Spalato, ridden by Manoel Nunes, stormed to victory in the Emirates Singapore Derby on Sunday, July 13. (Photo: Singapore Turf Club).
If you had to attend one meeting in Singapore this weekend, it’s a fair chance it won’t be Friday. The Raffles Cup, the Eldorado and the un-beaten SPALATO in the Lucerne makes Sunday racing a must but for punters, Friday could very well be the better option.
Early in the card (race 2), some smart newcomers in the Initiation makes for compulsory viewing. NINETYSIX POWER, HEE’S A MAVERICK and WE ARE GENIUS have all trialed like they can win on debut but of the trio, it is the latter who looks the goods. A 3YO Australian-bred by Saxon, WE ARE GENIUS was well-held at two Official trials and although beaten by HEE’S A MAVERICK at his most recent hit-out, he looked the better of the two and ready to win on debut.
CATCH ME GREAT – who gets blinkers added after a strong second on debut – looks the obvious danger and whatever the result, the form from this maiden will be worth following over the following months. The best race of the night, however, is the BM83 Poly sprint (race 7) where you can make a strong case for eight of the runners.
HAPPY MONEY probably starts favourite given he is gunning for a hat-trick of Poly wins but DESERT FOX sneaks into this field with an imposing all-weather record of three wins from just four starts. And when you consider that his only defeat was at his last start in KSA company behind HUKA FALLS, he will appreciate this field and might even be each-way odds given the depth.
A good race but bring on Sunday!
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Best Bets; (WE ARE GENIUS race 2, win), (A LA VICTORY race 6, win) and (RAPPOR race 5, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (7), race 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10), race 9 (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 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 1
Selections; 2 KINGSLEY – 8 BEAT TO QUARTERS – 5 RAVOUX – 11 SUGARTIME JAZZ
Most of the runners have a winning hope here so good luck if you fancy something in the first of what is a great weekend of racing. KINGSLEY might have only won once in his career but looks extremely well-placed in Class 5 over this trip. Oddly, gate 1 may be of some concern given the 4YO will get back and trainer Laurie Laxon has opted for a 3kg claimer in F Tan. But given luck in running on the E Course (long), KINGSLEY goes mighty close. There will be value about given the depth and BEAT TO QUARTERS could be one to watch. The 7YO slips into Class 5 through the backdoor and certainly the 1400m is ideal. Plenty of others to watch with RAVOUX certainly capable on his day with John Powell on-board and SUGARTIME JAZZ also looks well-placed over this trip on the turf with blinkers back on. The chances don’t stop there with CAN’T TOUCH ME a very solid option with Barend Vorster up and GREENBACK in the mix with support likely.
1 CAN’T TOUCH ME *** In the right company and in this a very long way. 8.00
2 KINGSLEY *** Big job to place last start and hard to beat if luck in running from gate 1 for claimer. 5.00
3 SILENT ARROW * Hard to have on form. 50
4 GREENBACK *** Disappointing last start with support but race suits and wins on his day. 4.00
5 RAVOUX *** Drawn wide but in the right race and one of the leading hopes. 8.00
6 TORRECAMPO ** Broke maiden status last start and must be considered although this looks tougher company. 6.00
7 AUREUS ** Maiden who looks due and should be more than competitive this company. 10
8 BEAT TO QUARTERS *** Sneaks into what is a suitable race and might be a solid eachway hope. 12
9 DREAMMAKER * Maiden coming off a shocker but blinkers back on suggests he can improve at odds. 33
10 GODS SPEED ** Not a mile away last start at odds and worth another look in exotics. 33
11 SUGARTIME JAZZ *** Suited trip and surface and will be closing late. 12
12 BANKERS CALL ** Going along OK but needs a result for the support of late. 12
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Race 2
Selections; 11 WE ARE GENIUS – 7 CATCH ME GREAT – 3 NINETYSIX POWER – 9 HEE’S A MAVERICK
This race looks a beauty but given that two of the winning hopes are resuming after good
runs of form – POWER LIN and ENGLISH DREAM – and at least three newcomers – WE
ARE GENIUS, HEE’S A MAVERICK and NINETYSIX POWER – look more than handy, it
looks tough for punters. But the likely favourite is CATCH ME GREAT who gets blinkers
after a very good debut behind GADAWON. It was daylight third on that occasion and a
trial with blinkers good enough to think he improves with head-gear under Corey Brown
with gate 1 a bonus. Of the debutantes, WE ARE GENIUS has been the most impressive at
the trials and he might be better than most on what we have seen at practice. The 3YO has
been well-held at both trials and given the form from his first impressive trial has more then
held up with TOUCH ME NOT, he could be hard to beat. Pay to respect NINETYSIX
POWER and HEE’S A MAVERICK but they have found a tough race to make their debut’s.
