Street Legal cruises to victory under Joao Moreira on October 6
The 2014 Racing Awards were held in Singapore last night and congratulations to the likes of Joao Moreira (Champion Jockey), Harry Kassim (Apprentice), Laurie Laxon (Trainer), Joy N Happiness Stable (owner – prizemoney), Fred Crabbia (owner wins) and the marvel that is STREET LEGAL, who took out the coveted “Most Improved” award. As we speak, the awards that are voted upon – including the Horse of the Year Award – are yet to be decided but good luck to all concerned and beware some hangovers at the track on Friday morning. But all will be back to normal come Friday evening and the nine race card looks a mixed bag of some solid racing but also some tricky punting affairs. Early on in race 3, SPRING THUNDER looks well placed to knock in another win while in good form after placing behind the smart WALL STREET BOY at his last start. Santana retains the mount for local trainer, ZL Mok, and the combination looks better than Class 4 over what is a very suitable trip. The highlight on the card is however, the BM83 over 1200 (race 7) which has attracted a very strong field. While it will pay to go as wide as your budget permits in exotics, METEOR MIKE could be a very solid punting option and looks a great each-way bet. The South African-bred gelding does little wrong in races and while better suited over 1400m these days, he has won twice over 1200m and there will be a solid tempo throughout which will suit the honest 7YO.
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Best Bets; (SPRING THUNDER race 3, win), (METEOR MIKE race 7, each-way) and (HUMOR TOWN race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6), race 7 (Field), race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 6), race 9 (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; 3 LIVE WELL – 1 STORMY ALONG – 7 JADE WIN – 4 RISING AHEAD
An ordinary maiden over 1200m on the polytrack starts the programme. And it looks a race in three with LIVE WELL, STORMY ALONG and JADE WIN the only winning hopes on paper. LIVE WELL led and battled on well at his first start with blinkers; he has a nice gate and with Manoel Nunes from the ace should give a bold sight. STORMY ALONG has been racing well, being placed at his past two runs in similar company; with David Flores up from the good gate, he should get every chance. JADE WIN put in a good effort in Class 5 last outing and subsequently trialed well; with Ivaldo Santana and a good gate he gives David Kok the opportunity to open his account for 2014. RISING AHEAD’s two runs back from a spell have been good and he should be thereabouts. FOLLOW THE KING and MONEY KING for the exotics.
1 STORMY ALONG *** Placed at past two runs in similar maidens. Gets his chance, should be handy throughout. 3.00
2 FOLLOW THE KING ** Still green but has some ability and could show up. 8.00
3 LIVE WELL *** Led and battled on well at first start with blinkers. Should give a bold sight. 3.50
4 RISING AHEAD ** Two runs back since resuming have been sound. Should be thereabouts again. 8.00
5 MONEY KING * Better effort last time and gets Beasley. Could show up. 20
6 PEREGRINE FALCON * Blinkers off. Debut effort was at this trip and ran 4th. Has been running over longer and on turf. Watch market. 20
7 JADE WIN *** Placed in Class 5 last outing and subsequently won trial. Should race well from good gate. 4.00
8 TRIPLE A PLUS * Has shown some early speed but fades and needs to improve. 33
9 SOARING WIN * Only placing was two starts back on turf at cricket score odds. needs to improve. 33
10 AL-HAMID * Long term maiden with one placing in 24 starts. 50
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Race 2
Selections; 6 SMART CHIEF – 12 OCTIVIA – 11 POWER LIN – 8 CLASSIC EFFECT
Another weak Initiation over 1200m on the polytrack. SMART CHIEF has put in bold efforts behind MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS and TURANGAWAEWAE at his only two starts; with Corey Brown and a good gate he will be hard to beat. POWER LIN trials well but has yet to put it together in races but with Manoel Nunes to steer, this could be the day. OCTIVIA is one of Laurie Laxon’s by speed sire Falkirk; she trials well and with a claim for Rueven could make a strong debut. ROCKET PANDA had been racing well until a poor effort last outing, he subsequently trialed well and despite the ordinary draw has sufficient pace to cross and may be hard to run down. APPRECIATION, PURE WHITE and ON TWISTTER could show up.
