Iluminado (Subramaniam Anandan) gets the better of Slither (Stephen Baster) in the final stages of
Race 7 on Sunday.
I think it’s fair to say the meeting after the international week is always a bit flat. The fields suggest that is the case but for canny punters there is always a winner or two to be found with the tote a very good guide; especially when some of the better bets look to be in maiden races.
Case in point is race 2 on the card; a Restricted Maiden over 1000m. The field has no depth so a 2YO like RACER KING could be a good thing with just 49kg. The Pins colt showed more than enough on debut behind Barnato and subsequent 2YO Group winner, Kiwi Karma, to think he has ability and trainer Theo Kieser looks to have found the perfect race for an early career win.
And while a couple of 3YO’s in LION MASTER and LADY ROULETTE have shown more than enough at the races to follow, it may be another 2YO on debut – EXCEED EXPRESS – that is the main danger to RACER KING. The other maiden race on the all-poly card is an Initiation event over 1200m (race 4) where JUST NAME IT could be a horse to follow.
The Darci Brahma 3YO was in the mix at his debut with two horses – Twickenham and Assertive Lad – who have gone on to win at their respective next starts. That form should more than hold up although the race has depth with CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT, TROPPO FORTE, DRAGON PERK, UNIQUE ONE and the emergency, KAZUO, all some hope.
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Best Bets; (RACER KING race 2, win), (JUST NAME IT race 4, win) and (ILUMINADO race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 8 and 9), race 7 (1, 2, 4 and 5), race 8 (1, 4, 5 and 10), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
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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 FEI YUE – 2 FUKU’S PET – 12 FOUNTAIN – 9 PROSPERITY STAR
A Class 5 over 1200m on the all polytrack programme starts things off. The top pair in the weights have the more relevant recent form. FEI YUE has had two runs back from a let-up, he gets back on his preferred surface and in this grade with John Powell to steer should go very close. FUKU’S PET failed last outing on turf but is usually consistent in the grade and on the surface; he would prefer 1100m but should race well and gets a handy claim for Willie Tan. Of the others, FOUNTAIN may well be a surprise packet, he has disappointed at his last couple of runs but goes well fresh and his recent trial was good; he is nicely drawn and if there is support with Ivaldo Santana up he should race well. ALWAYS A WINNER has some speed and is usually thereabouts, he gets back on the poly and the claim for Kif Toh helps. The long-term maidens PROSPERITY STAR and ROMA are both coming back in trip but both like the track and get chances to break through. If the second emergency DYNASTY KNIGHT gets a start he will find this easier than recent outings.
1 FEI YUE *** Back on poly and suited this grade and distance. Will go close. 3.50
2 FUKU’S PET *** Failed in KSD on turf last outing. Would prefer 1100m but likes the surface, the grade suits and gets a handy claim. Goes close. 5.00
3 SALUTE * Remains a maiden after 11 starts and rarely threatens. 50
4 KING OF KOON * Has been disappointing. Only win was at 1200m at Tauranga (NZ). Getting down in grade but needs to lift. 20
5 ALWAYS A WINNER ** Speedy and usually gives a sight. Gets back on preferred surface. Will be thereabouts and the claim helps. 10
6 SARAWI ** Poor effort on turf last outing. Previous two Class 5 poly runs were sound. Only win was in the mud at Penang. Value. 33
7 MAGNIFICENT KID ** Last two poly outings have been good but yet to place on the surface in 6 attempts. Gets his chance from the ace. 14
8 MAX RESOURCE * Only two wins have been at 1600m and could find this too short. Draw no help. 20
9 PROSPERITY STAR *** Been a maiden for a long time but gets back on the poly and over a distance at which he has been placed. Should race well for Lisa Allpress from the good gate. 6.50
10 ROMA ** Long-term maiden but racing consistently. Drops back from longer trips but could be prominent all the way. 7.00
11 THREE KINGS * Can surprise but needs longer. 25
12 FOUNTAIN *** Disappointed last couple but goes well fresh and recent trial was good. Nicely drawn and with Santana up should race well. 6.50
13 ROYAL BRAT * Solid performer at this level but prefer over longer. 20
14 DYNASTY KNIGHT ** Drops in grade and will find this easier if he gets a start. 10
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Race 2
Selections; 12 RACER KING – 10 EXCEED EXPRESS – 4 LION MASTER – 6 LADY ROULETTE
A Restricted Maiden over 1000m and we start to see some young unraced horses of promise come up against older horses many of whom have been tried and found wanting. At this time of year, the WFA scale is in favour of the younger animals and a market watch is encouraged. Of those we have seen LION MASTER debuted well and has enough speed to give plenty of cheek, LADY ROULETTE also has speed and trialed well recently and IMPERIOUS is a nice Lonhro filly who is resuming after having performed well at all four previous starts. Of the younger ones, RACER KING has the benefit of one start where was placed behind BARNATO and KIWI KARMA; he had support on that occasion and with only 49kg he should be right in the finish. EXCEED EXPRESS is having its first start, by champion sire Exceed and Excel out of a Group winning mare and with a strong trial behind him, he should race well on debut. BANGKOK ROCKET is also well bred, by Pins out of a five time-winning mare Squall; his trial good enough to advise a market watch.
