Katak faces tough challenge against the ‘Lims’

Racing at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore tomorrow is headed up by a mouth-watering Class 1 1600m Handicap, slated as the highest-rated race on the day.

That race sees unbeaten fouryear-old Lim's Kosciuszko aim to keep his perfect record intact but he’s going up against some of the big boys.

Eight from eight to date, Lim's Kosciuszko is undoubtedly the most promising four-year-old this season and the way he keeps defying the handicap suggests he will be very competitive in this year’s feature races.

Most recently, he defeated a Kranji Stakes A field effortlessly when leading all the way to score by 1.25 lengths – his first test over 1600m.

Though it was a slow-run race, it took nothing away from the son of Kermadec as he had done the same thing in some fast-run races prior.

Lim's Kosciuszko has since trialled well to maintain his form.

Main dangers include stablemate Lim's Lightning, who is first-up from his Gold Cup win over five months ago, and star South African galloper Katak, for whom trainer Ricardo Le Grange has big races in mind.

However, with the Kranji Mile both their main target, it won’t be easy for them to hit top gear immediately.

Elsewhere, Speedy Missile looks a good chance to improve on a luckless last-start 10th when he steps out in the Class 4 Division 1 1200m Handicap (Race 3). Speedy Missile, on that occasion, was checked and taken inwards passing the 500m when trying to improve between two runners, before suffering a severe check at the 250m and eased down thereafter, crossing the line 4.25 lengths into 10th place.

He looked well when stretching out nicely in a trial on 19 April and strikes a highly winnable contest.

Meanwhile, trainer Tim Fitzsimmons continues his good form and leads the premiership with a three-win advantage over Michael Clements, 22-19.

Manoel Nunes has surged clear by a margin in the jockey’s premiership and will be taking catching. He leads Oscar Chavez by 23 wins, 41-18.

BEST BET Race 10 No 4 Lim's Kosciuszko

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 2 Speedy Missile

JACKPOT

(Races 8 to 11)

R96

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4