A solid 10 race card on offer from Singapore on Friday – all on the Polytrack – with a Benchmark 83 mile and a Class 3 sprint the stand-out races.
The mile (race 7) looks a small but tricky affair but most eyes will be on the exciting NANDOWRA to see if the lightly raced 4YO has what it takes against some seasoned good quality campaigners.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding – gunning for his fourth win from just his eighth career start – will be the punters elect but faces his toughest test with an-form SUPERCZAR just one of the obstacles in his way.
Add the Pat Shaw duo of PAULINHO and LOCKDOWN – both recent Poly winners – and a NANDOWRA victory will be very well earned.
In the Class 3 sprint (race 9), the somewhat under-rated KAISER gets his chance to show he is more than capable in open age company.
The Theo Keiser-trained 3YO had a stellar juvenile campaign that included three wins from eights starts, but his feats were often overshadowed by the likes of MR BIG and DARK MATTER.
But a first up win as a 3YO (over DARK MATTER) suggests the SEIDNAZAR gelding is one to follow and is up to the task of beating some smart Poly sprinters in PRIMERA ESPADA and MY SON.
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Best Bets; CALOMBARIS (race 2, win), BOMBAATA (race 10, win) and EL MILAGRO/TZAR (race 4, exacta/swinger). Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (1, 2, 3 and 4) race 8 (2, 3, 4 and 7), race 9 (1, 2 and 3) and race 10 (1).
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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.
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Race 1
Selections; 2 STARLITE SHOWER – 6 VERSAILLES PALACE – 1 BIGGEST CHIEF – 3 SACRED SPRING
This Maiden does look ‘top heavy’ with five winning hopes and five with seemingly no hope. Of the five winning hopes, three are resuming and I’m pegging my top two picks on those with race fitness and some excuses last start. VERSAILLES PALACE never looked comfortable last start and battled away with support and should go on with the job in what is a suitable race today. Obviously Moreira from gate three is a factor and expect him to be in this a very long way. Likewise STARLITE SHOWER had excuses last start (when blinkers added) and his run easily good enough to win this. He has a 4kg claim and more importantly jumps from gate two which puts him right in this. BIGGEST CHIEF is resuming but his solid recent trial has him right in this with market an excellent guide, Throw in the ‘over-due’ SACRED SPRINGS and TOP THREE (both first up) and certainly go no wider in exotics.
1 BIGGEST CHIEF *** Resuming and this looks suitable first up to turn some good form into a win with solid recent trial a pointer – watch fresh. 6.00
2 STARLITE SHOWER *** Excuses last start when blinkers added and hit the line well enough to follow again from gate two. 5.00
3 SACRED SPRING *** Resuming sans blinkers and did more than enough first campaign to think he can win this fresh. 3.50 4 HOPEUDONMIND * Battles away but needs to find a lot more before we consider. 50
5 TOP THREE *** Another solid performer resuming sans blinkers over what will be a suitable trip fresh – watch. 15
6 VERSAILLES PALACE *** Supported last start and had excuses for not finishing closer – worth following. 3.00
7 VENICE * Not doing well enough to consider. 100
8 JACK THE BULL * Drop back in distance should help but skinny end of exotics at best. 100
9 ONEPLUSZERO ONE * No. 100
10 LUCKY MAN * Very hard to have. 100
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Race 2
Selections; 2 CALOMBARIS – 3 HIGH MILLENNIUM – 6 YAM CHA – 4 MANLAI
While the likes of MANLAI have more to offer and a couple of the newcomers, HIGH MILLENNIUM and YAM CHA, have looked OK at the trials, CALOMBARIS has both race experience, form and the punter support to think he is a horse to follow and wins today. The HAPPY GIGGLE 4YO went off as an odds-on-pop at debut and while beaten, he showed enough to think he would win next start. Alas, he didn’t, but ran into YIN XIN having a very good day and you would think that form is going to hold up in a race where nothing else jumps off the page. Could be very short but it could be ‘how far’. Of the others I think the market is the only guide with HIGH MILLENNIUM probably showing the most at his recent trial. But CALOMBARIS the only one to be on.