1 ZORRO * Resuming. Showed up at first start but did little thereafter and showed nothing in recent trial. Bred for much further. 50
2 SUPER SIX * Still trying to break through after 16 starts and this is not weak enough. 33
3 ACE RICH * Yet to place in seven outings. 50
4 LION MASTER *** Showed speed but tired at initial on outing on turf. Should give plenty of cheek in this. 6.00
5 PESCATORE * Green and yet to show up in two outings but by speed sire Falkirk and could improve. Watch for support. 20
6 LADY ROULETTE *** Winkers off. Showed plenty of toe at last outing and recent trial was good. Should give a sight. 6.00
7 IMPERIOUS ** Blinkers on. Resuming. Nice Lonhro filly who has raced well at all four starts. May want longer but gets Corey Brown. 8.00
8 PUBLIC FIGURE ** Blinkers off. Raced greenly but not far away last start on turf. Could show up. 16
9 BANGKOK ROCKET ** By Pins out of useful race-mare Squall. Trial was OK and with Kif Toh from the ace, may live up to his name. 8.00
10 EXCEED EXPRESS *** By Exceed and Excel out of a quality race mare. Trials well and despite gate should make a bold debut. 4.50
11 FEDERER * By Swiss Ace. Half-brother to handy sprinter CORREIRO. Did not show up at trials. Watch for support. 16
12 RACER KING *** Good effort on debut behind BARNATO and KIWI KARMA. Well placed in this. 4.00
13 ART OF WAR ** Pacifiers on. Failed last start but previous outings showed promise. 25
14 WINFREY * Well back only two starts. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 3 HERO SUCCESS – 4 JET MAN – 13 WAR LORD – 2 GOOD LOOUKEN
A weak Class 4 over 1000m may give the consistent JET MAN a chance. He has recently changed stables to Brian Dean, was narrowly beaten two starts back in a similar race and should race well again. A couple of the better chances are resuming. HERO’S SUCCESS usually goes well fresh, his recent trial was good and despite the bad alley he should be right in the finish. GOOD LOOUKEN won in KSD company over 1000m before a break, he too could go well fresh. The former handy 2YO, RISING EMPIRE, has little recent form and gets 58kg, however, he is down in grade and is unlikely to find one much weaker; with Davey Flores and the ace he gets to show whether he has anything left. Amongst the rest MOONBEAM DAZZLER is a maiden but has speed and the 1000m will suit. The emergency WARLORD is backing up after an unlucky run last week and could be a chance if he gets a run.
