HUKA FALLS is a very good horse. His career record of seven wins from eight career starts is testament to that. And the fact his seven-time champion trainer Laurie Laxon made no effort to downplay the horses potential early in his career suggested he could be one out of the box. Laxon is a good judge and the Align 3YO looks set to continue his unbeaten run on the Polytrack this Sunday (race 9) before starting a Group campaign that may very well cumulate in a date with ROCKET MAN in the KrisFlyer in May. How good would that be? But Sunday will be his biggest test to date where he is asked to carry 55kg at the Kranji Stakes A conditions and take on the likes of CAPTAIN OBVIOUS and GINGERBREAD MAN – both Group winners both with just 56.5kg courtesy of handy apprentice claims. HUKA FALLS certainly looks good enough to win but his regular race jockey, Joao Moreira, will need to make sure he gets the job done before seeing just how far the gelding can go this campaign. Elsewhere on the card, another 3YO in SOUTHERN BOSS looks ready to win again. The Bletchley Park gelding bolted in on debut before being very disappointing at start number two but like all good horses, he bounced back to win last time out. In fact that win – where he did it very tough throughout – might have been more impressive than his six-length stroll on debut and certainly looks a horse to follow.
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Best Bets; HUKA FALLS (race 9, win), SOUTHERN BOSS (race 10, win) and HUMOR TOWN (race 11, long-shot).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), race 9 (4), race 10 (1 and 5) and race 11 (1, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11).
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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 8
Selections; 4 FLYING AHEAD – 6 CAN’T TOUCH ME – 7 GYPSY STAR – 1 FISCAL WINGS
As usual, this BM53 looks a wide open affair and luck will play a part. Joao Moreira just got beaten on FLYING AHEAD last start and no reason to think he can’t make quick amends with gate three a factor. CAN’T TOUCH ME isn’t as obvious as a few of the other hopes with winning or close-up form to their names but he does look suited here. It will pay to put a line through his last start where he was given no chance from a bad gate and take on some previous good Class 4 form. GYPSY STAR won two back over the mile in Class 5 but it was his subsequent eyecatching run over 1200m that has him under notice in this. Throw in the two last start winners – FISCAL WINGS and YAN CHA – into the mix with KTRONIC also thereabouts.
1 FISCAL WINGS *** Won well last start in maiden company courtesy of a good ride; should go well. 8.00
2 BOWIE KNIFE ** Will battle away but might need longer to show his best. 20
3 IRISH FLASH ** Another out-and-out stayer who may want it longer but will battle away late. 20
4 FLYING AHEAD *** Did everything bar win last start similar affair and the one to beat here. 2.50
5 YAM CHA *** Broke through for well deserved win last start and no reason he can’t go on with the job. 4.00
6 CAN’T TOUCH ME *** Given no chance last start from bad gate so happy to ignore and take on form that has him winning this. 20
7 GYPSY STAR *** Win two starts back and subsequent great run over 1200m has him right in this finish. 8.00
8 KTRONIC *** In form and like to think he is in this a long way from gate two. 8.00
9 FACE OFF ** First up run solid enough to think he has something to offer this campaign. 12
10 GUSTORUNNER ** Gate one always handy and can include in exotics at value. 33
11 VICTORIOUS ONE’S * No. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 4 HUKA FALLS – 1 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS – 6 VALEVOLE – 2 GINGERBREAD
MANHUKA FALLS looks a very good horse and looks a very good thing in this Kranji Stakes A. The Align 3YO has taken (almost) all before him winning seven from just eight career starts and is undefeated on the Polytrack. And given his last win – his first in Open company – was perhaps his most dominant, the sky does look the limit. Who runs second? CAPTAIN OBVIOUS at the top of the ratings is always a show. His last start win was good enough to think he keeps HUKA FALLS honest with gate two and a 3kg claim in his favour. VALEVOLE has won six times on this surface so he can bounce back after a poor turf run and GINGERBREAD MAN has first up form so not without hope with a handy 3kg claim.
