LIGHTNING FAST looks his biggest danger (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Every little bit helps in the racing game and well worth looking for horses that get a weight advantage at some of the different conditions of races in Singapore.
Case in point is DISTINITIVE DARCI at the Novice set weight conditions who, as a 3YO, gets a whopping 7kg off similar rated 4YO’s.
And given he bolted in at his first Poly run at his last start, he could be hard to beat in race 5 on the card although it is worth noting he did also receive a similar weight advantage at the Initiation conditions.
LIGHTNING FAST looks his biggest danger and while he also comes off a very strong Poly win, the 7kg swing could be the winning difference.
And a weight advantage doesn’t necessarily mean a lightweight.
SUPER WINNER is asked to carry 59.5kg in race 9 and at first glance that does seem a significant 
impost given a good Poly horse like THE GENERAL only has to carry 52kg.
But at the Kranji Stakes A race conditions, 59.5kg off a rating of 107 makes SUPER WINNER the best-weighted horse in the race and given his red-hot form, he is the horse to beat.
True, his advantage isn’t as great as DISTINTIVE DARCI’s but every little bit helps and happy to think both can win.
Sunday 28 August
Best Bets: (DISTINTIVE DARCI race 5, win), (SUPER WINNER race 9, win) and (RISKY ROCKEFELLER race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 5 and 7), race 9 (1), race 10 (1, 3 and 7) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10).
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.
Race 5
Selections; 6 DISTINCTIVE DARCI – 1 LIGHTNING FAST – 4 MAXIMUS – 2 SUPER HERO
A small Novice field over 1100m on the poly with three last start winners engaged. DISTINCTIVE DARCI was well supported and bolted in at his first poly start; he should be suited this extra distance, is extremely well weighted and will be prominent throughout. LIGHTNING FAST was also heavily supported and ridden more patiently last start before bolting in over this trip; CC Wong stays on and he should be hard to beat again. They look the top two although MAXIMUS broke through at this trip last start and is improving while SUPER HERO battled on well in this class on turf last start and could show up on the poly though he may be looking for longer. HELLO MICHELLE could figure in exotics back on the Poly.
1 LIGHTNING FAST *** Heavily supported and was ridden more patiently last start before bolting in over this trip. CC Wong stays on and should be hard to beat again. 2.50
2 SUPER HERO ** Ran on soundly on turf in this grade over 1200m last start. Won Maiden at 1200m and may be looking for longer. 6.00
3 STARSKY * Has been battling since resuming after changing stables. Needs to improve. 20
4 MAXIMUS *** Broke through at this trip last start. Improving and could show up. 5.00
5 RAPID KID * Did not show up at Singapore debut. Recent trial was sound but can find easier. 33
6 DISTINCTIVE DARCI *** Well supported and bolted in at first poly start. Should be suited this extra distance and be prominent throughout. 2.50
7 HELLO MICHELLE ** Has struggled at recent turf outings after showing early promise. May do better in this company on poly. 20
Race 6
Selections; 1 D’DON – 6 ALWAYS A WINNER – 4 BARNBURGH LAD – 9 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD
A “bottom of the barrel” Class 5 over 1100m gives D’DON a chance to show he can win over more ground than 1000m. Yes, he has struggled in the past at this trip but this field is terrible and he can win. The journeyman ALWAYS A WINNER also gets a chance to knock in another win; has won three times at this distance, his recent form is sound and Derreck David should give him every chance. BARNBURGH LAD improved last start and is suited by this class and distance; he should be in the finish. FOLLOW THE KING goes fast but 1100m tests. The remainder are very average but the unreliable STATE TROOPER can surprise, GOLDEN BAY has placed at the trip and GOLDEN ROSEWOOD was not far away when resuming.
1 D’DON *** Suited this grade and this field weak enough to knock in his first win past 1000m. 8.00
2 FOLLOW THE KING * Has some speed but struggles beyond 1000m. 20
3 GOLDEN BAY * Nineteen start Maiden who did nothing when resuming for new stable but has placed at this distance and could show up. 10
4 BARNBURGH LAD *** Improved last start and suited this class and distance. Should be in the finish. 3.00
5 KENNEDY * No. 20
6 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Always a chance in this grade and will be handy throughout. 2.50
7 PISTA * Blinkers back on but has yet to place in 10 outings. 25
8 STATE TROOPER ** Far from reliable but won in this grade 4 starts back and has won twice at the trip. 10
9 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD *** Yet to win in Singapore but form better than most in this weak field. 14
10 ACE RICH * Did nothing when resuming. 33
Race 7
Selections; 1 HERMANO MENOR – 6 RISKY ROCKEFELLER – 3 SHANGHAI BUND – 2 VON KRUMM
A competitive Class 3 over 1400m where a number have speed but can be found out late. HERMANO MENOR is racing well but his only wins are over 1200m. The 5YO has placed four times from seven starts at 1400m and will be on the speed for a long way; the claim for Salim helps and his class may carry him through. VON KRUMM won in this grade last start but is another yet to win beyond 1200m but with John Powell up will be on the speed throughout. SHANGHAI BUND’s recent form is ordinary but his only wins have been at this trip; he could improve with Michael Rodd aboard. RISKY ROCKEFELLER had excuses last start and happy to think he plays a big part in this finish. Of the rest, GILT COMPLEX is in form and looks some hope while SUN EMPIRE improved to win in Class 4 last start and loves this trip.
