Wonderful Prince (right) and Golden Mission fight it out in Singapore
A solid night’s racing from Singapore with the highlight the Racing Guide Classic – a BM83 event over 1400m (race 6). The small field will make for some interesting tactics but as it stands WONDERFUL PRINCE looks the one to beat.
The 4YO by Elusive City arrived in Singapore a maiden but quickly stamped himself a horse to follow through the grades with three straight wins. His only blemish in Singapore came at start four over the mile but a strong win back over 1400m suggests he is more than up to a race like this. Manoel Nunes stays on-board and the affable Brazilian hoop will be hoping WONDERFUL PRINCE gets him within striking distance to a century of winners in 2014 this weekend.
Elsewhere on the card there are some solid Class 4 races but EXCEED EXPRESS might be better than that company in the lucky last. The 3YO has won two and placed twice from only five career starts and given the only time he was out of the placings was in the Group 3 Juvenile Championship, he could be too good for this company.
There does look to be a smart enough newcomer from Australia in SECRET LIBERTY who could be worth a look if supported on trial form and YIN YIE should keep them both honest in what is a nice race.
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Best Bets; (EXCEED EXPRESS race 9, win), (RORY race 5, win) and (ZAC STAR DESTROYER race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (Field), race 7 (1, 10 and 12), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9), race 9 (4).
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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; 1 KINGSLEY – 2 RAVOUX – 5 AUREUS – 3 KING OF KOON
A tote watch could be a smart way to start the meeting given the patchy form at best of some of the hopefuls and a Class dropper in KINGSLEY right in the mix. But as it stands it is KINGSLEY who looks best placed back in his only winning Class. The 4YO broke his maiden status over this trip – albeit on the Poly – and after some OK runs in better company, he should figure heavily in this finish with an upgrade to blinkers and Nunes from gate 3. RAVOUX looks the danger. Although his two most recent wins have been over 1400m, he did break his maiden status over 1200m and showed last start he wins in this grade sooner than later. Not many others jump off the page but AUREUS gets an upgrade to blinkers and has Azhar so should be in the mix with solid recent form under his belt.
1 KINGSLEY *** Significant drop in Class as only race win was in similar race to this. Big show with upgrade to blinkers. 3.00
2 RAVOUX *** Will win this company sooner than later but need to be on his toes over this trip. 5.00
3 KING OF KOON ** Recent form reads poorly but back to winning trip in his favour. 20
4 AFROJACK * Better effort last start but turf form a query. 20
5 AUREUS *** Maiden who has looked due and looks well placed with upgrade to blinkers. 5.00
6 DREAMMAKER ** Another maiden who goes OK but might be tested back in trip with blinkers off. 20
7 GODS SPEED ** Goes OK on his day but only win was over 1700m on the Poly. 12
8 GOOD BOSS ** Best form is on the Poly but coming off OK turf effort and gets the ace. 8.00
9 IMPERIOUS ** Battled on OK last start over 1400m and can include in exotics. 12
10 STREET RUFFIAN ** Recent good form on the Poly but capable on his day with a market watch in order. 8.00
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Race 2
Selections; 7 EVA’S DAY – 8 BAUMKUCHEN – 4 STOCK BROKER – 3 DANCE HALL DAYS
Another tote watch in order with four newcomers who have all trialed well enough to think they have something to offer on debut. Unfortunately none have shown enough to be “good things” and it may be a case of whoever has some left in the tank from the track to step-it-up on race-day. Of the four making their Singapore debuts, EVA’S DAY has race experience from Australia under her belt and that might give her the edge over her rivals. She looked good at two trials in Singapore and she should run a very solid debut with no weight to carry. Likewise, BAUMKUCHEN has no weight to carry and the 3YO filly has trailed like she could show up in a field like this. STOCK BROKER resumes after a good 2YO campaign and goes close if he brings his best and the 4YO filly, DANCE HALL DAYS, looked like she had a good-hit out winning her trial and could easily show up.
