11 August, Sunday
Some solid races from Singapore and none more so than race 9 on the card, a SGD $75,000 Class 3 event over 1200m.
MAGICAL TALENT – who burst on the Singapore racing scene with three straight wins – probably starts favourite but given this will be his first race start on the polytrack, he might be a risk.
The depth in the capacity field also suggests there might be value to be found and a horse like LAMBORGHINI FLAME might just provide that. While not winning on the Polytrack, LAMBORGHINI FLAME does look due, has the speed to dictate terms under Jose Verenzuela and could be hard to pass late.
ROYAL TUDOR also appeals with no weight and the lightly raced 5YO has shown enough at just four career starts to follow with a solid first-up run under his belt.
Plenty of other hopes including Poly-specialist, TERMINATOR, last start winner ENCOSTA DIABLO and even an improving CALIFORNIA JET at long odds.
Best Bets:
ULTIMATE WARRIOR (race 7, win)
JET MAN (race 10, win)
LAMBORGHINI FLAME (race 9, value)
Bankers for Jackpots:
Race 7 (1, 2, 3, 9 and 11)
Race 8 (3, 6, 8 and 10)
Race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 12)
Race 10 (1, 2, 5 and 8).
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 7
1 ULTIMATE WARRIOR – 3 WORLD WAR – 2 JOHN OF ARCH – 11 SUPER JETSET
A rule of thumb in this pundit caper is never tip a “non-winner”. And with only one win from 39 starts in Singapore, it would be safe to say ULTIMATE WARRIOR wears that moniker comfortably. But with three second placings at his last three – his last defeat by the barest of margins – he is due and this looks suitable. Danny Beasley gets the job and from gate one this is his last chance to be the numero uno pick.
WORLD WAR is also is form but the one-time winners last two placings were on the turf and given he hasn’t any real Poly form at two starts, he might be a risk. When in doubt, JOHN OF ARCH is always a show in races like this – often at value – and the switch to the red-hot claimer, Harry Kassim, could be just what the each-way doctor ordered. SUPER JETSET is the light-weight bolter at odds and TAKIS – resuming from a spell – could easily win on best form so watch for support first-up.
1 ULTIMATE WARRIOR *** Did a few things wrong and almost got the chocolates last start similar affair. Hard to beat. 2.50
2 JOHN OF ARCH *** Hasn’t been far away of late and switch to leading apprentice in his favour. 12
3 WORLD WAR *** Just beaten last two on the turf and must be a show stepping up-to the poly mile. 3.50
4 GOOD LOOUKEN ** Ordinary two back over this trip but Poly form OK. 8.00
5 SMART IDEA ** Ignore last time out where he blew the start and take on best form. 33
6 FUJIN BRIGHT ** Starting to hit some consistent form and could include in exotics at odds. 33
7 GOLD RUN ** Awkward draw a concern but last start win good and pay to follow. 8.00
8 THE GIANT * OK very late last start but hard to have. 200
9 TAKIS *** Resuming after a very good run of form without a result. Keep safe. 8.00
10 PADDY O’REILLY ** Not a mile away last start and could sneak a place at long odds. 33
11 SUPER JETSET *** Cheeky run expected with light weight and pay to keep very safe in what could be a tricky race. 16
Race 8
8 LIGHTNING ACE – 3 PRUSSIAN JACK – 10 BETTER THAN YOU – 2 ROYAL BRAT
Obviously a division 2 Class 5 event won’t have depth or quality but a few horses here are in form and the finish could be a busy one. LIGHTNING ACE has looked due and the fact he has been jumping from wide gates suggests he can win from barrier one. His five wins have all been over this trip and three on this surface, so…why not? But last start winners are rare in divisions two’s so PRUSSIAN JACK looks every chance. The two-time winner was in good form prior to his last start victory and certainly looks the benchmark.
BETTER THAN YOU is the other battler but in form and the 19 starts maiden could easily show up on what he has shown of late with support likely. Of the others, SPEEDY PHIL is always some hope and keeps a few honest and ROYAL BRAT is in form and could surprise although this trip looks unsuitable on paper.
