Kranji tips – Saturday 24 February 2024

VALUE BET – WAR PRIDE (Race 4)
TOP BET – JUNE (Race 2)

RACE 1 – Time: 06:00 | Class 5 Handicap | 1200m

Selections: 2/1/3

BENBO is a gelding who has had a bit of a resurgence following his last two wins. Bruno Queiroz has really got the best out of him and looks hard to beat here. Does carry extra weight so makes it tougher but gets a good draw. CIANGO makes his class five debut the former USA-trained galloper. Has slowly been working his way down the ratings and will appreciate the sharp drop in class.

RACE 2 – Time: 06:30 | Restricted Maiden | 1400m

Selections: 2/1/5

JUNE never got a clear crack at them after being held up from the 500m to the 300m. He did run on late, but it was obvious it cost him being beaten only a neck to the winner. Has since trialled well and will look for clear ground. SUPREME LINER led the field up over this trip and was amongst a close finish but had to settle for fourth. If he finds an easy lead for Jaden Lloyd, then a repeat performance can see him in the mix.

RACE 3 – Time: 07:00 | Class 5 Handicap | 1700m

Selections: 2/6/5

TIGAROUS has won over a slightly longer trip of 1800m in the past which happened to be his last win back in 2022. Since then, he has shown glimpses of a near win including two recent minor placings. SHEESH has some solid runs at his most recent outings but hasn’t had much luck drawing wide barriers being forced to race wide and doing too much work early. He isn’t far off winning again and finds an easier race here.

RACE 4 – Time: 07:30 | Class 4 Handicap | 1200m

Selections: 1/6/8

WAR PRIDE is a seven-year-old who gets a better barrier draw this time and champion trainer replaces Nunes with Duric which is no disadvantage. Will have to carry top weight but will be very prominent and shows plenty of speed. Proven in Class 4. STARBOY broke his maiden after a couple of attempts and recently measured up again in Class 5. Was going to be the horse to beat in Class 5 but now he makes his Class 4 debut. Obtains a great barrier and gets the leading jockey Queiroz onboard. Good chance again.

RACE 5 – Time: 08:00 | Maiden | 1200m

Selections: 4/1/6

PACIFIC DREAM blew the start last outing and was a real eye-catcher to be beaten just over a length to Starboy who had the advantage of leading. His run was massive and should have won If he jumped on terms. Will be out for redemption this weekend. BLACKBUCK showed a slick pair of heels with the blinkers on last start but just found one better on the day. He was well supported in betting, expect support again here with a four-kilogram claim.

RACE 6 – Time: 08:30 | Class 5 Handicap | 1700m

Selections: 3/4/6

NINEONEONE missed the kick last start and was dragged back, and powered home late. Gets the in-form Queiroz from a good barrier. Looks the one to beat. THE SHADOW gets a good barrier on this occasion and has been consistent in class 5, must try and get cover before the turn out of the straight. He should be fighting out the finish.

RACE 7 – Time: 09:00 | Class 4 Handicap | 2000m

Selections: 1/3/4

PACIFIC BAO BEI gets a good barrier on this occasion and had a much-improved run last start behind King’s Gambit. He appreciated the rise to 1600m and now goes to 2000m. Can be a speed influence but shouldn’t have any excuses from the gate. WINNING STRIDE is a model of consistency for the connections. Has been behind some staying horses like Easy Breezy and Roda Robot. Shouldn’t get too far back from the barrier and needs to be respected over the 2000m.

RACE 8 – Time: 09:30 | Class 5 Handicap | 1000m

Selections: 3/7/6

OUR SECRET WEAPON got a much-deserved win last start with a good ride from Ryan Curatolo and thrives over this distance. Ran a slick time well under the standard time for this grade. Yusoff will take two kilograms off. SUPERMAX had the blinkers fitted last time which seemed to do the trick. He found the front and won with good authority. Consistent sort around this mark.

RACE 9 – Time: 10:00 | Class 4 Handicap | 1200m

Selections: 3/4/5

NIMBUS STAR raced keenly last time out behind Per Incrown, loomed up well and got run down late. Should benefit from the two-week break and has always gone close from his five starts. WINS ONE was a winner on last start. Lead all the way with a soft tempo. Gets Queiroz again from a perfect gate, should find this race easier and has a lot of tenacity.

Race 10 – Time: 10:30 | Class 3 Handicap | 1400m

Selections: 5/2/1

ANIKI is an exciting prospect who is plotting a path towards the 4yo series, won his last three starts going through the grades and must push across from barrier nine. Will be on the speed and steps up in class once again. Will go close. FLYING NEMO won with merit last start in this class, sustained a very wide run throughout and kept building towards the finish line. He gets Curatolo onboard and will need to get cover from the outside gate. His run last start was huge and will be a main danger in this.

Race 11 – Time: 11:00 | Class 4 Handicap | 1100m

Selections: 4/7/6

SURREY HILLS from the J Ong stable, always on the speed and is proven in class 4. Loves the poly track and will need to push across from the wide barrier. Seow sticks abroad and should be fit enough. FIGHTING HERO gets the leading jockey Queiroz in the saddle and will pushing forward from the wide gate. Has an okay record on the poly track over this trip.