Saifudin Ismail drives Duty Free hard to just pip Vertical Start (Barend Vorster) on the line. (Picture: Singapore Turf Club)
We have said it before and we will say it again, the trials on Tuesday and Thursday morning at Kranji are a terrific guide. And given they are free for all to view on the Singapore Turf Club website, everyone should really take a look.
Time is money though so Kranjiracing has done the work and hopefully a few horses on Friday with relatively poor form can show up on trial form. From the start, OCEAN STORY doesn’t have the form that has him in the early betting but a good trial has him on the podium in race 1.
And while JUBILATION may be a good thing in race 2, a couple of newcomers in STERLING and ATOM have looked comfortable at the trials so should debut well. Blinkers go on HE’S A STRIKER in race 4 and while he will have to be good to beat DRAGON G and SKY ELEVEN, his trial suggests he is kept safe with gate 1 a bonus.
It gets interesting in race 4 with SOON N LEONG the on-top pick on trial form and hopefully at odds given he finished 11th at his last start and never better than sixth at five career starts. DUTY FREE has been flying at the trials and also gets a drop in Class so he could be ready to win in race 5 with WINFREY in race 7 a big show on trial form and he has to be odds on terrible exposed race form.
In the lucky last it’s a toss up between ARROWHEAD resuming with some nice trials under his belt and the newcomer, LION WAVE, who makes his Singapore debut after a good trial.
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Best Bets; (JUBILATION race 2, win), (DUTY FREE race 5, value) and (SOON N LEONG race 4, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 5 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11), race 6 (1 and 2), race 7 (1, 3, 4 and 5), race 8 (2, 3, 6, 8 and 9).
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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 FLAMING FIREHEART – 3 OCEAN STORY – 2 OASIS SPUR – 4 ZAC COMMAND
A battlers affair to open proceedings and as such, a few of the higher rated horses should feature in the finish. FLAMING FIREHEART showed last start he will win soon in this company. The fact he gets to jump from a good gate (4) after doing it tough from a wide berth last start is in his favour and expect support with Zaki staying on-board. Oddly, OASIS SPUR won two starts back in KSD company and raced last start back in Class 5. Obviously he had more weight to carry but he showed enough to follow while in form. An interesting runner is OCEAN STORY who is yet to place in six career starts. But his most recent run (August) was his best and a strong recent trial suggests he is ready to show something at the track with John Powell a significant booking. Throw in ZAC COMMAND as a winning hope and most others can figure if having a good day.
1 FLAMING FIREHEART *** Did it tough from wide gate last start to place so gets his chance today. 3.00
2 OASIS SPUR *** Backed up surprise win this trip with solid run so have to follow. 4.50
3 OCEAN STORY *** Resuming after best effort at his last start and recent trial suggests he could show up fresh. 12
4 ZAC COMMAND *** Blew the start and his chances at recent outing and worth another look. 12
5 GOOD CHILD ** Resuming after showing some toe last start so can include in exotics at value. 20
6 LUCKY COME ** Disappointing last start but up to this on his day so the type to keep safe. 12
7 KING OF KOON ** Thereabouts last couple and another to include in exotics. 8.00
8 VITALICO * Should need longer. 12
9 SOLID WOOD ** Looked to have every possible chance last start so place looks best. 8.00
10 LUCKY GENERAL ** Gate an issue but will keep a few honest late. 10
11 MIDNIGHT * Struggles. 100
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Race 2
Selections; 1 JUBILATION – 9 STIRLING – 2 LUCIUS VORENUS – 7 SILVER STAR
Always hard to be super confident in maiden races but JUBILATION looks ready to to win and is the only one to be on. In saying that, the 4YO has had support at his four career starts and desperately needs a result for followers. He gets winkers back in maiden company which looks a winning move in this weak field. Of the horses with race experience that should play a part, LUCIUS VORENUS should have more to offer than he showed last start. On that occasion he was first-up and was disappointing (to say the least) but on trial form he should go close. SILVER STAR showed plenty last start late and that has him under notice while LONHMIN should improve after pulling-up with heat stress on debut. Two newcomers in STIRLING and ATOM both have nice trails under their respective belts and should debut well with a market watch in order.
