Yin Jie (Joao Moreira) holds off Pitstop (Azhar Ismail, outside) to claim the IRT Juvenile Stakes in 2012
Early days we know but always handy to have a quick look at who has started the new season in red-hot form. In the trainers ranks it’s no surprise the old master – Laurie laxon – heads the table with four wins. Laxon is showing no signs of slowing down and given the form showed by some of his new horses late in 2013, it will pay to follow the likes of BOB (race 2) and JOE (race 9) as both look handy enough and each-way hopes on Friday. Another trainer that has started with a bang is the young Australian handler, Shane Baertschiger. A hat-trick of wins last Sunday has Baertschiger training at a wining percentage of 33 in 2014 and given his two runners on Friday – KLEVER WARRIOR (race 4) and MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS (race 9) – both look good chances, his stable can maintain the early rage. In the jockey ranks, Manoel Nunes leads the way with six and through sheer weight of numbers, the Brazilian would be odds on to knock in another century of winners in 2014 and take out the coveted jockeys premiership. But Danny Beasley is the “hot jock” at Kranji as we speak with his five winners at a staggering 35% strike rate. The affable Australian always figures prominently in the jockey premierships and he might just be the hoop to benefit the most from Joao Moreira relocating to Hong Kong. In the apprentice ranks, the most startling fact is that Harry Kassim is yet to ride a winner from some 21 rides but his class in the saddle suggests that duck-egg will be broken very soon.
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Best Bets; (YIN JIE race 7, win), (RAPPOR race 9, each-way) and (HEARTS race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10), race 7 (1, 3, 5, 8 and 11), race 8 (1, 4, 7 and 11), race 9 (2, 3 and 5).
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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 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ – 3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE – 5 KTRONIC – 2 NINTH AVENUE
A very ordinary Class 5 over 1800m kicks things off on the all-polytrack programme. JOHNNY HATES JAZZ took 23 tries before he won but is now looking at a hat-trick in this Class and distance; he is only a small horse and 56.5kg may test but with Zaki up he will be ridden on the speed all the way and may be hard to pass. NINTH AVENUE has won eight races and has a very good record at 1700m, the extra 100m should not bother him too much and he will be closing late. The stablemate KTRONIC failed with the apprentice rider last start, he will go better with Saifudin up and placed four starts back over 1900m in this Class. CLASSIC THUNDER is a 25 start maiden who gets a long way back but does run on; he meets JOHNNY HATES JAZZ 5kg better for 2 lengths defeat over this distance three starts back and with Lisa Allpress up should be closing late. The visor goes on FOREIGN EXCHANGE (and blinkers off) and while his only win was at 1400m on turf he had excuses last start not to finish on the leaders heels at is last start; well drawn, he has Nunes and will get a gun run.
1 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ *** Took 23 tries before he won but is now looking at a hat-trick in this Class and distance. Small horse and 56.5kg may test but with Zaki up will be ridden on the speed all the way. 3.40
2 NINTH AVENUE *** Veteran who is always a chance in these. Up in distance suits as last three 1700m efforts in this Class have yielded a in and two placings. 3.50
3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE *** Blinkers off, visor on. Only win was at 1400m on turf and best poly efforts have been at a mile. Excuses last start, well drawn, has Nunes but surface and distance may test. 7.00
4 GENUINE BARGAIN * Maiden who has been running over much shorter journeys and prefer to just watch. 33
5 KTRONIC *** Failed with apprentice rider last start. Will go better with Saifudin up placing four starts back over 1900m. 5.00
6 CASSIS OOLONG * Maiden, will probably lead but knocks up. 20
7 CLASSIC THUNDER *** Twenty-five start maiden who gets a long way back but does run on. Will appreciate a solid speed. Meets JOHNNY HATES JAZZ 5kg better for 2 lengths defeat over this distance three starts back. 5.00
8 SUPER VELOX * Having 40th start as a maiden. Saddle has slipped at past two outings with same rider. 20
9 WEIGHT IN GOLD * 9YO who has not won for three years. 50
10 AMERICAN TYCOON * One win over a mile in 45 starts. Ran a long last at most recent start. 33
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Race 2
Selections; 9 SURE WIN – 10 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT – 7 BLACK FIERY – 8 BOB
Another very average race, a Restricted Maiden over 1000m. SURE WIN is a half-brother to MEXICAN ROSE, he led and was run down at his last outing; in this field Manoel Nunes should be able to cross and give him every chance. CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT put in a nice debut to get second but then collapsed on the track with heat stress; if he has taken no harm from that experience, with Lisa Allpress up and a nice draw he could be hard to beat. The smokey in the field is BLACK FIERY. The 3YO debuted well back in March (second behind the smart Rappor) then put in a shocker. If you can forget that run, he has been trialing nicely and could race well fresh. SUPER BONUS is resuming after a change of stables, the pacifiers go on; he is well drawn and a recent trial was sound – watch for support. The blinkers go on BOB, with Corey Brown steering he could improve on his debut effort. The rest are either unknowns or have shown little – watch the market and take your pick.