1 RISING EMPIRE ** Former top 2YO battling away in BM67 grade lately. Has 58kg but 1000m on poly could suit. 7.00
2 GOOD LOOUKEN ** Resuming. Last win was in KSD company over 1000m. Recent trial good and could race well fresh. 7.00
3 HERO SUCCESS *** Has been freshened and trialed well recently. Last win was in KSD company at this trip. Should make a bid. 4.00
4 JET MAN *** Has changed stables. Very consistent and narrowly beaten two starts back in similar race. Should race well again. 3.50
5 SOMBRANI * Distanced at past four starts. 33
6 BRAVE SISTER * Speedy but knocks up. 33
7 BLACK RAIN ** Placed at last two outings in KSD over 1100m but best form is on turf over longer. 12
8 MAGIC OCEAN ** All three wins have been at this trip but may want an easier grade. 10
9 ROUGH DANCE * Should be running on but best efforts are over longer. 20
10 PALOMBARO * Recent form not good enough. 33
11 MOONBEAM DAZZLER ** Maiden who has speed and may be hard to run down. 8.00
12 BINGO * Moody fellow who needs longer. 33
13 WAR LORD *** Was well supported and got flattened last start. On quick back-up and chance if he gets a run. 10
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Race 4
Selections; 7 JUST NAME IT – 10 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT – 8 TROPPO FORTE – 2 DRAGON PERK
An Initiation over 1200m with a few that put the writing on the wall last time involved. JUST NAME IT debuted on turf over 1200m and finished close up behind subsequent winners TWICKENHAM and ASSERTIVE LAD; with Alan Munro on top he will be hard to hold out. CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT put in a nice effort when resuming, he had heat stress issues in his earlier preparation but should race well in this. DRAGON PERK has put in sound efforts at his two Singapore starts; he gets a claim for Kif Toh and is a strong chance in this. UNIQUE ONE gets back but runs on strongly; from the ace with Oscar Chavez up, he should get a gun run. Amongst the unraced brigade, TROPPO FORTE trials nicely and the 2YO WOW is very nicely bred by O’Reilly out of an unraced half sister to multiple Group Winners KOSI BAY, CALVEEN and STRIKER. The emergency KAZUO charged home on debut and if he gets a run should be in the finish.
1 ANGSANA * Never sighted at first Singapore outing. Recent trial only fair. Needs to improve but gets Nunes. 33
2 DRAGON PERK *** Sound effort at two Singapore starts although well beaten into second recent run. Gets a claim and is well placed in this. Strong chance. 4.50
3 KEVIN ELEVEN * Did nothing at first outing and ridden out to win trial recently. Watch for support. 25
4 SHENZHOU ONE * Blinkers on but may need more than that. Poorly drawn. 33
5 TOP OF THE TOWN ** Ran last on debut. Trialed well since and could improve. 14
6 IN THE FRAME * Shown nothing so far. 33
7 JUST NAME IT *** Close up behind subsequent winners TWICKENHAM and ASSERTIVE LAD on debut. Will be hard to hold out. 3.50
8 TROPPO FORTE *** By Charge Forward out of Listed race placed mare Annbari. Trials nicely and should race well on debut with support. 10
9 UNIQUE ONE *** Gets back but runs on strongly. Should get a gun run in this. 6.00
10 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT *** Nice effort when resuming to just miss. Had heat stress issues earlier but should race well in this. 4.00
11 ELEVEN UP * 2YO by Nom du Jeu bred for longer. Did not show up at trials. 50
12 WOW * 2YO by O’Reilly out of unraced half sister to group winners Calveen and Kosi Bay. Recent trial was good. Watch for support. 20
13 KAZUO *** Charged home on debut. Poorly drawn but should be closing late. Follow. 10
14 AUREUS ** Has been around the mark at recent outings and if he gets a start will be on the speed. 14
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Race 5
Selections; 1 CORONET PEAK – 2 MY SHINE – 4 CODIGO – 10 SOON YI
A KSC over 1200m with the consistent CORONET PEAK top-weight; he won a BM83 at his last start over 1200m, he never runs a bad race and despite the 58kg will be hard to beat. MY SHINE is the best performed of the rest and won a BM67 over 1100m last outing; he is racing well and should be in the finish again. CODIGO was close up in a KSC over 1200m last start; Corey Brown stays on and he should race well again. VERTICAL START and DOUBLE STAR have been chasing hard at BM67 level in recent starts. VERTICAL START gets a senior rider Danny Beasley replacing Troy See while the apprentice Rueven stays on DOUBLE STAR. Amongst the others blinkers/Pacifiers have helped MIGHTY CREATION, he is getting up in grade but should be closing late. SOON YI could also be an effective finisher.
