KIRKS RYKER will find this company to his liking (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Friday night racing is back in Singapore for the first time in 2017 and hopefully there are plenty of winners on offer for the Kranji faithful.
And some value as well with some wide-open races, including the best race on paper for the night, a Kranji Stakes C mile on the turf (race 7).
Ricky Le Grange took a day to find his feet in the Singapore training ranks but with a double on January 2, the stable is officially up and running.
The South African saddles two runners in the race in question and both KIRKS RYKER and RIDE OF VALKYRIES look winning shows.
The pair will certainly appreciate the easier Company but in the case of RIDE OF THE VALKRYIES there might be some value on offer given he comes of what looked like a shocker.
He has excuses on that occasion – an irregular heart rhythm – and a subsequent nice trial suggests we can forget that run and take on some very promising form prior.
Elsewhere on the card the likes of WHOSE ELSE’S and ABSOLUTE MIRACLE can take advantage of two weak Class 4 1400m fields in races 5 and 8 respectively and both look very strong winning hopes.
Best Bets: (WHOSE ELSE’S race 5 win), (RIDE OF VALKYRIES race 7, value) and (LIM’S SHINE race 9, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2 and 4), race 7 (1, 2, 5, 6 and 7), race 8 (1 and 4), race 9 (1, 4 and 5).
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 1
Selections; 11 MISS WAIMATAITAI – 1 ALAN – 2 AMAZING MAN – 3 GENIUS
A very tricky opener with not a lot of recent winning form to go on and looking past the top few picks, not much good form to found either. So against better judgment we will give MISS WAIMATAITAI another chance to break through. The 4YO has obviously been disappointing not to have broken her maiden status at 18 career starts but has looked due and won’t find many races easier than this with winkers and tongue-tie off. ALAN is the danger. The 6YO has looked a better winning option on the Poly of late but has won on the turf and will win in Class 5 sooner than later. The form falls away dramatically after this but the maiden AMAZING MAN finds himself in Class 5 for the first time and should improve lengths while GENIUS only has to find some of the form he showed a 2YO to win in this Company. Market best guide on the rest.
1 ALAN *** A better winning option on the Poly but will win in Class 5 sooner than later. 2.50
2 AMAZING MAN *** Maiden who will very much appreciate dropping to Class 5 and should improve lengths. 12
3 GENIUS ** Form looks hopeless but showed enormous potential as a 2YO and could be ready to show up again in Class 5. 12
4 LADY LIBERTY ** Resuming and should be competitive in this Company but may want longer. 12
5 FAST JET ** Drawn wide and mixes his form but have to respect when having a good day. 20
6 MY REACH * No. 200
7 STARSKY ** Last run better than the result and pay to keep safe at odds. 203
8 LUCKY COMMAND ** Maiden who showed nothing last start but form prior was solid. 33
9 PRETTY ELUSIVE ** Another maiden in solid form and should figure in the mix. 12
10 TIME AFTER TIME * Drawn badly and a better option on the Poly. 100
11 MISS WAIMATAITAI *** Refuses to win but always in the mix and gets her chance from gate 1 with winker and tongue-tie removed. 3.00
12 GOLDEN BOBO * Blinkers on but form very poor. 33
13 ROMA ** Form OK but a better winning option on the Poly. 12
14 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * No. 200
15 PRESENT ARMS * Improved last start but still needs to show more. 100
16 JACK OF HEARTS * Resuming and prefer others. 100
Race 2
Selections; 12 SUPER GENIUS – 6 HAPPY BABY – 2 JACKS SECRET – 8 STAR INVINCIBLE
A rare Initiation with depth and the market will have to be a good guide on the day. As it stands there are four horses coming off last start placings and not much separates SUPER GENIUS, HAPPY BABY, STAR INVINCIBLE and SACRED ARMY. Of that quartet you would think the form from SUPER GENIUS’ last start holds up again with blinkers added also in his favour. The stablemate SACRED ARMY has blinkers removed and he has also looked due with a nice recent trial a pointer. HAPPY BABY had heavy support at his second start and just missed so can win this while STAR INVINCIBLE has his foot on the till and goes very close. Of the rest, JACKS SECRET had issues last start and happy to follow on his eye-catching Poly run while GROUND CONTROL will be running on.