1 POWER LIN *** Resuming after a frustrating run of good form without a win. Goes close. 10
2 ENGLISH DREAM *** Another resuming after a good run of form without success and can win. 12
3 NINETYSIX POWER *** Trialing like he can win on debut and expect support. 6.00
4 SUPER ENOUGH * Resuming after issues (roarer) at two race starts but recent trial OK. 100
5 PUBLIC FIGURE * Another resuming but showed potential at previous campaign so watch market. 50
6 HERE COME BUDDY * Yet another resuming and would need to improve lengths to figure. 100
7 CATCH ME GREAT *** Blinkers on after just missing on debut with support and very hard to beat. 2.50
8 HANDSOME BAB * Trials just fair so market only guide at race debut. 50
9 HEE’S A MAVERICK *** Trials have been good and gets Nunes so expect a solid debut. 8.00
10 TIP OF BORNEO ** Pushed to win recent trial but effort good enough to respect on debut. 20
11 WE ARE GENIUS *** Trials have been very impressive and goes mighty close on debut. 3.40
12 SO WHAT * No. 100
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Race 3
Selections; 1 EASY MONEY – 7 GADAWON – 4 ROYAL TUDOR – 5 RISING EMPIRE
Not sure what odds we get but EASY MONEY might be just that in this Class 4 sprint. The 4YO won one of these three starts back and his most recent run in Class 3 company was also very good. He has had a spell since that outing and his recent trial suggests he is more than up to winning first-up with gate 2 and Santana a good combination. Who beats him? GADAWON might have taken seven or so runs (five in Australia) to break his maiden status but looks more than up to this company on what he has shown at his two Singapore runs. John Powell stays on-board and well worth following as he looks an honest type as well. Not many jump off the page after these two but ROYAL TUDOR (resuming) is always a show in races like this and his recent form is better than it reads so pay to keep safe with Flores up. LASER STORM first-up with RISING EMPIRE and WORK AHEAD the only others to watch.
1 EASY MONEY *** Resuming with nice trials in right company and hard to beat. 2.50
2 BRIAN * Resuming and no. 100
3 LASER STORM ** Resuming and recent trial suggests he can show his best with gate 1 a bonus. 6.00
4 ROYAL TUDOR *** Also resuming with nice trial under his belt and always an each-way show in races like this. 7.00
5 RISING EMPIRE ** Last run better than the result and another that is always a hope in races like this. 8.00
6 ABASTOR * Resuming after long break and recent trial suggests he is competitive at odds. 20
7 GADAWON *** Broke maiden status at second Singapore start and more than up to this company. 4.00
8 WASSAIC * First-up run only fair and wide gate suggests later. 33
9 WORK AHEAD ** Hard to follow but showed last start he can pop up at odds in races like this. 12
10 LIVE IN HOPE * Not the worst but prefer on the turf in easier company. 50
11 ULTIMATE WARRIOR * Will work into this late but needs longer. 50
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Race 4
Selections; 1 BOB – 8 DANCE HALL DAYS – 10 NOTNOWTOMORROW – 2 VITALLY SECRET
This looks a solid maiden with a few horses with their respective foot on the till and more than few ready to improve stepping up to 1400m. Of those ready to win, the succinctly named BOB gets his chance. His turf form is very good (hates the Poly!) and given what he showed in KSD company last start this trip with excuses, he is the one to beat. But he gives MIGHTY GLORY some 6.5kg and the 3YO will give him something to chase. He has drawn wide but that should see a positive ride with an upgrade to blinkers with Juglall onboard. Of those who improve for race experience and stepping up in trip, DANCE HALL DAYS looks a handy enough type and she could win this if handy enough when it counts on the tricky E Course. There will be some value about for others so keep VITALLY SECRET, DELFYNE and OCEAN POWER safe with one eye on the tote.
