Singapore racing continues this Saturday (June 24) for a 12-race Polytrack fixture.
Talented three-year-old gelding PACIFIC EMPEROR is primed to land a hat-trick of wins for trainer Michael Clements when he returns to Kranji in the $70,000 Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on the Polytrack.
Formerly known as Smax in Australia, where he was a one-time winner with one placing from two starts, PACIFIC EMPEROR has progressed impressively since kicking off his local racing career in late April.
Not only has the Caravaggio gelding won both local starts, but he also has demolished the fields in style, showing tactical speed to score by a combined margin of 8.25 lengths over this track and distance.
Returning from a four-week let up, PACIFIC EMPEROR has trialled well as usual leading up to this week’s race. Despite rising to Class 3 for the first time, his untapped potential holds him in good stead to continue his winning ways.
Elsewhere, four-year-old MAJOR KING is one who can atone in the Class 4 Handicap over 1100m.
Put simply, his last start – when he finished third at this track and distance – was a horrifying watch for supporters.
Starting from barrier 11, he had a slow start and was on the backfoot. Near the 1000m mark, he had to be steadied when he got too close to the heels of another runner. Furthermore, he had to be steadied again near the 750m mark and was carried outwards from that point.
As stated in the stewards’ report, he “raced extremely wide and without cover,” so there was merit to his placing, considering that the winner led and won with an uninterrupted run. From barrier 2, he should map the winner and be bouncing back in a big way.