1 HERMANO MENOR *** Racing well but only wins are over 1200m. Placed four from seven at the distance and will be on the speed for a long way. Claim helps and class may carry him through. 3.00
2 VON KRUMM *** Won in this grade last start but is another yet to win beyond 1200m. Has placed two from four at the distance and will be on the speed throughout. 4.00
3 SHANGHAI BUND *** Recent form ordinary but only wins have been at this trip. Could improve with senior rider aboard. Value. 6.00
4 BATTLE HORSE * Having first run on turf but best efforts have been on poly over shorter. 25
5 GILT COMPLEX *** Drops back in trip but has won at 1400m. Recent trial was solid and can show up. 8.00
6 RISKY ROCKEFELLER *** Excuses when resuming and right in this finish. 8.00
7 SUN EMPIRE ** Improved to win in Class 4 last start. Has won five times at this distance and drops 4.5kg on last start. Can get in the finish. 6.00
8 BRAVO CHARLIE * Only battled when resuming and needs to improve on recent efforts. 25
9 WARPATH * Won in Class 4 last start and suited this distance but this grade can test. 20
Race 8
Selections; 2 OVER EASY – 5 VERGLATICA – 1 HOLY TRILOGY – 7 KING OF THIEVES
Very hard to be confident in this Class 5 race given one of our top picks – VERGLATICA – has never won on the turf and for that matter, hasn’t won this year. And he has had his chances since dropping to Class 5 and while he is due, you wouldn’t be rushing to the tote window to back him. But his stablemate OVER EASY is also due and at least he has a recent win to his name. He has drawn wide but will go forward and is the horse the others will have to pass late to win. Nothing else appeals but the maiden HOLY TRINITY will appreciate Class 5 and it will be worth watching for stable support as he steps up to what is a suitable trip. KING OF THIEVES placed last start over 1400m and blinkers to winkers suggests he will handle his first go at 1800m.
1 HOLY TRILOGY *** Ran on well last start and appreciates Class 5 and step up in distance. Keep safe. 8.00
2 OVER EASY *** Will lead them up and hard to run down on good recent form. 4.00
3 HAKAMGONG ** Not given much of a chance last start and should be suited in this type of race. 12
4 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Form hopeless but comes under notice dropping to Class 5. 20
5 VERGLATICA *** Doesn’t like winning but in form and will figure at the business end. 3.00
6 ARCHER COMPANY ** Race form poor but a good recent trial suggests he is ready to improve. 20
7 KING OF THIEVES *** Just missed last start over 1400m and looks a chance with blinkers to winkers. 6.00
8 EASTERN TOWKAY * Maiden whose best form is on the Poly. 20
9 BEST LIFE * Hard to have on recent form. 33
10 GREAT LIGHT * No. 33
11 JIMTOWN * Placed two back but easier to ignore. 33
12 FOREST KING ** Not a mile away at his last couple and can include in exotics. 20
13 SUPER VELOX ** Respiratory distress last start and another that can figure on solid form. 20
Race 9
Selections; 1 SUPER WINNER – 11 THE GENERAL – 2 EL PADRINO – 3 MY LUCKY STRIKE
It’s safe to say there aren’t too many horses in better form in Singapore than SUPER WINNER. So much so they sent the 5YO off at $1.20 last start and he delivered in spades for favourite backers with a two-length win. He is asked to carry 59.5kg at the race conditions today and has a wide gate to contend with, but given his form he does look to have them all covered. If the weight is an issue it may be THE GENERAL who carries just 52kg who is the danger. The 5YO is a progressive type who obviously enjoys the Polytrack and will keep SUPER WINNER more than honest. Of the rest, EL PADRINO resuming is worth thought as his all-weather track form speaks for itself while the likes of MY LUCKY STRIKE, KAM’S COMET and NOVA WARRIOR all could play a part in the finish.