1 ALL WEALTH * Hard to have on what we have seen. 50
2 MCGREGOR *** Had some support and not a mile away on debut so pay to keep safe. 6.00
3 DANCE HALL DAYS *** Pushed out to win Official trial but looked good enough to follow on debut. 6.00
4 STOCK BROKER *** Resuming after finding the Golden Horseshoe too tough but a big show on his previous run. 6.00
5 SILENT ARROW ** Form looks hopeless but gets blinkers and recent trial with headgear suggests he improves lengths. 20
6 COLUMBIA *** Recent trial good enough to think he has something to offer at race debut. 6.00
7 EVA’S DAY *** Raced filly from Australia who has trialed well enough to think she is hard to beat at her Singapore debut. 3.20
8 BAUMKUCHEN *** Trial looked good enough to play a major role in this weak maiden. 4.00
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Race 3
Selections; 6 GOLDEN CURL – 1 FLYING ZERO – 7 GOOD NEWS – 8 SAVAGE STORM
Tough race for punters with a few of the leading hopes on paper not the types to win out of turn. At the top of the ratings, FLYING ZERO won two starts back and did well enough last start to think he could knock in another win while in form. A 2kg claim for S Noh and slightly easier company suggests he goes close. TO BE REMEMBERED is another that doesn’t win out of turn and won three back but his consistency always has him in the mix. But GOLDEN CURL gets a few things in his favour and might be the testing material. The 6YO gets a MM Firdaus 2kg claim from gate 1 and given what he showed last start this trip in nice company with excuses, he goes very close. Throw in SAVAGE STORM with blinkers back on with GOOD NEWS and BIG DINERO chances on form with the only query on the pair a lack of recent turf form.
1 FLYING ZERO *** In very solid form and looks well placed in this with 2kg claim. 4.00
2 TO BE REMEMBERED *** Always gives a good account of himself and goes close. 5.00
3 BIGDINERO *** Started to find form and should appreciate company with tongue-tie added and upgrade to blinkers. 8.00
4 XAVIO ** Resuming sans head-gear and would need to be on song over this trip. 20
5 FLYING AHEAD * Has surprised over this trip previously but better suited longer. 33
6 GOLDEN CURL *** Excuses last start not to be in the winning mix and appreciates easier company. 5.00
7 GOOD NEWS *** Grown a leg since blinkers added and big show after strong win last start. 4.00
8 SAVAGE STORM *** Gets blinkers back on and had looked due with head-gear previously. 8.00
9 ALL MY WAY ** Excuses last start and some hope on good previous form although this is a good field. 20
10 FISCAL WINGS * Needs easier and Poly. 100
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Race 4
Selections; 1 SCIENCE FICTION – 7 TRINITY – 10 CHASE – 4 EL VERDUGO
SCIENCE FICTION showed at his Singapore debut that he would break his maiden status sooner than later and his second-up run in Class 4 company good enough to suggest sooner. The 4YO by Bernardini did some work on that occasion to be beaten under a length and a repeat of that run would certainly be good enough for this with leading hoop, Manoel Nunes, a factor. He does have to carry 57.5kg though and down in the weights, TRINITY and CHASE should provide plenty of opposition. TRINITY in particular has the runs on the board and deserves to knock in a win while in form. The drop back to 1400m looks ideal and with a 2kg MM Firdaus claim, he could be hard to run down. TRINITY showed enough on debut to think he appreciates the run and the 1400m and gate 3 won’t hurt his chances. EL VERDUGO, ADVINO with blinkers added and CONFIDENCE the others that can win.
1 SCIENCE FICTION *** Backed up Singapore debut with a terrific effort in Class 4 company and hard to beat on that effort. 3.00
2 CONFIDENCE *** Appreciates first-up run in better company than this and cheeky run expected. 6.00
3 ADIVINO *** Well beaten at two starts but gets blinkers first-time and trails with headgear suggests he improves lengths. 12
4 EL VERDUGO *** Forget last start and take on previous good form with tongue-tie added for this. 12
5 GOLDEN JADE ** Appreciates first-up run but looks to be wanting further than this. 12
6 PERKINS ** Improves on Singapore debut and pay to keep one eye on the tote. 12
7 TRINITY *** Honest and 1400m with 2kg claim looks ideal. 3.00
8 SO SIMPLE * Disappointing last start after showing some improvement. 33
9 TOOBIGTOFAIL ** Well beaten at two starts but battles away and could show more with winkers added. 20
10 CHASE *** Debut good enough to think he improves for the effort and the step up to 1400m. 18
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Race 5
Selections; 5 RORY – 4 FINAL COUNTDOWN – 1 BRINGITHOME – 7 THE MIGHTY THOR
This Kranji Stakes D sprint has no depth and although better suited in Class 5, RORY could be hard to beat. A four-time winner at the trip, RORY gets Oscar Chavez and a good gate and as mentioned, the race is as weak as it gets for a KSD sprint. FINAL COUNTDOWN has the recent form to win and will make his presence felt at the business end. The 5YO only has one win credited to his name (he did lose one on protest) and while that was over 1200m, he should get every chance to knock in a win over the minimum trip in this field. On any given day, a horse that ran WAR AFFAIR to less than a length would bolt this in but BRINGITHOME has struggled since his 2YO campaign. In saying that, the now 4YO appreciates a first-up run and he has to find this company to his liking. Nothing else to get excited about but THE MIGHTY THOR first up might show something.
