Soul Commander (inside) and Cavallo (outside) fight out the finish
Singapore Racing, Race 3, 1 March 2013
Good Friday sees a day meeting in Singapore and while only four Polytrack races on offer, they all look very interesting punting affairs. In fact it looks hard to pick a “good thing” and while the money on the day will tell a tale, it might be a case of looking for value in some very open races. But the connections of EMPIRE BAY might have pulled the right rein by by-passing the ThreeYear-Old Sprint (Sunday) as he can win taking on Class 3 Company today. The Iffraaj gelding would have been a walk up start in the Group 3 sprint but with the likes of Huka Falls to beat, minor money looked best. The field he meets in race 8 looks solid at best for Class 3 and the 3YO should have every chance to add another win to his tally before going through the grades. The grey AFFIRMATION back on the Polytrack might be his biggest danger and well worth an each-way look at value. Elsewhere on the card, SOUL COMMANDER has been in terrific form of late and can get straight back into the winners circle with Joao Moreira back in the saddle.
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Best Bets; SOUL COMMANDER (race 9, win), CALIFORNIAN GIRL (race 11, each-way) and GLOWNIGHT RACER (race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11), race 9 (2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12), race 10 (1, 2 and 7) and race 11 (1, 2, 6, and 7).
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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; 7 EMPIRE BAY – 5 AFFIRMATION – 2 SHAOLIN SOLDIER – 1 ECLAIR FLYER
Nothing jumps off the page in this Class 3 sprint and as such a consistent 3YO in EMPIRE BAY looks a good as place to start as any. Connections have ignored the Three-Year-Old Sprint and that looks a smart move given he might have struggled against the likes of HUKA FALLS but can win this. His last two runs suggest he is more than up to Class 3 and M Nunes – who rides the gelding for the first time – is in red-hot form. A horse that beat EMPIRE BAY three starts back (and once prior in Class 4 Company) is the grey, AFFIRMATION. And while his recent two runs have been just fair, his Poly form of late has been excellent and happy to follow eachway in a race like this. Plenty of other hopes with support likely for ECLAIR FLYER who placed at his first run back from a long spell, SHAOLIN SOLDIER, SEIZE THE DAY, THISISIT and even COLLECT THE CASH at long odds.
1 ECLAIR FLYER *** First run back from spell was obviously good; follow. 4.00
2 SHAOLIN SOLDIER *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and will make his presence felt late in this. 7.00
3 FARRAND * Excuses last start but still needs to show more before we consider. 50
4 SEIZE THE DAY *** Should have trained on since last start and each-way all the way. 9.00
5 AFFIRMATION *** Last two just fair but hard to argue with recent Poly form so must be a show back on this track. 5.00
6 THISISIT *** Last run better than the result and certainly enjoys the Poly; keep safe. 10
7 EMPIRE BAY *** In-form and looks one of the leading hopes in this; can win. 4.00
8 TRUE NORTH ** Handicap conditions helps as will tongue-tie; value. 20
9 FUNCA ** Last start better than the result and might pay to start following. 20
10 GOOD LOOUKEN * Leading hoop on-board and back in trip helps but form just fair. 12
11 COLLECT THE CASH *** Last start a lot better than the result and drawn the ace but like to see in easier company. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 6 SOUL COMMANDER – 11 SPEED DEMON – 12 EATONS GOLD – 10 PEACEFUL WARRIOR
A very interesting race. There is so much early pace that it could very well be set up for the swoopers. Last start winner EATON’S GOLD certainly fits that category and with winning form and no weight, jockey Alan Munro must fancy his chances of finishing over the top for a result. PEACEFUL WARRIOR can also swoop and from the wide gate, Danny Beasley might just ride him cold first up after a spell and get serious late. But SOUL COMMANDER is in very good form and given he has excuses last start not to knock in his fourth straight win; he is the one to beat. He is on the back-up but that shouldn’t be an issue and Moreira back on-board is a plus. The race has depth as well and obviously SPEED DEMON is a leading contender and in this a very long way. HONEST TRUTH and LAGO BAY are another two that can set the pace with MR MANI and COUNTRY CLUB also in the mix.