1 PURE WHITE ** Not that far away behind CLUTHA LAD at only start in Class 4. Well drawn and should get a nice run although better over longer. 12
2 ROCKET PANDA *** Faded badly last start. Had been placed at all previous runs. Recent trial was sound and should be near the lead all the way. 4.00
3 APPRECIATION ** Good efforts at only two starts. Should be thereabouts again. 11
4 MARIO ATTILA * First start. Average effort at trial. Bred for longer. 33
5 ON TWISTTER * Showed speed at only start. Poorly drawn but could give a sight. 20
6 SMART CHIEF *** Has put in bold efforts at only two starts. Will be hard to beat. 4.00
7 SMART MOVE * Pushed to win trial in slow time. Watch market. 20
8 CLASSIC EFFECT *** Blinkers off. heavily supported and only just battled at only start. Should improve. 20
9 HORAZ SAMOSIR * Tongue tie on. Resuming. Has not shown a lot to date. 25
10 MIGHTY ASTROBOY * By Exceed and Excel. First start. Half-brother to HK winner CHEVALIER KING but did not show up at trial. 25
11 POWER LIN *** Trials well but yet to do a lot in his races. Gets Nunes and could be ready to improve. 5.00
12 OCTIVIA *** By speed sire Falkirk. Pushed but won trial recently. Has no weight and the ace. 6.00
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Race 3
Selections; 1 SPRING THUNDER – 2 LIVE IN HOPE – 4 LET’S TALK NOW – 3 MARCUSINO
A Class 4 over 1600m on the turf in which there is little depth with a number looking for easier races. SPRING THUNDER goes best when his runs are spaced, he has put in good efforts at his past two outings the last behind WALL STREET BOY; Ivaldo Santana should have him handy all the way. LIVE IN HOPE put in a solid effort over 1400m last outing, his only wins are at 1200m and is on trial at the mile but has Manoel Nunes to steer. The saddle slipped last start on LET’S TALK NOW, he was placed at this trip three starts back and whilst his best form is over shorter, KB Soo should give him every chance. MARCUSINO is also questionable over the mile but should give a bold sight in this field. SUPERMART is eligible for easier but could run on late. In four turf attempts, STAGE BRIGHT is yet to place but his poly form keeps him under notice.
1 SPRING THUNDER *** Has won and been placed at past two mile outings, the last effort behind WALL STREET BOY. Has been kept fresh and races well that way. Should be handy all the way. 3.00
2 LIVE IN HOPE *** Solid effort over 1400m last outing. Only wins are at 1200m and is on trial at the mile. Each-way. 3.50
3 MARCUSINO *** Good effort over 1600m on poly last outing. Has been tested on turf at this trip in the past but should give a sight. 5.00
4 LET’S TALK NOW *** Saddle slipped last start. Was placed at this trip three starts back but best form is over shorter. 4.00
5 SUPERMART ** Resuming. Has been racing well but eligible for easier. Only wins were at 1400m but failed at sole mile attempt. 20
6 JOYFUL HEART MAN * Having second run since changing stables. Has not won for two years and would need to improve on recent runs. 33
7 STAGE BRIGHT ** Frustrating horse who is yet to win in Singapore and best form is on polytrack. 20
8 INCREDIBLE HULK * Veteran stayer who may want easier. 25
9 AMERICAN VISION * Recent form poor and wants easier. 33
10 GOLDEN DOMINATOR * Fair effort last start but has failed at all four attempts at a mile. 33
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Race 4
Selections; 1 D’ARTAGNAN – 2 KINGSLEY – 8 JET SET – 7 ACORDO DE PAZ
Another weak 1200m maiden on the polytrack. D’ARTAGNAN just missed two starts back on turf and has been placed on the polytrack; with the claim for S Noh he should be right in the finish. The logical danger is KINGSLEY who is drawn out but has Manoel Nunes; he has been placed at three of his five polytrack outings including two at this distance. The pacifiers have helped JET STAR and he has placed at his past two outings over 1000m and 1100m in Class 5 – from the good gate he should put in another bold performance. ACORDO DE PAZ drops back to a trip over which he has been placed; with Barend Vorster on top he could run a bold race from the ace. There is little form amongst the others though TEOCHEW BARRISTER is coming back to a suitable journey and ASTROHEAT with blinkers could improve.