1 BOB *** Ready to win and this company more than suitable. 2.50
2 VITALLY SECRET *** Excuses and ran on well late last start and ready to win. 8.00
3 ADIVINO ** Not a mile away when blinkers added last start and pay to keep safe from gate 3. 12
4 OCEAN POWER *** Not far away last couple in Class 4 and sneaks back into maiden company so worth a look at value. 20
5 PUSAKA ** Makes debut after two quiet trials and market only guide. 25
6 STAR OF EDEN * Prefer to watch at debut on trial form. 33
7 DELFYNE *** Been in the mix at three career starts and should appreciate the 1400m. 12
8 DANCE HALL DAYS *** Well beaten into fourth on debut but gives every indication this trip suits. Goes close. 8.00
9 MIGHTY GLORY *** Will go forward from the wide gate and in this a very long way. 4.00
10 NOTNOWTOMORROW ** Blinkers on after blowing start last time out and improves over this trip. 33
11 HAPPY SAGA ** Just battles but another who should be thereabouts late over 1400m. 33
12 VICTORY COMMANDS ** Appreciates debut run and can include in exotics with downgrade to winkers. 20
13 FUN HOUSE ** Green but shows enough to think he improves over this trip and beyond. 50
14 GOLDEN PASTURE * Later. 50
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Race 5
Selections; 7 RAPPOR – 3 SPYDER – 4 DREAMCATCHER – 5 WHITE COFFEE
First of all, it was tough to leave a horse like LITTLE JUMBO out of the top four picks but this race has depth and hopefully we can find some value. Yes, the former Malaysian has done little wrong winning two-from two in Singapore but even with a 3kg claim, 55.5kg from gate 10 in this field is a tough ask. RAPPOR looks a better option and happy to think the 4YO grey is ready to show his best second-up after a spell back on what looks his preferred surface. KB Soo from gate 4 suggests he gets every chance and hopefully the former handy Juvenile slips under a few punters guards and offers some value. As mentioned, there is depth with not much separating the likes of SPYDER, DREAMCATCHER and WHITE COFFEE with half-an-eye on the improving CONFALCON, SOON YI and LASY SHARK first-up after a spell.
1 LITTLE JUMBO *** Made it two from two in Singapore last start and subsequently trialed well. Keep safe. 4.00
2 MASTER DRAGON ** Fell in a proverbial hole last start but won this trip two back and will give plenty of cheek with Zaki up. 12
3 SPYDER *** In-form with support and has won this trip. Goes close. 4.00
4 DREAMCATCHER *** Excuses last start previous form has him a winning show in what is a suitable race. 7.50
5 WHITE COFFEE *** Excuses so effort to place first-up was excellent and pay to follow. 8.00
6 FARRAND ** Can be hard to follow but appreciates being back on the Poly. Value. 20
7 RAPPOR *** First-up run good and could grow a leg on the Poly. Can win. 6.00
8 SOON YI ** Will be working into this late and pay to watch for support as can have a say on his day. 12
9 EXCAVATOR * OK two starts back but easier to ignore. 33
10 LADY SHARK ** Resuming with nice trial under her belt but better suited in Class 5. 33
11 CONFALCON ** Turned around some poor form with a forward showing and could run a cheeky race from the ace. 10
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Race 6
Selections; 7 A LA VICTORY – 1 RUM N RAISINS – 2 INTENSE GOLD – 3 UNIQUE ONE
At the race conditions, A LA VICTORY and PLATOON look ideally placed in this Novice. Both horses are rated 55 and as 3YO’s get to carry just 51kg. But the thing that separates them is recent form and given what A LA VICTORY showed last start and the fact he improves with blinkers and Corey Brown from gate 1, he is horse to beat. He will be short though so it will pay to keep a horse like PLATOON safe as he may get out to a back-able price. Of the others, RUM N RAISINS looks well placed with a handy 2kg claim and could be the major danger to the likely odds-on fave. His form is solid and 1400m is his winning trip so worth keeping safe. Of the rest, JUBILATION was beaten as the odds-on pop last start but obviously has ability and UNIQUE ONE is in the mix.
