LINCOLN ROAD won five from six on the poly and will give a sight (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
It’s been billed as the “K Race Festival” on Sunday at Kranji with a definite Korean feel to a fun day culminating in the Korean Racing Association Trophy (race 7).
The set-weight Poly sprint over 1200m is open to Korean-based horses and three have made the trip to see if they can take home some of the $250,000 prize money on offer.
However, taking a line from last year’s race, the Korean trio of ALWAYS WINNER, PARANG JUUIBO and TRIPLE FIVE face a tough ask up against some more than handy Singapore Poly specialists headed by GOOD NEWS at the top of the ratings.
The 5YO has won seven times on the Poly and again looks a winning hope with best work expected 
late.
THE GENERAL, LINCOLN ROAD, NOVA WARRIOR and HYPERNOVA also have excellent Poly records with five wins each on the all-weather track and it really does look an uphill battle for the visiting Koreans to figure anywhere in the top four placings.
Heng-oohn!
Sunday 24 July
Best Bets: (WAIPAKIHI race 11, win), (CYBORG race 9, win) and (CHAMPAGNE REIN race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12), race 9 (1), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and race 11 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 7).
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; 1 QUETZAL – 5 READY FORTUNE – 2 NO SMOKING JEFF – 3 GOLDEN JADE
One for the middle distance Class 5 battlers over 1700m. QUETZAL is a Maiden who ran on solidly over 1100m when resuming. The 5YO placed at his past two outings in this grade over 1900m and 1800m before spelling and will appreciate the claim; he could go well if given a positive ride. READY FORTUNE is a Class 5 journeyman who has won at the trip and was runner-up last start, Manoel Nunes stays on and he should be in the finish. NO SMOKING JEFF only battles but fought on well over 1800m on turf here three starts back; his best surface is the poly and with Michael Rodd to ride should be on the speed throughout. GOLDEN JADE did not show up last start but his previous form was sound and is another who could benefit from a positive ride. Others that could show up include ADRENALINE, PINYIN and BLACK BEAN.
1 QUETZAL *** Maiden who ran on solidly over 1100m when resuming. Placed at past two outings in this grade over 1900m and 1800m before spelling. Will appreciate claim and could go well if given a positive ride. 6.00
2 NO SMOKING JEFF *** Only battles but fought on well over 1800m on turf here three starts back. Best surface is poly and should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
3 GOLDEN JADE ** Did not show up last start but previous form was sound and has won on the poly over 1800m. Could benefit from a positive ride. 10
4 WALTERS BAY * Has done nothing up to a mile in six turf starts. Take on trust on the poly. 50
5 READY FORTUNE *** Class 5 journeyman who has won at the trip and was runner-up last start. Nunes stays on and he should be in the finish. 3.00
6 CIRRUS * Yet to place in seven starts. Gets Duric but needs to improve. 25
7 PINYIN ** Ran on late last start. Gets Placais and has won twice at 1800m. Should be running on. 10
8 JIMTOWN * Hasn’t won since arrival in Singapore over 30 starts back. Tested. 33
9 HEAR ME * Rising 12YO having 104th career start. Has won 12 races but never beyond a mile. 33
10 ADRENALINE ** Hasn’t won for a long time but recent trial was solid. Placed over a mile two starts back but failed at this trip subsequently. Could show up. 10
11 BLACK BEAN ** Has been racing over unsuitable distances and better off here. Can go forward and give a sight. 10
12 NORTH STAR * Only win was at 1800m and that was a long time ago. Tested. 33
13 SUN DANCE ** Has been a Maiden for some time but regularly places and should be on the speed throughout. 12
14 DAAD’S THE WAY ** Rising 11YO having his 116th career start. Has won once at this trip and will battle away. 20
Race 6
Selections; 7 ANONYMOUS – 5 KEEN DRAGON – 1 EATONS GOLD – 10 NORTHERN BOSS
A BM67 over 1100m on the poly. ANONYMOUS is a promising sort who had excuses before running on strongly late last start to win in Class 4. S John stays on and from the good gate he should be hard to hold off. KEEN DRAGON is racing soundly in similar company and with Manoel Nunes to ride should get every chance. EATONS GOLD will find this class easier and the claim will help, he won one of these four starts back over 1000m and is better suited by 1100m; he will be running on late. The interesting runner is CATCH ME GREAT who is resuming after a long break. He has had numerous average trials but showed plenty of ability earlier, watch for any support. And don’t forget NORTHERN BOSS at long odds. He pulled up lame last start and the booking of Duric looks a positive move.