1 DRAGON DANCER * Blinkers/tongue-tie off. No. 100
2 ROYAL BRAT ** In-form but back in trip a big concern. 20
3 PRUSSIAN JACK *** Last start winner who has to be a leading hope again. 4.00
4 BULLDOZER ** Appreciates company and works into this late at odds. 12
5 GALLANT HEIGHTS ** Back in trip but in solid form and could pop up at odds. 20
6 SPEEDY PHIL *** Always around the mark in this company. 8.00
7 GOOD DAY ** Disappointing of late but Vorster a good booking. 33
8 LIGHTNING ACE *** Should lead form gate one and whoever passes him late, wins. 3.00
9 SUPER KNIGHT * Appreciates first up run but struggling. 100
10 BETTER THAN YOU *** In-from and ready to win. Big show. 3.00
11 BIG MONEY * No. 200
12 BREATHOFSUCCESS * Hard to have. 100
13 AL-HAMID * Struggles as a rule. 50
Race 9
5 LAMBORGHINI FLAME – 12 ROYAL TUDOR – 3 MAGICAL TALENT – 6 TERMINATOR
Super tough race and good luck if you find the winner as there will be a big chance of value. What makes it so tough is the only last start winner in the race is ENCOSTA DIABLO and that was over a mile. Back to 1200m looks an issue although you would expect the 6YO to be doing best work late. The only other horse to finish in the the top three at his last start is LAMBORGHINI FLAME, who placed in nice company over 1400m. But while the 8Y0 has never won on the Poly, he looks due, has speed and could surprise under the guidance of Jose Verenzuela.
One at value might be ROYAL TUDOR with no weight on his back. The lightly-raced 5YO has won twice from only four career starts and certainly appreciates the first run back this campaign. Throw a blanket over the rest with MAGICAL TALENT likely to get support and should run well with TERMINATOR also one to watch.
1 ENCOSTA DIABLO *** Back in trip after finally breaking Singapore duck last start and best work expected late. 8.00
2 ECLAIR FLYER *** Not a mile away first up after spell and improves for the run with switch to Poly in his favour. 6.00
3 MAGICAL TALENT *** First race start on the Poly but trials well and form has him a leading hope. 4.00
4 FLYING ZERO *** Struggled stepping up to this company last start but drawn better here and will improve. 6.00
5 LAMBORGHINI FLAME *** Led and not beaten far last start. Wins soon. 6.00
6 TERMINATOR *** Could make excuses last start and plays a part here with luck from wide gate. 8.00
7 TRAVERTINE ** Thereabouts last start and recent trial OK. Exotics. 20
8 CALIFORNIAN JET ** Excuses not to finish closer last start and could be ready to show his best this side of the causeway. 33
9 ROYAL STYLE ** Nothing last start but previous form good enough to include in exotics. 33
10 HILLBILLY BEAR *** Progressive type who appreciates a good gate and no weight. Value. 33
11 TANGIBLE ASSETS ** Resuming and has a first up win to his name but that was over a mile in maiden company. 33
12 ROYAL TUDOR *** Did it tough last start and placed two back this company. keep safe. 12
Race 10
1 JET MAN – 5 SUPERB SUCCESS – 2 KAISER BRIGHT – 8 MINAH CURRENT
JET MAN looked to have every chance last start when supported over 1100m but can make amends over his two-time winning trip (and surface) in what looks a Class 4 field with no stand-out. The American-bred colt is honest so a good option as he will win again this grade and possibly be competitive in higher grades with experience.
SUPERB SUCCESS is an interesting runner. Racing as Aradea, the 6YO won six times but more importantly, five on this surface. A name change hasn’t seen a return to the champagne room as yet but he has looked due and goes close with luck from a wide gate. While JET MAN and SUPERB SUCCESS have winning Poly form to their names, KAISER BRIGHT has only turf wins to his name and that could be a slight concern given he will be supported. In saying that, he is in form and a win would not surprise with Munro from gate 4 in his favour. Last start winner, MINAH CURRENT, also some show and a blanket over the rest.
1 JET MAN *** Always a chance in races like this and wins again soon. 3.00
2 KAISER BRIGHT *** In solid each-way form at value and pay to follow. 6.00
3 STANZOUT ** Back in trip but has three Poly sprint wins to his name so pay to keep safe at odds. 33
4 BE A MAN * Needs to find a few lengths before we consider. 50
5 SUPERB SUCCESS *** Not far away last start and always some hope in a race like this. 6.00
6 AFFIRMATION * Lost all form since winning over this trip in Class 3 company earlier this year. 33
7 JOYOUS EXPRESS ** Last start over this trip good and while better over longer he has to be respected. 6.00
8 MINAH CURRENT *** Two recent wins in BM 53’s but competitive and this Class 4 is not strong. 8.00
9 ENZO * Reassess suitable Class 5 race. 100
10 SIR FLEETWOOD ** Recent win in Class 5 company but always competitive so keep safe. 8.00
11 POWER AND GLORY ** Up in Class but in-form and has gone OK previously this type of race. 8.00
– Larry Foley, kranjiracing.com
