Affleck (Danny Beasley) strides away to an impressive win on Sunday. (Picture Singapore Turf Club)
There will be two winners of the feature race – The Premier Racing Bloodstock Stakes – tonight. AFFLECK and whoever benefits from the AUD bonus not going to the NZ-bred star.
Trainer Laurie Laxon knew he had a good one on his hands from day one and given the 3YO has only lowered his colours once in five career starts, he is a good judge and a top trainer given it was his stable-mate – KIWI KARMA – who has beaten him. The step up to 1400m looks ideal and it’s extremely hard to see the Battle Paint gelding getting beat.
There are three other last start winners in the race and HIGHER SOUL, HERMANO MENOR and KNOW EACH OTHER will keep him honest. Of the trio, KNOW EACH OTHER ran on well behind AFFLECK in the Group 3 Juvenile Championship and backed that effort up with a very good (albeit maiden) win over 1400m. And the form around AFFLECK doesn’t stop there.
In race 3 on the card, SUPER WINNER looks very hard to beat at the Novice conditions. The gelding ran second to AFFLECK in the first leg of the “Aussie” 3YO series over 1200m on the turf and given his excellent debut win was on the Poly, he could be a good thing back on the all-weather surface.
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Best Bets; (SUPER WINNER race 3, win), (AFFLECK race 7, win) and (WONDERFUL ERA race 5, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 3, 5 and 11), race 7 (2), race 8 (1, 2, 5 and 8), race 9 (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10).
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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; 4 JUST THE TIP – 5 KATONG PARK – 2 RED SAPPHIRE – 1 HOLDING FAST
Very tricky maiden to open the meeting and not made any easier when the horse we want to be on – JUST THE TIP – has drawn the outside gate with a 3kg claimer to navigate. But TR Barnabas’ claim looks handy given he drops from Class 4 and the good form from that company more than holds up here. Hopefully he rides it like a good thing and he might just be that with a trouble free run. KATONG PARK also gets a claimer after dropping to maiden company from a KSD and from gate 6 you would imagine the in-form Zuriman gives him every chance. Others with serious winning hopes include HOLDING FAST who protested against the winner last start, RED SAPPHIRE who had excuses at his Singapore debut after getting heavy support and MALA MALA gets Nunes (who needs one more win for his 100th of the season). CELESTINA another to watch with the emergency – SPARKLING STAR – a huge winning show if he gets a start.
1 HOLDING FAST *** Protested unsuccessfully against the winner when beaten less than a length last start similar affair. Goes close. 4.00
2 RED SAPPHIRE *** Backed at Singapore debut and enough excuses to follow with 1400m ideal. 5.00
3 CELESTINA *** Didn’t flatter last start but worth another look on effort this trip two starts back. 12
4 JUST THE TIP *** Draw with claimer a concern but form in better races than this suggests he is the one to beat. 3.00
5 KATONG PARK *** Looks due and this race more than suitable. 4.50
6 ARMADILLO * No. 100
7 BEST LIFE * Did it tough lats start but still needs to show something before considering. 100
8 MALA MALA *** Appreciates first-up run and tongue-tie added. Keep safe. 10
9 VIVA RAAJ * Nuisance value only. 50
10 TIME AFTER TIME ** Form only fair but best recent run was this trip/surface so pay to include in exotics with gate 1 a factor. 20
11 DAZZLE * All dazzle, no razzle. 100
12 PESCATORE * No. 100
13 SPARKLING STAR *** Can find trouble given racing style but will be right in this late if he gets a start. 6.00
14 ZAC SUPREME * Fell in a hole last start but could figure somewhere on best form. 33
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Race 2
Selections; 5 BHASKARA – 7 VITALLY SECRET – 6 EASY EASY – 1 FALCON
You could make a case for most of these maidens and it will be interesting to see who gets any significant stable support. BHASKARA could be one that gets support on debut after what looked a very nice Official trial. His effort to the wire good enough to think he has plenty to offer with John Powell up and a forward showing is expected. VITALLY SECRET had a year off after a good debut in 2013 and while not setting the world on fire on resuming, he appreciates the run, Azhar and gate 1. EASY EASY is also right in winning calculations given what he showed at two race starts and FALCON obviously impressed at his Singapore debut where he placed behind GADAWON. MYSTIQUE the other that appreciates what was a nice debut and looks well-placed with a Zawari 3kg claim.