1 EATONS GOLD *** Will find this class easier and claim will help. Won one of these four starts back and better suited by 1100m. Will be running on late. 4.50
2 CATCH ME GREAT ** Resuming with tongue-tie after a long break. Showed plenty of ability earlier and has had numerous moderate trials. Watch for support. 8.00
3 SURE WIN ** Has speed and will appreciate being back on the Poly. 33
4 LUMINIFF LAD * Has disappointed at recent outings after showing early promise. Recent trial was average and needs to improve. 20
5 KEEN DRAGON *** Racing soundly in similar company and with Nunes to ride should get every chance. 4.00
6 STAR GENERAL * Has only battled since resuming. Last win was this class and distance but needs to improve. 20
7 ANONYMOUS *** Ran on strongly late last start after excuses to win in Class 4. Shows promise and should be closing late. 3.00
8 TOU SHOU BRIGHT ** Resuming. Has won once and placed at all five poly starts. Showed plenty of promise earlier. Watch market. 10
9 EURO ZONE * Ran on fairly when resuming and could be improved but has found a hard race. 16
10 NORTHERN BOSS ** Excuses last start (lame) and always worth a look at long odds. 20
11 JUBILATION * Tested against these. 33
Race 7
Selections; 4 THE GENERAL – 1 GOOD NEWS – 2 NOVA WARRIOR – 6 LINCOLN ROAD
The KRA Trophy with local horses taking on a trio of Koreans. If anything like last year the local horses on their own track will be far superior to the Koreans who are used to racing on deep sand. THE GENERAL has worked his way through the classes and performed well in open company last start, he is awkwardly drawn but can be on the speed throughout. NOVA WARRIOR was slowly away last start and never figured following a good KSA win on turf, he has an excellent poly record and this distance suits, with Manoel Nunes to help him overcome the awkward gate he should be prominent throughout. GOOD NEWS loves the polytrack and has won 3 times at the trip, from his good gate he could be hard to hold off. LINCOLN ROAD is a promising young horse that has won five from six on the poly but is but not helped under the set weight conditions. HYPERNOVA showed a return to form on the turf and is much better on the poly; he could show up. Happy to leave the Koreans out of top four picks but ALWAYS WINNER has been in top form in good company in Seoul and TRIPLE FIVE is a promising 3YO from Busan. Market best guide.
1 GOOD NEWS *** Loves the poly and has won three times at the distance. Will be hard to hold off. 4.00
2 NOVA WARRIOR *** Slowly away last start and never figured following a good KSA win on turf. Has an excellent poly record and this distance suits. Draw may test but has Nunes to help. Should be prominent throughout. 3.00
3 CHEETAH ON FIRE * Drops back to a distance at which he has won four times. Could be charging home late. 16
4 THE GENERAL *** Has worked his way through the classes and performed well in open company last start. Awkwardly drawn but can be on the speed throughout. 5.00
5 HYPERNOVA ** Put in a strong effort when resuming on turf and has a much better poly record. Hasn’t won for a while but smart when right and could show up. 12
6 LINCOLN ROAD *** Promising young horse but not helped under the set weight conditions. Has won five from six on the poly and will give a sight. 1200m may test. 6.00
7 ALWAYS WINNER * In form with a good win over 1400m at his last start in Seoul. Has won five times from 18 starts including twice at 1000m. Can get a good run throughout. 12
8 PARANG JUUIBO * Just missed over 1400m last start and has won up to 1700m. Has won six from 33 including twice at this distance. 20
9 RICH FORTUNE * Racing soundly at KSC level but tested here. 50
10 TRIPLE FIVE * Promising 3YO in top form at Busan over this distance. Stepping up in class but could show up. 20
Race 8
Selections; 5 LIKA TIGER – 6 ROBIN HOOD – 7 THE WIND – 2 BRAHMS AND LISZT
A very open race and too many chances to be confident but that could also mean plenty of value if we can find the winner. In saying that, LIKA TIGER does little wrong so hard to go pas him after drawing favourably in gate 2. The 5yO is yet to win over the mile but went very close in similar affair to this four starts back and will be handy throughout. Another obvious choice is ROBIN HOOD who just missed last start and gets this chance to make amends. One not so obvious choice on patchy recent form is THE WIND. The 3YO bolted in when winning his maiden back in March and looks ready to get back into winning form in what should be suitable company. The blanket goes over BIG BROTHER, BRAHMS AND LISZT, BROTHER WIND, HIGH COUNCIL and QUEEEN’S SEVEN and you can go even wider again in exotics.