1 D’ARTAGNAN *** Just missed two starts back on turf over this journey. Claim helps and should be handy all the way. 3.00
2 KINGSLEY *** Drawn out but has Nunes. Placed at three of his five poly outings including two at this distance. 3.00
3 SUPER LUCKY POWER * Well beaten at three starts to date. 33
4 ASTROHEAT ** Blinkers on and trialed fairly recently. Could improve. 20
5 TEOCHEW BARRISTER ** Placed over this trip four starts back and has struggled at longer journeys since. Could show up. 16
6 EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE * Battles away but yet to place in 7 starts. 25
7 ACORDO DE PAZ ** Drops back to 1200m and has been placed at this journey before. Could run a bold race from the ace. 6.50
8 JET SET *** Pacifiers have helped. Has been placed at past two outings over 1000m and 1100m in Class5 – well drawn and should put in another bold performance. 4.00
9 GOOD SUGGESTION * Needs to improve. 50
10 CHINESE TYCOON * 43 starts and still trying to break through. 33
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Race 5
Selections; 2 WORLD WAR – 1 DON PLATENSE – 4 SEASONS ECHO – 5 SWEET LODGE
One of the better races of the night; a small field compete in a good Class 3 over 1600m on turf in which the lack of a natural pace setter may make it a sprint home. WORLD WAR was placed behind BENDICION and EMPEROR’S BANQUET over a mile two starts back; he goes well for Alan Munro and should prove hard to beat in this. SEASON’S ECHO came from well back to record a strong win in a good Class 4 over 1600m last outing – he has always shown promise and should be up to this. DON PLATENSE was also showing a lot of promise in his last preparation until suffering a bleeding attack when winning at his most recent outing – he has trialed impressively and a good effort on resumption is expected. SWEET LODGE has a change of gear to blinkers, she rarely runs a bad race and has won twice over the mile, she gets well back but is always running on late. MR ARMSTRONG is racing very consistently in easier races, he likes the mile and Barend Vorster will give him every chance.
1 DON PLATENSE *** Resuming after bleeding attack. Trialed well recently and could show up fresh. 5.00
2 WORLD WAR *** Placed behind BENDICION over a mile two starts back. Goes well for Munro and hard to beat in this. 3.00
3 BAZINGA * Short course sprinter tested at the mile. 33
4 SEASONS ECHO *** Came from well back to record strong win in a god Class 4 over 1600m last outing. Should be up to this. 3.50
5 SWEET LODGE *** Blinkers. Rarely runs a bad race and has won twice over the mile. Gets well back but will be running on late. 4.00
6 MR ARMSTRONG *** Racing in good form in easier races and unlucky not to win last start. Consistent, suited at 1600m but has struck a strong field here. 8.00
7 MR MAGNUS * Blinkers off. Distanced on resuming and will need to improve to threaten in this. 33
8 MULAN * Useful mare but this may be too hard. 20
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Race 6
Selections; 3 HUMOR TOWN – 1 GENOVA AT WORK – 5 POWER ANGEL – 2 HOOPER
While a few look due – GENEVA AT WORK the obvious pick and RICHEAST in winning form – a horse like HUMOR TOWN dropping to Class 5 for the first time might be the one to be on. A five-time winner over this trip – four of those on the Poly – HUMOR TOWN more than holds his own in Class 4 and with a recent BM53 win to his name, Class 5 looks ideal. He is coming off a shocker and the form doesn’t jump of the page screaming “winner” but he has looked to have excuses and should grow a leg in this company. The race has depth though and GENEVA AT WORK certainly looks the benchmark on recent form. The 7YO has been costly for punters not winning at his last 11 or so starts but it is hard to fault any of those efforts placing in seven and close-up in the other four. He wins soon and obviously a victory would not surprise. Of the rest, POWER ANGEL gets a S NOh 3kg claim from gate 1 – that’s a good combination – with RICHEAST in winning form and HOOPER another improver in Class 5.
