RACE 1 (12:00) CLASS 5 (1)

1st Pick: BOY NEXT DOOR (1)
His best races have been over 1600m but he has a solid record at this distance as well. Can figure here.
2nd Pick: GOLDEN DASH (2)
Hasn’t been beaten far at his last few starts and gets his chance in a field like this.
3rd Pick: COMING FAST (6)
Worked his way down the ratings and ran a prominent second behind Malibu Beach. This is his class.
4th Pick: EASYLIGHTS (3)
Opened account in a similar race at eight start. This doesn’t look any tougher. Drawn wide but he jumped from an awkward barrier when he won as well. Can be followed again.

RACE 2 (12:30) OPEN MAIDEN (WEIGHT FOR AGE)

1st Pick: MAXIMILIAN (3)
Doesn’t win too often but his form in Class 5 has been consistent. Knocking on the door and can win one soon.
2nd Pick: ATLANTEAN (7)
Hasn’t won for over a year but recent runs have been encouraging. Nice low draw.
3rd Pick: CLARTON SUPREME (6)
His form on turf is better than the Polytrack but he has run solid races on both. Going off two starts ago can figure prominently here.
4th Pick: SPEED RACER (11)
Only a one-time winner from 19 starts but with a lightweight and two solid last runs, he can run a big race. Handy barrier.

RACE 3 (13:00) CLASS 4 (2)

1st Pick: BUURAQ (1)
Two-time winner who remains in Class 4 and similar conditions suit him here.
2nd Pick: VULCAN (4)
Get-back and sprint type of horse who needs a genuine run race to do his best work late.
3rd Pick: PERFECT (11)
His last win came in Class 5 but with a lightweight of 51kgs, he could figure. Has a good turf record.
4th Pick: MR HOOPER (6)
Has had excuses at his last few starts and has raced well at a higher level. Just needs some luck. Has drawn an alley, which will help.

RACE 4 (13:30) CLASS 5 (2)

1st Pick: HEAVENLY DANCER (1)
Ignore last couple of runs where his slow getaways proved costly. Showed vast improvement with blinkers on at barrier trials. Can make amends in a big way here especially from barrier one.
2nd Pick: THE EXECUTIONER (5)
Runs like he was looking for 1400m. First test on turf. Blinkers off. Coming to hand and should be one of the leading hopes in this.
3rd Pick: STREET CRY SUCCESS (3)
Upstaged more fancied stablemate Mystery Power in a similar race but on the Long Course a fortnight ago. Steps on Short Course this time, but he should still make presence felt.
4th Pick: ABSOLVIDO (6)
Not out of this even if he has finished midfield of late. Winkers seem to have solved his slow starts, but they have now been replaced by visor. Keep safe.

RACE 5 (14:00) CLASS 5

1st Pick: ELLIOT NESS (4)
Broke a course record winning at his last start. Progressive horse and can win again even if he has drawn off the track.
2nd Pick: EVEREST (11)
Won his first start well at decent odds. He will only improve from that and looks a big player in this.
3rd Pick: TRIPLE BOWL (1)
Last few runs have been good. Drawn wide, but he can get back and if he runs up to his last start he can be competitive.
4th Pick: WHIZ FIZZ (5)
Winner of one from three starts but ran well behind the impressive Lim’s Kosciuszko. One for multiples.

RACE 6 (14:30) KRANJI STAKES B (SET WEIGHTS)

1st Pick: TANGIBLE (3)
Flew home for third at his third local start. The longer the better. Can definitely test the favourite.
2nd Pick: SATURNO SPRING (2)
Hard to get past following his impressive win last time out. Seems to have made further headway. Versatile sort who will be in the firing line for a long way.
3rd Pick: GOLD REWARD (7)
Course and distance will be more up his alley. On last run, won’t surprise if he threatens at the business end.
4th Pick: SOLO SUN (1)
Finds it hard to bridge the gap when he is outpaced in his races. Reverts to Polytrack over which he recorded two of his three wins at Kranji. This looks easier. Can make the board.