1 FALCON *** Placed at Singapore debut and should appreciate the turf. Big show. 7.00
2 SANDY MIGHT * Hard to have on race form. 50
3 RAINBOW STAR ** Will race handy and in this a long way. 20
4 ABOVE DE PINNACLE *** Tongue-tie goes on after being backed on debut and should improve with that run under his belt. 5.00
5 BHASKARA *** Trials like he has plenty to offer on debut with senior hoop a pointer. 4.00
6 EASY EASY *** In the mix at both starts and right in this. 3.50
7 VITALLY SECRET *** Excuses when resuming and certainly worth another look on debut effort. 6.00
8 WHAT A SNIP ** Solid effort at Official trial and pay to keep an eye on the market. 12
9 MYSTIQUE *** Improves on what was a solid debut and in the mix with handy 3kg claim. 10
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Race 3
Selections; 6 SUPER WINNER – 7 NORTHERN BOSS – 10 HELEN – 1 DAY BY DAY
Trainer Laurie Laxon holds the key to this race and it’s not his filly HELEN. Sure, the Falkirk 3YO won well enough at her race debut to be in the winning mix but it’s another 3YO in the Laxon stable – AFFLECK – who franks the winners form here. The horse in question is SUPER WINNER who backed up a very strong win on debut with a very good second to AFFLECK in the Premier Racing Partnerships Stakes. That effort suggests he is better than most given AFFLECK’s exceptional race record and SUPER WINNER looks heard to beat with gate 1 a bonus. He is up against some nice types here though and NORTHERN BOSS won too well on debut not to be a very good show with a J See 3kg claim and as mentioned, HELEN has to be respected on her debut win. Keep DAY BY DAY safe although he does give weight to the 3YO’s.
1 DAY BY DAY ** Tongue-tie off. Resuming after being disappointing with support last start but will find this company more to his liking and can win. 6.00
2 EASTERN BOSS * Obviously needs to improve on Singapore debut and might want further. 100
3 LOVE EXCEL * Improves for what was a solid Singapore debut but should find this too short. 20
4 KAZUO ** Placed last start similar affair and have to respect. 12
5 GEESON MASTER * Pulled up lame last start when supported over the mile and have to take on trust. 20
6 SUPER WINNER *** Won well on debut before placing behind AFFLECK last start and that form has him winning this with gate 1 a bonus. 2.50
7 NORTHERN BOSS *** Backed up some nice trial form into a strong debut win and have to respect. 4.00
8 WIMBLEDON ** Backed up maiden win with solid effort in KSD company and should be competitive with Nunes up. 10
9 LUCKY GIANT ** Blinkers on first-time but place looks best in this field. 20
10 HELEN *** Won well enough on debut to keep safe with filly and claim pull in the weights. 8.00
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Race 4
Selections; 2 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE – 1 TOAST’S ANGEL – 3 D’ARTAGNAN – 6 GYPSY MAGIC
While very tempted to have an in-form Class dropper in TOAST’S ANGEL on-top, a last start winner in FRAGRANCE EMPIRE is hard to look past. That win was on the turf but given his other career win was on the Poly and he has trailed well recently, he picks himself on top. But TOAST’S ANGEL has been in solid form in Class 4 and more importantly has won the last two times she has raced in KSD company. Those two wins were on the Poly and you would imagine the connections have been waiting patiently for a race like this. The field doesn’t have depth and the only other horses that look like having a winning chance on paper are D’ARTAGNAN who looked good in a recent trial and GYPSY MAGIC who is always a solid each-way hope in race like this.
1 TOAST’S ANGEL *** Going along OK but significant drop to two-time winning grade has her under notice. 3.80
2 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE *** Turned some good form with support into a win this grade and happy to follow. 3.00
3 D’ARTAGNAN *** Jockey reported issues last start and recent trial suggests he is ready to show his best. 6.00
4 BINGO ** Nothing last start but the type to always keep safe if he gets wound up late. 20
5 SELECT GATHERING ** Round the mix last couple and a must for exotics in a field with no depth. 20
6 GYPSY MAGIC *** Always and each-way shows in races like this. 4.00
7 STATE TROOPER ** Mixing his form but up to this on a good day so keep safe. 12
8 OASIS SPUR * Hard to have on recent form. 33
9 ROOMIE PIM * Tongue-tie off but impossible on form. 33
10 THREE KINGS * Wants Class 5 and longer. 33
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Race 5
Selections; 3 WONDERFUL ERA – 2 BRANKSOME – 7 CLEVER BRIGHT – 1 SACRED SPIN
While you can make a winning case for a few others, BRANKSOME and WONDERFUL ERA look ready to turn some good form into a maiden win. While it was a toss-up, a senior hoop in Ivaldo Santana looks handy for WONDERFUL ERA from gate 8 and obviously the 3YO’s last start effort had him under winning notice. BRANKSOME probably has better exposed form with a some efforts in stronger company than this and looks the benchmark with 4kg claimer, WS Chan, retaining the ride. Of the remainder with any hope, CLEVER BRIGHT showed last start with Zaki up that he will be in front for a long way from the ace with SACRED SPIN worth another look with Nunes back on-board.
