JUPITER GOLD shows promise and should be in the finish (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
While next Sunday’s Raffles Cup and El Dorado Classic meeting is one of the better days racing of the year, the Landex Cup over 1200m certainly keeps the punters happy today.
The “mini feature” worth $125,000 has attracted a very good field and is a fascinating betting affair under the condition weights.
In fact the highest rated horse in the race, WIMBLEDON, gets in very well at the weights and must be a huge chance for young trainer James Peters to continue his golden run in feature races.
NOVA STRIKE and RAISE NO DOUBT also get in very well at the conditions off a rating of 93 with 53.5 and 54kg respectively and coincidentally both get blinkers to turn some good recent form into a win.
NOVA STRIKE in particular looks well-placed backing up from a very good run at Group 3 level over 1400m in the Saas Fee last Sunday and connections would be quietly confident they can get a result in 
this field.
RAFAELLO might not be as good in at the weights as the three horses mentioned but is in good form and has also trialled very well recently suggesting he will also have admirers with gate 1 a bonus.
Elsewhere on the card JUPITER GOLD bumped into a good one last start in QUICKSILVER and pending how the latter goes in race 5 on the card, JUPITER GOLD might be a good thing in race 6.
Sunday 23 October
Best Bets: (JUPITER GOLD race 6, win), (ASTRO MAN race 10, win) and (LET’S TALK NOW race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2 and 5), race 9 (2, 3, 4 and 5), race 10 (1 and 3) and race 11 (2, 3, 4 and 7).
Race cards in Singapore 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; 1 MAREA NEGRO – 2 ROSEGOLD – 3 AMISTAD – 4 MISS STREISAND
A competitive Class 5 with a number that are suited by the grade, surface and distance. MAREA NEGRO is a class dropper who ran on well last start and should be hard to hold out in Class 5 with the 2kg claim for Troy See a bonus. AMISTAD is another dropping into Class 5. He was not far away in KSD Company over 1400m last start and this distance suits. ROSEGOLD is racing solidly in this Class and likes this distance; Vlad Duric stays on and he should be handy throughout. MISS STREISAND is another racing soundly in this grade and suited by this distance and should be running on. Amongst the others, the old timer KNIGHT SPIRIT can show up over this trip and the maiden TEMBUSU ESTRELLA will get a good run throughout with Danny Beasley on top.
1 MAREA NEGRO *** Ran on well last start and should be hard to hold out in Class 5 with 2kg claim a bonus. 3.50
2 ROSEGOLD *** Racing solidly in this Class and likes this distance. Duric stays on and should be handy throughout. 4.50
3 AMISTAD *** Drops into Class 5 and suited this distance. Not far away in KSD Company over 1400m last start and can improve. 5.00
4 MISS STREISAND *** Racing soundly in this grade and suited this distance. Should be running on. 5.00
5 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Hasn’t won for a while but has a good record at the distance. Can show up in this grade. 10
6 TEMBUSU ESTRELA ** Still a Maiden but battles away over this distance and should get a good run throughout. 8.00
7 DUAL IMPACT ** Remains a maiden after 22 starts but lost iron last start and form prior was solid. 25
8 SECRET SPICE * Has only battled at recent outings but has won twice at the trip and could improve with best work expected late. 20
9 SCIMITAR * Fifteen start Maiden who is tested against these. 33
10 NATURAL WATER * No. 50
11 SHUYING XIAOXIAO * Gets a senior rider but yet to place in 19 starts. 33
Race 6
Selections; 4 QUICKSILVER – 1 ELITE STAR – 2 MR WHITAKER – 6 OCEAN GENERAL
A Class 4 over 1200m on the polytrack without much depth. QUICKSILVER had benefited from numerous trials and won nicely when resuming; he is up 3kg but has speed and may have upside and hard to beat. ELITE STAR is consistent in this company and won his Maiden over this trip; with Manoel Nunes up he should be hard to beat from the good gate. MR WHITAKER won in this company two starts back and has won twice at 1200m; he is awkwardly drawn but should be running on. OCEAN GENERAL is a query at the trip but he could go forward and give a sight. The field falls away after these although LAKE HUKA and PLATOON are capable of improvement.