1 BIONIC BOY ** Has been inconsistent of late but last run OK and will not get a better chance than this to win again; watch market. 20
2 HONEST TRUTH *** Form obviously reads badly but has speed, appreciates first run back and 1000m suits; can win. 20
3 LAGO BAY *** Excuses last start (not striding) and always a show in this type of race; can win. 6.00
4 SMART EXCEL ** Resuming after very long break; Smart enough and has good first up form; market only guide. 50
5 NICEONE * Impossible to have on form but appreciates the company. 33
6 SOUL COMMANDER *** In super form, stiff last start and looks hard to beat on the quick back up. 4.00
7 TREASUREINTHEHEART ** Debut a shocker but did get support and appreciates the run; keep safe from gate one. 33
8 MR MANI *** Consistent, knows how to win and looks very well placed here with handy 2kg claim. 4.00
9 COUNTRY CLUB *** Resuming, goes OK first up and form last campaign suggests we follow. 14
10 PEACEFUL WARRIOR ** Resuming and certainly up to this on his day with best work expected late. 20
11 SPEED DEMON *** Won well with blinkers added last start and looks a big chance again. 4.00
12 EATONS GOLD *** Won well last start and will be coming over the top late; goes close. 12
13 ANGRY CAT *** Blinkers off first time at races but has trailed well sans headgear and looks a genuine light-weight hope. 10
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Race 10
Selections; 1 GILT LAD – 2 GLOWNIGHT RACER – 7 RED RIVER ROCK – 6 PALOMBARO
GILT LAD looks the obvious choice in this Class 4 sprint. The lightly raced 5YO has shown more than enough winning two from just four career starts and is well placed here to continue that run. The 3kg claim looks a bonus given he won in this company with 55kg last start and this race does lack depth. In saying that, GLOWNIGHT RACER and RED RIVER ROCK are in form and go close. GLOWNIGHT RACER has been disappointing to only have won once from 17 starts in Singapore but showed last start (with excuses) he can win again with this company certainly a factor. RED RIVER ROCK did everything bar win last start and no reason he isn’t right in this finish with Greg Cheyne retaining the ride. Not many others appeal although Moreira and tongue-tie on PALOMBARO suggests he could be ready to show his best.
1 GILT LAD *** In terrific form and 3kg claim has him hard to beat. 2.50
2 GLOWNIGHT RACER *** Looked a good thing beaten with excuses last start and goes very close here. 4.00
3 DANZIG ROCKET ** Enough pace to lead from the wide gate and in this a very long way. 13
4 DORAEMON * Could make excuses last couple but really needs to show more before we consider. 50
5 HANG TUAH ** Resuming from gate one; has claims with eye on tote. 20
6 PALOMBARO ** Tongue-tie on and while form reads badly but last start better than the result and Moreira booking a factor. 20
7 RED RIVER ROCK *** Did everything bar win last start and right in this. 4.00
8 MONTE CRISTO * Reassess Class 5. 50
9 SAVILHRO ** Winning form is good form and while up in Class, should be competitive. 12
10 NORTHERN CAT ** Going along OK but will need Class 5 to win. 20
11 SIR FLEETWOOD ** Thereabouts as a rule showed more than enough late last start to follow at odds. 20
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Race 11
Selections; 1 CALIFORNIAN GIRL – 2 GOLDEN SAND STEED – 7 NOT SIMPLE – 6 CHILLI
GOLDEN SAND STEED will start favourite in the last but is by no means a good thing. While hard to fault his efforts of late or his career record of two wins and five places from just nine starts, he probably should have won his last two and that is a concern. In fact last start he was given every chance and found NOT SIMPLE in front of him when it counted. NOT SIMPLE probably had more excuses that day and given they met again at similar weights, it should be tight. Looking elsewhere, CALIFORNIAN GIRL could upstage them all. The mare has three wins to her name – all over this trip – and the drop to Class 4 suggests she is ready to add to that tally. CHILLI showed first up he is worth following this campaign and might be the value of the quartet of chances mentioned. Of the rest, NEW BEGINNING, LIGHTNING MAC and GOLDEN MISSION all some show.
1 CALIFORNIAN GIRL *** Big drop in Class and last start better than the result; can win. 4.00
2 GOLDEN SAND STEED *** Probably should have won his last two and can make amends here; hard to beat. 2.20
3 NEW BEGINNING *** Resuming after issues (heart) last start; trials OK so watch market as can win if on his game. 33
4 CHEYENNE WARRIOR ** Improves with each run and should figure somewhere late. 20
5 BM WIN ** Form reads badly and obviously blew start last time out but the type who can run a cheeky race. 50
6 CHILLI *** First up run good enough to think he goes mighty close to winning this. 8.00
7 NOT SIMPLE *** Won at odds last start and pay to follow each-way. 10
8 GOLDEN MISSION *** Had issues (respiratory) at Kranji debut when supported and did OK; keep very safe. 12
9 INDULGE * Did it tough wide last start but needs to show more before we consider. 100
10 LIGHTNING MAC *** Returned to form last start and pay to start following on that good effort. 8.00
11 PLAY ON ** Last start winner up in Class and skinny end of exotics look best. 33
12 FULL SITE * Reassess Class 5. 50
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