Huka Falls is well weighted and should keep them all honest (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
The Landex Cup might not have Group status next to its name but the $125,000 feature sprint looks a beauty and very even at the race conditions.
But while HUKA FALLS and SLEW OF LODE head the ratings, it is perhaps a couple of horses in red-hot form in SUPER WINNER and MY LUCKY STRIKE that sparks the publics interest.
Interestingly, both have no turf wins on their respective résumés but SUPER WINNER showed last start that he more than handles the turf when he was just beaten by the globetrotting star, Emperor Max.
That race was at similar weight conditions to the Landex Cup and he does look the horse to beat although MY LUCKY STRIKE certainly looks one out of the box winning seven from his 10 career starts.
The race has depth though and a horse that might provide some value and show he is up to Open company is JIMMY REA.
Yes, the 4YO has been very disappointing for faithful followers at his last few runs but a new jockey – Alan Munro replaces Manny Nunes – and the experienced Englishmen might just suit JIMMY REA with his best work expected late.
GOOD NEWS may be the horse storming hope late with JIMMY REA and the 5YO will also be worth a sneaky look at very long odds.
And when you consider WIMBELDON never runs a bad race and has to be considered a serious winning hope, the finish could frantic and a race not to be missed.
Sunday 1 November
Best Bets: (THE COSMOS race 8, win), (JIMMY REA race 9, each-way) and (SUN DANCE race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (2, 3, 7, 9, 11), race 10 (1, 3, 5, 8 and 10), race 11 (1, 3, 4, 8 and 10), race 12 (1, 4, 6, 10 and 12).
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 8
Selections; 1 THE COSMOS – 7 LINCOLN ROAD – 2 MEDIA CAPTAIN – 6 BARNATO
While we have made our top pick in this – THE COSMOS – our special of the day, the race has depth and the top weight will have to be on his game to win. But he hit the ground running in Singapore when winning on debut in Class 4 and didn’t miss by much at start two. There looks plenty of early pace in the race with MEDIA CAPTAIN drawn in 1 and LINCOLN ROAD in gate 3, so R Shafiq should get a few favours on THE COSMOS from gate 6 and hopefully prove too good late. In saying that. LINCOLN ROAD was backed off the boards at his debut and won well enough to think he is a horse to follow. That maiden was weak though so he probably needs to improve on that run with the market a good guide. MEDIA CAPTAIN should be more than competitive in this company and it will also pay to keep BARNATO and EVA’S DAY safe.
1 THE COSMOS *** Just missed last start in similar affair and looks the one to be on. 3.50
2 MEDIA CAPTAIN *** Placed behind The Cosmos two starts back and gets senior hoop and weight pull. 10
3 PURE TACTICS ** Form reads terribly but happy to give another chance in this company with tongue-tie added. 50
4 EVA’S DAY *** Recent solid form on the turf but has won on the Poly and can figure. 12
5 MINGS MAN * Struggling at the minute. 100
6 BARNATO *** Drawn awkwardly but showed last start he is ready to show his best and enjoys the Poly. 8.00
7 LINCOLN ROAD *** Backed and won like a good thing on debut in a relatively weak maiden. Can win this. 2.50
8 KAISER BRIGHT * Issues of late and have to take on trust. 33
9 LADY ROULETTE ** Always shows enough to keep safe in this type of race. 16
10 HIKO YUNIKON ** Late Best Nine. Ignore last start on turf as better on the Poly. Value. 20
11 HELEN ** Not a lot last start but form prior has her winning again soon. 12
12 CAPTAIN MCCAW ** Usually in the mix and a must for exotics. 20
13 REMEMBER ME * Maiden back in trip and should need easier. 33
Race 9
Selections; 9 JIMMY REA – 2 SUPER WINNER – 7 WIMBLEDON – 11 GOOD NEWS
Punters who have been burned by JIMMY REA as the odds-on elect at his two runs this preparation might think this is throwing good money after bad, but he might just win this. Yes, he is not in well at the race conditions and yes, this is a lot tougher field than he faced last start. However, an interesting jockey change could be in his favour with Munro having a different style to his regular hoop – Manny Nunes – and he should be flying late. If you don’t like JIMMY REA, SUPER WINNER looks the obvious choice. The star of the Theo Kieser stable showed he more than handles the turf with a close-up placing to Emperor Max at his last start and that form has to hold up. WIMBLEDON comes through the same race so he picks himself while MY LUCKY STRIKE is a Poly star but yet to race on the turf so has to be some query. For value, GOOD NEWS will be motoring late and might be worth a look at long odds.
1 SLEW OF LODE ** Gets blinkers dropping to 1200m and would need make use of the good gate. 12
2 SUPER WINNER *** Showed last start that he handles the turf at this level and must go close. 3.00
3 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** Poly star having first turf start with blinkers removed and must be respected. 3.00
4 SOUTHERN BOSS ** Broke turf duck at long odds last start and has to be some show on that effort. 20
5 HUKA FALLS ** A better winning option on the Poly but well weighted and will keep them all honest. 12
6 EL MILAGRO * Blinkers off after game effort last start but still needs to lift. 20
7 WIMBLEDON *** Right in the mix last start in similar affair and just going to well to ignore. 6.00
8 OLYMPIC ANTHEM ** Failed at only turf run in Singapore but in form and can include in exotics. 10
9 JIMMY REA *** Had excuses last start and like to think Munro’s style will suit. Big show. 6.00
10 THESE STREETS * Resuming and should be tested at this level. 33
11 GOOD NEWS *** Excuses last start at long odds in Group company and will be flying late again. 33
Race 10
Selections; 3 SUN DANCE – 1 CLERMONT CLUB – 8 ALLEZ – 5 RON
CLERMONT CLUB and RON look the benchmarks in this Class 5 mile with both horses ready to win. The pair has similar form lines with two good runs since dropping to Class 5 and it does look a matter of time before they win in this company. CLERMONT CLUB has drawn the better of the two and with a Shafiq claim, should start favourite and hard to beat. However, a maiden in SUN DANCE might be the testing material. The 4YO wasn’t miles away in Class 4 at his last start and given the drop to Class 5 and the addition of blinkers, he must go close. Of the rest, ALLEZ and BROTHER BAY are both going along OK but are query on the Poly so it will pay to play with care.