1 TAI COMMANDS * Former Kiwi who may need longer than this to show his best. Later. 30
2 CALOMBARIS *** Beaten into second with heavy support both starts but right in this. Should win. 1.50
3 HIGH MILLENNIUM ** Enough to like about his recent trial win to think he is ready to go well on debut. Market good guide. 5.00
4 MANLAI ** Very disappointing with some support on debut but obviously better than that and worth thought with pacifiers added. 7.00
5 WILLCANYA ** Had a few trials under his belt and steady enough to include in exotics. 15
6 YAM CHA ** Pushed along at both Official trials but did enough to think he gets some support and is in the mix. 6.00
7 ELLA BELLA * Improves with each outing but not for me. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 5 SECONDTONONE – 7 DENNYCRANE – 4 YOYO – 1 LION CITY TYCOON
Not a great deal of depth or quality about this Class 4 Poly sprint and with this in mind you have to keep an honest horse like SECONDTONONE firmly in mind. But while a last start winner in the same Class/distance, the CATBIRD 6YO did only carry 48.5kg that day will have to be at his best again to make it back-to-back. With the extra weight for SECONDTONONE in mind, I have DENNYCRANE for Joao Moreira right in this. The Michael Freedman-trained 5YO did take a long time to break his maiden status, but since then has continued on in great fashion with another win and two placings from his next four starts. More importantly he showed last start he handles this company and I do like the fact that the horse that beat him, TZAR, looks a promising youngster. YOYO, who placed behind SECONDTONONE first up, can mix his form but should be right in this and of the rest I will be keeping LION CITY TYCOON (first run back after a break in his winning grade) safe with KUKAI a must for exotics.
1 LION CITY TYCOON *** Resuming and while form reads very badly a significant drop in Class has him some hope – keep safe. 30
2 RUSSIAN ROULETTE ** Resuming after a long break and some bad form – recent trial OK and market best guide. 30
3 SADDLE THE WIND ** Hasn’t shown his best of late but has pace on his day and could figure at bolter odds. 40
4 YOYO *** More than enough to like about is first up run to think he goes well here. 3.50
5 SECONDTONONE *** Showed winning last start why he is always a good each-way option – follow. 3.00
6 CAPTAIN SCARLET ** Resuming after form tapered off badly – did win on debut so should improve fresh. 20
7 DENNYCRANE *** Showed last start he pore than handles this company – right in this. 2.50
8 GOOD BOSS ** Broke his maiden status last start and while this is obviously tougher he can be included in skinny end of exotics. 20
9 KUKAI *** Steps up after Class 5 win but was competitive in this company previously and pay to keep safe in a race with little depth. 11
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Race 4
Selections; 4 SUPREME GENERAL – 2 FLYING CLIPPER – 7 JODIE – 6 OLYMPIC MAN
This is a very tough field with at least six genuine winning hopes and the result depending heavily on race tactics and luck in running. And while not ideal, my top two picks, SUPREME GENERAL and FLYING CLIPPER, have to jump from gates nine and seven respectively – always a tough ask on the tight inner track. However, SUPREME GENERAL looks ready to win and happy to think Jose Verenzuela has enough horse under him to get a good position early and do just that. I will be also hoping FLYING CLIPPER can get a nice run into that all-important first bend so he has something up his sleeve when it counts. He should be value and has shown enough at his last couple to think that he is ready for a result in what should be his type of race. Of the others, JODIE showed she has no issues over distance – her last run stepping up to the mile was very solid – and well worth following as she heads towards her first win. Obviously hard to leave out EQUIENCE coming off two straight wins and OLYMPIC MAN and WEIGHT IN GOLD also make appeal. Good race and would be going wide in exotics.