1 GENOVA AT WORK *** Getting costly for supporters as overdue and must win soon. 3.00
2 HOOPER *** Not far away lats start and very much appreciates Class 5. 6.00
3 HUMOR TOWN *** Recent form looks hopeless but should improve lengths first time in Class 5 on best surface/trip. 11
4 SACRED CROWN ** Disappointing of late and drawn badly but another who improves in this company. 33
5 POWER ANGEL *** Thereabouts of late and worth a serious look with claim from gate one. 8.00
6 RICHEAST *** This field has depth but won two of his last three so have to respect. 5.00
7 ARAPUNI ** Disappointing last start with support in similar affair but worth another look. 6.00
8 MORRIS ** Tongue-tie goes on after excuses at first-up run. Keep safe at value. 20
9 VOLKOV ** Wide gate a concern but has speed and cheeky run expected. 20
10 AFROJACK ** Improved effort last start and might pay to include in skinny end of exotics at value. 33
11 JONATHAN * Has speed but disappoints more often than not. 33
12 BUZET ** Resuming and versatile enough to include somewhere. 33
13 REGAL SALUTE ** Overdue for a result and have to respect if he gets a start. 8.00
14 FOUNTAIN ** Been in OK form of late and worth some thought. 12
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Race 7
Selections; 5 METEOR MIKE – 1 CONGO ZANDOR – 6 SIR LOVESALOT – 4 SICHUAN RULER
A very good field assembled for this BM 83 sprint and it will pay to go very wide in any exotic combinations. A couple of interesting runners in CONGO ZANDOR and SIR LOVESALOT could easily show up at their second-up runs in Singapore. CONGO ZANDOR – who formally raced in Singapore as KING EMPIRE – looks well placed in this company with a crucial 2kg claim. TH Koh stays on-board and certainly worth thought after what looked a very solid first-up effort. SIR LOVESALOT won a listed race in NZ before arriving in Singapore last year and his first-up run was good enough to think he gets support with Corey Brown from gate one a good combination. But the benchmark looks to be the honest METEOR MIKE. The 7YO South African-bred entire has been in good company of late and given his form plus the fact his last win was in a similar race to this, he goes very close. Plenty of other hopes – some at value – including SICHUAN RULER who resumes with a couple of strong trials under his belt and NATURAL NICE also first-up after a spell. Throw in BAHEN, SAVANNAH DANCER and the progressive FLASH GIFT and good luck if you can find the winner.