1 CLERMONT CLUB *** Only a matter of time before he wins in this company. 3.00
2 HEAR ME ** Veteran who is always some hope. 20
3 SUN DANCE *** Maiden who wasn’t far away in Class 4 company last start and can in this with blinkers added. 5.00
4 SUPERB SEVEN * Should appreciate Class 5 but looks to struggle. 50
5 RON *** Drawn awkwardly but is due and should figure late. 6.00
6 FOREVER BEST ** Looked to have every possible chance last start so exotics best option. 10
7 STREET CHAMP ** Hard to follow but will work into this late if any luck from wide gate. 20
8 ALLEZ *** Showed two starts back that he appreciates the company and will work into this late. 10
9 BLACK BEAN * No. 100
10 BROTHER BAY *** Query on the Poly but is due so pay to keep safe. 8.00
11 BIGCAT RHAPSODY ** Won a weak one last start but winning form has to be respected. 8.00
12 ROYAL FLUSH * No. 100
13 PINYIN * Starts an issue. 100
14 PEREGRINE FALCON ** Better on the turf but in form so pay to include in exotics. 20
Race 11
Selections; 4 CLIP THE TICKET – 8 DEVIL’S PASS – 1 LUCKY MISSION – 10 POWER LIN
Firstly, an apology to TOP GUN who is in form, is due, had excuses last start and can win this without surprising. But you can’t pick them all and as such the Bruce Marsh trained 4YO doesn’t crack a mention in our top four. So who beats him? CLIP THE TICKET we hope. The 4YO won five starts back in a similar race to this and his subsequent form has him winning again very soon. DEVIL’S PASS also looks due and can open his Singapore account at start three. The former Aussie just missed at his local debut and will appreciate being back on the Polytrack. He has drawn wide but most of the fancied runners are out there with him so that shouldn’t be an issue. Two others that could win with value in mind are LUCKY MISSION down in grade and POWER LIN who had excuses last start with support.
1 LUCKY MISSION *** Form better than it reads and drop in Class has him under notice. 12
2 GRAVITY * No. 50
3 TOP GUN *** Blinkers off after having excuses when just missing last start and gets his chance here. 5.00
4 CLIP THE TICKET *** In fine form and wins one of these sooner than later. 4.00
5 KAISER ** Wide gate again a concern but pay to keep safe at value. 25
6 BELLUS WONDER ** Showed enough last start to follow from gate 3 over this trip. 6.00
7 CAPTAIN BLONDIE ** Battled away last start but debut run on Poly was good so should improve. 20
8 DEVIL’S PASS *** Drawn some concern but showed more than enough at two Singapore starts to win this. 4.00
9 BLUE DIAMOND * Improved effort last start but wide gate makes this tough. 33
10 POWER LIN *** Did it super tough last start so effort was good and can win this. 6.00
11 DUTY FREE ** Will be doing best work late and some hope at odds if are run to suit. 33
12 KLEVER WARRIOR * Resuming and no. 100
13 ADRENALINE * This looks too short. 100
14 LION WAVE * No. 100
Race 12
Selections; 6 LIM’S BULLET – 1 SILVER STAR – 10 QUEEN’S SEVEN – 12 IMPERIAL BOY
Not a bad race to finish a big weekend of racing and hopefully LIM’S BULLET can show he is better than Class 4 company and win the lucky last. The 4YO put in an eye-catching run on debut and just missed at start two before getting the chocolates at his next run. The progression suggests he can improve again and he should handle the company with Tim Bell to ride. SILVER STAR looks the danger. Although not winning on the turf, the 5YO does handle the surface and looks well placed with blinkers on and a Kif Toh 3kg claim. Throw the blanket over PHILANTHROPIST, QUEEN’S SEVEN and IMPERIAL BOY as winning hopes and it will also pay to keep the first emergency – THANKFULNESS – safe as he should improve with blinkers.
1 SILVER STAR *** Gets blinkers and looks well placed with 3kg claim to win this. 4.00
2 ZHUHAI ** Appreciates first up run in Singapore and can improve although gate is an issue. 33
3 BLACK MAGIC * Disappointing at last two starts and have to take on trust. 33
4 PHILANTHROPIST *** Shown enough at two starts in Class 4 to follow. 12
5 CONVICT ** Always thereabouts this type of race and worth an each way look. 20
6 LIM’S BULLET *** Broke through for well deserved maiden win at start three and looks up to this company. 3.50
7 MILLION ROUND ** Can run a cheeky race at odds. 33
8 ZIPPY GENERAL ** Excuses last start and should appreciate the switch to turf. Value. 33
9 ALOHA * Struggled since maiden win. 33
10 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Excuses not to go very close last start and has to be a big show. 7.00
11 COTE DE NUITS ** Better recent form on the Poly but does get a tongue-tie. 6.00
12 IMPERIAL BOY *** Been very consistent since maiden win but just needs a result while in form. 12
13 SOON YI ** Appreciates first up run and recent trial was good. Improves. 20
14 SATCHMO ** Maiden who appreciates the handicap conditions and will add value to exotics. 33
15 THANKFULNESS *** Blinkers go on as form started to taper and recent trial suggests he improves at odds. 20
16 ENLIGHTEN KNIGHT * Needs easier. 100