1 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS ** Nice win last start over 1400m and has to be respected. 8.00
2 GINGERBREAD MAN ** Resuming sans tongue-tie and while this looks a tough ask, he does have good first up form. 25
3 EXCAVATOR ** Might have to do it tough from the awkward gate and place preferred. 10
4 HUKA FALLS *** Won seven form eight and six of those on this surface; extremely hard to beat. 1.40
5 RED BEARD * Appreciates first up run but like to see some form before considering. 33
6 VALEVOLE ** Disappointing last start behind Huka Falls but six career wins on this surface so have to give another chance. 6.00
7 FIGHTER JET * Might find a few of these too slick. 50
8 MASTHEAD ** Probably outclassed y a few of these but in-form and should be competitive. 20
9 GRAND ARRIVAL * First up after possible issues last start; prefer others. 50
10 CASH DOT COM * Will get all the favours form gate 3 and might pinch a place at odds. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 1 SOUTHERN BOSS – 5 TIM – 2 THAT’S GOLD – 3 HILTON
SOUTHERN BOSS had excuses not to win last start and the fact the 3YO got the job done, stamps him as horse to follow. Obviously winning by over six lengths on debut gave us some indication of his ability but bouncing back after a poor run to win last start is a good quality and happy to stick with him and Nunes today. TIM was odds-on last start when beaten in a Novice event but looks well placed with a similar weight in Class 4 company. Moreira stays on board and you would think, like SOUTHERN CROSS, he is a promising 3YO and will be better than Class 4. THAT’S GOLD has drawn badly – that is a concern – but is in good enough form to follow each-way at value with HILTON (who also drawn wide) in-form and worth a look.
1 SOUTHERN BOSS *** Did it very tough and won last start and hard to beat again. 2.50
2 THAT’S GOLD *** Wide gate a concern but in form and pay to follow each-way. 10
3 HILTON ** Did well to place last start but will need some luck after drawing wide. 6.00
4 INDULGE ** On the back-up after just fair run last start; need sot lift. 20
5 TIM *** Looks well placed in Class 4 and gives this a shake. 3.00
6 GRIFFIN ** Improved second up after a spell and can include in exotics at value. 20
7 POWERPAC * Resuming and prefer to watch. 50
8 ABYSS ** Hard to argue with form but will need to be at his best up in Class. 12
9 ZAC HEAVEN ** Usually thereabouts and in the mix for skinny end of exotics. 20
10 PERFECT TIME * Reassess Class 5. 100
11 SUPER SPUR ** Love to see in Class 5 but certainly not the worst in this company with a light-weight. 25
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Race 11
Selections; 1 SUPERNOVA – 4 HILLBILLY BEAR – 11 HUMOR TOWN – 3 DORAEMON
There is a lot to like about SUPERNOVA in this race. The 4YO certainly impressed winning at his first two career starts and would have lost no admirers when beaten a lip at start three. Apprentice Zuriman has been on-board at all three starts – that’s a good sign – and from gate one today he should be very hard to beat. Like SUPERNOVA, HILLBILLY BEAR is a lightly raced 4YO that has shown more than enough to think he goes through the grades. Moreira replaces R Shafiq and from gate two he should get every chance over 1200m to show his best. A blanket over the other winning hopes with HUMOR TOWN one at odds that is worth thought and DORAEMON, HAPPY ENDING and GOOD BUDDY all in the mix.
1 SUPERNOVA *** Probably should have won last start and can make quick amends here. 2.50
2 EATONS GOLD ** Needs a result while in form and going to be thereabouts. 12
3 DORAEMON *** Very much appreciates what was a solid first up run and will win in this company. 6.00
4 HILLBILLY BEAR *** Home well last start and should appreciate 1200m; right in this. 3.20
5 GOOD BUDDY *** Resuming and has a good first u record this type of race; keep safe. 206 CARTAGO ** Stayer resuming; best work expected late. 33
7 RAVOUX ** Resuming and certainly one worth watching at odds. 33
8 HOOPER ** Appreciates first up run and could play a part at odds. 33
9 GREEN JACKET ** Yet another resuming and could go OK fresh but obviously better over longer. 33
10 HAPPY ENDING *** Lead and did a big job to place this company last start; respect while in form. 12
11 HUMOR TOWN *** Hasn’t had his mind on the job of late but the type who can race forward and can surprise. 33
12 FANTASTIC BOY ** Up in Class but win was good and pay to keep safe. 20
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