1 CORONET PEAK *** Always runs a good race and won BM83 over 1200m last start. Despite the 58kg will be right in the finish. 3.50
2 MY SHINE *** Won BM67 over 1100m last outing. Racing well and should be in the finish again 4.80
3 DOUBLE STAR ** Beaten three lengths in BM67 over 1200m last start. Drops 1.5kg and should be thereabouts again. 8.00
4 CODIGO *** Close up in KSC over 1200m last start. Corey Brown stays on and should race well again. 6.00
5 VERTICAL START ** Chased hard in BM67 last outing and trialed well since. Gets senior rider but this is up 3kg. 8.00
6 BEAUTY SUPREME ** Failed badly last start. Previous form in KSC and Class 3 was good. Manoel Nunes takes over from Alan Munro. 12
7 MIGHTY CREATION *** Racing in good form but getting up in grade. Should be closing late. 8.00
8 RIGHTEO * Three-time winner in NZ yet to show any worthwhile form in Singapore 33
9 IMACRUISER * Will find this more suitable than last outing but may need Class 4 over longer. 20
10 SOON YI *** Closed off well last start and could do so again. 12
11 STREET RUFFIAN * Wants weaker than this. 50
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Race 6
Selections; 9 ZAC STAR DESTROYER – 1 SURPASS – 8 BULLDOZER – 7 SMART CHOICE
Not the strongest field and as such we could narrow it down to two or three with genuine winning hopes. ZAC STAR DESTROYER heads the list and with a win three starts back followed by a couple of solid runs, he is the benchmark. Nunes goes on and given he jumps from a nice gate in a very weak field, there should be no excuses for the four-time winner. BULLDOZER has only one career win to his name from 27 career starts and has looked out of form of late but a solid recent trial followed by a good run in a similar race to this has him under notice. SURPASS is a maiden and can be handful at the races but has shown glimpses so looks some hope in this field with Kif Toh on-board. The race is odd in the fact the top-weight is the first emergency, so Kif’s 4kg claim looks a very smart move. A market watch on the rest but ARAPUNI a big hope if he gets a start.
1 SURPASS *** Needs to get a few things right but goes OK on his day and this looks suitable. 6.00
2 BEST BARGAIN ** Resuming for new stable and did go well fresh last campaign. Watch market. 5.00
3 ENZO ** Competitive this grade and trip but prefer over 1400m on turf. 10
4 PLAY ON ** Showed a bit of form of late and might give a sight from the ace. 8.00
5 THE GIANT ** Last start good but drop in trip a concern. 20
6 PISTOL DAWN * Wait till New Years Eve. 100
7 SMART CHOICE ** Draw a concern but last couple of runs have been OK and will be value. 33
8 BULLDOZER *** Backed up OK trial with good enough run to follow in this field. 5.00
9 ZAC STAR DESTROYER *** In-form and looks the benchmark in this weak field. 2.80
10 FABERGE * Struggled last couple and hard to have with blinkers back on. 20
11 MR BEAN * Struggling. 100
12 WIN THE DAY * No. 300
13 MOOVA CASH ** Recent form ordinary but the race, trip and surface suits. 20
14 ARAPUNI *** Would get some support and should go close if he gets a start. 6.00
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Race 7
Selections; 4 RIEDEL – 1 ILUMINADO – 2 SMILESWITHHISEYES – 5 SMART IDEA
A few of these went round in the same race two weeks back and it will pay to stick with the form from that race with ILUMINADO, SMILESWITHHISEYES, RIEDEL and SMART IDEA all in the mix. Obviously SMILESWITHHISEYES won that particular race and given he only gets a 1.5kg penalty, he goes close again. But the stablemate RIEDEL looked desperately unlucky on that occasion and most pundits will suggest he can make quick amends. In saying that, both horses will probably get back and both will need luck in running. ILUMINADO never really had a chance in that race so ignore that run when some 12 lengths behind SMILESWITHHISEYES as his previous form has him winning a race like this. Throw in SMART IDEA who had excuses not to finish closer in that same race and the quartet should fill the majority of the placings.