1 BIG BROTHER *** Blinkers off after racing on the pace last couple and goes close with handy 2kg claim. 7.00
2 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Versatile and in solid form and gets his chance in suitable company. 8.00
3 BROTHER WIND *** Won maiden two starts back and battled on solidly over this trip in similar company last start. In the mix. 8.00
4 GIORGIO ** Disappointing last start and drawn wide but did win in Class 4 two back so keep safe. 15
5 LIKA TIGER *** In fine form and race suits so hard to beat. 4.00
6 ROBIN HOOD *** Just missed last start in similar affair and gets his chance here. 6.00
7 THE WIND *** Drawn awkwardly but form better than it reads and mile will suit so could show up. 12
8 HIGH COUNCIL *** In very solid each-way form and pay to keep following. 12
9 MIGHTY EMPEROR * Prefer on the Poly. 33
10 SMART IDEA ** Not a mile away last couple and mile in this company should see further improvement. 33
11 SERPICO * More like Dog Day Afternoon. 100
12 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Wide draw a concern but showed what he has to offer last start and pay to keep safe again. 12
13 DEAUVILLE ** Has placed at both outings since changing stables and looking to break a long run of outs. 20
14 SLAVONIC DANCE ** Won well when breaking maiden status at odds last start and another to keep safe. 20
15 MR CONNERY * Better on the Poly. 100
16 DANNY * Needs easier. 50
Race 9
Selections; 1 CYBORG – 4 VIVIANO – 2 HERMANO MENOR – 8 INTENSE GOLD
Two very promising last start winners in CYBORG and VIVIANO make this one of the more interesting races on the card and expect some heavy support for both. In saying that, CYBORG has hit the ground running in Singapore with three wins from four starts and his last start win was just too good not to think he isn’t the one to beat. VIVIANO won well with support first up after a spell and the extra 200m looks no problem given the way he hit the line. It’s not a race in two though with HERMANO MENOR in solid form and trialling well with SHANGHAI BUND, GOLD PEREGRINE and HADES all in the exotic mix. Keep INTENSE GOLD very safe at long odds over his pet trip.
1 CYBORG *** Hard to fault winning form and looks hard to beat in similar affair. 2.00
2 HERMANO MENOR *** Foot on the till similar affairs and could be hard to hold out with blinkers to winkers. 8.00
3 SHANGHAI BUND ** Could make excuses for rare poor run last start behind Cyborg and pay to keep safe. 12
4 VIVIANO *** Resumed with very good win with support over 1200m and will have admirers. 3.00
5 ROOM FOR EXCUSE * Can make excuses for some of his poor runs of late but needs to show more. 50
6 GOLD PEREGRINE ** Nothing last start but previous form was solid in similar affairs to this. 20
7 HADES ** Well beaten into third place last start but in the mix in this field. 10
8 INTENSE GOLD ** Always and each-way hope at odds over 1400m. 33
9 MARTIN * No. 100
10 ABOVE THE SKYLINE * Excuses last start bur another that needs to lift. 50
11 CITY OF KIRKWALL * Resuming sans blinkers and should need the run. 50
12 SUN EMPIRE * Needs easier than this. 100
Race 10
Selections; 5 CHAMPAGNE REIN – 3 GUILTY PLEASURES – 6 LIM’S SINCERE – 1 BATTLE HORSE
There looks too many winning options based on strong recent form so it may be worth a look at a handy newcomer in CHAMPAGNE REIN for the Walker/Nunes combination. The 4YO was born and raced in NZ before having a solid career in Australia and the form from Down Under should hold up in this company in Singapore. True, his best local trial was with headgear but he should are well regardless and the tote will be a good guide. The blanket goes over most others but GUILTY PLEASURES and LIM’S SINCERE are both in good winning form while HIMALAYA DRAGON, WONDERFUL KNIGHT and RED ANT all can win without surprising. BATTLE HORSE resuming one to watch at hopefully value.