1 GROUND CONTROL *** Improving with each run and this looks suitable to break through. 8.00
2 JACKS SECRET *** Returned not striding last start but big show on two runs prior including an eye-catching Poly effort on debut. 12
3 SACRED ARMY *** Has looked good at all four starts and goes close with blinkers removed off the back of nice recent trial. 8.00
4 TYPHON ** Failed at only Poly run but appreciates being back in maiden Company and pay to keep safe at odds. 33
5 DARCI’S BOY * Shown glimpses but may need longer to show his best. 33
6 HAPPY BABY *** Impressed at two runs and supported heavily at his most recent so hard to beat here. 3.50
7 SECRET SQUIRREL ** Debut better than it looked and will improve in this and over longer again. 33
8 STAR INVINCIBLE *** Foot on the till and look a big show with tongue-tie added from gate 1. 4.00
9 SUPER RED * Drawn wide and needs to lift. 50
10 RED RIDING WOOD * Solid type but like to see over longer. 50
11 AOTEAROA ** Former Kiwi who placed once form three starts and recent trial was OK with market best guide. 20
12 SUPER GENIUS *** Just missed last start and form from that race has been good so can win with blinkers added for this. 4.00
13 ALARANCH * Needs longer and Class 5. 100
14 BALKAN CHALLENGER * No. 200
Race 3
Selections; 1 SURE WIN – 2 SOUTHERN CHIEF – 4 COURT CASE – 9 LUCKY BOY
Only two horses have any real form in this Company to speak of and as such it could be a race in two between SOUTHERN CHIEF and SURE WIN. The pair raced against each other over this trip in November and while SOUTHERN CHIEF beat SURE WIN by 0.4 lengths on that occasion, a 2kg swing in the weights suggests the tables could be turned. That’s about it form wise with most others needing to improve on recent efforts although BLUE DIAMOND and COURT CASE are usually in the mix in races like this while the LUCKY BOY and SUPERMART have good form in easier races but that might hold up in this field.
1 SURE WIN *** Showed his speed last start and holds on soon to win again. 3.00
2 SOUTHERN CHIEF *** Turned around some poor form to win similar affair last start and pay to follow. 3.00
3 BLUE DIAMOND ** Tough to follow but always some show in races like this. 5.00
4 COURT CASE ** Last couple just fair but usually thereabouts. 8.00
5 SILVER SPOON * Needs to show more. 100
6 SUPER BRILLIANT ** Another who has just been fair of late but goes well as a rule in this type of race so keep safe. 12
7 COTE DE NUITS * Resuming after good run in KSD Company and may need easier than this. 12
8 SILVER POWER * Tongue-tie off. Issues last start (not striding) but should need easier. 50
9 LUCKY BOY ** Ran on well last start at odds and expect much the same. 20
10 SUPERMART ** Ran on to win in Class 5 last start and better suited there. 20
Race 4
Selections; 4 SPEED CRAFT – 1 CARNELIAN – 7 NOVA POWER – 2 CHAIRMAN WIND
A very strong Class 5 field with enough horses in what looks like winning form to consider. A Class dropper in SPEED CRAFT looks a good place to start and the 5YO could be hard to beat back in Class 5. He did manage back-to-back wins in similar affairs to this before solid Poly efforts in Class 4 and KSD Company and he can win again with regular hoop E Aslam staying on. CARNELIAN is the interesting runner. The 4YO mare turned around some poor form to win very well last start with the trainer suggesting racing wide was her caper so expect the same again. Of the rest with winning hopes, NOVA POWER is in very good form and picks himself, as does CHAIRMAN WIND who will be doing best work late. The Mohd Yusuf-trained DRAGON is also suited in this type of race and will be in the mix.
1 CARNELIAN *** Got is act together when winning very well over 1700m last start and pay to follow on that strong win. 6.00
2 CHAIRMAN WIND *** Will get back and run on and should be in the mix if are run to suit. 8.00
3 FUJIN BRIGHT * Freshened but easier to ignore. 50
4 SPEED CRAFT *** In very good form on the Poly an more importantly will find the drop to Class 5 to his liking. 3.00
5 QUETZAL ** Hard to fault honest form but long-term maiden status a concern. 12
6 DRAGON *** Foot on the till and will be doing best work late and goes close. 8.00
7 NOVA POWER *** In form and wins again soon in what is a suitable race. 4.00
8 GRAND PARIS ** Form fluctuates but goes good enough on his day to consider. 20
9 NATURAL WATER * No. 50
10 PINYIN ** In solid enough form but exotics looks best option in this field. 12
11 URBAN LEGEND * Blinkers off and can go OK on his day but this field has depth. 33
Race 5
Selections; 2 WHOSE ELSE’S – 4 HEAVENLY HAND – 1 BILLY BRITAIN – 6 BIMALA
One of the weaker Class 4 fields seen for some time and a dilemma for punters with a one-time winner in WHOSE ELSE’S likely to start at close to even money. In saying that, the 5YO won’t get a better chance than this to double his win tally after just missing in a stronger race than this two starts back. Blinkers are off with G Boss to ride and really there should be no excuses. The only horse that could beat him over this trip on recent form is HEAVENLY HAND. The 4YO mare is also a one-time winner (back in Australia) but just missed last start at very long odds over 1200m in Class 4 and a repeat will have her in the winning mix here. Will refrain from saying “forget the rest” but one of these two should win.