1 SACRED SPIN *** Very disappointing last start after promising Singapore debut but might be worth another look back on the turf. 6.00
2 BRANKSOME *** Placed two starts back in Novice over followed by solid effort in KSD over 1400m. Claim wont hurt. 4.00
3 WONDERFUL ERA *** Ran on well on poly over 1200m, well-bred horse who should be suited at 1400m on turf. 5.00
4 LA QUINTA ** Supported and disappointing last start and have to take on trust. 6.00
5 BECOME RICH ** Not a lot last start but that was in tougher company so worth some thought at odds. 20
6 TOOBIGTOFAIL * Needs to show more. 50
7 CLEVER BRIGHT *** Went forward with Zaki up last start and pay to keep safe as in this a long way. 6.00
8 JOHN DUKE * Needs to find a few lengths. 33
9 CLASSIC EFFECT ** Not a mile away last start and could be in the exotic mix at odds. 33
10 MIGHTY ASTROBOY * No. 100
11 DESTINY GENERAL ** Coming off two solid runs and have to respect. 8.00
12 LORD GRANTHAM ** Another that comes into this with two solid runs under his belt and can figure in exotics. 12
13 EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE *** Excuses for poor run two back and a big show on last start effort. 8.00
14 TEOCHEW BARRISTER *** Showed last start why you have to keep safe but desperate for a result. 12
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Race 6
Selections; 3 OVER EASY – 1 SHABBAT – 11 ANGE D’ORIENT – 5 INCREDIBLE HULK
With the mantra that “horses don’t win out of turn” in this Class over this trip ringing in our ears, last start winner INCREDIBLE HULK doesn’t get a mention in our top three picks. In saying that, Santana stays on board and the 9YO will give this shake late so please keep safe. Three horses look due though and none more so than OVER EASY. The 6YO has only two wins to his name from some 37 career but has been in good form of late and this look suitable to knock in a well-deserved win. The 4YO SHABBAT has only had eight career starts but showed last time out he is due to win and 2000m looks ideal with a handy 2kg claim. Down in the ratings and the weights, ANGE D’ORIENT looks in good enough from to give this a shake and as mentioned earlier, the last start winner in INCREDIBLE HULK has to be considered.
1 SHABBAT *** Ready to win and 2000m looks no problem. 4.00
2 BRAVO ** Will be involved somewhere early and probably late. Keep safe. 20
3 OVER EASY *** Overdue on current form and gets the Azhar touch. Hard to beat. 3.00
4 ROYAL BRAT ** Welcome back Barend but tough horse to follow. 18
5 INCREDIBLE HULK *** Supported and showed what he is capable of last start and always pay to keep safe. 5.00
6 MARINE PARK ** Blinkers back on. Form reads badly but capable with luck from wide gate. 33
7 OCTIVIA ** Maiden status a concern but usually thereabouts. 20
8 VICTORIOUS STREAK * Coming off a shocker and have to take on trust on turf form. 20
9 GRAND PARIS ** Last run better than the result and could be the value over 2000m. 50
10 NORTH STAR ** In good enough form to play a part but is a query on the turf. 8.00
11 ANGE D’ORIENT *** Excuses not to go close to winning last start and gives this a shake. 8.00
12 CONQUEST * Nuisance value only. 100
13 BRILLIANT POWER * Goes OK on his day but hard to follow. 33
14 KTRONIC * Better on the Poly. 33
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Selections; 2 AFFLECK – 5 KNOW EACH OTHER – 1 HIGHER SOUL – 4 HERMANO MENOR
How short AFFLECK? And unlike his Academy award winning namesake (Gigli anyone?), this AFFLECK doesn’t seem to bomb on the odd occasion and happy to think he is a good thing if anywhere close to even money in a race that looks perfect. And even the fact that there looks some handy enough types in the field, AFFLECK could start close to the minimum quote and add to his career record of four wins from five career starts. One of the horses that keeps him honest is KNOW EACH OTHER who chased him home in the Juvenile Championship and looks extremely well placed over 1400m. The Australian-bred gelding is a definite improver and connections would be confident of keeping the favourite honest after what he showed winning last start. Two other last start winners in HIGHER SOUL and HERMANO MENOR have to be considered with ROCK ESPRIT and INVINCIBLE GOLD right in the exotic mix. But AFFLECK the one to beat.