1 CONGO ZANDOR *** Smart and first-up run in Singapore good enough to think he could win this with handy 2kg claim. 12
2 BAHEN *** In form and this race looks very suitable. Big show. 5.00
3 MY SON * Disappointing last couple but might appreciate switch to turf. 33
4 SICHUAN RULER *** Resuming but trialling very well and could win this with handy 2kg claim. 9.00
5 METEOR MIKE *** Honest and will find this a lot easier than some recent outing. Big show. 4.00
6 SIR LOVESALOT *** Very much appreciates a solid Singapore debut and looks well placed from gate one. 8.00
7 NATURAL NICE *** Resuming and goes well enough first-up to think he plays in the finish value. 33
8 MATTERHORN ** Doesn’t win out of turn but will be in this a long way. 12
9 SAVANNAH DANCER *** Close-up similar affair last start at value and gets Nunes. 14
10 THE RUDE WARRIOR * Will find this too short. 200
11 FLASH GIFT *** Progressive type who went close last start and pay to follow although this obviously tougher. 6.00
12 DRAGON KING ** Resuming up ion Class after hat-trick of wins. Watch tote. 8.00
13 BENJI’S EMPIRE * Cheeky run expected with light weight but should be outclassed. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 3 COOL CUSTOMER – 6 FAITHFULLY – 2 BM WIN – 1 HARDEN UP
Not sure where to start in this race as nothing jumps off the page and most have a few queries in this Class or trip, so hard to be confident. Case in point is COOL CUSTOMER. The 4YO has done little wrong at his seven career starts but given all of his runs have been over 1400m and on the turf, there is a slight concern in this Poly sprint. But he had excuses last start and trials like he handles the surface so, why not with Nunes from gate two in his favour. FAITHFULLY is probably the benchmark on exposed Poly form. The two-time winner is going along in terrific order and showed last start he is up to company like this. Again, hard to be confident of the others with BM WIN likely to look the winner at some stage late and HARDEN UP easily good enough for this if he brings his Malaysian form. IMACRUISER and SOLID WOOD with no weight the other two that could play a part.
1 HARDEN UP *** First run back in Singapore after a showing plenty while based in Malaysia. Market watch in order. 5.00
2 BM WIN *** Has been found out late last couple but will stay on and win a race like this soon. 6.00
3 COOL CUSTOMER *** Interesting choice of race given all runs have been over 1400m and turf but form good enough to follow. 3.00
4 RIGHTEO * Former Kiwi who has had a couple of quiet trials. Tote best guide. 20
5 IMACRUISER ** Back in trip a good move but really needs to be ridden forward to have a show. 12
6 FAITHFULLY *** In-form and looks to have found a suitable field to win. 4.00
7 VERGLATICA * Resuming after winning maiden over 1700m. Later. 12
8 SOLID WOOD ** Backed up Class 5 win with a good run and not the worst here with just 50kg. 8.00
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Race 9
Selections; 9 CALLIDE RIVER – 6 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER – 5 MY DANCING DUEL – 4 ZIPANGU
CALLIDE RIVER took a while to break his maiden status but given the dominate way in which he won, I think it’s safe to say he has a future. That win was over a mile on the turf and the step up to 1800m looks ideal with Corey Brown retaining the mount. Also in his favour is that while the field has depth, there is no stand-out and he must be a very strong chance at back-to-back wins. They might just back him as well so if we do we need a backup with value in mind, THEBUZZDOWNUNDER might be one to watch. The one-time winner had excuses last start not to be right in the winning mix over a mile and with leading hoop, Manoel Nunes, up, a big run at odds is on the cards. It is an open race with MY DANCING DUEL and ZIPANGU stayers worth following, VANTAGE and ROYAL BRAT always a show and BRILLIANT POWER in-form but needing a win.
1 PRINCE MAG * Excuses last start but easier to ignore from gate 14. 33
2 BRAVO ** Can find trouble but last win was this trip/grade so keep safe. 10
3 NO NONSENSE ** Shown glimpses and might appreciate this trip on the turf. 50
4 ZIPANGU *** Will hit the line as good as any and have to respect. 10
5 MY DANCING DUEL *** Very much appreciates 1800m and work late last start suggests he goes close in this. 6.00
6 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER *** Excuses last start not to be in the winning mix and should figure in the finish. 16
7 KLEVER WARRIOR ** Will battle on late but only win was on the Poly. 20
8 BRILLIANT POWER *** Supported and almost got the chocolates last start. Almost. 6.00
9 CALLIDE RIVER *** Broke maiden status in fine fashion and pay to follow in what is a suitable race. 4.00
10 DISCO * Needs easier than this. 33
11 ROYAL BRAT *** Back on the turf in his favour and showed more than enough last start to consider. 6.00
12 VANTAGE *** Solid stayer who keeps a few honest. 8.00
13 JOYCE * No. 200
14 SUPER VELOX ** Long-term maiden but puts in the odd good one. 33
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