SINGAPORE KRANJI RACE 27/12/2020 PREDICTION

RACE 1
1st Pick: VOLUNTAD (7)
If last-start closing second is anything to go by, he is not far off his winning turn. Trip suits. Can open his account here.
2nd Pick: FOREVER GOOD (6)
Trainer seems to have found the right formula for him. Chances enhanced if he settles handy. Bears watching again.
3rd Pick: WINNING LEGEND (2)
Two closing seconds in last three starts. If he gets the right breaks, he will be a big threat in this.
4th Pick: RED ROAR (8)
Recent stable transfer. More of a Polytrack performer but he has run okay on turf. Can finish on board if in the mood.

RACE 2
1st Pick: ZERMATT (10)
Ran above expectations on debut back in September. Put away since. Looked fit at barrier trial on November 24. Interesting to see how he goes second-up after let-up.
2nd Pick: SHOW THUNDER (8)
Nice debut fourth on December 12. Should strip fitter for this. Include in calculations.
3rd Pick: STARLIGHT (9)
Newcomer who won two barrier trials. Has undergone good prep and can give good account first-up.
4th Pick: BEYOND COMPARED (3)
Didn’t run up to high hopes at first start, finishing down the course. That first outing seems to have done him plenty of good. Better run in store.

RACE 3
1st Pick: TRIPLE BOWL (11)
Caught the eye with a big finish last time out over a shorter trip and it would seem this 1400m distance is ideal for him here. Expect a big finish once again.
2nd Pick: THE WILD BUNCH (5)
Another who will relish the step-up in trip and looks ready to win another one very soon. Leading contender.
3rd Pick: MO ALMIGHTY (2)
Best to forgive his poor run last time out (cast a plate), he is better than that and can show it here.
4th Pick: EASY DOES IT (1)
Now back into Class 4 grade and is only one point higher than at his last victory and Vlad Duric rides, which is a positive.

RACE 4
1st Pick: LIM’S UNIQUE (8)
Blinkers have improved him out of sight. Handles both turf and Polytrack. Drawn awkwardly but he gets back. Go close.
2nd Pick: FORT MUSTANG (7)
Loomed like a winner last time out. If he reproduces that run he has to be respected in this. Barrier one.
3rd Pick: BARBARIAN (10)
Ran up on heels in straight last time out or could have finished closer. Nice low draw for a change. Not a model of consistency but on best form he can take a hand in this.
4th Pick: COMING UP (2)
Bled at last start. Previous form was on the up. Seems in good order on training tracks. Can go well fresh.

RACE 5
1st Pick: SUN CONQUEROR (6)
Scored over course and distance. The 2000m may have been a touch too far last time out. Can bounce back.
2nd Pick: TAKHI (3)
A switch to leading tactics at his last start nearly came off. Will probably roll forward from handy barrier. Regardless of pattern, he should be a major player in this even if it’s his first test beyond the mile.
3rd Pick: THE WILD PRINCE (7)
Unwound with a big run to score impressively for first win at seventh start. Big step-up to 1700m. On breeding, he may be a slight query. May have to settle for a place this time.
4th Pick: CATCH THE TIGER (1)
Ignore last run over soft track. Drops in class and reverts to Polytrack. Should be more competitive in this. Can finish in the money.

RACE 6
1st Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (9)
This lightly-raced Michael Clements-trained runner has looked pretty smart in most of his starts to date. Down the field in the Singapore Classic, he has had a break and trialled very well under today’s rider Ruan Maia. Very progressive and could prove hard to beat.
2nd Pick: TOOSBIES (2)
Has some very decent form and has trialled nicely ahead of this run. Would be dangerous to underestimate him here.
3rd Pick: GOOD LUCK CHARM (7)
A tougher task awaits Donna Logan’s charge here, but has won his last two and is clearly in very good heart at the moment.
4th Pick: LONHRO GOLD (3)
Loves to lead and is racing off a very attractive handicap mark currently and has the services of champion rider Vlad Duric. A must for the exotics.

RACE 7
1st Pick: MR MALEK (4)
Runner-up in the Group 1 Lion City Cup when last seen. He has never finished outside of the Top 3 and has very good Group race form. Second in a recent trial would have put him cherry ripe for this and given how honest and progressive he is, he can prove hard to beat.
2nd Pick: NEPEAN (5)
Beat a solid field in the EW Barker Trophy when making all to score in that Group 2. He has trialled since and if in the same vein of form, he certainly has a part to play at the business end of the race.
3rd Pick: PREDITOR (3)
Judged on the run two starts ago, this Shane Baertschiger-trained galloper is a decent chance in this trappy little heat off a very nice mark. A former Jumbo Jet Trophy winner (last win off 104), he has conditions to suit and it wouldn’t shock if he ran a big race.
4th Pick: CHURCHILL (7)
A trial winner on Tuesday this week. He is still lightly-raced and is returning to calmer waters here. Interesting runner at possible value.

RACE 8
1st Pick: MASTER SOMMELIER (4)
Not far from breaking maiden tag and gets a great opportunity here. Distance is not an issue. Has the foot on the till.
2nd Pick: GIANT KILLING (7)
Doesn’t win out of turn, but he’s been finishing his races off in better fashion of late. Each-way chance.
3rd Pick: VESONTIO (8)
Appreciated the rain-affected track last start. Needs things to go his way. Place claims look better.
4th Pick: BROTHER MAK MAK (6)
Last two runs had been encouraging. Can sneak into the minors in this moderate affair.

RACE 9
1st Pick: IMPLEMENT (10)
A very competitive race indeed and the vote can go the way of this runner from the Michael Clements barn. The conditions suit him well and he is always there or thereabouts in his races.
2nd Pick: CIRCUIT MISSION (1)
A good run in defeat last time out. He has worked well this week on the training tracks. One to include in calculations.
3rd Pick: STRONG N POWERFUL (3)
Now with Jerome Tan. A classy type on his day and sixth in the Singapore Gold Cup. If he takes no lasting effects from that run in testing conditions, he has the ability to be right amongst the main chances at the finish.
4th Pick: VITTORIA PERFETTA (4)
Has beaten a Colonial Chief Stakes winner and has run third to a Singapore Gold Cup winner in recent starts. The booking of Ruan Maia really does catch the eye and is one for the multiples here.

RACE 10
1st Pick: LIM’S SPIN (7)
Seems to have regained the form that saw him capture his maiden win second-up before the Circuit Breaker. Trip suits. Big say.
2nd Pick: LUCKY IMPERATOR (4)
Looked all set to make all last start but found one better in Whistle Grand. Hard to run down if he gets his way in front.
3rd Pick: WHISTLE GRAND (5)
Slow at the start but came back with a strong finish to score last time out. Looks to have trained on. Worth another shot.
4th Pick: HADEER (2)
Tough run last start. Faced the breeze throughout and was still in contention at 300m but folded late. Can atone from barrier one.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.