Apprentice Zuriman Zulkifli celebrates his first feature success after taking out the Group 3 Admiralty Classic Stakes aboard Knight’s Command. (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
Gong Xi Fa Cai! It’s Chinese New Year and that means some great racing in Singapore and while all eye’s will be on the inaugural $3.05 million CEFC Singapore Cup on Sunday, a bumper card on Friday has more than one highlight.
With the big race on Sunday restricted to horses owned by the China Horse Club, the group 3 Fortune Bowl sees the best stayers Singapore has on offer and connections of KNIGHT’S COMMAND will be hoping he continues his winning run.
The 7YO Pins gelding had been thereabouts in top company since his last win over a mile back in April 2014 but had struggled to break though over more ground. That all changed last start when he won convincingly over 2000m in the Woodlands Classic and no reason to think he doesn’t go on with the job today.
In saying that, although he beat EMPEROR’S BANQUET by some two-and-half lengths on that occasion, he meets that same horse 3kg worse off which will certainly even things up as far as form analysts are concerned. And while these two look to have the race between them on what have been very good campaigns, two horses in MARTIN and ALEXANDRA PALACE both improved on some poor recent form at their respective last starts and both come under notice.
Elsewhere on the card, BRAHMA CIRCUS could bring some New Year cheer to followers who have had to contend with three straight second placings. A switch to the turf may do the trick for the 3YO in race 11 as he certainly seems destined for better company than Class 4.
INVICTUS also looks very well-placed in Kranji Stakes D company (race 9) as he showed last start that he wins sooner than later and is a horse to follow.
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Best Bets; (INVICTUS race 9, win), (BRAHMA CIRCUS race 11, win) and (BROTHER BAY race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8), race 10 (1 and 7), race 11 (1, 4, 6, 7 and 11), race 12 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12).
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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; 3 RAVOUX – 1 AFTERNOON DELIGHT – 4 BROTHER BAY – 6 LUCKY STRATEGY
With apologies to HK Tan and Michael Freedman, trainers Stephen Gray and Brian Dean look to have a stranglehold on this race. S Gray has two of the three top-weights in AFTERNOON DELIGHT and RAVOUX who both step up from 1400m. RAVOUX went very close last start with M Rodd up and with the smiling Aussie retaining the ride, he would figure heavily. As will AFTERNOON DELIGHT with Corey Brown up and he will be one of the swoopers who should make this a busy finish. Dean also has two that look to have winning hopes and it could be the maiden BROTHER BAY who is the value. The 4YO gives every indication the mile suits as will Class 5 company. LUCKY STRATEGY gets Vorster and is more than up to this after winning two back over 1400m. GALLANT HEIGHTS and SHABBAT the other two that look like having a genuine winning hope.
1 AFTERNOON DELIGHT *** Never really got warm last start and goes close with mile in his favour. 4.00
2 GALLANT HEIGHTS *** Back in trip no problem and in this a long way from gate 2. 5.00
3 RAVOUX *** Not tried often past 1400m but in form and hard to hold out late. 5.00
4 BROTHER BAY *** Form reads badly but has been hitting the line OK and should appreciate Class 5. 20
5 BENGLIAM * Appreciates first-up run but impossible on form. 100
6 LUCKY STRATEGY *** Last start better than the result given he did it tough from wide gate and right in this. 12
7 SHABBAT *** Maiden who looks due and gets his chance from gate 3 with in-form hoop. 8.00
8 SINGLE ACT * Head-gear removed after being disappointing with support lasts couple and have to take on trust. 20
9 STAR ACADEMY * Impossible on form but battled on OK last start and gets Nunes. 20
10 BIG HARVEST * Needs to find a few yards on recent form. 20
11 SILENT ARROW ** Coming off career best run where he had excuses before making up good ground late. Keep safe. 10
12 SHENZHOU ONE ** Another maiden who has looked due of late and worth including in exotics. 8.00
13 THREE WHIP * Usually finds trouble. 100
14 ANGE D’ORIENT ** Back in trip but going along OK and can include somewhere. 12
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Race 9
Selections; 1 INVICTUS – 3 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER – 7 GRAND SEVEN SEAS – 8 LUCKY LION
While we think INVICTUS is hard to beat and will get the punters support, this race looks to have plenty of depth and worth a second look for value runners. But as it stands, INVICTUS showed more than enough last start behind BOB when dropping back to KSD company to think he wins this and can go on with the job in better races than this. His biggest danger in this looks to be THEBUZZDOWNUNDER who got support last start and while not quite delivering, did enough to think he can win if on his game with blinkers downgraded to winkers. Of the others, RACER KING, ZAC SEDUCTION and last start Class 5 winner, LUCKY LION, appeal but one to watch at value is GRAND SEVEN SEAS who gets blinkers for the first time and has trialed well with head-gear.
