Friday, 7 August

KRANJI

RACE 1
1st Pick: SUN ACE (7)
Top trainer Lee Freedman doesn’t have many runners in this sort of grade and Sun Ace looks a leading hope here. Third in a recent trial and judged on the pick of his form in Class 4 company, he should go very close.
2nd Pick: STORM TO WIN (6)
A course and distance winner and ran a nice race over the same trip last time when third. A trial on June 23 would have got him ready for this heat.
3rd Pick: MIDDLE KINGDOM (10)
Would prefer further ideally than this 1400m journey and is an interesting runner judged on form in better company. Market watch.
4th Pick: ACROBAT (1)
Hard to recommend on recent form but is a course and distance winner when breaking his maiden tag last June and might be some value here.


RACE 2
1st Pick: BE YOU (5)
A full brother to the classy Be Bee for the same stable. He absolutely bolted up in a recent trial and certainly looks to know his job. He has a good barrier for his debut and if he follows into the family footsteps, he should be bang there at the business end.
2nd Pick: IRONPRINCE (7)
Has had a couple of nice trials without winning but has certainly caught the eye for the Steven Burridge camp. A son of Smart Missile, he is drawn wide for this his first start but has shown a good attitude in his trials and warrants plenty of respect.
3rd Pick: TIGER ROAR (11)
Wandjina newcomer. Runner-up to Be You in latest trial and is a full and half-brother to a couple of winners and is out of a Listed winning dam. He ran on well under pressure in that trial and the fact he comes from the powerful stable he does, he should be included in the numbers.
4th Pick: GOLDEN ONE (6)
Gold Stable three-year-old who has progressed well with his trials and worked nicely this week also. In what is a race full of unknowns, it may prove worthwhile to include him here.


RACE 3
1st Pick: TRADING POST (6)
One-from-one winner in Adelaide. Has been working pleasingly for new connections here. Champion jockey Vlad Duric's pick. Winning debut on the cards.
2nd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (3)
Showed heaps of promise at first prep, but blotted his copybook at his last start. Well placed throughout, but remained one-paced in the run home. Might have raced too close to the speed. Stable on fire. Keep safe.
3rd Pick: IRONCLAD (2)
No world beater but he is a good solid competitor in this class. Probably needed a break after his last run on the back of a long prep, and will go fresh in this. From the wide alley, might drop back and will be the fresh horse on the scene.
4th Pick: SUN RECTITUDE (8)
Can mix his form but didn't have the best of luck in some of his races either. The Desmond Koh-Louis-Philippe Beuzelin combination does hit the jackpot once in a while.


RACE 4
1st Pick: QIJI FLYER (6)
Runner-up to Frey on July 11 over this course and distance and that may well prove good enough form to win this race, which won’t take a great deal of winning.
2nd Pick: HAPPY FRIDAY (7)
Comes from a stable in red-hot form and had to race wide on his debut here a couple of weeks ago in better company, this is easier and can improve on that run.
3rd Pick: STORMY VIEW (12)
Won a trial recently and now tackles 1000m for the first time having raced over as far as 1600m. She can make her presence felt.
4th Pick: SUPER PINS (2)
Third start since racing returned and fitness is certainly no issue. Can once again collect some minor money.


RACE 5
1st Pick: GOLD KINGDOM (1)
Two wins over this course and distance for this Cliff Brown-trained runner. He ran a mighty race over a trip much off his best on July 11 and that would have put him spot-on for this.
2nd Pick: SCOOTER (7)
Holding his form well for a horse in this grade and has trialled well leading up to this. Leading chance.
3rd Pick: LEMON SQUASH (2)
A first try on this surface was eye-catching enough and it wouldn’t be a great shock to see a bold show again.
4th Pick: BROTHER MAK MAK (8)
Another in form and should be included here. Place claims.


RACE 6
1st Pick: KING'S COMMAND (10)
This Shane Baertschiger-trained four-year-old has run two very pleasing and eye-catching races over 1200m so far and on both occasions has finished off very nicely indeed. The penny looks to be dropping with him and the form of his latest run is good. He has trialled nicely leading into this and wasn’t put under any great pressure to finish on the bridle. A nice horse who can continue to progress.
2nd Pick: SUN PALACE (11)
An interesting newcomer from the Lee Freedman barn. A placed maiden from six starts in Ireland for Joseph O’Brien (for the same owners) and was ahead of subsequent Group 2 winner and the Group 1-placed Amory on his second racecourse appearance. He has trialled well and is a big watch on local debut.
3rd Pick: ALL WE KNOW (4)
Not raced since last October and has had three trials. All of his form was over shorter trips, but did shape as if 1400m wouldn’t be beyond him in due course. One of the more likely winners here.
4th Pick: MIGHTY VAIN (3)
Has Restricted Maiden form on turf in the books and will feel much more at home under these conditions.


RACE 7
1st Pick: INFERNO (3)
Hard to get past this talented galloper. Won five in a row and lost no marks at his only defeat when second to the smart Siam Warrior at his last run. Will take a power of beating.
2nd Pick: SIAM ROYAL ORCHID (7)
Seldom puts a foot wrong this horse. Granted he beat a moderate Class 4 at his last start, but his work has been smart heading up to this comeback, but looks safely held by the favourite.
3rd Pick: NATIONALITY (4)
Ran through the line very strongly on July 11. Looks to have come on further from that first-up run. Shoulders 2.5kg more this time. Will find this a lot tougher, but won't be without a say inside the last furlong.
4th Pick: NO FUN NO GAIN (5)
Disappointing at his last outing, but had excuses as he was found to have later returned with respiratory disease. Loves the course and distance and can't be ruled out for a forward showing.


