There seems to be a riches of 3YO talent in Singapore at the moment and while SUPER EASY looked the pick of the crop winning the first leg of the Three Year Old Series two weeks back, the likes of MR BIG, MASTHEAD, SHUTTLE MAN and BETTER LIFE suggest there is plenty on offer in the coming months.
And while only recently making a mark on the Singapore racing scene, RUNNING TALL looks the type to figure heavily in the 3YO series and can show his intentions by winning again in race 11 on the card today.
The STRATUM 3YO arrived in Singapore with a big reputation given his juvenile Group form from Australia (including a Group 2 win) and duly saluted at his Kranji debut as the odds-on punters elect.
Trainer Pat Shaw has found another suitable race in this Graduation event and with just 56kg against what looks like solid Class 4 Company, RUNNING TALL should win – perhaps easily -on his way to perhaps tougher assignments against his own age group in the near future.
Elsewhere on the card, SPEED BABY looks ready to show his best in Open Company and can beat LYING FULTON in race 10 on the card.
The Steve Burridge-trained 5YO has shown more than enough at two starts this campaign to think he wins sooner than later and this does look perfect.
It is a mixed surface meeting with races 7 and 11 on the all-weather Poly, races 8, 9, 10 and 12 on the Short Course (D), Turf.
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Best Bets; SPEED BABY (race 10, win), RUNNING TALL (Race 11, win) and CITY LAD (race 12, win).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2, 7, 9, 10 and 12), race 10 (1 and 2), race 11 (6) and race 12 (1 and 6).
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Race cards and Larry Foley’s synopsis follows and for updates on all runners go to www.kranjiracing.com
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
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Race 7
Selections; 8 HONEST TRUTH – 9 CASH DOT COM – 1 MACAU – 3 FUKU KITARU
While we were on MACAU last start and no reason to think the form behind MY SON in this company won’t hold up, HONEST TRUTH has caught the eye and happy to be on the HUSSONET 5YO in this. Gate one looks a bonus as he should have more than enough pace to lead and if given any sort of breather mid-race by KB Soo, should be hard to pass late. And while we think MACAU is every chance and probably the benchmark in this Poly sprint, he has drawn wide and might not get all the favours he needs to win. As such, CASH DOT COM – who did it tough in the same race as MACAU last start – comes under notice and if he gets a softer run this time out, goes mighty close. KK NG retains the ride and CASH DOT COM might also provide value in what is a pretty even sort of race. FUKU KITARU also looks suited to run a big race and should have last crack at them given an expected nice run just off the pace from gate five. You can make a case for last start winner IMAGERY and SQUALL LINE and pay to go wide in exotics.
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1 MACAU *** Found one better as favourite last start but good enough to overcome wide gate and make amends here. 3.50
2 SQUALL LINE *** Form better than it reads and always worth an each way look. 8.00
3 FUKU KITARU *** Another who always looks a hope in races like this and looks suited to run a big race. 8.00
4 TEEN ANGEL * Goes well on her day but wait for turf and longer. 40
5 IMAGERY *** Broke through for similar affair last start and pay to follow as not badly off at the weights. 4.00
6 TOTARA ** Bled last two times at the races and that an obvious concern. 50
7 PACINO ** Form better than it reads and switch back to Poly a good move – keep safe. 20
8 HONEST TRUTH *** Showed last start what he has to offer and looks a lively chance from the ace draw. 5.00
9 CASH DOT COM *** Super run doing it tough similar affair last star and has to be a big show on that effort. 20
10 GLOWNIGHT RACER ** Form has fallen off since impressing at first two Singapore runs and have to take on trust dropping back in distance. 20
11 YOYO *** Won too well last start not to be a winning show again but prone to live up to his name form-wise. 10
12 LIGHTNING MAC * Obviously goes OK on his day but prefer Class 4. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 3 TERRA FIRMA – 6 MONGOLIAN STAR – 4 DANNY BOY – 1 HORIZON LAD
A very interesting race with track conditions and scratchings playing a big part in the result. And while not featuring in my top four picks, LUCKY SUN (at start 109!) will come into serious consideration if the track is rain affected and both emergencies – in particular SILVER LINING – also come into consideration if they get a start. But for now I have TERRA FIRMA a lively winning hope (hopefully at value) first up after a spell. His form prior to the break had him winning sooner than later and a couple of solid trials suggests he is ready to go well first up. One of the horses he has to beat is MONGOLIAN STAR who had good form prior to just battling away last start. That run was probably tough enough to forgive and certainly worth another look with Mark Ewe steering from gate one. Of the rest, HORIZON LAD and WEIGHT IN GOLD have to be included and definitely go wide in exotics.