1 YUGIOH * Later and longer. 100
2 SUPER BONUS *** Resuming after change of stables. Pacifiers on, well drawn and recent trial was sound. Watch for support. 12
3 XIAO LONG * Shown nothing so far. 100
4 HAPPY CAT * Done nothing in seven starts. 100
5 ACE RICH * Improves on debut run but wants longer. 50
6 ANAK CARABAO * First start. Mother won five races around Brisbane but has yet to show up at trials. Watch market. 25
7 BLACK FIERY *** Debuted well in March when second behind Rappor then put in a shocker. Has been trialing nicely and could race well fresh. 6.00
8 BOB ** Blinkers on. Nicely bred, trialed solidly and should improve on his debut effort. 7.00
9 SURE WIN *** Half-brother to MEXICAN ROSE. Led and was run down at his last outing; Has Nunes and should get every chance. 2.50
10 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT *** Collapsed with heat stress after nice debut. If right, with Lisa Allpress up and a nice draw, he should be hard to beat 2.50
11 GOLDEN PASTURE * First start. Dam has thrown three winners. Watch for support. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 5 MR ARMSTRONG – 4 DAAD’S THE WAY – 1 U GOT IT – 6 PROFOUND
A very open Class 4 over 1600m and from the ace CASINO KING should lead with U GOT IT and may be hard to run down. The blinkers go back on MR ARMSTRONG after finding 1900m too far last start; he won a Kranji Stakes D over a mile two starts back and with Manoel Nunes on top should race well here. DAAD’S THE WAY was runner-up in a similar affair two starts back; he is a five-time winner over a mile and Alan Munro should give him a gun run in this. PROFOUND is second run back since resuming and this distance is much more suitable; the tongue tie goes on and he should race well for Danny Beasley. CLERMONT CLUB won a Maiden two starts back over this journey and was not disgraced in a 1400m Novice on turf last outing; he is on the quick back-up and should race well from a nice gate. Other chances include MY DANCING DUEL who gets up to a suitable trip and gets Corey Brown instead of P Dellorto. Cliff Brown’s other pair, PURE RABID and BUNGAE, could also figure. U GOT IT could surprise in this grade and one to keep safe at value.
