JAY EFF EXPRESS looks well placed (Pic by Singapore Turf Club
A rare double-header in Singapore this Labour Day long weekend with two big meetings scheduled for Sunday and Monday in the republic.
Sunday’s 11 race card offers plenty for punters including a very good Kranji Stakes A event over 1400m (race 9).
Most can win and while JAY EFF EXPRESS looks well placed with 52.5kg to show he is up to Singapore’s best, the master trainer from Japan, Hideyuki Takaoka, has three runners with two – GOLD RUTILE and BELIEVE YOURSELF – big winning shows.
And while there are some other very good races on the card, including a cracking Class 3 event over 
1400m, we get to see the 2YO’s again in race 6; a Poly dash over 1000m.
The form from the first juvenile only event on May 10 will obviously be a guide with HELLO MICHELLE and MYSTIC MASTER likely to get heavy support but it will pay to keep one eye on Theo Kieser and his debutante, HALO BRIGHT, hopefully at value.
Best Bets: (FRENCH VINTAGE race 8, win), (GOLD RUTILE race 9, win) and (HALO BRIGHT race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 4, 8 and 14), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7), race 11 (5 and 6).
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 MR WHITAKER – 7 KAISER – 6 JOHN DUKE – 2 DUTY FIRST
MR WHITAKER will appreciate the drop to KSD Company and while he has plenty of opposition, he looks the horse to be on. The 4YO is consistent as well and given some of his runs in solid Class 4 affairs, he should really win with Vlad Duric up from a fair gate (7). Plenty that will keep him honest though with KAISER one to watch after drawing gate 1. The 7YO has had a long career and with nine wins to his name, he is better than most of these and showed enough last start to give this a shake. Winning form is good form and JOHN DUKE has certainly found that. The 5YO broke his maiden status two starts back and his last start win was good enough to think he can go on with the job. DUTY FIRST, Q NINE MAGIC and FANTASTIC MAN three others that win without surprising.
1 MR WHITAKER *** Found some form and will win soon in easier company. 3.50
2 DUTY FIRST *** Drawn wide but last two Poly runs good and should figure somewhere late. 6.00
3 FAITHFULLY ** Does mix his form but goes good enough on his day to win a race like this. 20
4 Q NINE MAGIC *** Wide gate costly last start and has looked due. 8.00
5 COTE DE NUITS * Struggling of late. 33
6 JOHN DUKE *** Hard to fault winning form and won well enough last start to be more than competitive here. 6.00
7 KAISER *** Showed last start why he is always a hope in races like this and gate 1 helps. 8.00
8 ANGRY CAT ** Can include in exotics but should need easier to win. 12
9 CHIPS ** Plenty of excuses last start and worth thought on solid maiden form prior. 20
10 FANTASTIC MAN *** In solid form and will work into this late with senior hoop a factor. 12
11 GRAVITY * Not a mile away last start but needs easier. 20
12 MASTER BANGER ** Placed at long odds last start and pay to keep safe in exotics. 12
Race 6
Selections; 9 HELLO MICHELLE – 5 MYSTIC MASTER – 4 HALO BRIGHT – 6 RAINBOW ROYAL
The trial form held up in the first-leg of this Golden Horseshoe series and we get the added race information this time in so hopefully we can be confident of a result. We liked HELLO MICHELLE in the Nursery Stakes and while not finishing in the top three; she improves for the run and can win this with gate 2 a bonus. From the same race, MYSTIC MASTER ran on well to finish second and with a tongue-tie added he should also race well again with best work expected late. CADET had excuses in the Nursery not to finish closer with support and while drawn wide, he has a say (and pay to watch if he gets out to value). Of the newcomers, HALO BRIGHT and RAINBOW ROYAL both showed more than enough at the trials to win on debut with the market a good guide.
1 BUCKS OH SEVEN * Not on trial form. 50
2 CADET *** Had excuses not to finish closer with support in the Nursery Stakes and gives this a shake. 5.00
3 DEIMOS * Hard to have on exposed trial form. 50
4 HALO BRIGHT *** Trials good enough to have a big say on debut. 5.00
5 MYSTIC MASTER *** Gets tongue-tie after finishing on well in the Nursery and will have admirers. 3.80
6 RAINBOW ROYAL *** Looked more than solid at the trials and can win on debut. 6.00
7 SILVER KING ** Nothing on debut but better suited against his own age group so look for improvement at odds. 33
8 SMART MASTER * Needs to improve on trial form. 50
9 HELLO MICHELLE *** Ran well with support in the Nursery and can improve enough to win. 3.00
10 QUEEN ROULETTE ** Solid at Official Trial and can include in exotics at likely value. 20
Race 7
Selections; 1 MASTERMIND – 13 EFFORTLESS – 4 LADY IFFRAAJ – 3 KISS ME
With barriers often so important in these Poly sprints, MASTERMIND and the emergency, EFFORTLESS, look the horses to be on in this. If he gets a start, EFFORTLESS gets to jump from gate 1 and he has shown previously that he can make use of a good gate when needed. He is obviously in solid form and has to be a big show. If he doesn’t get a start, MASTERMIND gets to jump from gate 1 and obviously he will also look to make use of the ace. Even if he starts from gate 2, he will race on the pace and it may be a ding-dong battle between the two in-form horses. The race does have depth though and LADY IFFRAAJ will appreciate Class 4 company, KISS ME and MIGHTY MAN will work into this late while RIVER OF GOLD will figure somewhere.