1 BILLY BRITAIN ** In solid form and will be running on strongly but this is as short as he wants it. 6.00
2 WHOSE ELSE’S *** Lack of winning form a concern but just missed two starts back this trip and get this chance with blinkers off. 2.00
3 MIGHTY GLORY ** Might need a tad easier to win but competitive and distance suits. 6.00
4 HEAVENLY HAND *** Freshened after placing at odds last start over 1200m and give this a shake. 6.00
5 WHITE COFFEE ** Might need slightly easier to win but in solid form and will keep them honest late. 6.00
6 BIMALA ** Just missed last start in KSD Company after nice Class 5 win and this is weak enough to be in the mix. 12
7 IMPERIAL FIGHTER * Reassess Class 5. 33
8 PERKINS * No. 50
Race 6
Selections; 2 CERTAINLY – 1 SMART VINTAGE – 4 ECLAIR FIESTA – 5 SINGSURAT
With four last start winners in the nine-horse field, there is plenty of excellent form to go on. Yes, two of those are stepping up from Class 5 but winning form is good form and all must be considered. The best of those winners was SMART VINTAGE who won in Class 4 last start to make it back-to-back wins and he must be a strong show. But the horse that he beat on that occasion, ECLAIR FIESTA, gets a slight pull in the weights for a 0.5 length defeat and gets his chance to make quick amends from gate 1 with E Aslam onboard. However, the one they all have to beat is CERTAINLY. The 4YO won in Class 4 two starts back but his recent Poly effort in BM83, where was beaten by a length, has him the winning pick in this. The race has depth and keep the likes of SINGSURAT safe in exotics.
1 SMART VINTAGE *** Hard to fault winning form and just going too well not to follow in this. 3.00
2 CERTAINLY *** Beaten a length in good Poly Company last start and hard to beat dropping back to Class 4. 2.80
3 STARPERFECT ** This is tougher than last start KSD win but always a show on the Poly. 12
4 ECLAIR FIESTA *** Just missed last start behind Smart Vintage and has trailed well since so must be considered. 5.00
5 SINGSURAT ** Placed in KSD Company last start and another who is always competitive over two laps on the Poly. 12
6 MONGOLIAN CHIEF ** Tested this trip but likes the Poly and worth keeping safe on some recent solid runs. 12
7 DRAGON G ** Last start win was in Class 5 and could be tested in this Company. 20
8 CORDOBA ** Another last start Class 5 winner who could be competitive but a win would surprise. 20
9 SPIRIT SEVEN ** Can be tough to follow and might be looking for easier but goes well enough on his day to keep safe. 20
Race 7
Selections; 5 RIDE OF VALKYRIES – 2 CASING ROYAL – 1 KIRKS RYKER – 7 ROBIN HOOD
Ricky Le Grange took over the Shaw stables with a winning double last week and happy to think he can add another win to his tally here. Le Grange saddles two runners – RIDE OF VALKYRIES and KIRKS RYKER – and both looks well placed to win. RIDE OF VALKYRIES had excuses last start (irregular heart rhythm) in the El Dorado and a subsequent nice trial suggests he is cherry ripe to win this with Juglall to ride. Barend Vorster rides KIRKS RYKER who will find this Company to his liking and looks the benchmark on recent form. Of the others, CASING ROYAL also finds himself in a suitable race and has the form on the board to win while ZEUS and ROBIN HOOD are always winning hopes in this type of race.