1 RUM N RAISINS ** Honest and looks well-placed with 2kg claim. 5.00
2 INTENSE GOLD ** Backed-up maiden win with solid effort and in the mix with Firdaus claim over winning trip. 6.00
3 UNIQUE ONE ** Excuses last start and might be the value in what looks a Novice with depth. 12
4 GEESON MASTER ** Ran on well last start to place and have to respect although not in the best at the race conditions. 20
5 JUBILATION ** Disappointing as the odds-on pop last start and have to take on trust at the weights. 4.00
6 SINGING DUNE * No. 100
7 A LA VICTORY *** Gets blinkers, senior hoop and gate 1 and hard to beat on form. 2.50
8 PLATOON ** In very well at the race conditions and pay to include at value. 8.00
9 SINGSURAT * Keep em on ice bartender. 100
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Race 7
Selections; 6 DESERT FOX – 2 HAPPY MONEY – 5 SUPER KENNY – 9 TAFFETAS
This is a cracking race and while the three features on Sunday demand respect, this BM83 Poly sprint is worth admission to Kranji on Friday. And at first glance a horse going for a hat-trick of poly wins and also the only horse with last start winning form in the race – HAPPY MONEY – looks the one to be on. And after drawing gate two with Dan Beasley on-board, he could be the one to beat again but such is the quality of this field, he might not run a drum! Who beats him? DESERT FOX was beaten for the first-time from four attempts on the Poly at his last start and given that was in HUKA FALLS company, he can win this with Corey Brown and gate 3 in his favour. You can make a case for plenty of others but SUPER KENNY backed-up a good run with a slick trial and the bonny mare, TAFFETAS, might just be the one closing late. Throw in BAHEN at odds, BOURBON GOLDMAN each-way, GATO NEGRO and last, but not least, ASTROSTAR.
1 ASTROSTAR *** Excuses last start and happy to given another chance in what is a suitable race. 5.00
2 HAPPY MONEY *** Won very well against some handy types and have to follow while in winning form. 3.00
3 BAHEN *** Always a chance – often at odds – in races like this. 16
4 BOURBON GOLDMAN *** Looks due and another that could be value in a wide open race. 12
5 SUPER KENNY *** Appreciates first-up run and subsequent good trial has him under notice. 7.00
6 DESERT FOX *** Form reads only fair but will find this company to his liking and loves the Poly. 5.00
7 HARD STUFF * Not going well enough for this. 50
8 GATO NEGRO *** Excuses last start and would give this a shake on his day with 53kg. 12
9 TAFFETAS *** Will be doing best work late and another who could win with a light weight. 12
10 CORONET PEAK ** Showed last start why he has to be respected at odds. 20
11 SECRET MISSION * Excuses last start and gets the ace but should find this too tough. 50
12 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Looks like he needs longer which is odd given recent win was this trip. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 3 STORMY ALONG – 4 ROCK OF AGES – 7 ART OF WAR – 10 PURE WHITE
Tough maiden and no easy options for those looking at narrowing the selections down for Quaddie’s and Jackpots. Or indeed a quartet as there looks to be eight or so winning hopes but the depth does mean value will be on offer. Where do we start? STORMY ALONG is back in maiden company and that – coupled with good form – has him firmly in the mix. Add the red-hot Jackson Low and he wins a race like this without surprising. As does ROCK OF AGES who is honest and gets Barend Vorster. The combination most recently combined back in July for a second placing and can go one better with gate 2 a bonus. ART OF WAR ran OK when “two stone lighter” at his last start but happy think he has more to offer and worth watching for support over 1200m. Throw in PURE WHITE on what he showed last start, KATONG PARK, BRANKSOME and SUPER JOY.