1 INVICTUS *** Showed last start he wins very soon in this company and hardest to beat. 2.60
2 RACER KING *** Only win was over 1000m but race experience suggests he gives it a shake at KSD level. 8.00
3 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER *** Blinkers to winkers after being just OK with heavy support similar affair last start. Worth another look. 4.00
4 ZAC SEDUCTION *** Never got involved first-up after spell and well worth a look at recent winning trip. 8.00
5 FLYING AHEAD ** Disappointing last start and drawn badly but the type to keep safe at value. 33
6 JUST THE TIP ** Coming off a cheeky run in similar affair and should figure throughout. 10
7 GRAND SEVEN SEAS *** Race form ordinary but gets blinkers first time and trials with head-gear suggests marked improvement. 33
8 LUCKY LION *** Broke maiden status in Class 5 last start and pay to follow. 12
9 GEARIGURU ** Lack of winning form a concern but always in the mix. 12
10 HAPPY JOY * Hard to have on form. 100
11 LUCKY SIX ** Maiden who will improve with race experience and recent trial looks solid. 50
12 RON ** Like to see in Class 5 but usually competitive. 20
13 GOLDEN DRAGON ** Eligible for easier but showed enough with blinkers added last start to follow at odds. 12
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Race 10
Selections; 1 KNIGHT’S COMMAND – 7 EMPEROR’S BANQUET – 4 ALEXANDRA PALACE – 2 MARTIN
The feature on what is a terrific Chinese New Year card and all eyes will be on the battle between KNIGHT’S COMMAND and EMPEROR’S BANQUET. The pair met last start in the Woodlands Classic and while KNIGHT’S COMMAND finally broke though at Group level on that occasion, he does give 3kg to EMPEROR’S BANQUET for the 2.5 length win. All things being equal there won’t be much between the pair but we will stick with winning form. Of the challengers, it is again winning form we look to and ALEXANDRA PALACE. The 5YO South African-bred had been disappointing since impressing winning at his Singapore debut back in July but the last start effort good enough to follow in races like this. MARTIN also turned around some poor form at his last start and is worth thought on a repeat of that run stepping up to 2000m with Froggy Newitt staying on-board.
1 KNIGHT’S COMMAND *** Turned some solid Group form into a very good win last start in Woodlands Classic and hard to beat. 2.50
2 MARTIN ** Turned around some poor form with an eye-catching placing over a mile and right in this. 8.00
3 DUJARDIN * Just battled away in the Woodlands Classic and prefer others. 20
4 ALEXANDRA PALACE ** Bounced back to winning form last start over the mile and have to respect. 6.00
5 GOODPACK ** Looked to have pinched one first-up after spell and should find this tougher. 12
6 BRILLIANT DEAL ** Will ensure a very honest tempo but tested at the conditions. 10
7 EMPEROR’S BANQUET *** Gets a 3kg respite after 2.5 length loss to Knight’s Command last start and can make amends. 3.00
8 VERGLATICA * Improved effort last start but tested at this level. 33
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Race 11
Selections; 6 BRAHMA CIRCUS – 7 EVA’S DAY – 1 INVINCIBLE MAN – 4 KAISER
Some very progressive types makes this Class 4 one to watch and whoever wins could very well set themselves up for big campaign. BRAHMA CIRCUS is one that looks better than Class 4 and while finding one better at his three starts since breaking his maiden status, he can win this. Obviously punters that took the even money last start will be a tad gun-shy but he went close behind Media Captain on that occasion and the switch to turf might be just what the doctor ordered. While BRAHMA CIRCUS has struggled to win again, there has been no such problem for INVINCIBLE MAN who is gunning for a hat-trick of victories. The 3YO hasn’t missed a place in six starts and must be a leading hope again. Of the rest, EVA’S DAY wasn’t far behind Jimmy Rea last start and that form has more than held up so she must be respected and last start winner, DYLAN, will be more than competitive in this company. Keep KAISER safe.