RACE 7 (15:00) CLASS 5 (2)

1st Pick: LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO (3)
Impressive three-year-old who has won his first two starts in great fashion. Will take beating again.
2nd Pick: FIRST CHOICE (4)
On-speed runner who can begin well and give himself every chance, although wide alley doesn’t help his cause.
3rd Pick: BEER GARDEN (5)
His Class 4 form has been solid for a race like this. If he begins well and has a good run can figure.
4th Pick: EXDREAM (7)
Nice second last start coming from well back. If there is good speed could place at value.

RACE 8 (15:30) CLASS 5 (1)

1st Pick: MR MALEK (2)
Changed stables and has overcome leg issues before being brought back to work. Super trial second to Rocket Star last week. Looks fit enough to resume. May need the run, but can still sneak into the minors on class.
2nd Pick: KHARISMA (4)
Lost no marks in the Lion City Cup. This is easier. Expect to see him bounce back.
3rd Pick: CHURCHILL (7)
Was being prepped up for the Kranji Mile. Falls back on this 1200m race instead and should be super competitive in this.
4th Pick: ZAC KASA (3)
Every chance in Lion City Cup but petered out of it in home straight. Has drawn in again. Apprentice claim will work in his favour. Can fight for the minors.

RACE 9 (16:00) CLASS 4

1st Pick: THE MARKSMAN (2)
Looked a winner at last outing but Irish debutant Mystery Power was too good. Will relish extra 200m. Commands plenty of respect in this.
2nd Pick: GENTLEMEN AGREEMENT (6)
Crowded at first-up run but still made ground late for sixth, not far off winner Universal Empire. Will strip fitter for the run. Improvement on the cards.
3rd Pick: ASGARD MASSIF (3)
Sprang a surprise thanks to an enterprising ride from Wong Chin Chuen last start. Visor seems to have done the trick on him. Should be thereabouts again, though the horror gate pours cold water.
4th Pick: UNCONQUERED (5)
Flew the lids from a wide barrier to go all the way last start. No luck at barrier again. Unlikely to enjoy the same favours this time, but he has maintained his form. Place claims only.

RACE 10 (16:30) CLASS 3

1st Pick: BIG HEARTED (7)
Had two ideal prep runs, winning the last one over 1400m, albeit he had to battle to score. The mile will suit better. Nice low draw. Horse to beat.
2nd Pick: ROCKET STAR (10)
One of the most progressive horses in the line-up, if not the most. Top run in the Lion City Cup when an eye-catching second to Lim’s Lightning. This is the race he has been aimed at.
3rd Pick: SACRED CROIX (3)
Kudos to champion trainer Mark Walker for reigniting the winning flair in Sacred Croix. Latest progression has been nothing short of spectacular. Faces stiffer task at level weights at elite level, but he is going so well that he cannot be ignored.
4th Pick: FAME STAR (5)
Trip is a question mark but he will be the first out of the gates (nice barrier in six) and if he can get away cheaply in the first three-quarter mile, he could give plenty of cheek in the home straight. Should not be left out of the calculations.

RACE 11 (17:00) CLASS 3

1st Pick: GOLD STAR (4)
Looked home until Tiger Roar gunned him down on the line. If he reproduces that run here, he should go close.
2nd Pick: SUN FORTRESS (1)
Australian four-time winner (1350 to 1500m) who looks to have settled in well. Was even entered in the Kranji Mile but just missed the cut. Trials have been fair. Exercise caution after much-vaunted stablemate Sun Power failed on debut on May 1.
3rd Pick: SAVVY COMMAND (9)
A better barrier saw him return to winning ways last time out. Looks to have trained on. Back up in Class 3 but on best form, he can pinch a place.
4th Pick: BE BEE (3)
Put in two good runs this prep. Wide alley won’t help again. Place chance looks better.

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