1 SUPER WINNER *** In stunning form and very hard to beat. 2.00
2 EL PADRINO ** Top Polytracker resuming and will be flying late. 9.00
3 MY LUCKY STRIKE ** Well beaten into third last week but always in the mix on the Poly. 8.00
4 HUKA FALLS * Not at is best of late and have to take on trust. 20
5 KAM’S COMET ** Placed last start on the turf and better suited back on the Poly. 8.00
6 NOVA WARRIOR ** Better than what he showed last couple and pay to keep safe. 12
7 ITALIAN JOB * Has been disappointing this campaign and needs to lift. 20
8 GOAL KEEPER * Over two years since last win but not a mile away last start and subsequent trial was very good. 20
9 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS * Wide gate an issue but showed improvement last start and does enjoy the Poly. 33
10 LASER STORM * Back in trip but honest and could sneak into skinny end of exotics late. 33
11 THE GENERAL ** Has shown he can mix it at this level and looks a serious lightweight hope. 8.00
12 THESE STREETS * Resuming and may be tested against a few of these. 50
13 PACHELBEL’S CANON * Goes OK on his day but hard to follow. 33
Race 10
Selections; 3 RUN IT TWICE – 1 MEGUSTO – 7 SATELLITE MAN – 8 SOON YI
A couple of horses that had excuses last start in similar affairs to this appeal and all eyes will be on RUN IT TWICE and MEGUSTO. In particular RUN IT TWICE had all sorts of excuses at his last start and given he had reasonably heavy support that day, he can make quick amends with G Boss staying onboard. MEGUSTO was first up after a long spell so his run also had plenty of merit. H Syafiq and his 4kg claim stay on and you think he improves for the first up run and will win one of these sooner than later. The biggest danger to this pair will be the maiden, SATELLITE MAN. The 4YO has shown enough at five career starts to think he is more than up to this company and a 2kg CC Wong claim won’t hurt his chances. SOON YI each-way all the way and market best guide on the rest.
1 MEGUSTO *** First up run was good and looks well placed to win this. 4.00
2 FAITHFULLY ** Resuming in the right company and pay to keep and eye on the market. 12
3 RUN IT TWICE *** Excuses not to win last start with support and can make quick amends. 3.00
4 CASH BOX * Needs to lift. 50
5 EXQUISITELY SWEET * Excuses last start not to finish closer but is a better option on the Poly. 20
6 GOLDEN MILE * Appreciates first-up run but query this surface. 20
7 SATELLITE MAN *** Maiden who has shown enough to think he gives a sight in this company. 5.00
8 SOON YI ** Always a each-way show in races like this. 12
9 KARIGARA * Back in trip and might be looking for easier. 20
10 HEE’S EGO ** Failed over the mile last start but won over this trip in Class 5 two back so keep safe. 12
11 WHITE COFFEE ** Another that win in Class 5 two starts back but showed last run he is competitive in this Company. 12
Race 11
Selections; 1 PALLADIO – 6 COUNTRY WARRIOR – 3 RED ANT – 2 LAKE HUKA
At first glance PALLADIO looks hard to beat given what the former Argentinean Group place-getter showed at his Singapore debut. He probably should have won on that occasion and a subsequent nice trial suggests he is hard to beat with a 2kg claimer in MM Firdaus to ride. However, he has drawn wide and there are a few horses in this that look ready to show their best. In particular COUNTRY WARRIOR who should appreciate 1200m after two sighters in Singapore and his stablemate, LAKE HUKA is also in the mix. Add RED ANT dropping to his winning grade and NIGHT FLIGHT resuming, as his maiden win was first up. LUCKY MISSION and NOVA LEGEND two others that win if PALLADIO isn’t up to the task.
1 PALLADIO *** Just missed at Singapore debut and subsequent trial good enough to think he is hard to beat. 3.00
2 LAKE HUKA *** In form and should get every chance from gate 2. 8.00
3 RED ANT *** Ignore recent form as comes into serious contention in recent winning grade on the Poly. 12
4 LIM’S ELUSIVE * Resuming after just a fair campaign and have to take on trust. 12
5 NIGHT FLIGHT *** Resuming and did break maiden status first-up two starts back. Keep safe. 8.00
6 COUNTRY WARRIOR *** Two runs in Singapore have been good and should appreciate 1200m. 12
7 PERKINS * No. 50
8 LUCKY MISSION *** Will need luck form wide gate but found form and must be respected. 8.00
9 MCGREGOR ** Not a mile away last start similar affair and pay to keep safe. 12
10 NOVA LEGEND *** Backed up good Class 5 win with nice effort in this company and should be in the mix. 10
11 REAL HERO ** Ran now ell to place last start similar affair and another to include somewhere. 12
12 TOP NOTE ** Took a drop to Class 5 to win and competitive on that effort. 20