1 U GOT IT *** Blinkers back on and has never won without them. Has not won for 26 starts and over 2.5 years but down in the ratings and claim helps. Keep safe. 20
2 IRISH FLASH ** Second run since resuming. Gets back but handy in this grade and should get a good run from the alley. 12
3 BUNGAE ** Not the most reliable. Coming back in distance and will find this easier than last outing in KSC over 1900m. 12
4 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Runner-up in similar affair two starts back. Five-time winner over a mile and should get a gun run in this. 5.50
5 MR ARMSTRONG *** Blinkers back on after finding 1900m too far last start. Won a KSD over a mile two starts back and should race well here. 4.00
6 PROFOUND *** Second run back since resuming and this distance is much more suitable, Tongue tie on and should race well for Beasley. 6.00
7 CASINO KING ** Perfectly drawn with Harry Kasim up. Found 1900m too much last start but better suited here. Should lead and be hard to run down. 10
8 CLERMONT CLUB ** Won Maiden two starts back over this journey and not disgraced in 1400m Novice last outing. On quick back-up and should race well from nice gate. 10
9 MY DANCING DUEL *** Resumed with a nice effort over 1200m. This is much more suitable and gets top rider. Watch for support. 6.00
10 PURE RABID ** Just caught in KSD over 1900m with inexperienced apprentice up. Much better suited here. 10
11 SOON YI ** Going along OK and due but led and faded at only attempt at a mile. May be looking for easier. 50
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Race 4
Selections; 1 WINNING SUCCESS – 2 HIGHLIGHT – 5 DRAGON G – 4 BEAUTIFUL WORLD
A Kranji Stakes D over 1700m with plenty of chances. The grey WINNING SUCCESS knows how to win, he is suited this grade, is back to a more suitable distance and Zaki should have him near the lead all the way. There are three last start Maiden winners in the field that could keep the veteran honest. HIGHLIGHT won his Maiden at 1200m last start, he has yet to go beyond 1400m but is well drawn and being by Volksraad out of a mare that won at a mile, he should race well. DRAGON G is a tough one-pacer, he broke through last start over 1900m; this is shorter but he should be able to sit on the speed and fight on strongly. KLEVER WARRIOR also broke through last start over this journey, this is tougher but he should race well again. BEAUTIFUL WORLD was reported not striding at his last outing but has trialed well since. A big horse who likes to bowl along in the lead, he will appreciate Manoel Nunes and the poly. Of the rest BREAKING VAULTS and TAKIS could get in the mix.
1 WINNING SUCCESS *** Back to a more suitable distance and should be near the lead all the way. 3.50
2 HIGHLIGHT *** Won Maiden at 1200m last start. Yet to go beyond 1400m but by Volksraad out of a mare that won at a mile. Perfectly drawn and should race well. 4.00
3 TAKIS * Has struggled since winning in Class 5 over this trip three starts back. Claim and nice alley may help. 16
4 BEAUTIFUL WORLD ** Was reported not striding at last outing but has trialed well since. Big horse who likes to bowl along in the lead. Will appreciate Nunes and the poly. 8.00
5 DRAGON G *** Broke through last start over 1900m and recent trial good. Will sit on the speed and whilst this coming back in distance will fight on strongly. 4.00
6 KLEVER WARRIOR ** Broke through in Maiden company last start. This is tougher but should be thereabouts. 8.00
7 BREAKING VAULTS ** Coming back to a more suitable distance. Usually races handy but one-paced at the end. 8.00
8 PEREGRINE FALCON * Maiden eligible for easier. 50
9 A’S VICTORIOUS * Maiden who been battling on well at recent starts and should race handy. 25
10 SOARING WIN * No. 50
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Race 5
Selections; 5 FUJIN BRIGHT – 3 GREENSTONE – 4 GOODPACK – 6 STAGE BRIGHT
A small Kranji Stakes C field of seven runners over 1900m with Hideyuki Takaoka having three contenders and Pat Shaw two. GREENSTONE goes best when ridden forward and with David Flores steering he should get a nice run from inside draw. With both GOODPACK and STAGE BRIGHT in the field, there is likely speed and GOODPACK with Nunes up may well be the one they have to run down. If the pace is solid and the tempo even, this should suit the Takaoka-runner FUJIN BRIGHT who, with Alan Munro up, can camp off them and finish strongly. He won over 2000m on turf and on the poly over the mile at his past two starts and trained by the Master of Hokkaido, looks the one to beat.