1 BRINGITHOME *** Has been super disappointing given ability shown as a Juvenile and have to take on trust although this race is very weak. 2.90
2 IMACRUISER * Form reads badly but could run a cheeky race from the ace. 20
3 MR MANI * Resuming after poor run of form. 50
4 FINAL COUNTDOWN *** Excuses last start and could easily make his presence felt in this type of race. 3.00
5 RORY *** Ignore last start as 1000m and this company looks ideal. 3.00
6 POWER TO SURPRISE * Struggles. 100
7 THE MIGHTY THOR ** Maiden resuming and shown enough on occasion to keep safe. 7.00
8 UNIVERSAL STARLITE * Tongue-tie off but hasn’t placed in twelve starts. 33
9 ACE RICH * Struggles as a rule. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 5 WONDERFUL PRINCE – 4 GOLD RUN – 7 TWICKENHAM – 2 THUMPING
A small but very interesting field heads to the start for this BM 83 and while you can make a case for most, WONDERFUL PRINCE is the one they all have to beat. The 4YO arrived in Singapore with two solid but unspectacular runs under his belt but showed winning well at his Kranji debut he could be a horse to follow. Four runs and another three wins later, WONDERFUL PRINCE looks top-shelf and given his first-up win over 1200m was again strong late, 1400m looks ideal and possibly his best trip. GOLD RUN is the big improver after a first-up run under his belt. With five of his six career wins to his name over this trip, the 6YO should be ready to show his best and might be value given the form of some of the other fancies. TWICKENHAM goes better than most and looks very well-placed with just 50kg and THUMPING knows a bit about this racing caper and is a mare to follow.
1 VALEVOLE ** Backing up after solid placing behind SPALATO and looks well-placed with 3kg claim. 8.00
2 THUMPING *** In very good form and right in this. 4.00
3 TOM ** Resuming after two poor runs and have to take on trust. 20
4 GOLD RUN *** Appreciates first-up run and this trip and company right up his alley. 8.00
5 WONDERFUL PRINCE *** Resumed with good win over 1200m and record suggests he can go on with the job. 2.00
6 MESHMAKER ** Handy stayer resuming and could run a big race fresh. 12
7 TWICKENHAM *** Progressive and looks well-placed with just 50kg to show his best. 6.00
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Race 7
Selections; 12 ZAC STAR DESTROYER – 1 SURPASS – 10 SUPER VELOX – 2 BLUE LAGOON
In something of a statistical oddity, the lowest rated horses in the race – ZAC STAR DESTROYER – has more wins to his name (four) than the rest of the field put together. And his recent form isn’t that bad either. The 8YO has a win to his name this year and some of his other efforts have him well and truly in the mix in what is a very weak field. At the top of the ratings and the weights, SURPASS also comes into winning calculations on what he showed last start. The 5YO is a 13 starts maiden but his close up second to MAGICAL SUNSET suggests he has enjoyed a stable move and a repeat has him well and truly involved in this. Of the rest, SUPER VELOX is a 52 start maiden who drops back in trip but remains a chance with BLUE LAGOON some hope although 1000m at best looks his caper. Nunes on SPICY CAT looks the most interesting jockey change but we are now grasping at straws.
