RACE 1 (12:30) CLASS 5 (1)
1st Pick: PLATO (6)
A good run in defeat at the first race meeting of the year puts him in here with a rock solid chance.
2nd Pick: LEGEND ROCKS (5)
The run over 1000m last time was eye-catching and the step-up in trip is a plus.
3rd Pick: HWASONG (9)
Champion jockey Vlad Duric is back on board. Racing off a nice mark.
4th Pick: CATCH THE TIGER (3)
The distance is the concern. If he stays the trip, he is not without a chance.
RACE 2 (13:00) RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2 AND 3 YEAR OLD) (WEIGHT FOR AGE)
1st Pick: IRONPRINCE (2)
Nearly collared smart debut winner Mortal Engine last time out. Wong Chin Chuen is in red-hot form. Cherry-ripe for maiden win.
2nd Pick: REAL EFECTO (1)
Let down nicely last start. Seems to enjoy turf racing better. Will be thereabouts even if wide barrier is a query.
3rd Pick: BEYOND COMPARED (7)
Making slow headway. Second-up run was better than debut run. Can sneak into the minors.
4th Pick: ALEXANDER (6)
Debutant who has shown some ability at his barrier trials. Stable knows how to prepare a new horse first-up. Well drawn. Keep safe.
RACE 3 (13:30) CLASS 4 (2)
1st Pick: TUESDAY (7)
Put a line through last run. Caught wide and was a spent force in the end. Freshened up. Winkers off. Can make amends.
2nd Pick: I AM SACRED (1)
Would have been a solid chance if not for his horror gate but the four-kilo claim may bring some form of compensation. Include in calculations.
3rd Pick: WEALTH ELITE (6)
Loves the Polytrack. Overcame a slow start to still prevail at business end at last outing. If he reproduces that run, he should be a factor again.
4th Pick: VULCAN (2)
Got up in time to share the spoils with Proof Perfect last start. No reason why he can’t have a say in this.
RACE 4 (14:00) OPEN MAIDEN (WEIGHT FOR AGE)
1st Pick: IMA (2)
Steven Burridge could well hold the key to this race and the selection is one of his newcomers to Kranji in the shape of Ima. Placed over this distance in Australia, he has trialled well and looks ready.
2nd Pick: SAGE (1)
Stablemate of the selection. Has also trialled well and has sound place form in New Zealand from only a handful of runs. One of the more interesting runners here.
3rd Pick: SHOWBOUND (3)
Third only last week and can run well again.
4th Pick: ST ALWYN (5)
Has proven rather unreliable but has bits and pieces of form and Vlad Duric is booked.
RACE 5 (14:30) CLASS 5
1st Pick: SESON (2)
A massive drop in grade from running seventh in the Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe behind Boomba. This is much easier and is very winnable.
2nd Pick: BROADWAY SUCCESS (4)
Always a factor in this grade of racing and the extra distance is a plus with a useful 4kgs coming off.
3rd Pick: LIM’S UNIQUE (8)
Won well last time out and should be right in the mix once again if he overcomes the wide barrier.
4th Pick: RED ROAR (9)
A runner in decent form for the grade and should be included.
RACE 6 (15:00) OPEN MAIDEN (WEIGHT FOR AGE)
1st Pick: KASSAB (1)
Placed in the UK for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam at around this trip and has the strongest form on show here in a very weak race.
2nd Pick: WAWASAN (9)
A half-brother to four winners, including the six-time scorer Shadowy Waters. Has trialled well and should be kept very safe.
3rd Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (11)
The best of the rest outside of the two newcomers here.
4th Pick: WIND OF DUBAI (12)
Has a light weight and could show improvement at this lowly level.
RACE 7 (15:30) CLASS 5 (2)
1st Pick: TSURIAN (11)
Caught the eye last time out and can go a couple of placings better here.
2nd Pick: HIDDEN PROMISE (3)
The extra distance is a big help and can go very close in a competitive heat.
3rd Pick: ZOFFSPEED (7)
The only last-start winner in the field and commands plenty of respect.
4th Pick: FORT MUSTANG (9)
Has to prove he stays but is trained by the right man to do so. Interesting.
RACE 8 (16:00) CLASS 4
1st Pick: GENTLEMEN EXELLENT (3)
Caught the eye on Kranji debut. Has stacks of ability and it won’t take long before he obliges. Nice low draw.
2nd Pick: MY BIG BOSS (2)
Ran on strongly last time out. Grows another leg on the all-weather. Run needs to be timed to a tee. Might settle closer to the speed from handy gate. Live chance.
3rd Pick: DELAWARE (8)
Chequered run last start. Should have finished closer to smart winner Knight Love. If that form stacks up, he’ll be a strong contender here.
4th Pick: JUST LANDED (11)
Steamed home and narrowly missed out last time out. Not a model of consistency, but if he is in the mood, he can finish in the money.
RACE 9 (16:30) CLASS 3
1st Pick: IN ALL HIS GLORY (12)
Two-time winner over course and distance but this is much stronger company. Progressive sort who can measure up here.
2nd Pick: AUGUSTANO (2)
More competitive when dropped back in Class 3. Nice barrier. Will relish extra 200m.
3rd Pick: ON LINE (6)
May find this a bit sharp but blinkers are pulled off to help him follow closer to the speed. If they roll along in front, he could finish over the top of them.
4th Pick: IMPLEMENT (9)
Another one who may get there a fraction too late but with some luck, he can take a strong hand in this. Awkward alley but it’s okay as he can come from the back. Outside chance.
RACE 10 (17:00) CLASS 4 (1)
1st Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (3)
Hard to get past him after his imposing first-up win. In sparkling form. Drawn ideally. The one to beat.
2nd Pick: CALIFORNIA (4)
Had to be used up to come across last start. Found wanting inside concluding stages. Low barrier helps this time. Go close.
3rd Pick: PROOF PERFECT (1)
Dead-heated with Vulcan at his last start. Looks to have improved further on the training tracks. Place claims.
4th Pick: ROMANTIC (6)
Ran below expectations last start. Didn’t act in the going. Can bounce back if on top of the ground.
Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.