1 EQUIENCE *** In sparkling form with two wins on the trot and while tough today from wide gate with 59kg he has to be respected. 5.00
2 FLYING CLIPPER *** Always doing best work late so must be a show over longer in suitable Class – watch. 12
3 NOTHEREFORNOODLES * Improved with blinkers last start and can include in exotics for value. 40
4 SUPREME GENERAL *** Showed last start he is ready to win in this company and hard to beat with any luck from wide gate. 3.50
5 WEIGHT IN GOLD *** Best work on the line last start has him very much involved similar company and up in distance. 5.50
6 OLYMPIC MAN *** Backed up an eye-catching run with a close up placing – goes close with Duric on board. 6.00
7 JODIE *** Very much appreciated the step up in distance last start and hard to beat on that effort. 3.50
8 RICH BORN * Easier to ignore. 100
9 TOUCH OF CLASS ** Better than what he has shown at his last couple but have to take on trust. 30
10 NEFERTITI ** Gate one and goes well on her day but disappoints more often than not. 30
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Race 5
Selections; 4 EL MILAGRO – 5 TZAR – 6 ZAC WARRIOR – 1 ALPHA DYNAMIC
This really does look a race in two at the conditions (and form) with EL MILAGRO and TZAR the only horses to seriously look at. EL MILAGRO in particular, with two wins (both on the Poly) from only three career starts, looks hard to beat with Joao Moreira having his first ride on the RED DAZZLER gelding. This field has no depth (and only seven runners) so I expect Moreira gets a soft on-pace run and that should be enough to show his best and win. His only challenger on paper, TZAR, also boasts two Poly wins from his six career starts. He also looks the likely leader and has showed more than enough to think whoever passes him late – hopefully EL MILAGRO – wins. There doesn’t look much between ZAC WARRIOR and ALPHA DYNAMIC (bar a handy weight pull in ZAC WARRIOR’s favour) for the minor placing but not looking hard past my top two.
1 ALPHA DYNAMIC ** Did it tough last start so appreciates the nice gate but is giving a few smart youngsters a few kg at the race conditions. 8.00
2 BIONIC WARRIOR * Hard to have. 100
3 GATEAWAY * Going along in good order but in very badly at the weights and might be looking or Class 5. 30
4 EL MILAGRO *** Disappointing last start but was drawn badly and looks a huge winning show back on his winning surface. 1.80
5 TZAR *** Also back on his winning surface and in well at the race conditions – can win. 2.20
6 ZAC WARRIOR ** Certainly showed enough last start to think he is in this finish somewhere in a race that suits. 8.50
7 TOP ASIA * No. 200
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Race 6
Selections; 2 GOOD DAY – 11 PINK CHEETAH – 3 INCREDIBLE SON – 1 ASIAN POWER
This looks a very strong Class 5 field and it will pay to look for value as there are plenty of winning hopes and I did find it hard to put a line through any. And while I’m not sure of the value, GOOD DAY, dropping to his winning Class, looks a very solid option and happy to follow him into a very even affair. With the depth of the race there should be an honest pace and that will suit the five-time winner (all on the Poly) as he will be doing easily his best work late for his recent winning hoop, Oscar Chavez. And while INCREDIBLE SUN will have plenty of admirers on his last start second in a similar affair (with the booking of Jose Verenzuela a factor), I will be looking for value down the bottom of the weights in PINK CHEETAH. The DESERT SUN mare had plenty of excuses last start (including respiratory) and her two wins prior to that were full of merit so worth a good look at hopefully each-way odds. As mentioned, INCREDIBLE SON picks himself (likely fave and every chance) and while you can make a case for most others, I will recommend a small something on ASIAN POWER who brings no form to the race but will very much appreciate the company and senior hoop.