RACE 8
1st Pick: LIM'S RHYTHM (9)
Representing last week's all-conquering combo of Mark Walker and the Remarkable Stable. Now much lower in the handicap than his last win (C/D) off a mark of 55, he has won a trial and is the tentative selection in a weak race.
2nd Pick: WHERE SHE'S HAPPY (5)
Ran a nice race in a hot little Novice over course and distance when last seen in action and the fact this isn’t an overly deep race. She can be given a chance here in Class 5 for only the second time.
3rd Pick: BENCOOLEN (1)
Needs to find his form but could prove to be an interesting runner in a race like this.
4th Pick: FIGHT TO VICTORY (6)
Course and distance winner and didn’t run too badly at the first meeting back in July on the All-weather.


RACE 9
1st Pick: BUURAQ (3)
A model of consistency since his maiden win second-up. Often cost himself the race with his slow start. Major threat if he is not too outpaced early.
2nd Pick: LIMITED EDITION (2)
Ran a gallant race first-up. Given every chance but Rocket Star is a cut above. This is easier and even though he is drawn awkwardly, he should be in this for a long way.
3rd Pick: WONDERFUL KNIGHT (1)
Not getting any younger but doesn't seem to know his age when he races. Came with a stout challenge at his last start despite racing wide without cover, but found one better in Sun Chess. Go close.
4th Pick: MIRACLE (7)
Tim Fitzsimmons newcomer who has had plenty of barrier trial practice. Looks race-ready and won't surprise if he takes a hand in this at the business end.


RACE 10
1st Pick: MR MALEK (5)
Smart sprinter gearing up for Singapore Classic and Singapore Guineas. Has been trialling nicely and looks to be even fitter and stronger after the confinement break. Commands plenty of respect and his class can see him through first-up.
2nd Pick: ROCKET STAR (6)
Another talented four-year-old who scored arguably his most impressive win to-date at his first-up race on July 11. Has trained on and has a fitness edge over the resuming Mr Malek, but it remains to be seen if it is enough to beat him.
3rd Pick: ELITE INCREDIBLE (7)
Has ability but has not quite delivered at Group level. Goes well fresh and may sneak into the minors with some luck.
4th Pick: ABSOLVIDO (12)
Ran a screamer at his last start. Missed several lengths after some tightening at the start but stormed home late for fifth just over two lengths off the winner Churchill. Include in your combination bets.


RACE 11
1st Pick: DECRETO (11)
Has much better course and distance stats than most of these and is surely ready to win another one judged on a good recent effort and continues to be dangerously handicapped. Leading chance.
2nd Pick: PAPERBACK TROOPER (4)
Not an overly prolific winner but is consistent for this level of racing and should go close again here.
3rd Pick: WINNING SPIRIT (7)
Has shown enough in only four starts so far to suggest he can at least get competitive in a race like this and the extra 100m shouldn’t pose any serious issues.
4th Pick: JK FORMIDABLE (1)
Racing in decent form without winning of late and is a must for the multiples in this.


RACE 12
1st Pick: SIAM WARRIOR (7)
Ignore last race. Things didn't go his way and jockey eased him out thinking something was amiss. Turned out he was okay. Known as Inferno's only nemesis. On that form, he should be too good for these, but the wide alley is a query.
2nd Pick: MURAAHIB (8)
While he has not quite lived up to the lofty expectations on him, he has never run a bad race, especially in such strong company. Carries low weight again and that should bring him into the race with some sort of chance.
3rd Pick: PENNYWISE (1)
Did not make his presence felt at his comeback race on July 27. Had no excuses. Maybe he needed the run, Can do better than this.
4th Pick: RIVER RADIANCE (9)
Flattered to deceive in the bigger races. Measured up well in lead-up races, though. Definitely has some qualities, and deserves a second chance after the long layoff. Don't write him off too soon.


RACE 13
1st Pick: PALETAS (6)
Returned lame at his second run. On his debut win, he should be competitive in this Class 4 speed dash.
2nd Pick: TOM CAT (8)
Was a bit of a buzz horse but has not found much joy thereafter, albeit he had a few excuses at times, for example slipped saddle or he returned lame at his last start. Must not be judged too hastily. Worth another shot.
3rd Pick: HEALTHY STAR (5)
Found the opposition tougher after putting maiden win behind. Seems to have made headway during the break. Low draw. Place chance if he can bounce back to form.
4th Pick: SIERRA CONQUEROR (3)
Sort who needs to have his way in front. Wide barrier does not help his cause. If he can cross over early, he might have enough petrol left to hang on for a place.


RACE 14
1st Pick: RESTRAINED (5)
Slow to begin and was checked, but still steamed home late for fifth to Golden Flame at his first-up run on July 11. If he enjoys an uninterrupted run this time, he will be hard to hold off.
2nd Pick: WAR PRIDE (7)
Won two in a row before the break, including a dead-heat with Kimitonara at his last start. Had a couple of easy barrier trials and looks ready to pick up where he left off. Strong claims.
3rd Pick: GAMELY (9)
Always thereabouts but just doesn't seem to have that little extra to kick one home. No weight on his back with the apprentice claim of three kilos. Well drawn and should be chiming in when the whips are cracking.
4th Pick: MCGREGOR (2)
No spring chicken anymore but seems to still have some spring left in his legs. Will find this too sharp, but don't be surprised to see him grab a place late in the piece.