1 INVINCIBLE MAN *** Racing and trialing in very good form and a big show to win again. 3.00
2 CONGO ZANDOR * Back in trip and have to take on trust. 50
3 COLLECT THE CASH * Easier to ignore. 50
4 KAISER *** Going along OK and will win one of these sooner than later. 12
5 KAISER BRIGHT ** Never looked comfortable last start and happy to keep an eye on each-way. 12
6 BRAHMA CIRCUS *** Having first start on the turf but in great form and can get a result here. 3.50
7 EVA’S DAY *** Placed behind Jimmy Rea last start in Novice company and that form will hold up here. 7.00
8 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Disappointing last start after good trial and have to take on trust. 12
9 ONE UNITED ** Blinkers and tongue-tie added after disappointing run last start but worth another look after good recent trial. 16
10 CAIYAYA * Not a mile away last start but easier to ignore. 50
11 DYLAN *** This is tougher than last start KSD win but will be more than competitive. 7.00
12 MR MANI * Needs easier. 50
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Race 12
Selections; 6 CLUTHA LAD – 12 THANKFULNESS – 2 BLUE SWEDE – 11 LOUEY VELOCE
Cracking race to finish what should have been a terrific days racing and expect a very busy finish with most having genuine winning claims. And to make it tough for caller Craig Evans, there are some on-pace runners who will be fighting late and some smart swoopers who are sure to be flying at the business end. THANKFULNESS is one that should race more than handy from gate 1 and should be hard to run down with just 53kg. One that had excuses last start and will be involved throughout is CLUTHA LAD. Nunes gets the ride for Walker and that combination is in red-hot form. The best swooper on paper is BLUE SWEDE. Yes, he was disappointing last start but he did return not striding so certainly worth another look on best form. Can’t mention them all but LOUEY VELOCE probably starts favourite and goes close.
1 IMPEL *** Drawn awkwardly but showed more than enough last start to consider with handy 2kg claim. 8.00
2 BLUE SWEDE *** Returned not striding last start so pay to ignore and follow on good win two back. 5.00
3 EXQUISITELY SWEET *** Coming off Class 4 Poly win but shown previously he is up to this. 10
4 LUCKY MISSION ** Yet to win beyond 1200m but always thereabouts. 20
5 WARPATH *** Won at nice each-way odds in Class 4 last start and pay to follow. 8.00
6 CLUTHA LAD *** Excuses last start not to win and looks every chance here. 8.00
7 MUSCLE BEACH ** Gets blinkers and loses tongue-tie after showing nothing at Singapore debut but will improve. 33
8 WORLD WAR ** Appreciates step up to 1400m and will add value to exotics. 33
9 NATURAL NICE * Goes OK on his day but have to take on trust. 100
10 DEMON KING *** Freshened and blinkers removed after good run of form and pay to respect. 8.00
11 LOUEY VELOCE *** Just missed at Singapore debut as the even money fave and can make amends with winkers added. 5.00
12 THANKFULNESS *** Showed last start he is more than up to winning a race like this with gate 1 a bonus. 6.00
13 NATION THEATRE ** Competitive on his day but should need easier. 20
14 ZAC BENEVOLENT * No. 100
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