nunes and has the form on the board to be considered favourite. Trialled nicely last week and looks fit and ready to fire.
2nd Pick: SACRED ORDER (6)
Lines up for her first start in Singapore coming off two trial wins. Hasn’t broken the clock in those heats but looks forward enough to win here first up.
3rd Pick: HURRICANE MARS (1)
His four career starts so far haven’t shown us a lot. He did collect a trial win in nice time beating Petrograd last week who will be the top pick in this event. If he brings that trial form into this, he can figure.
4th Pick: STRONG ACE (8)
Recent form has been rather disappointing. If you go back to earlier runs when running around this distance, he looks to be better suited. Possible quartet filler.
RACE 7
1st Pick: BIZAR WINS (1)
Looks a perfect race for him to score his first win since February of last year. Nunes booked to ride and has won on him in the past. Looks hard to hold out here.
2nd Pick: TAX FREE (2)
On the quick backup from last weekend where he finished fourth beaten 1.5 lengths. Draws well in barrier five and if he handles the seven-day turnaround could surprise.
3rd Pick: DAVID'S SLING (4)
Likes to get back and run on in this grade. Will have to get back from his wide draw but if the speed is hot early, he could be running over them at the finish. Each way claims.
4th Pick: BEN WADE (5)
Young rider having his first race ride so a big thrill for the young man R.Azhar. Proven in this grade and saddled up by last year's leading stable. Don’t dismiss.
RACE 8
1st Pick: JANUARY (1)
Winner of last two races and looks a promising horse. Races he won have held up with subsequent winners in behind, likely favourite.
2nd Pick: SURREY HILLS (5)
Trialled sharply over the new year period and looks set for a strong return. On paper, looks the horse that could give the favourite a shake if he puts his best foot forward.
3rd Pick: THE BULLET (8)
Will ensure a solid race tempo here. Should jump and lead from the gate with no weight and be in front a long way. Can he hold on though?
4th Pick: UNCONQUERED (3)
Has been known to show speed in his races. Draws the ace and gets a good opportunity to find a nice spot in running. Getting on now but maps well, each way.
RACE 9
1st Pick: FOUNTAIN OF FAME (2)
Finds himself in a very small and winnable field this weekend. All three of his career victories have come at this course and distance and gets Amirul in the saddle who opened his 2023 account last week.
2nd Pick: MR HOOPER (3)
Was disqualified at his most recent run when the jockey weighed in light. His best can see him taking this out, but it has been a long time since his last victory.
3rd Pick: ST ALWYN (5)
Proven Polytrack galloper who is hunting for his fourth career victory. This is probably one of the easiest races he has contested in recent years. His last win was in a higher class and could be the surprise runner here.
4th Pick: WIND OF LIBERTY (6)
Still a maiden after 26 starts and finding it hard to get that victory. This is probably too short distance wise but our champion jockey M.Nunes is aboard and that could be a positive.
RACE 10
1st Pick: SIR ELTON (5)
Well weighted and draws well enough to find a forward position. If Amirul can control the race tempo, Sir Elton should have enough in the tank late and be there when the whips are cracking.
2nd Pick: SAYONARA (2)
Looks the pick of the Le Grange pair going off barrier draw and consistency. Hasn’t won for a while but is never far away from the winner, big each way player.
3rd Pick: ZOFFSPEED (4)
Draws out on the track but dead heated racing wide a couple starts ago so might not be too much of a concern. Mile could be a concern, 1700m plus would have been ideal.
4th Pick: AUSPICIOUS DAY (6)
Should have appreciated some time off over the new year. Raced a lot during 2022 and with fresh legs, he could have something to offer.
RACE 11
1st Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (3)
Hasn’t put a foot wrong of late and from gate one with his biggest rival drawing wide, he should be extremely hard to beat.
2nd Pick: SILENT IS GOLD (2)
Barrier draw could be a big issue for him this weekend. Should still be finishing in the money but the gate will test him big time.
3rd Pick: PENNYWISE (1)
On the quick back up after an unfortunate second. Looked to have the race won but was held up at a crucial stage when the gap closed. Well weighted again, each way.
4th Pick: VGOR (11)
Pace looks solid enough to see him close late in the piece. Not far off a return to class 4 though, one for the multiples.
RACE 12
1st Pick: GENERAL COMMAND (5)
Ex Hawkes/Waller runner stepping out for first run in Singapore. Trials have been very promising and a successful start to Kranji career looks very likely, hard to overlook.
2nd Pick: BIG TIGER (1)
This horse has Singapore race day experience and consistency on his side to try and give this favourite a shake. Looks the biggest threat on paper, hopefully doesn’t feel the big weight late in the race.
3rd Pick: OUR PINNACLE (3)
Narrowly beaten last start before the December break and has trialled well in the new year. Carries 54.5 with a 4kg claimer on, big each way claims here.
4th Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (2)
Narrowly beaten last start after racing wide throughout and motoring home late. Class 3 horse who has been out of form and looks to be getting back to delivering his best. He will give them a start but if the pace is good, look for him late.