Tuesday 1 January – Happy New Year.
And for those not nursing hangovers (or sufficiently managing them) and ready to start 2013 on winning note, the opening meeting looks a beauty.
The all-Polytrack meeting has something for everyone including the opening feature of the year; the Group 3 New Year Cup over 1900m.
FLYING FULTON finished 2012 in a blaze of glory – two wins in December to cap off a terrific year – and given he won this same race last year, he could be hard to beat.
But three wins on the trot at this level at handicap conditions is a huge ask and for those willing to look elsewhere, there are a few solid options.
DUJARDIN went ever so close to beating the top-weight last start and given he gets a 2kg swing at the race conditions, he really should get the better of FLYING FULTON today.
GOODPACK is also well and truly in the winning mix given he split the two in a similar affair two starts back.
In his favour is the ace draw (as the promising 4YO did some work early when second to FLYING FULTON last time out) and with a softer run expected today, he might be very hard to run over late.
Don’t rule out MAURICE UTRILLO – the Pat Shaw stayer looks due – or THE RUDE WARRIOR at value as he loves the Polytrack and is in fine winning form.
Best Bets; RUNNING TALL (race 8, win), ALL THE BEST (race 10, each-way) and MODEL CITIZEN (race 11, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1), race 9 (1, 2, 6 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 10).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only. .
Race 8
Selections; 1 RUNNING TALL – 9 OVER EASY – 2 BORN TO FLY – 8 WORLD WAR
RUNNING TALL should ensure Pat Shaw has at least one winner on the opening day of the season. The Stratum 4YO finally turned a frustrating run of good form into a result and that strong last start win good enough to think he has turned the corner. The Poly and 1200m are not an issue and although he is carrying a heavy load, it does look like someone has to be having a big day out to beat him.
As such, an improving type in OVER EASY plays a part in the exotics and could be a nice each-way option. The former Australian sprinter had plenty of excuses at what was an eye-catching second-up run in Singapore and although looking like a better option again over longer, he could surprise given the right run. BORN TO FLY and VIDEO CALL have been thereabouts in similar affairs of late and keep the favourite honest with a tote watch in order for WORLD WAR resuming and SACRED PINS who should improve with a run under his belt.
1 RUNNING TALL *** Coming off a strong win over 1400m (turf) and has won this surface so hard to beat. 2.50
2 BORN TO FLY *** Going well and while never winning over this trip, he keeps few honest with winkers off and handy 4kg claim. 10
3 SACRED PINS ** Obviously disappointing as even money fave at Singapore debut but appreciates the run and pay to keep safe. 4.00
4 VIDEO CALL *** Just fair last start but drop back to 1200m looks a good move given previous form; goes close. 5.00
5 SOUTH GATE * Should really be doing better than he has of late. 33
6 DAAD’S THE WAY * Reassess over longer. 100
7 ARADEA ** Probably needs it a tad easier to win but always worth a look in exotics this trip/surface. 20
8 WORLD WAR *** Resuming after issues at second career start; keep safe with one eye on the tote. 6.00
9 OVER EASY *** A lot to like about his last start with plenty of excuses in running; follow. 12
10 BUNKER TROUBLE * No. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 6 DUJARDIN – 7 GOODPACK – 1 FLYING FULTON – 2 MAURICE UTRILLO
I guess the question has to be asked; why not stick with FLYING FULTON? The star of the Mark Walker stable has won his last two carrying top-weight – both on this surface – and won this same race last year. He carried 58kg beating LIZARRE on that occasion with TENZING (last) the only other runner from a year ago having another crack. But while FLYING FULTON is the benchmark and will be putting in huge strides late, he gives 8+ kgs to all and DUJARDIN looks ready to take advantage of that. In fact the Laurie Laxon-trained 5YO looked the winner last start and with Benny Woodworth retaining the ride, he can makes amends today. GOODPACK also lines up well against the pair on what he showed last start and if M Nunes can makes good use of the ace draw; he could be hard to run down late. MAURICE UTRILLO can also win and might be the value with THE RUDE WARRIOR and LIZARRE in the mix.