1 SUPER JOY *** Drawn wide and coming off an absolute shocker but had excuses and worth another look on previous form. 6.00
2 BRANKSOME *** Lost rider at start when supported last start and this race suitable to show his best. 5.00
3 STORMY ALONG *** Due and very much appreciates being back in maiden company. 4.00
4 ROCK OF AGES *** Honest and should go super for Vorster. Big show. 6.00
5 ALL WEALTH * No. 100
6 KNIGHT’S CHARISMA * Waste of the ace. 100
7 ART OF WAR *** Just OK last start when gelded but worth watching tote over 1200m. 7.00
8 DOUBLE JEOPARDY * Resuming sans blinkers and might need longer. 33
9 KATONG PARK *** Nothing last start but form prior has him winning a race like this. 12
10 PURE WHITE *** Big effort from wide gate similar affair last start and has to be show on that run. 7.00
11 GLOBAL CAST * No. 100
12 TEOCHEW BARRISTER ** Showed last start why you have to keep safe but desperate for a result. 12
13 SHOW CLASS * Easier to ignore. 100
14 HOST THE NATION ** In solid form last three and pay to follow. 10
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Race 9
Selections; 12 DRAGON – 8 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER – 1 U GOT IT – 9 SPLICE
Ouch. Just when punters thought it might get easier with a standard Class 4 to finish the evening, the meeting throws up perhaps the toughest race of the night. Hopefully the previous races have shown us where the winners have been coming from on the E Course (long) and if it has been fair, DRAGON gets his chance. The Mohd Yusof-trained runner was backed and had excuses last start not to win and pay to follow that money and form line. THEBUZZDOWNUNDER also has a big say on best form. The 5YO had excuses and ran on well last start and happy to think the mile is ideal. If the winners have been on-pace runners then U GOT IT is a huge show as he will be the one they have to pass late to win. In no particular order, SPLICE. WINNER’S SMILE, HONGCHEN, IMPERIAL FIGHTER, ALADIN and ADRENALINE all can win. Good luck.
1 U GOT IT *** In very good form and often gets out to each-way odds. Follow. 6.00
2 AROWANA DOT COM ** Form looks ordinary but significant drop in Class has him under notice. 20
3 SERPICO ** Last start a lot better than the result and looks well placed with Vorster from gate 2. 12
4 ADRENALINE *** Led and won well last start and in this a very long way. 8.00
5 ALADDIN *** On the pace and not far away last start similar affair and will be value. 20
6 IMPERIAL FIGHTER *** In form and wins a race like this sooner than later. 4.00
7 HONGCHEN *** Up in Class but broke maiden status in fine style and and pay to keep safe. 12
8 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER *** Last run better than the result and goes close if handy enough in running. 12
9 SPLICE *** Always a show and often value. Keep safe. 12
10 WINNER’S SMILE *** Only wins over 1200m but gives every indication the mile suits and pay to follow. 8.00
11 PRECIOUS GEM * OK last start but might need easier than this. 20
12 DRAGON *** Excuses not to win similar affair lats start with support and has to be a huge show with light weight. 6.50
13 BREAKING VAULTS * Win two starts back in Class 5 and prefer in that company. 50
14 BRAVE SISTER * Nuisance value only. 100
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