1 JUBILATION *** Excuses last start and looks well placed with winkers on to win this. 2.40
2 LUCIUS VORENUS ** Backing up after disappointing run with support first-up but can improve with the run under his belt. 4.00
3 MOON OF NEPTUNE * Resuming sans winkers and easier to ignore. 33
4 CONFIDENCE * Just battling. 33
5 BONTEMPELLI * Quiet trials but gets Brown so market only guide. 20
6 LONHMIN ** Pulled-up with heat stress at debut so look for improvement with race experience under his belt. 12
7 SILVER STAR ** Made excellent ground late last start and that effort has him under notice. 8.00
8 STAR OF EDEN * Did nothing on debut. 100
9 STIRLING ** Looked comfortable and hit the line well at trial so worth a look at debut. 6.00
10 MR CALIFORNIA * Resuming sans tongue-tie after poor debut. No. 100
11 ATOM ** Another that looked comfortable at recent trial and looks ready for race debut. 10
12 MAJOR GREEN * Struggled at both starts. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 3 SKY ELEVEN – 1 DRAGON G – 4 HE’S A STRIKER – 2 SCIENCE FICTION
While a few down in the weights could show up on best form, the race does look top-heavy and take your pick between DRAGON G, SCIENCE FICTION, SKY ELEVEN and HE’S A STRIKER. Of the quartet, SKY ELEVEN looks a promising type and happy to have him on top with gate 2 in his favour. The 4YO has only one win to his name but his two recent efforts in this company were good and he should improve with race experience. DRAGON G also looks a big show getting back to what he does best – Poly racing. The 5YO has won three times on the surface and his recent win in KSD over this trip as very strong and he also has drawn to advantage in gate 3. HE’S A STRIKER gets the ace and more importantly blinkers/pacifiers and a recent trial with head-gear suggests he goes close with SCIENCE FICTION also in the winning mix although he is a question mark on the Poly.
1 DRAGON G *** Backed up very good win this trip/surface with a solid run and hard to beat. 4.00
2 SCIENCE FICTION *** First race start on the Poly but in-form and should go well. 4.00
3 SKY ELEVEN *** Very progressive type who looks well-placed from gate 2. Big show. 3.50
4 HE’S A STRIKER *** Blinkers go on after disappointing run last time out and trial with head-gear good to for this. 4.00
5 STAGE BRIGHT * Looked to have issues first-up and have to pass. 50
6 SPLICE ** Disappointing last start but more than capable on his day and will be value. 20
7 DRAGON PERK * Maiden who should find this company too tough. 33
8 MAREA NEGRO ** Blinkers off and query on the surface but cheeky run expected. 10
9 ENCOSTA ZONE ** Ran on OK this grade last start and should be competitive with no weight. 20
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Race 4
Selections; 5 SOON N LEONG – 11 DREAMMAKER – 9 HOST THE NATION – 6 TOOBIGTOFAIL
Shocking race and while HOST THE NATION looks a monty on paper, there looks a few that could show up in this field and might be at value. Two in particular – SOON N LEONG and DREAMMAKER – can turn around seemingly poor form and win. SOON N LEONG wasn’t a mile away when finishing eleventh last start but more importantly trailed well since and that effort has him under notice from gate with Dan Beasley up. DREAMMAKER also has poor form in the book – he is coming off a eighth – but he will grow a leg back on the Poly and Vorster looks a good booking. As mentioned, HOST THE NATION is the one to beat with gate 1 a bonus but he is a 25 start maiden and TOOBIGTOFAIL is one to watch since blinkers went on although the wide gate is a concern. Keep the emergency AUREUS safe as he goes mighty close if he gets a start.
