Singapore racing continues on Saturday (4 February) for a 12-race turf and dirt fixture at Kranji Racecourse, highlighted by the running of the Group 3 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the Polytrack.
The feature race sees multiple Group 1 winner LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO kick off his 2023 campaign.
LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO, who boasts an impressive record of eight wins from nine starts over the 1200m, is undoubtedly the best sprinter at Kranji.
The only occasion on which the Daniel Meagher-trained gelding missed the frame over 1200m was his last start when he competed overseas in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December last year.
Prior to that, the Kermadec gelding had just completed a hat-trick of wins at Kranji, including the most prestigious sprint event locally, the G1 Lion City Cup.
LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO has always trialled well on the Polytrack, so trying this surface for the first time shouldn’t be a concern at all, while he is ideally placed under this week’s Weight For Age racing conditions to land his third Group victory.
Elsewhere, talented three-year-old JANUARY can make amends for his narrow last start defeat when he contests the $50,000 Class 4 race over 1400m.
JANUARY has yet to finish out of the Top 3 in five starts since debuting in September last year. Three starts ago, the son of Swiss Ace opened his winning account in a Restricted Maiden race before going on to land a double at Novice level.
The Donna Logan trainee was last seen finishing a close second over 1100m on the Polytrack at his seasonal debut 21 days ago.
This week, JANUARY is suited by stepping up to 1400m where he is two from three, and stripping much fitter second-up, he can prove hard to beat in a field without much depth.