1 ELITE STAR *** Consistent in this company and won Maiden over this trip. With Nunes up should be hard to beat from the good gate. 3.00
2 MR WHITAKER *** Won in this company two starts back and has won twice at the trip. Awkwardly drawn but should be running on. 5.00
3 PLATOON ** Excuses not to finish closer last start and will improve. 16
4 QUICKSILVER *** Won nicely when resuming. Up 3kg but has speed and can be prominent throughout. 3.00
5 LAKE HUKA ** Won a KSD three starts back but has struggled in Class 4 since and may need easier. 10
6 OCEAN GENERAL ** Suited this class and surface but yet to win beyond 1100m. Claim helps and can give a sight. 8.00
7 KEEN DRAGON ** Put in a fair effort last start at odds and can include in exotics. 16
8 SINGSURAT * Resuming. Wants longer and easier. 50
9 GOLDEN KINGDOM * Not a mile away at recent outings but maiden status a concern in this grade. 50
10 CHEETAH KING * Needs Class 5 and longer. 50
11 LIM’S BATTLE * Wants easier and longer. 50
Race 7
Selections; 2 JUPITER GOLD – 8 SIAM SAPPHIRE – 6 LUCKY MISSION – 1 BILLY MOJO
Another tricky Class 4 over 1200m on the poly. JUPITER GOLD was a good juvenile from last season who resumed with a solid effort in this grade and should be improved; he shows promise and should be in the finish. SIAM SAPPHIRE is another 3YO who may have more upside than some of these. His only win was at 1100m but he should be running on with C Brown from gate 1 a bonus. The interesting runner is BILLY MOJO. The 4YO did not figure when resuming but won twice in NZ and was considered good enough to run in Group and Listed company. His recent trial was solid and this is not a strong Class 4 so he could show up for Vlad Duric with winkers added. EURO ZONE returned to form last start and while not the most reliable, Nunes stays on and can be in the finish. LUCKY MISSION has placed at past three poly runs in this Class and distance of late and must be respected while EXQUISITELY SWEET has won in this class, surface and distance and he could show up.
1 BILLY MOJO *** Scratched at the gates last start after poor Singapore debut but has trialled well so look for improvement with winkers added. 5.00
2 JUPITER GOLD *** Good juvenile from last season who resumed with a very good effort in this grade and could be hard to hold out. 4.00
3 ASPREY ** Visor off. Only battled last start but has raced well this trip and track. 12
4 LIM’S ARCHER ** Battled on when resuming. Only win was on turf over 1400m and having first poly outing. Bred for longer but could show up for Michael Rodd. 12
5 EURO ZONE *** Returned to form last start. Not the most reliable but Nunes stays on and can be in the finish. 5.00
6 LUCKY MISSION *** Three of four wins have been on turf but has placed at past three poly runs in this Class and distance. Should be handy throughout again. 10
7 EXQUISITELY SWEET ** Racing soundly on turf and has won on the poly in this class and distance. Could show up with blinkers back on. 10
8 SIAM SAPPHIRE *** Excuses last start and only win was on this surface so gets his chance. 6.00
9 MORALES * Can put in the odd good run but might need easier with blinkers off for this. 16
10 CASH BOX * Recent form poor. 33
11 BIG GUARDIAN * Only win was at 1700m in Class 5. Needs easier. 50
Race 8
Selections; 5 ROBIN HOOD – 2 CASTOR – 1 WHITE HUNTER – 7 TERMS OF REFERENCE
An interesting race given it’s a small field and there looks to be a few queries on a couple of the runners. In saying that, we queried CASTOR stepping up in distance last start and the five-time sprint winner showed 1700m was no issue when winning well. So obviously the mile is not a problem and the 5YO must be a show to win again. ROBIN HOOD has won twice at the mile – once on the Poly and once on the turf – but his recent trial with blinkers suggests he could be the one to beat. WHITE HUNTER is a query over the mile and his recent runs have been on the turf but hard to fault winning form. Most others win or run well without surprising including TERMS OF REFERENCE and tactics will play a big part.
1 WHITE HUNTER ** Hard to fault form and drawn the ace but having a rare Poly run so take on trust. 8.00
2 CASTOR *** Surprised a few by winning over 1700m last start but have to respect on that effort. 3.00
3 RIDE OF VALKYRIES ** Very much appreciates first up run but oddly for his breed has average Poly form. 8.00
4 MIGHTY EMPEROR ** Well beaten by Castor last start but should be better than that and pay to keep safe. 8.00
5 ROBIN HOOD *** Very progressive type who had excuses last start and can win this on the back of good blinker trial. 3.00
6 CASING ROYAL ** Did it tough last start but is a query stepping up to the mile. 20
7 TERMS OF REFERENCE ** Always an each-way show on the Poly over this trip. 5.00
Race 9
Selections; 5 NOVA STRIKE – 3 WIMBLEDON – 4 RAISE NO DOUBT – 2 RAFAELLO
The feature race of the day and it looks a beauty with weight conditions making it very interesting. In fact the highest rated horse in the race is WIMBLEDON on 98 points and given he carries just 54.5kg, he gets his chance to knock in back-to-back wins. NOVA STRIKE is also well weighted with 53.5kg and given connections are backing up after a great run in the Saas Fee, he could win this slightly easier affair with blinkers added. RAISE NO DOUBT also gets blinkers and is also well weighted and is honest enough to give this a shout. It doesn’t stop there and while RAFAELLO is not in great at the weights – he carries 56.5kg off a rating of 87 – his form is good and a recent cracking trial has him under notice. Great race.