1 MASTERMIND *** Two runs this campaign have been excellent and looks the benchmark. 2.70
2 BLUE DIAMOND * Could make excuses for poor runs of late but wide gate makes this tough. 33
3 KISS ME *** In very solid form and often gets out to nice value. Follow. 6.00
4 LADY IFFRAAJ *** Yet to run a bad race on the Poly and should appreciate handicap conditions. 6.00
5 MEGATHINK * No. 200
6 MIGHTY MAN *** Backed up good win with a solid effort and pay to follow with best work expected late. 6.00
7 OUR TOUCHE ** Can mix his form but showed last start in KSD company that he goes well when on song. 8.00
8 SILVER POWER ** Shown nothing at three starts in Singapore but recent trial suggest he can improve at odds with blinkers off and tongue-tie on. 33
9 FAT POWER ** Has pace to burn and drop back to 1000m could see a result. 33
10 RIVER OF GOLD *** Just fair last start but form prior has him winning races like this. 7.00
11 LADY ROULETTE ** Nothing last start and drawn badly but can show up at long odds in races like this. 33
12 WINNING STAR * Needs longer and perhaps easier. 33
13 EFFORTLESS *** In very solid form and has a big say in this from gate 1. 4.00
14 A LOT IN HAND * Resuming with OK trial under his belt but might need easier. 20
Race 8
Selections; 1 FRENCH VINTAGE – 8 DRAGON GOLD – 4 HOW HUGE – 14 GYPSY STAR
You know the field lacks both quality and depth when a 13-start maiden might even push even money when they jump. The maiden in question is FRENCH VINTAGE and while the short starting price should ring a few punting alarm bells, he is the one to beat. John Powell has the task and from gate 6 (or better), he should get a few favours and be very hard to beat. Another maiden in DRAGON GOLD may be the danger. The 3YO has been doing some tough work from wide gate of late and get this chance from the ace in this field with Dan Beasley up. HOW HUGE also looks some hope with a tongue-tie added given his solid form of late while GYPSY STAR will have a say late.
1 FRENCH VINTAGE *** Resuming with very solid run and can win with step up to 1400m ideal. 2.40
2 SCENE OF THE CRIME * Maiden who needs to lift. 33
3 DAWN OF THE WORLD * Gets blinkers but easier to ignore. 33
4 HOW HUGE *** In very solid form and should figure in this finish with tongue-tie added. 5.00
5 JOE SWIPER ** Did it tough last start in similar affair so worth another look with downgrade to winkers. 20
6 ALADDIN * No. 100
7 MASURAO ** Not a mile away last start in similar affair and could run a cheeky race here. 20
8 DRAGON GOLD *** Did it tough last start from a wide gate so gets his chance from the ace. 8.00
9 AMI ELEVEN ** Goes OK on occasion but exotics look best option. 12
10 SUVARNABHUMI ** Not a mile away last start and could figure in exotics at value. 20
11 CLEVER BRIGHT ** Placed at long odds when resuming but wide gate makes this tough. 20
12 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * Nuisance value only. 50
13 GODS SPEED ** Has been running on solidly of late and could easily play a part in this finish. 20
14 GYPSY STAR *** Wide gate not an issue as he will be running on late. Keep safe. 8.00
15 HAPPY JOY * Excuses last start but disappoints more often than not. 20
16 HEAR ME ** Veteran whose last win was over this trip but have to take on trust. 20
Race 9
Selections; 8 JAY EFF EXPRESS – 1 GOLD RUTILE – 6 BELIEVE YOURSELF – 5 SPANISH BAY
While SUPER NOVA and BENDICION look no hope on recent form, most others win without surprising making this a very tough race for punters. In saying that something will have to give on the tote and it will pay to keep an eye out for value on the likes of BEST TOTHELIGN and DAVIDE who both resume with very nice trials under their belts. JAY EFF EXPRESS might even be value given the depth of this field and happy to have him on top. The 4YO knows how to win and has had excuses of late with the step to 1400m a good move. Of the rest, SPANISH BAY and the Takaoka pair of GOLD RUTILE and BELIEVE YOURSELF pick themselves while THESE STREETS is a last start winner so has to be respected. Great race.