1 HIGHER SOUL ** Won handsomely last start and looks a likely type so follow. 5.00
2 AFFLECK *** Seems to go better than most and very hard to beat. 1.60
3 ROCK ESPRIT ** Very honest and obviously in the exotic mix. 11
4 HERMANO MENOR ** Supported and won accordingly at second race start and pay to follow. 10
5 KNOW EACH OTHER ** Has had AFFLECK in his sights at previous runs and showed last start 1400m is ideal. Keep safe. 6.00
6 INVINCIBLE GOLD ** Solid type who will be suited at 1400m. 20
7 IRREPRESSIBLE * Improved with each run and must be considered in exotics on last start placing. 33
8 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE * Goodness gracious.. 33
9 RUBICON * Needs to show more. 100
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Race 8
Selections; 1 SUPER SPUR – 2 HIDDEN VENTURE – 8 FISCAL WINGS – 5 TOMORROW’S GOLD
Not a good race this late in the meeting for punters and good luck if you want to stand out something in what would be the third leg of the “Quaddie” or “Jackpot”. Most, if not all, of these horses give reasons not to back them and positives are hard to find. But at the top of the ratings – always a safe place to start – SUPER SPUR should run well in what is a suitable race. The 6YO has won three times on the Poly over sprint distances and showed last start he is a horse to follow in this company. Goodness, he might even be a good thing. Staying at the pointy end of the ratings, HIDDEN VENTURE also likes a Poly sprint but is coming off a shocker and can blow the start. Not many others to get excited about but FISCAL WINGS gets the ace and appreciates being back on the Poly while the maiden, TOMORROW’S GOLD, is better than what he showed last start.
1 SUPER SPUR *** Showed last start he wins this grade sooner than later and appreciates Poly. 3.00
2 HIDDEN VENTURE *** Disappointing with support last run and starts can be costly so have to take on trust. 5.00
3 PACINO ** Form starting to taper at start 117 but in the exotic mix. 12
4 SACRED CROWN * Gets blinkers the first time for a long time but hard to have on recent form. 50
5 TOMORROW’S GOLD *** Maiden who looked out of sorts last start but previous form worth a look. 5.50
6 FLUTZ ** Tongue-tie off. Form good but back in trip a concern. 10
7 SPANISH TRAIN ** Won in Class 5 two starts back and that form might hold up in this KSD field. 12
8 FISCAL WINGS *** OK last start in unsuitable affair has him under notice back on the Poly this company. 12
9 ENZO ** Recent form reads badly but more forward run expected with Zaki on. 20
10 URBAN LEGEND ** Another whose form looks hopeless but could surprise late at odds in this weak field. 33
11 FUKU’S PET ** Knows how to win on the Poly and thereabouts of late. 8.00
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Race 9
Selections; 2 APPRECIATION – 6 CONFIERO – 7 GHOST – 4 CODIGO
A solid poly sprint and while there looks plenty of nice horses to follow, APPRECIATION looks due and happy to stay with the 5YO in what is a suitable race. He also looks a very solid option given his only blemish of late was at a rare turf appearance with 3kg claimer, J See, staying on-board. CONFIERO is in cracking form however, winning his last two. Those wins were on the turf but given he has some good Poly runs under his belt since arriving from Malaysia, he gives this a shake. GHOST is another last start winner but has drawn the car-park. But oddly for a Poly sprint of this calibre, there doesn’t look a heap of early speed and as such a horse like GHOST could cross and even get a soft lead pending perhaps on what CRAZY TIMES does from gate 7. Of the rest, CODIGO is always value and happy to follow each-way with CHEYENNE WARRIOR also in the mix and SOLITAIRE doing best work late.
1 JEFFERSON BAY * Formerly Encosta Diablo. Best work expected late but needs longer. 50
2 APPRECIATION *** Only recent blemish was on the turf and goes mighty close in this. 4.00
3 CASH DOT COM ** Showed some improvement last start so keep safe on best form. 20
4 CODIGO *** Never far away and often gets out to very back-able each-way odds. Follow. 20
5 CRAZY TIMES *** Resumed with support and the effort suggests he wins soon this campaign. 5.00
6 CONFIERO *** Two recent wins on the turf but more than handles the Poly and must be respected. 3.00
7 GHOST *** Smart but wide gate is a concern in this good field. 6.00
8 SOLITAIRE ** Will be motoring late and the type to keep safe at odds. 20
9 SPRING THUNDER ** Resuming after a good run of form over longer but could surprise fresh. 20
10 CHEYENNE WARRIOR *** Resuming after a terrific run of form and yet another to keep safe. 14
11 ANGRY CAT ** IN solid form but need to be at his very best in this field. 20
12 STARPERFECT * Former Kiwi who needs longer. 100
13 LASER STORM * Resuming and recent trial OK but might need easier. 50
14 MEDIA CAPTAIN * Winkers off but struggling. 50
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