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1 HORIZON LAD *** Showed last start why he is a better horse with blinkers and looks well suited here. 4.00
2 STRIDE METEOR * Should be doing better this grade but out of chances. 30
3 TERRA FIRMA *** Resuming after never being a hope on leader biased track last start but that run good enough to think he can win first up with winkers added. 4.00
4 DANNY BOY *** Placed two starts back similar affair and showed more than enough late last start to think he is hard to beat in this. 4.00
5 WEIGHT IN GOLD *** Appreciates first run back and extra distance – keep safe at value. 15
6 MONGOLIAN STAR *** Did it tough last start so happy to forgive as form prior has him one of the leading hopes with gate one a bonus. 3.50
7 TAKE THE FIFTH ** Resuming but goes OK on his day and worth keeping an eye on the market. 20
8 LUCKY SUN *** Old campaigner whose form looks hopeless but will grow a leg on a rain-affected track. Wait for weather. 20
9 GOLD BIRKIN * No. 100
10 LIANG KEE ** Resuming after a solid run of form – watch market and worth a look in exotics. 40
11 LUCKY COMET * Struggling. 100
12 SUPER RETURN * Needs to show more this campaign. 50
13 SILVER LINING *** Form hopeless since win but blinkers back on coupled with drop to winning class suitable trip and track suggests he goes mighty close. 20
14 TOP HAPPINESS *** Showed last start what he has to offer over ground and while 1400m his minimum he is worth following (watch for support). 10
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Race 9
Selections; 1 TANGIBLE ASSETS – 7 SAMURAI HORNET – 9 BOOMZ – 2 ZAC NIRVANA
An odd affair where TANGIBLE ASSETS looks a good thing and will be supported accordingly, however, another five or so horses look genuine winning hopes. And given TANGIBLE ASSETS has only won once from nine career starts (and remarkably placed another seven times) some value seekers will be looking elsewhere to find the winner and ZAC NIRVANA, SAMURAI HORNET, BOOMZ, CHINA EAGLE and STREET LEGAL certainly appeal. SAMURAI HORNET in particular looks like he is ready for a result and but like TANGIBLE ASSETS, has only one career win to his name. BOOMZ broke his maiden status two starts back over this distance before never really being in the hunt next time out. This race should suit swoopers and expect him to be right in this late with a couple of other light weight hopes in STREET LEGAL and CHINA EAGLE first up.
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1 TANGIBLE ASSETS *** Has done everything bar win of late but a big show in this with upgrade to blinkers. 2.50
2 ZAC NIRVANA *** In form and no reason he doesn’t figure heavily in this finish. 6.00
3 CARTAGO ** Yet to show up at the races but blinkers on coming off a solid trial suggests he could be the improver – watch tote. 30
4 GOLDEN HAWKEYE * Needs to show something this campaign. 50
5 THINK AHEAD * Not too much forward thing required on this one. 100
6 JACK BAUER ** Last start better and just needs to back up that good effort. 20
7 SAMURAI HORNET *** Three runs this campaign have been good and this looks suitable for a result. 6.50
8 MY FIELD * Reassess when back in Class 5. 50
9 BOOMZ *** Enough to like about last start to think he appreciates a track that should suit and goes close. 6.00
10 CHINA EAGLE *** Resuming after he backed up maiden win with a super effort over shorter distance and has to be a show back up in trip. 8.00
11 SHOPPING LIST * Competitive on his day but realistically needs Class 5. 40
12 STREET LEGAL *** No weight and in the type of form that has him having a big say late in what is a suitable trip. 8.00
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Race 10
Selections; 2 SPEED BABY – 1 FLYING FULTON – 3 EL DORADO – 6 AROWANA DOT COM
A small but very good field for this Open Class Mile and while most eyes would be looking at the in-form FLYING FULTON, I think the race is much more than a one horse affair. True, not many horses are going as well and have the runs on the board in 2012 as FLYING FULTON but the fact a few smart types look like hitting their straps suggests he has a battle on his hands. One ‘smart type’ ready to show his best (which is very good by the way) is SPEED BABY. The former Malaysian star has been involved in most finishes since relocating to Singapore around May last year, including winning the Group 1 Patrons’ Bowl. And don’t worry about the eighth in the result book from his last start – that run was full of merit – and the equine millionaire can add to his prizemoney tally today. You can make a case for most others in this small field with special mention to EL DORADO first up and AROWANA DOT COM.