1 KIRKS RYKER *** Always some show but comes under serious consideration in KSC Company. 4.00
2 CASING ROYAL *** Not beaten far in nice Company last start on the Poly and more than handles the turf so can win. 3.00
3 VALBUENA * Not a mile away last start and appreciates the turf but still needs to show more. 20
4 JUSTICE FIRST * Appreciates Singapore debut but like to see more before considering. 33
5 RIDE OF VALKYRIES *** Pulled up with irregular heart rhythm in the El Dorado but recent trial suggests he is spot on to show his best. 6.00
6 ZEUS *** Will find this a lot easier than Group Company last start and has to be respected on form prior. 12
7 ROBIN HOOD *** Excuses for only bad run of late and gives this a shake. 5.00
8 TARAMEA ** First up run better than the result and improves to play a part. 20
9 KATE’S KEEPER ** Will be running on late in a race that suits. 12
10 SILENT ARROW ** Needs easier to win but hard to fault honest form and could sneak into exotics. 20
Race 8
Selections; 1 ABSOLUTE MIRACLE – 4 REALLY CAPABLE – 3 COLONEL LINCOLN – 8 SUCCESSION
Another very weak Class 4 field over 1400m and again there looks only two serious hopes with not much separating ABSOLUTE MIRACLE and REALLY CAPABLE. Unfortunately for punters they will both be short and both don’t win out of turn. It does look a toss up between the two and while ABSOLUTE MIRACLE might have the better recent form on paper and is due, REALLY CAPABLE gets blinkers and that could make the difference. He is also back on the turf over his only winning trip and gets his chance with Duric retaining the ride. ABSOLUTE MIRACLE is yet to win in Singapore but his work late in better Company last start suggests he is hard to hold out here in a weak field on a track that suits. COLONEL LINCOLN and a couple of the lightweights for exotics.
1 ABSOLUTE MIRACLE *** Has run on well at last two starts this trip and gets his chance to win in this field. 2.30
2 BIT OF A SCHILLER * No. 100
3 COLONEL LINCOLN ** Competitive and gets blinkers sow worth thought at only winning trip in Singapore. 12
4 REALLY CAPABLE *** In form and appreciates being back on the turf, Can win with blinkers added first time. 2.50
5 IMPEDIMENT * Maiden who appreciates Singapore debut but should need easier. 50
6 MUSCULAR SPRINTER * Blinkers back on but recent form is terrible. 50
7 MISS BLANCHETT * Tongue-tie off. Recent win in Class 5 and better suited there. 12
8 SUCCESSION ** Better than what he has shown of late and could show up in a field with little depth. 12
9 SKY ELEVEN ** Put in a good effort last start in nice Company and could surprise back on the turf over recent winning trip. 12
10 HIKO YUNIKON ** Rarely seen on the turf but going along OK and a must for exotics. 12
Race 9
Selections; 4 LIM’S SHINE – 1 FAITHFULLY – 5 LOUEY VELOCE – 6 ORCHARD ROAD
A tough little Class 4 Poly sprint and we are hoping LIM’S SHINE improves on his Singapore debut and wins. The 4YO brought some honest form from NZ to Singapore and had support at his local debut when running fourth. That run was full of merit and he should appreciate the extra 100m and a tongue-tie added. The more obvious picks are FAITHFULLY and LOUEY VELOCE. Both are in very good form in similar races to this and both win without surprising. Nothing else jumps off the page to win but most others do go well enough on their day to consider including ORCHARD ROAD who had excuses last start and is some hope on form prior.
1 FAITHFULLY *** Just missed last start at even money in similar affair and can make quick amends. 2.50
2 FINE CHOICE ** Will need some luck from wide gate but won in this grade three starts back and can follow each-way. 12
3 SUPERSONICSURPRISE ** Just fair last start similar affair but always a hope over this trip on the Poly. 8.00
4 LIM’S SHINE *** Ran on well with support at Singapore debut over 1000m and can win with tongue-tie added. 8.00
5 LOUEY VELOCE *** Backed off the boards to break Singapore duck last start and pay to keep following. 4.00
6 ORCHARD ROAD ** Respiratory distress last start but a winning hope on form prior. 12
7 DESERT FOX ** Not a mile away last start at odds and can include in skinny end of exotics. 20
8 SING ROULETTE ** Can mix his form but showed last start why he is always some hope in this type of race. 12
9 AMAZEALOT ** Took a drop to Class 5 to win but was competitive prior and another to include in exotics at value. 20
10 LUCKY SUGAR * Hung out badly last start so may be worth another look at odds in this Company with tongue-tie off. 33
11 ENTHUSE * Needs Class 5. 100