1 ASIAN POWER *** Form reads terribly but a significant drop back to winning grade – improves lengths. 20
2 GOOD DAY *** Also drops back to winning grade and form in Class 4 very strong. Wide gate not an issue as will be ridden cold. Big show. 4.00
3 INCREDIBLE SON *** Showed last start it wont take him long to win in this grade – senior hoop a bonus and goes mighty close. 3.20
4 KING CROSS ** Fresh and shown glimpses with tote best guide. 30
5 KNIGHT KINGDOM *** Happy to think he could have finished closer last start and will be in the mix in this company – keep safe. 20
6 ANAK KROKOP ** Has enough pace to think dropping back in distance a good move – value in exotics. 30
7 BOLD ROB *** Should really have knocked in a win by now but while disappointing last start this race does look ideal – keep safe. 4.00
8 COFFEE KID ** Another who drops back from the mile but solid and worth entertaining in exotics. 30
9 LOOK AT ME *** Better over longer recently but will be flying late and pay to include somewhere. 15
10 ZINLY ** More runs than Bradman but most recent win was in similar affair and will keep a few honest. 20
11 PINK CHEETAH *** Put a line through her last run where she had plenty of excuses and seriously consider on great winning form prior to that. 6.00
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Race 7
Selections; 3 NANDOWRA – 2 SUPERCZAR – 1 PAULINHO – 4 LOCKDOWN
The bottom line in this small but tricky Poly mile is that NANDOWRA looks top-class. So while up against some more than handy types in SUPERCZAR, PAULINHO and LOCKDOWN, the Michael Freedman-trained 4YO should win on his way to bigger and better races. And while the SAVABEEL gelding has already put together a handy career record of three wins and two places (one at Group level), connections will be looking at this Benchmark 83 mile as a very good guide to see just how far he can go this campaign. And with a horse like SUPERCZAR – gunning for win number 10 from his 60th career start – in the field, NANDOWRA will have to be everything he has promised. In fact SUPERCZAR looks ‘bang-in-form’ and his eye-catching last start second behind LOCKDOWN suggests he is ready to win again could be the best option for value seekers or a strong forecast with the likely fave. There doesn’t look to be much between the Pat Shaw pair of PAULINHO and LOCKDOWN and both keep the race more than honest.
1 PAULINHO *** Just fair last start but might appreciate being back on his winning surface and pay to keep safe. 5.00
2 SUPERCZAR *** Excuses last start not to finish even closer and right in this. 5.00
3 NANDOWRA *** Got the odds-on chocolates in a thriller last start and can win again with winkers added. 1.50
4 LOCKDOWN *** Good win last start similar affair and pay to follow – loves the Poly. 6.00
5 ALACARTE ** Disappointing last start but usually thereabouts and gate one always a bonus. 30
6 HAPPINESS COME * Showed last start why you follow at your own risk. 100
7 PHANTOM KNIGHT ** Form starting to read badly but goes well on the Poly and while he might need Class 4 to win he could add value to exotics. 100
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Race 8
Selections; 4 SAMURAI KID – 3 BOYLE – 7 MAHA VEERAN – 2 PEGASUS VICTORY
While the winner is hard to pick in this ‘division 2’ Class 5 sprint, there looks to be three or possible four horses that have the form to suggest they play a big role in this finish. In particular SAMURAI KID looks in the form that has him turning some good runs since blinkers added into a win. The Cliff-trained 7YO found only MAHA VEERAN better at his last start and given the nature of these lower races (they don’t win out of turn) he can easily make amends today. Obviously MAHA VEERAN has to be included somewhere – his last start win capped off some nice Poly form – with the consistent, but terribly overdue, BOYLE also a winning show. Of the others you can make a case for PEGASUS VICTORY dropping back from the mile with ZAC IMPERIAL a must for exotics.
1 SUPER KNIGHT * Tough barrier run continues and while should be doing better in this grade he is hard to recommend here. 100
2 PEGASUS VICTORY *** Willing to forget last start over a mile and go on his solid previous each-way form that has him in the finish today. 6.50
3 BOYLE *** Has his foot on the till and although tough for his followers this looks suitable and have to give a strong winning chance again. 3.50
4 SAMURAI KID *** Has definitely showed more enthusiasm at last two starts with blinkers and looks a big hope again. 3.00 5 ZAC IMPERIAL ** Versatile maiden galloper who should run well back in trip with blinkers added – exotics. 12
6 TOP HAPPINESS ** Nice effort fresh last start to finish second and drawn the paint today but poor Poly form is a concern. 10 7 MAHA VEERAN *** Good effort to win nicely last start and worth following while in form. 4.00
8 ZAMBEZI RUSH * Back in trip and prefer a few others today. 30
9 FLEET FOOT ** Disappointing of late but blinkers added a good move and pay to keep safe in exotics. 40
10 JUS BEAT IT ** Appreciates better gate but form only fair at the minute and needs to show more. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 3 KAISER – 2 PRIMERA ESPADA – 1 MY SON – 5 EL PATRON
While up against some very slick Poly sprinters in PRIMERA ESPADA and MY SON, the star of the Theo Kieser stable, KAISER, looks good enough to step up to open handicap company and win. The SEIDNAZAR 3YO had a terrific run through his juvenile season – winning three and placing three from just eight starts. Add a terrific first up win at his only start as a 3YO (albeit at conditions weights) and KAISER is a horse to follow through the grades. PRIMERA
ESPADA, with four wins – all on the Poly – to his name, looks the biggest danger and the Douglas Dragon 5YO doesn’t have to do much more than he did last start to win this. That close up second followed on from two wins (one dead-heat) and with all his recent good form over this distance, he is certainly the benchmark. And while MY SON has not saluted the judge in 2011, his recent form is good and this race certainly looks one he can win. The form does fall away after the three top picks but for those looking at the novelties, EL PATRON should appreciate the inside gate and claim.