1 FATKID * Has not won for over three years and 23 starts. Has plenty of weight and best form is on turf. 20
2 MITRE PEAK * Dour stayer who is yet to beat a runner home in two starts since resuming from a spell. Prefer others. 33
3 GREENSTONE *** Goes best when ridden forward. Should be able get a nice run just on the speed. 3.30
4 GOODPACK *** Has some speed and should be prominent all the way. Placed twice in three attempts at 1900m on the polytrack. 3.00
5 FUJIN BRIGHT *** Won over 2000m on turf and on the poly over the mile at his past two starts. Trained by the Master of Hokkaido with Munro up can camp just off them and be the one to beat. 3.00
6 STAGE BRIGHT ** Good effort last start over 1900m and with Corey Brown up could be nuisance value from the ace. 5.00
7 TRADING GOLD * Beaten 4 lengths by FUJIN BRIGHT on turf over 2000m at last meeting and meets him 0.5 kg worse. 20
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Race 6
Selections; 9 ZAC COMMAND – 10 HEARTS – 4 SUPER CAPTAIN – 2 FINAL COUNTDOWN
A very open Class 5 sprint and hard to split the likes of FINAL COUNTDOWN, GENOVA AT WORK, SUPER CAPTAIN, VISIONARY, ZAC COMMAND and HEARTS. Two of the usual suspects that are both well and truly due are ZAC COMMAND and GENOVA AT WORK. ZAC COMMAND gets Corey Brown and a good gate (three) and that combination certainly appeals. GENOVA AT WORK has drawn wide but will be storming late with regular hoop, Oscar Chavez, hoping for a result for followers. One that might be value is HEARTS. The 6YO maiden is resuming with a nice trial or two under his belt and given the nice field and the fact he is yet to win, he might get missed by punters. Obviously the two last start winners, VISIONARY and SUPER CAPTAIN, figure heavily in calculations with FINAL COUNTDOWN also in the winning mix after having his maiden status kept in tact via the Stewards room after being first past the post at his last start.
1 BUKIT ROSE WOOD ** Will win back in Class 5 but prefer over longer. 33
2 FINAL COUNTDOWN *** Lost protest and kept maiden status at long odds last start and can make amends here. 6.00
3 GENOVA AT WORK *** Disappointing not to have won of late but is obviously due. 4.00
4 SUPER CAPTAIN *** Always going to be a show in Class 5 and can follow with handy 3kg claim. 5.00
5 VISIONARY *** Looked good breaking maiden status last start and pay to follow. 5.00
6 FAHLA FAHLA * Needs to show more. 33
7 SPIN FIRE * Last start better than the result but back in trip a concern. 20
8 HOME MONEY HOME * Blinkers back on but no. 200
9 ZAC COMMAND *** In-form and ready to win again. 3.50
10 HEARTS *** Six-year-old maiden resuming but not without a chance on some good trial form. Value. 12
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Race 7
Selections; 5 YIN JIE – 3 VERTICAL START – 1 MY SHINE – 8 ASTROSTAR
Four horses resuming – three with winning hopes – make this BM67 a bit of a raffle. MY SHINE, YIN JIE and GOLD DANCER all were racing in good form at their respective last preparations and certainly come under winning notice in this. Of the three, YIN JIE looked in terrific order last campaign winning two from four when blinkers were added to his gear. A nice recent trial suggests he returns in good order and with regular hoop, Danny Beasley on-board, a big first-up run is expected. MY SHINE was also flying last campaign and plays a part with an upgrade to blinkers. It will also pay to keep the two last start winners, VERTICAL START and ASTRO STAR, very safe. VERTICAL START impressed winning in Class 4 company with support at only his third Singapore start and looks the type that could easily go on with the job. ASTRO STAR gets a tongue-tie added to his gear and given he has won two from just four career starts, he must be respected although his wide gate is a concern as it is with GOLD DANCER.