1 ILUMINADO *** Forget last start where he had plenty of excuses as he was due to win a race like this. 5.00
2 SMILESWITHHISEYES *** Won similar race last start and a big show with only 1.5kg
extra to carry. 3.00
3 GREAT LIGHT * Leads from the ace but should be swamped. 33
4 RIEDEL *** Good thing beaten last start behind SMILESWITHHISEYES and can make amends with luck from gate 11. 3.00
5 SMART IDEA *** Excuses not to finish closer last start similar affair and pay to keep safe. 6.00
6 SUPER SPUR ** Goes OK but tested at the trip and saddle has slipped last three starts. 33
7 WAR TIME * Not a mile away last start but have to take on trust. 50
8 DANCING TSURU * Lost rider on Cup day but hard to have. 33
9 SOUTH GATE ** Nice effort last start and always competitive this type of race. Keep safe. 12
10 GREEN JACKET ** Back up to suitable trip in his favour and in the exotic mix at odds. 20
11 SILENT POWER * Resuming and needs it easier than this. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 10 JET COSMO – 1 PRINCE MAG – 5 BIGCAT RHAPSODY – 4 SPOT ON
Nothing jumps off the page in this KSD so a good last start winner – albeit in a maiden – looks a big show. JET COSMO is the horse in question and as a 3YO he has some upside and worth following in this grade. In his favour the win was over this trip and as he jumped from gate 11 on that occasion, he should get a few more favours and a win would not surprise. The horse he beat in that maiden – SPOT ON – also looks a leading hope. The 5YO has had some eight places from 17 career starts and certainly due to break his maiden status although his wide draw today is a concern. PRINCE MAG – a two time winner before arriving in Singapore – has yet to win at Kranji but is also due. His run two back over 1900m in this grade was good and this field is certainly no stronger. A market watch on the others – especially U GOT IT who has been mixing his form of late.
1 PRINCE MAG *** This race looks suitable and must go close with claim from a nice gate. 5.00
2 U GOT IT ** Mixing his form but goes close on a good day. 12
3 JIM ** Not often seen on the Poly but thereabouts as a rule. 12
4 SPOT ON ** Maiden status and wide gate a concern but goes close on form. 5.50
5 BIGCAT RHAPSODY *** Battled on just OK last start but this race looks suitable for a result. 5.00
6 IRISH FLASH ** Disappointing last couple but can consider on previous form. 12
7 BRAVO * Freshened after poor run of form and have to take on trust. 33
8 WINNING SUCCESS ** Hard to have on form but improves this trip and grade. Value. 20
9 GALAXY EXPRESS * Blinkers on and appreciates trip but might need easier. 50
10 JET COSMO *** Broke maiden status in fine style and pay to follow this company. 3.50
11 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Competitive but needs it easier to win. 20
12 ZENA * Form reads badly but freshened by a couple of trials and may improve. 33
13 SAINT VALLEY ** Dour but won one of these two starts back and will be closing late. 12
14 FACE OFF * Resuming after issues last start but have to take on trust. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 4 BLACK FIERY – 5 ECLAIR SENSATION – 3 APPRECIATION – 6 XIN TREASURE
Some very progressive types head to the starter in the lucky last and finding the winner won’t be an easy task. And although there are two last start winners in the field – APPRECIATION and TRUST ME – it may be a horse with excuses last start in BLACK FIERY that wins. The 3YO has done little wrong (bar the one shocker) winning twice and placing another three times in six career starts so it will pay to forget his last start when well beaten by APPRECIATION as he did have excuses (not striding to name one). But while he can win, the field looks to have depth and apart from the two last start winners mentioned, it would be wise to include the likes of ECLAIR SENSATION, XIN TREASURE and SHIN
GOONG safe as it could be a very busy finish.
1 FLYING ZERO *** Disappointing not to have won one of late but versatile and must be a show. 5.00
2 SHIN GOONG ** Won this grade two back over 1000m and some hope with luck from wide gate. 5.00
3 APPRECIATION *** Won well enough last start but does mix his form. 5.00
4 BLACK FIERY *** Excuses last start and previously form this trip has him right in the mix. 5.00
5 ECLAIR SENSATION *** Grade suits and will be the one closing late. 4.50
6 XIN TREASURE *** Always a show this type of race and might be the value runner from widest draw. 12
7 YOURSTOKEEP * Resuming sans blinkers and would like to see stable support. 33
8 SWISS BANK * Tongue-tie on after two poor runs in Singapore. Later. 50
9 GOOD NEWS ** Only fair last start and would need to lift in this grade. 33
10 TRUST ME ** Got up in a blanket finish in maiden company and will find this tough. 20
11 BEAT TO QUARTERS * Competitive on his day but might need it easier to win. 33
12 SACRED CROWN ** Enjoys the Poly but another who probably needs Class 5. 33
13 SIR FLEETWOOD ** Form reads badly but the type you leave out of exotics at your own peril. 33
14 HIMALAYA DRAGON *** Unlucky not to win last start and goes mighty close if he gets a start. 4.00
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