1 BATTLE HORSE *** Resuming after a couple of poor runs but goes well enough on his day to win a race like this. 6.00
2 HIMALAYA DRAGON *** Beaten a long way into second last start but form this campaign good enough to think he wins soon. 6.00
3 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Loves the Poly and too honest not to keep following. 6.00
4 MASTERMIND ** Excuses late not to finish closer but still might need it a tad easier than this to win. 20
5 CHAMPAGNE REIN *** Kiwi-bred who also raced in Australia and race record and local trials suggest he can win at Singapore debut. 3.00
6 LIM’S SINCERE *** Turned some very good form into a strong Class 4 win and that effort worth following. 5.00
7 WONDERFUL KNIGHT *** Showed more than enough last start to think he gives this a shake if he can make use of the ace. 12
8 CAIRO *** Progressive type whose recent trial suggests he goes well here. 8.00
9 RED ANT *** Can be hard to catch but fresh and recent wins have been on the poly so keep very safe. 12
10 ROSEGOLD * Reassess easier over longer. 100
11 WINNING STAR * Reassess easier over longer. 100
12 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE * Reassess easier over longer. 100
Race 11
Selections; 7 WAIPAKIHI – 2 WONDERFUL PRINCE – 1 LUCKY GIANT – 6 O’REILLY BAY
The usual tough one to finish the night and with a few out of form horses looking like improving at the top of the weights in LUCKY GIANT and WONDERFUL PRINCE combined with some solid 3YO’s in WAIPAKIHI and O’REILLY BAY, finding the winner will be tough. WAIPAKIHI probably has the best recent exposed form and his placing behind Conilad in Novice Company should hold up here. V Duric takes the ride and he should be prominent throughout. WONDERFUL PRINCE very much appreciates being back in Class 4 and from gate 1 with Nunes up, he could win this without surprising with a drop back from the mile a good move. LUCKY GIANT has had excuses at his last two in this grade and happy to think he is a big improver as well. O’REILLY BAY and LIM’S ACTION should be in the mix and a market watch on the others.
1 LUCKY GIANT *** Plenty of excuses last start similar affair and happy to give another chance. 8.00
2 WONDERFUL PRINCE *** Nothing last start but appreciate this company and drop to 1200m. 5.00
3 ROC THAT ** Former Kiwi who has trialled OK but may need longer to show his best. 8.00
4 LIM’S ACTION *** Nothing last start over 1400m but previous form over 1200m has him under notice. 7.00
5 NORTHERN KNIGHT ** Another former Kiwi who has looked OK at the trials but should need longer. 12
6 O’REILLY BAY *** Last start better than the results and could give a sight back in trip. 12
7 WAIPAKIHI *** Honest type who will be in this a very long way. 5.00
8 AZURE * Hard to have on recent Poly form but did win on debut at only turf run. 33
9 LINCOLN’S EXCUSE ** In solid form in slightly easier Company and a must for exotics with blinkers off. 20
10 HOT GOLD ** Solid as a rule but best trip is 1400m. 12
11 GOLD CROWN ** Resuming and honest enough to keep safe. 10
12 MINGS MAN ** Can find trouble but has been running on OK so worth a look in exotics at value. 20
13 SUGARTIME JAZZ * Not a mile away last start in similar affair but should need easier. 33