1 JUSTICE RIGHT * Disappointing last start after promising debut and drawn badly but might appreciate being back on the Poly. 20
2 ZENZERO * No. 50
3 HAN SOLO ** Battled on OK with blinkers last start and should appreciate this weak mile. 20
4 BECOME RICH ** Takes a while to get going but work late has him under notice. 8.00
5 SOON N LEONG *** Last run better than the duck egg in the book and subsequent trial was good. Big show. 5.00
6 TOOBIGTOFAIL *** Draw a concern but showed enough last start when blinkers added to follow. 5.00
7 CLEVER BRIGHT ** Usually thereabouts but query on the Poly. 10
8 CLASSIC EFFECT * Not the worst but needs find a yard or two before we consider. 33
9 HOST THE NATION *** The obvious choice on form with gate 1 a bonus but 25 starts without a win is a concern. 3.00
10 VIVA RAAJ * No. 100
11 DREAMMAKER *** Form better than it reads and very much appreciates the Poly mile. Goes close. 6.00
12 FEED ME MORE * No. 100
13 AUREUS *** Nothing last start but form prior suggests he would give this a serious shake if he gets a start. 5.00
14 VOY ** Solid without threatening. 20
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Race 5
Selections; 2 DUTY FREE – 3 WARSPIRIT – 5 AZURE – 11 JET MAN
Too many unreliable horses in this Class 4 to be confident and while the likes of CAPTAIN KIRK and AZURE would win if right, a roughie in DUTY FREE might be a better option. The 7YO looks in average form to say the least but a drop to his winning Class has him under notice as does a couple of very nice recent trials. By rights he should be value but if he gets support we could take that as a positive. WARSPIRIT also drops to Class 4 – where he won five starts back – and his recent form suggests he wins without surprising and probably starts favourite. AZURE is one of the horses with issues but gets his chance from gate 1 and a tote watch is in order with JET MAN one to watch back on the Poly. SAVAGE STORM and SUPER SPUR two others to keep safe.
1 CAPTAIN KIRK *** Disappointing last start but will be in front for a long way and hard to pass if right. 6.00
2 DUTY FREE *** Form reads badly but trials like a winner and drops in grade. Goes close. 12
3 WARSPIRIT *** Due to win and looks very well-placed in this company with 4kg claim. 4.00
4 BRIAN * Needs to show something this campaign. 100
5 AZURE *** Resuming. Obviously has issues but also has ability so goes close if right with gate 1 a bonus. 6.00
6 DRAGON FORCE * Impossible on recent form but did win this trip four starts back. 50
7 SAVAGE STORM *** Coming off a good turf placing and enjoys the Poly so must be respected. 6.00
8 TRUST ME ** Nothing first-up but should appreciate the outing so keep safe. 20
9 SUPER SPUR *** Thereabouts of late and could show his best with blinkers after nice recent trial. 12
10 HOT ARISTOCRAT ** Resuming after a Malaysian sojourn and has trialed well so keep safe. 12
11 JET MAN *** Going along OK but switch back to Poly has him under notice with downgrade to winkers. 8.00
12 GOLDEN RABBIT * Winkers off but hard to have from wide gate. 20
13 GOOD BUDDY ** Competitive but doesn’t win out of turn. 20
14 RAINBOW STAR ** Maiden who will be competitive with no weight but should need easier. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 1 GALLANT HEIGHTS – 2 STAR RAINBOW – 4 TORRECAMPO – 3 BLAZING SPUR
Claiming only races over two turns on the tight Poly track are always dangerous for punters and runners will need a nice run into that first bend. As such, it’s no coincidence the top four picks have all drawn to advantage and should get every chance. At the top of the ratings, GALLANT HEIGHTS drops to Class 5 and the 1700m on the Poly is ideal so looks a leading hope. STAR RAINBOW dropped to Class 5 last start and showed what a difference that makes and he certainly plays a part in this finish as does BLAZING SPUR who steps up to a suitable distance. Throw in TORRECAMPO at his first start on the Poly and a big run sans blinkers would not surprise. Plenty of others to watch with FOREIGN EXCHANGE, GODS SPEED and SUPER STAR all some hope and go even wider in exotics.