1 MY SHINE *** Resuming with blinkers after a good run of form and recent trial good enough to keep safe. 7.00
2 ONE RAR ** Will be closing late and appreciates claim but prefer over longer. 20
3 VERTICAL START *** Won well enough at third Singapore start with support to think he is up to this company. Goes close. 4.00
4 DUTY FREE ** Backing-up after fair run similar affair but form prior has him still under notice. 12
5 YIN JIE *** Resuming after a terrific run of form when blinkers added last prep. Can win on recent smart trial. 4.00
6 IMACRUISER ** Hard to follow but goes well when ridden forward. 33
7 WAR TIME * Resuming and prefer to watch this trip. 25
8 ASTROSTAR *** Handy youngster who won well enough in Class 4 to follow although widest gate is a concern. 5.00
9 FLYING ZERO ** Form reads badly but recent trial slick enough to think he could show up with blinkers removed. 12
10 SELECT GATHERING ** Looked to have every chance similar affair last start but good enough on his day. 12
11 GOLD DANCER *** Resuming with some nice trials under his belt after a solid first campaign. Watch market. 12
12 PRINCETON * No. 200
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Race 8
Selections; 7 SARONG – 11 PROSPERITY STAR – 4 SPICY CAT – 1 HIS MY IDOL
Only a few horses have the recent form to seriously consider winning this. SPARKLING STAR, LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT and PROSPERITY STAR all placed last start and certainly come under notice. Of the trio, PROSPERITY STAR has two good runs to his name coming into this and given he was backed last start, he is worth following with gate one and R Shafiq also in his favour. But SARONG might just show them all a clean pair of high-heels. The 6YO mare has been racing in OK company at her last two, so the drop back to a legitimate Class 5 field suggests she improves. From gate two she should lead and watch for stable support with winkers added. Both SPICY CAT and HIS MY IDOL won two starts back and given both had excuses not to finish closer at their most recent starts, they can win without surprising.
1 HIS MY IDOL *** Always a show this type of race and in the winning mix. 4.00
2 RISING SHADOW ** Last start better than the result and up to this on a good day. Value. 20
3 SPARKLING STAR ** Will get back and run on so needs a few favours. 8.00
4 SPICY CAT *** Having second start for new stable. Not that far away at recent outing and will be in the mix. 5.00
5 DOUBLE S ** Form reads very badly but suitable race with top hoop has him improving. Watch tote. 12
6 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT ** Excuses not to win at longs odds last start and has to be considered seriously on that effort. 12
7 SARONG *** Should lead from the nice gate and hard to run down with winkers added. 6.00
8 EISHIN BRIGHT * Resuming after a disappointing campaign. 33
9 LADY POWER * Hard to have. 200
10 POWERPAC * Should be doing better. 100
11 PROSPERITY STAR *** Back-to-back good runs suggests he breaks maiden status soon with gate one a bonus. 3.50
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Race 9
Selections; 3 RAPPOR – 2 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS – 5 JOE – 1 DREAMCATCHER
Well worth staying for the lucky last with a lightly raced 4YO – MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS – and a couple of smart 3YO’s – RAPPOR and JOE – all looking capable of going through the grades. Of the three, RAPPOR has the most race experience with 10 starts in what has been a solid start to hopefully a long career. Given this is his first run outside of Restricted age/set weight company, he might be ready to knock in what would be an overdue third win. He has drawn wide but has speed and some placings in good juvenile company – second behind WAR AFFAIR to name just one – suggests he can win this. But MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS won very well last start to break his maiden status and expect support for the 4YO to continue on his winning ways. John Powell from gate 3 looks a good combination and he might be a horse to follow through the grades. JOE backed up his debut win with a very solid Class 4 effort and from gate one, he could prove hard to hold out. It might look a race in three but a market watch on the newcomer, FIST, is advised with DREAMCATCHER and THAT’STHEONE two to include in exotics.
1 DREAMCATCHER ** Struggled on the quick back-up last start but happy to give another look on previous good form. 8.00
2 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS *** Won maiden very well with blinkers on first time last start and goes very close. 2.50
3 RAPPOR *** Loves the Poly and smart enough to win at his first run in a handicap event. 4.00
4 FIST ** Former Kiwi making Singapore debut and trials well enough to keep an eye on market. 8.00
5 JOE *** Showed last start he will win in this company sooner than later with gate one a bonus today. 4.00
6 MR IKHLAS * Later. 200
7 WORK AHEAD * Goes OK when right but has had a few issues of late (roarer twice) so take on trust. 33
8 DRAGON NINETYNINE * Enjoys the Poly but might need it easier to show his best. 50
9 FAT BOBO * Fresh and goes OK on the Poly but place looks best. 25
10 SOUTH GATE * Wait for longer. 200
11 THAT’STHEONE ** Ran on OK last start and the type that pops up at value. 20
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