1 GOLD RUTILE *** Honest and step up to 1400m looks perfect. 6.00
2 DAVIDE *** Resuming with very nice trial under his belt and should have a say in a race that suits. 12
3 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Also resuming with an excellent trial under his belt and form from last campaign too good to ignore. 6.00
4 BENDICION * First-up run was poor and have to take on trust. 33
5 SPANISH BAY *** Very honest and show last start he is more than up to this type of race. 4.00
6 BELIEVE YOURSELF *** Won very well first up in similar affair and hard not to follow. 3.00
7 SUPERNOVA * Should improve with blinkers added after a couple of runs this campaign but have to take on trust. 33
8 JAY EFF EXPRESS *** Excuses not to go very close to winning last start and gives this a shake. 3.00
9 THESE STREETS ** Up in Class but was in solid form before win and appreciates lightweight. 12
Race 10
Selections; 6 SHANGHAI BUND – 2 SOLARIS SPECTRUM – 3 HERO I AM – 5 LUMINIFF LAD
There are going to a few horses that don’t feature in our top three picks that win this without surprising so obviously it’s a tough one for punters. And it goes without saying to go wide in exotics. And some of those we leave out may very well be good each-way options including ROOM FOR EXCUSE and even the emergency, MY BROTHERS KEEPER. Last start winner KIRKS RYKER, LUMINIFF LAD and DIVIDED HOUSE also command respect but we can’t pick them all. So that leaves SHANGHAI BUND and the Shane Baertschiger pair of HERO I AM and SOLARIS SPECTRUM for our top picks. All can win but SHANGHAI BUND is certainly due and could be hard to beat on what he showed two back in a similar affair. SOLARIS SPECTRUM showed enough last start over this trip to think he wins soon over 1400m and HERO I AM is a horse on the way up.
1 ROOM FOR EXCUSE *** Winkers to blinkers and always an each-way show in races like this. 12
2 SOLARIS SPECTRUM *** Not far away at first crack this trip last start and pay to follow. 6.00
3 HERO I AM *** Another progressive type from the Baertschiger stable and must be respected. 6.00
4 KIRKS RYKER *** Up in Class but just going too well not to win again. 5.00
5 LUMINIFF LAD *** Gets a tongue-tie after a shocker last start and form prior has him under notice. 8.00
6 SHANGHAI BUND *** Super consistent and just missed two back similar affair so looks the benchmark. 4.00
7 DIVIDED HOUSE *** Extremely honest and due but is a slight query at the trip. 8.00
8 INTENSE GOLD ** Always a show over 1400m but will need some luck after drawing wide. 20
9 PANAMA CITY ** Improves on first-up run and could be a good value option for skinny end of exotics. 33
10 SPRING THUNDER * Better than what he has shown of late but like to see something before considering. 100
11 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Honest enough to include in exotics with gate 1 a bonus. 33
12 IKING * Versatile but might be looking or easier company. 50
13 PROFESSOR X * Blinkers off but need to show more. 50
14 TOTALITY * Not a mile away similar affair last start but like to see more. 50
15 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Supported when disappointing with excuses (roarer) last start but gives this as shake if right. 8.00
Race 11
Selections; 5 OPTIMUS – 6 LITTLE BIG MAN – 1 ASPEN – 2 FIGHTING WARRIOR
Another race where there looks plenty of winning hopes but two do stand out in OPTIMUS and LITTLE BIG MAN. Not much separates the two on recent form but there does look some upside for OPTIMUS who has done it tough at his last couple after jumping from a wide gate. So Dan Beasley should get some favours from gate 5 and the 4YO can win. LITTLE BIG MAN has done little wrong at five career starts and given the support he had last start, he looks right in this again. These two will get the majority of the support from punters so a couple at the top of the weights in ASPEN and FIGHTING WARRIOR could be the value options. ASPEN won a similar affair two starts back and FIGHTING WARRIOR improves over his winning trip after a solid Singapore debut. JOBODWANA, LINCOLN’S EXCUSE and GET GOING three others to keep very safe.
1 ASPEN *** Given no chance last start and has to be considered on win two back this trip. 20
2 FIGHTING WARRIOR *** Improves on what was a solid local debut with step up to two-time winning trip in his favour. 33
3 JOBODWANA *** Turned some solid form into a good win and worth following. 8.00
4 OCEAN GENERAL ** Form reads only fairly but could run very cheeky race at odds. 20
5 OPTIMUS *** Very much appreciates better gate after doing it tough wide last two. Big show. 3.00
6 LITTLE BIG MAN *** Very progressive type who looks a leading hope in this. 3.00
7 WATER PARK * Should improve with blinkers added but like to see something. 33
8 HOT GOLD ** Form starting to read badly but this is the type of race he should do well in. 33
9 LINCOLN’S EXCUSE *** Solid at two runs this campaign and does look due. 9.00
10 MOON RIVER * Needs to lift on Singapore debut. 100
11 GET GOING *** Showed last start he is more than up to this company and in this a very long way. 6.00
12 LUCKY SIX * Query on the turf. 50