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1 FLYING FULTON *** Would not have lost many friends although being beaten as odds-on pop last start and goes mighty close again. 2.00
2 SPEED BABY *** Last start a lot better than the result and looks ready to show his best – can win. 3.00
3 EL DORADO *** Star stayer resuming after history making third Gold Cup win – has a big first up record and could surprise. 10
4 KEEP AWAY ** Not at his best last few but always respect over the mile. 40
5 HAPPY EVERYBODY ** Super consistent and no reason stepping up to the mile for the first time at start 87 doesn’t see another each-way result at odds. 20
6 AROWANA DOT COM *** Recent form good enough to think he plays a part in this finish. 5.00
7 SAMURAI PHOENIX ** Big ask at the ratings but in form and certainly a capable stayer on his day – keep safe. 12
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Race 11
Selections; 6 RUNNING TALL – 10 CALIFORNIAN GIRL – 7 BRING MORE MONEY – 3 BAHEN
While there are some nice horses in this and it will pay to follow the likes of BRING MORE MONEY, CALIFORNIA GIRL and BAHEN – to name just three – RUNNING TALL looks the stand-out and happy to concentrate on this potential top-liner. Apart from winning a Group 2 race in Melbourne, the STRATUM 3YO was mixing it top company before arriving with much fanfare (and a snip) to the Pat Shaw stable. The hype was justified when he won comfortably on debut in what was a solid Novice event and he certainly goes on with the job today. He is also best in at the race conditions although CALIFORNIA GIRL is also well placed with 54.5kg and she looks the best exotic option.
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1 NO RESPITE ** Resuming but always a show in this type of race and certainly worth a look on the day. 20
2 RECYCLE WORLD ** Very much appreciates good first up run after a long lay-off – keep safe although might be better over longer again. 20
3 BAHEN ** Won a solid Class 4 race at Singapore debut and have to respect although is giving a few kilo’s to a couple of rivals. 4.50
4 RARE EARTH ** Not a lot last start but form prior has him having a say if having a good day. 40
5 PROBO CHANDROSO * Not in well at the conditions and happy to ignore. 100
6 RUNNING TALL *** Arrived with a big reputation and justified the hype with a very good win at Singapore debut. In best at the weights and hard to beat. 2.00
7 BRING MORE MONEY ** Going along very nicely winning last couple and pay to follow. 4.50
8 ROUGH DANCE ** First up run was solid and while this looks tough at the conditions he should go OK with winkers added. 50
9 KAMAR DANCER * No. 200
10 CALIFORNIAN GIRL ** Loves this surface and in good enough at the weights to think she keeps them honest. 5.00
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Race 12
Selections; 1 CITY LAD – 6 FOXTROT HOTEL – 5 DYNAMIC DAN – 8 BOSS CAN I CAN
A lot to like about the Class dropper, CITY LAD, in the lucky last and the promising 3YO looks perfectly placed to knock in win number three. The ELUSIVE CITY geldings Restricted Maiden win was over this distance and he has certainly shown more than enough in better company since to think he wins today. But he has run into a solid Class 4 field with FOXTROT HOTEL certainly one to watch. The former Irish galloper looked impressive at his Singapore debut and a win here would not surprise on that effort behind the highly regarded RUNNING TALL. And although plenty more to keep safe – WINONTOP, MEL, SCARED EMBLEM and BOSS CAN I CAN to name just four – I think DYNAMIC DAN is ready to show his best this campaign and will be the value runner.
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1 CITY LAD *** In form and significant drop to winning Class has him the one to beat in this. 4.00
2 TOP SHELF ** Disappointing as favourite last start but worth another look stepping up to 1400m. 10
3 WINONTOP *** Coming off a shocker but better than that and pay to keep very safe from gate one with 3kg claim. 10
4 MEL *** Appreciates Singapore debut and while disappointing not to place with heavy support, worth following. 8.00
5 DYNAMIC DAN *** Last run better than the result and 1400m looks perfect at third run back this campaign – watch at value. 30
6 FOXTROT HOTEL *** Singapore debut carrying 58kg behind RUNNING TALL very good and a huge show in this company. 3.00
7 SACRED EMBLEM *** In form and back over his winning trip certainly in his favour. 10
8 BOSS CAN I CAN *** Steps up in Class after strong Maiden win and have to respect. 5.00
9 CAVORTING ** Usually thereabouts and worth a look in exotics with blinkers removed. 40
10 BENJI’S RULE ** Nothing last start but form prior has him involved somewhere in exotics. 40
11 FOUNTAIN * Better than form reads but best runs have been on the poly. 100
12 QUE SERA SERA * Reassess Class 5. 200
13 BUNGAE ** Form starting to read badly but goes OK this type of race – keep safe at odds. 40
14 RENA CROSS *** Has done it tough last couple and worth following when he gets a run similar affair. 50
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click here for the racecard