1 MY SON *** A lot to like about his last start and this looks OK despite wide gate – right in this. 4.00
2 PRIMERA ESPADA *** Racing in great form and looks the one to beat in this. 2.00
3 KAISER *** Honest, smart and huge first up win has him in this for a long way. 3.00
4 PERWIRA ** Finding it tough to win in Class 3 and place preferred. 12
5 EL PATRON ** Gate one always a bonus but another who usually finds a few better in this company and exotics only today. 30 6 SELIGI ** Appreciates first-up run and blinkers added and can include in exotics. 20
7 CAIYAYA ** Been in winning form of late but needs it easier than this. 50
8 BIGGEST SECRET ** Resuming after being disappointing at his last few starts and while winkers upgraded to winkers he is tough to recommend. 40
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Race 10
Selections; 1 BOMBAATA – 4 STORM ARC – 2 LUCKY DIAMOND – 8 ROBERT E
Hopefully we won’t be looking for value to get us out of gaol in the last as BOMBAATA looks a very good thing but don’t expect anything over evens. In fact he might be as short as $1.20 with no other horse seemingly having the form/ability to match him in what is a very suitable race. The STRAVINSKY 4YO has been in super form since resuming from a spell; knocking in a win and two places with enough excuses last start in a similar affair to think this is his for the taking. Add gate two (gate 11 very costly last time out) and the experienced Jose Verenzuela and win number three from just his eighth start looks likely. It is hard to find anything worth seriously looking at to beat him with perhaps STORM ARC the only danger. But the STORM CREEK gelding was disappointing (with support) stepping up to this company at his last start and would need to show his winning form (albeit in maiden company) to go close. Of the rest, LUCKY DIAMOND has some runs on the board in this type of race and is also worth some thought fresh with a nice recent trial under his belt with ROBERT E always competitive and a must for exotics.
1 BOMBAATA *** Looked a good thing beaten last time when no luck from wide barrier, drawn better today and should win. 1.60
2 LUCKY DIAMOND ** Resuming and will go well in Class 4 with recent slick trial suggesting he is ready first up. 9.00
3 POWER AND GLORY ** Did nothing over a mile last time but can improve with blinkers added back over 1200m. 40
4 STORM ARC ** Disappointing effort last time in this company with support but may have had excuses and worth another chance on his maiden win two starts, can bounce back. 4.00
5 HOONG WAN ** Maiden newcomer from New Zealand wand may need the run and market best guide. 50
6 FOUDRE * Resuming after disappointing performance last time and prefer others. 40
7 BROWN SHADOW * Hasn’t really shown up yet in four starts and need to lift to trouble this lot. 100
8 ROBERT E ** Nice first-up effort ensures he is in for a good campaign and will pay to keep following. 9.00
9 RISE THE LIMIT ** Resuming and while hasn’t raced since pulling up with respiratory distress last year, he has looked OK on the training track and could sneak a place while fresh. 15
10 GYPSY MAGIC ** While he probably needs Class 5 to be a wining hope he goes well enough on his day with lightweight to consider in exotic bets. 20
11 SILVER LINING ** Never involved last start and while Class 5 is his caper he could surprise in exotics from inside gate. 100