1 GALLANT HEIGHTS *** In the right grade in the right race and wins on form. 4.00
2 STAR RAINBOW *** Showed last start why he wins soon this type of race and hard to pass. 4.00
3 BLAZING SPUR *** Appreciates first-up run and goes close in what is a more suitable race. 10
4 TORRECAMPO *** Going OK and have to respect having first start on the Poly with blinkers off. 11
5 SUPER STAR *** Will go forward from wide gate and showed last start what happens when left alone. 10
6 GODS SPEED *** In-form and worth thought back on winning surface. 6.00
7 BROWNE’S ANATOMY ** Always some show this type of race. 20
8 FOREIGN EXCHANGE *** Returned to form last start similar affair and have to keep safe. 10
9 OCTIVIA ** Maiden who placed for the first time last start so worth thought. 10
10 WINNING SUCCESS * Disappointing of late. 33
11 FAITHFUL WARRIOR ** Will pop up soon when ridden on pace. 33
12 JUSEAGLEYE * Coming off rare good run but have to take on trust. 33
13 CLASSIC THUNDER ** Longterm maiden but always looks a show. 20
14 RADIANT ROI * Hard to have on recent form. 200
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Race 7
Selections; 1 WINFREY – 3 PRINCETON – 4 BULLDOZER – 5 JAWARA
John O’Hara might be some 48 hours away from the biggest race of his life – SPALATO in Hong Kong – but work is work and he has a good show in this weak Class 5. And oddly it might be a horse that hasn’t finished within seven lengths of the winner at some 10 career starts in WINFREY that gets the chocolates. It is a stretch but his recent trials – three of them in fact – have all been good and if he brings that form to the races, who knows! His stablemate PRINCETON is the obvious choice though. The 6YO is also a maiden but his form prior to a break suggested he wins a race soon and this look suitable. This race is weak and the only others that have any chance are BULLDOZER and JAWARA.
1 WINFREY *** Form hopeless but comes under serious contention after recent good trials. 16
2 HAPPY FOREVER ** Needs to lift on recent form but race weak enough to play a part. 20
3 PRINCETON *** Resuming after a good run of form and looks a big show. 2.50
4 BULLDOZER *** Never a show last start and right in this on previous form with gate 1 a bonus. 2.50
5 JAWARA *** Backed up placing with solid run and pay to keep safe. 6.00
6 UNIVERSAL STARLITE * Easier to ignore. 33
7 SARAWI ** Thereabouts of late and in the mix in this field. 12
8 FANTASTIC WARRIOR * No. 33
9 RED SENSATION ** Nothing last start but some hope on previous good form. 20
10 THE GIANT * Gets winkers but hard to consider. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 3 LION WAVE – 8 ARROWHEAD – 6 MASTERMIND – 2 YIN JIE
A tough night finishes with a tricky Class 4 and a newcomer in LION WAVE might be one to watch. The 3YO had four starts in New Zealand for two wins before a solid fourth in a listed affair and that form might be good enough for this. His two wins have been over 800m so he has speed and his trial in Singapore suggests a big run with Vorster up. They will go lickity split with YIN YIE likely to go forward from the wide gate and ARROWHEAD from gate 1 also in the pace mix early. Throw in MASTERMIND from gate four and it’s anyones guess who leads into the first bend which could be significant. As such a swooper like ECLAIR SENSATION cannot be discarded and might be the value.
1 SOUL COMMANDER ** Resuming after a just fair run of form but this company suits and worth a tote watch. 12
2 YIN JIE *** Desperate for a result given support and form but will be in this a very long way. 3.00
3 LION WAVE *** Former Kiwi who won two from four and has trailed well since arriving. Can win. 5.00
4 DRAGON SPIRIT * Struggling. 50
5 SILVER DOLLAR ** Resuming with winkers after long break but has ability and could show something. 12
6 MASTERMIND *** In form and in this a very long time. 4.00
7 DOUBLE CASH ** Back in trip a good move and pay to keep very safe. 12
8 ARROWHEAD *** Resuming after a couple of poor runs but recent trials very good and gets the ace. 5.00
9 ECLAIR SENSATION *** Resuming and will work into this strongly late. 12
10 BEST NINE ** Gets blinkers and will be more than competitive with low weight. 12
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