1 ECLAIR CHOICE ** Blinkers back off after terrible run with support last start and have to take on trust. 8.00
2 RAFAELLO *** Not in great at the weights but in very good form and recent trial suggest he gives this a shake. 4.00
3 WIMBLEDON *** In best at the race conditions and winning form should hold up here. 4.00
4 RAISE NO DOUBT *** Super honest and recent trial with headgear good enough to give this a shake. 6.00
5 NOVA STRIKE *** Backing up from very good run in the Saas Fee and can win with blinkers dropping to 1200m. 2.60
6 FAALTLESS ** Not a mile away last start and can be prominent throughout. 20
7 NOVA WARRIOR * Has struggled since excellent win in KSA Company back in June and have to take on trust with tongue-tie on. 20
8 GOLDEN CASINO * Outclassed. 100
Race 10
Selections; 1 ASTRO MAN – 3 MISS WAIMATAITAI – 5 SUVARNABHUMI – 4 RAINBOW WARRIOR
An extremely weak Class 5 field assembled and it may boil down to a two-horse race for punters with ASTRO MAN and MISS WAIMATAITAI the only two that look winning hopes on paper. ASTRO MAN broke his maiden status last start after a solid run of form and a subsequent good trial suggests he will go on with the job and is very hard to beat here. MISS WAIMATAITAI basically matches him on form but obviously her maiden status after 16 starts is a concern. And while she is always in the mix and has seven placings to her name, she has finished runner-up on only one occasion, which is also a concern. But she gets her chance here with only ASTRO MAN to beat. Others to include in exotics are RAINBOW WARRIOR, SUVARNABHUMI, BROWNE’S ANATOMY and SECONDWAVE but with no confidence.
1 ASTRO MAN *** Turned some good form into his maiden win last start and subsequent nice trial suggests he goes on with the job. 2.00
2 ZENZERO * Struggling. 100
3 MISS WAIMATAITAI *** Disappointing not to have won by now but honest and should break through soon. 3.00
4 RAINBOW WARRIOR ** Pulled up lame last start but some hope on best form if right. 12
5 SUVARNABHUMI ** Wide gate an issue but can go forward and give a sight. 8.00
6 GOOD LUCKY * Not a mile away last start at odds but easier to ignore. 100
7 OASIS SPUR * Has struggled for a while now. 50
8 SIMPANG * Gets upgrade to blinkers but easier to ignore. 100
9 BROWNE’S ANATOMY ** Form reads badly but could improve from better gate. 33
10 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * No. 100
11 PRINCETON * Long-term maiden and exotics at best. 33
12 SECONDWAVE ** In solid form of late and a must for exotics. 8.00
Race 11
Selections; 3 LET’S TALK NOW – 4 TOP NOTE – 2 JOE – 7 TURQUOISE SON
An odd way to finish a meeting in Singapore with a Class 5 Poly sprint and a tough one for punters with two seemingly out of form Class droppers to consider. Both LET’S TALK NOW and TOP NOTE won the last time they were in Class 5 and they can both turn around some poor form and win. LET’S TALK NOW also gets a senior hoop to help his cause and M Rodd from gate 7 looks a good combination. TOP NOTE amazingly raced last start in a BM74 Poly sprint where he obviously got outclassed. But he dropped two rating points and finds himself in Class 5 where he has previously had one run for one win. The more obvious picks on recent form include JOE, TURQUOISE SON and the second emergency, MAJOR GREEN, who should all figure somewhere at the business end.
1 FLYING SHADOW ** Form reads badly but will appreciate Class 5 and the switch to the Poly. 20
2 JOE *** Nothing when resuming but drawn the ace and a big show on previous good form. 3.00
3 LET’S TALK NOW *** Significant drop back to winning Company and hard to beat with Rodd up. 5.00
4 TOP NOTE *** Raced in BM74 Company last start so ignore and seriously consider in Class 5. 6.00
5 SUPER JOY ** Supported when doing it tough last start similar affair but wide gate a concern here. 20
6 BALKAN CHALLENGER * Resuming and hard to have. 100
7 TURQUOISE SON *** Maiden who has been in solid form and wins one of these sooner than later. 7.00
8 PETITE VICTOIRE ** Excuses last start after good run two back but is tough to follow. 20
9 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Veteran who wasn’t a mile away last start and could be running on late. 12
10 KENNEDY * Struggles as a rule. 33
11 RAINBOW STAR ** Long-term maiden who has put in the odd good run of late and pay to keep safe. 10
12 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD ** Another long-term maiden who has been thereabouts recently and can be included in exotics. 12
13 DEE MAJULAH * No. 100
14 MAJOR GREEN *** Maiden who has looked due and worth thought if he gets a start. 6.00