1 FLYING FULTON *** Showed last start why he can carry weight and win in this type of race; respect. 3.50
2 MAURICE UTRILLO *** Every chance last start similar affair but nice gate and slight pull at the weights in his favour. 7.00
3 BLACK ICE ** Solid enough last start and improves with two runs under his belt this campaign; exotics. 33
4 LIZARRE ** Blinkers removed after OK run similar company/race and has looked due for a result. 15
5 TENZING * Need to improve on recent poly outing. 33
6 DUJARDIN *** Looked he had the measure of FLYING FULTON last start and can make emends here with crucial 2kg swing at the weights. 2.50
7 GOODPACK *** Showed he was up to this company last start and happy to follow on that very good effort with the ace a bonus 5.00
8 THE RUDE WARRIOR ** Biggest test to date but all four wins on this surface – including his last two poly runs – and have to keep safe. 12
9 READY TO STRIKE ** In-form but this is a big step up in Class so place looks best. 33
10 KING FAALCON ** Another who is on solid form but up against some nice types here so exotics only. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 2 ALL THE BEST – 1 DRAMA SUPERSTAR – 7 CHEVY – 9 WEOWNA FLYER
While there doesn’t look to be many horses with recent winning form in the field – DRAMA SUPERSTAR and ALL THE BEST being the exceptions – the race has depth and finding the winner will be an ask. Apart from the two mentioned, a winning case can be made for the likes
of STAR BALLAD, MY FIELD, QUI EST LA, CHEVY and WEOWNA FLYER – to name just five – so it will pay to go very wide in exotics or perhaps an each-way value bet to keep things interesting. But ALL THE BEST ticks a few boxes – blinkers added, 4kg claim and gate one – so happy think he is ready to win. DRAMA SUPERSTAR could win without surprising but a wide gate suggests he might have to do it tougher than most and with the top weight also against him. A raffle for sure but ALL THE BEST has more tickets than most.
1 DRAMA SUPERSTAR *** In-form and have to respect but will need some luck with from wide gate carrying top-weight. 5.00
2 ALL THE BEST *** Can be hard to follow at times but cheeky run expected from rails draw with blinkers added and a 4kg claimer. 5.00
3 STAR BALLAD *** Last run better than the result and this does look suitable; keep safe. 8.00
4 MY FIELD *** Form reads only fair but will win again soon this grade and pay to respect with top-claimer on-board from nice alley. 12
5 REDDY TO ROCK ** Wide gate always a concern but up in trip should suit. 20
6 QUI EST LA *** Showed last start why a race like this suits; follow. 6.00
7 CHEVY *** Showing more than enough late in recent races to think he is due to knock in another win. 6.00
8 SOCIAL NETWORK * Struggling. 100
9 WEOWNA FLYER *** Did it tough last start so close up finish good enough to think he breaks maiden status soon. 12
10 SILENT POWER ** Form reads badly but last run OK from bad gate and could surprise at value. 20
11 WORLD FAMOUSMAN ** In solid enough form but tough ask from widest gate. 20
12 RICH BORN ** Disappointing last start with support but capable of a cheeky run on his day. 9.00
13 SUBDUE * Not for me. 100
14 GUSTORUNNER ** Maiden but can include in exotics on best form. 33
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Race 11
Selections; 3 MODEL CITIZEN – 4 MEDIA CAPTAIN – 1 BE A MAN – 10 DANNY RICARDO
A tricky finish to the first meeting of the year with no real stand-out and plenty of depth in this Class 4 sprint. In fact bar two horses down the ratings looking for something easier and longer, anyone of 10 could win this and a long look on the day at stable support or value is a good idea. As it stands though, MODEL CITIZEN is due and after drawing gate one, is a solid option. Davy Bonilla retains the ride and given he kept a few OK Poly types handy last start for a close up placing, he can win this. Plenty of others to think about and MEDIA CAPTAIN showed enough last start behind the smart HUKA FALLS to think his only bad run in Singapore was an anomaly and he will win sooner than later in Class 4. BE A MAN and HANG TUAH are last start winners who can be followed and throw a blanket over the likes of DANNY RICARDO, BOUNDLESS GLORY, XAVIO and CHINA EAGLE.
1 BE A MAN *** Ridden a treat to win last start when blinkers added; goes close again. 4.00
2 BOUNDLESS GLORY *** Back to winning grade with 3kg claim has him right under notice but will need luck from wide gate. 8.00
3 MODEL CITIZEN *** Foot on the till similar affairs and gate one never hurts winning chances. 4.00
4 MEDIA CAPTAIN *** Showed enough last start in good company to think he goes very close at the handicap conditions. 6.00
5 HANG TUAH *** Backed up some good form with a nice win and the type who could stay value so pay to follow. 10
6 TRAVERTINE ** Form better than it reads and while probably better suited longer, he could surprise at odds. 33
7 YASTRZEMSKI ** First up run good enough to follow at handicap conditions. 20
8 XAVIO *** Last couple have been good enough to think he wins soon; follow. 8.00
9 BY LAW * Needs longer. 100
10 DANNY RICARDO *** Two Poly runs – including a beauty doing it tough last start – suggests he can be followed on this surface. 8.00
11 CHINA EAGLE *** Back in trip but in form and pay to keep safe at likely value. 20
12 THINK AHEAD * Reassess easier/longer. 50
13 GOOD TOWKAY ** Showed plenty at long odds in good company last start; keep safe. 20
14 MARATHON LAD ** Better than what he showed last start but exotics look best. 33