1 SURPASS *** Excellent effort when resuming. If he can repeat will be hard to beat. 3.00
2 BLUE LAGOON *** Will go forward and in this a long way. 5.00
3 BEST BARGAIN * Struggling of late. 33
4 JAWARA * Yet to run a place in 14 career starts. 20
5 SECONDWAVE ** Not a mile away last start this trip and this field is not strong. 20
6 FANTASTIC WARRIOR * Struggles. 33
7 SARAWI ** Been in the skinny end of exotic mix of late and expect much the same. 12
8 THE GIANT ** Hard to follow but OK run two back has him under notice in this field. 12
9 SPICY CAT ** Impossible on recent form but gets a significant rider change and capable of a cheeky race. 8.00
10 SUPER VELOX *** Long-term maiden status a concern but form over longer OK and could surprise back in trip. 8.00
11 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD * Easier to ignore. 33
12 ZAC STAR DESTROYER *** Form better than it reads and right in this with a positive ride from the bad gate. 6.50
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Race 8
Selections; 4 CALIFORNIAN JET – 6 SMART VINTAGE – 1 BLACK SNOW – 9 CITY OF KIRKWALL
Again, you could make a big case for plenty of these runners with five or so in very good form and a couple looking well-placed to improve and show their best in what is a suitable affair. Of those coming off good runs of form, CALIFORNIAN JET should figure heavily when it counts. The 6YO took a long time to turn some very good form into his debut Singapore win but that effort two starts back in a similar race to this suggests he goes on with the job. He ran down SMART VINTAGE on that occasion and no reason to think that the form from that race holds up with a forecast a good option. Hard to leave out the likes of IN FACT and U GOT IT and CITY OF KIRKWALL will provide value with blinkers back on with PRINCE MAG the other improver with blinkers on first-time.
1 BLACK SNOW *** Won very well last start and looks more than up to a Class 4 mile with a handy 3kg claim. 6.00
2 IN FACT *** Close-up placing on Singapore debut over 1400m has him hard to beat in this. 4.00
3 U GOT IT *** In very good form and often gets out to each-way odds. Follow. 6.00
4 CALIFORNIAN JET *** In very good form and looks hard to beat back in Class 4. 3.50
5 PRINCE MAG *** Last run a lot better than the result and pay to keep very safe with blinkers on first time. 12
6 SMART VINTAGE *** Led them up and just nutted by CALIFORNIA JET similar affair last start. Big show. 6.00
7 ALADDIN ** In the mix of late but mile can test. 20
8 KING SAVINSKY * Appreciates the mile but might need longer again. 50
9 CITY OF KIRKWALL *** Last start better than it looked and could be a big show with blinkers back on and Brown on-board. 20
10 ADRENALINE ** Did it tough last start and worth some thought odds. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 4 EXCEED EXPRESS – 7 SECRET LIBERTY – 1 YIN JIE – 8 SMART SUPREME
EXCEED AND EXPRESS looks better than Class 4. In fact the 3YO probably has a say in some nice own-age Group races after already having a crack as a 2YO in the Juvenile Championship. He has knocked in two wins from five starts and connections will be hoping he can make quick amends for being beaten last start as favourite and why not given the company. Who beats him? The danger might come from a newcomer in SECRET LIBERTY. The mare, who won one from three in Australia, looks a speedster and her trials in Singapore suggest she has a big say at her Singapore debut. Others to watch include YIN JIE who looks due in what is a suitable grade with SMART SUPREME and AMAZEALOT also in the winning mix on form. The race could suit swoopers so keep SOON YI and BENJI’S RULE safe in exotics.
1 YIN JIE *** Showed first-up that he wins sooner than later than this grade and right in this. 4.00
2 AMAZEALOT *** Up in grade but hard to fault winning form and in this a long way. 6.00
3 BENJI’S RULE ** Big effort last start after doing it tough from the wide gate and will be closing late in this. 20
4 EXCEED EXPRESS *** Just beaten last start in Graduation company and will be hard to beat in this. 2.50
5 SOON YI ** Another that did it tough last start so effort was very good and will be closing late. 33
6 XIN TREASURE ** Form better than it reads and always worth including somewhere. 33
7 SECRET LIBERTY *** Former Australian who has trialed like he can win at his Singapore debut and race suits. 6.00
8 SMART SUPREME *** Wide gate a concern but backed up winning Singapore debut with a good placing this grade and pay to follow. 10
9 SWISS BANK * Resuming and no. 100
10 EXCAVATOR ** Turned around some poor form with a good run and might pay to keep safe at odds. 33
11 DRAGON NINETYNINE ** Mixing his form and have to take on trust. 33
12 BALESTRA ** Hard to follow but gets blinkers and switch to Poly in his favour. 33
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