Jockey Manoel Nunes and Military Alliance score in the colours made famous by Military Attack. (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
A tough night for pundits and punters with more than a few horses looking like they have found the right race to show their best form.
Case in point is race 5 on the card – a Class 4 mile – where MILITARY ALLIANCE and YOU DA ONE both find themselves in a very winnable race after two “sighters” over shorter trips. MILITARY ALLIANCE won a similar affair four starts back and while YOU DA ONE has yet to salute in Singapore, he also looks extremely well-placed in this with gate 3 and John Powell in his favour.
In race 6 – a 1200m Poly sprint – CASSIS OOLONG might sneak under a few punters radars after having his last three starts over 1600m. Previous to that, his form over 1200m after blinkers were added back in March had been excellent and he could be a good bet on the tricky nights racing.
The best race on the card – the seventh – looks a beauty on paper and expect a furious punting affair. POWER LION and HIMALAYA DRAGON look the obvious choice on some terrific recent form but the race has depth with most others having a winning hope including the swooper BLUE SWEDE, PERFECT CHALLENGER back over 1200m and MEXBOROUGH BOY resuming.
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Best Bets; (CASSIS OOLONG race 6, win), (ART OF WAR race 4, value) and (MILITARY ALLIANCE/YOU DA ONE race 5, swinger).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 5 (1, 5, 6 and 7), race 6 (1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10), race 7 (1, 4, 5, 6 and 8), race 8 (2, 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10).
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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 NATION THEATRE – 2 IKING – 5 SILVER AND GOLD – 1 BOB
BOB is the interesting runner in the first race as his form has him as the obvious pick but a lack of good Poly form is a worry. Yes, the 4YO has placed once from four Poly starts but he was beaten some seven lengths on that occasion so he has to be a risk. The wide gate is also an issue on the tight all-weather track over the mile but Dan Beasley is riding in good form. NATION THEATRE has also drawn awkwardly in gate 8 but gets a handy 2kg claim. He also loves this surface and showed last start the trip and company suits so he goes mighty close. SILVER AND GOLD also likes the Poly and with Munro up he must also be respected as does SLAYER who not only has the benefit of gate 1, he gets a 3kg claim and that could count for plenty. IKING has showed at his last two he wins sooner than later in this company and is in this up to his eye-balls with Davey Flores up.
1 BOB *** Recent good form on the turf but has to be a winning hope in this company. 3.50
2 IKING *** Showed last two he will win in this grade sooner than later and race suits with tongue-tie removed. 5.00
3 NATION THEATRE *** Supported and almost got the chocolates in similar affair last start. Goes very close. 3.00
4 SLAYER *** First-up run solid and most recent win was in this type of race so must be
respected. 9.00
5 SILVER AND GOLD *** In form this company and must go very close back onto his preferred surface. 8.00
6 ABOVE THE RAINBOW * Lat run better than the result but still needs to find a few lengths. 50
7 BIGCAT RHAPSODY ** Better winning option over longer but close-up placing this trip last start has him under notice. 20
8 CHEETAH ** Not at his best of late but cheeky run expected and can surprise. 10
9 STAR ACADEMY * Hard to have on recent form but can reassess in easier. 33
10 ADIVINO * Could make excuses last start but easier to ignore. 33
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Race 2
Selections; 6 FAST EDITION – 7 RATHAUSGLOCKEL – 3 SUPERSONICSURPRISE – 2 REAL HERO
With eight of the ten runners making their race debuts, the tote will be a terrific guide. Of the raced horses, SUPERSONICSURPRISE has had three starts and while disappointing, should improve with blinkers added. In fact his recent trial with head-gear was very good and happy to think he finishes in the mix. The other horse with experience – FORTUNE WINNER – placed at long odds at his debut but might find the 1000m a little short. Three newcomers – FAST EDITION, RATHAUSGLOCKEL and REAL HERO all trial like they can win on debut. Of the trio, not much separates FAST EDITION and RATHAUSGLOCKEL on trial form but FAST EDITION does get Corey Brown from gate 1 and looks every chance. In saying that RATHAUSGLOCKEL gets a handy 2kg claim and should play a big part in this finish. FAST EDITION might be the value and again, the market a terrific guide.
1 FLY HIGH * Prefer to just watch on exposed trial form. 33
2 REAL HERO *** Has looked comfortable at two local trials and well worth a look on debut. 9.00
3 SUPERSONICSURPRISE *** Blinkers on after being just fair at three race starts but recent trial suggests he improves with head-gear. 5.00
4 BANK ON ME * Hard to have on trial form and market only guide. 33
5 DELUGE ** Drawn awkwardly but looked comfortable at trials and one to keep safe. 10
6 FAST EDITION *** Trailed like a winner and gets the ace so could be hard to beat. 3.00
7 RATHAUSGLOCKEL *** Won two trials and gets a very handy 2kg claim so must be a huge chance. 3.50
8 WESTERN BOSS ** Solid without being spectacular at trials but can include in exotics. 10
9 FORTUNE WINNER ** Placed at long odds on debut and have to respect with race form under his belt. 12
10 SPEEDY DRAGON * No weight but prefer others on trial form. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 1 BLACK FIERY – 3 BLUE DIAMOND – 2 ROYAL STYLE – 9 LADY SHARK
Absolutely no depth to this Class 4 and whoever wins might have pinched a nice cheque in this field. As such BLACK FIERY first-up after a spell could easily win. The 4YO has won twice and placed four from just eight career starts and that form obviously has him in the mix in what is a suitable race. He has first-up form and KB Soo should ride him like a good thing from the wide gate. Winning form will hold up so BLUE DIAMOND looks the obvious danger. In fact the 4YO – who also has two wins from eight career starts – could start favourite and while up in Class, he should be right in the mix. ROYAL STYLE also won last start so has to be respected but that was a turn around in form so hard to be confident. Of the rest, keep LADY SHARK safe on some good recent trial form but she should need easier company to win.
1 BLACK FIERY *** Resuming in suitable affair and first-up form has him firmly under notice. 3.00
2 ROYAL STYLE *** Returned to form last start with swooping win at longs odds and have to respect. 6.00
3 BLUE DIAMOND *** Won in KSD company last start but pay to follow as more than up to this. 2.50
4 SECRET LIBERTY * Placed on turf last start but a long way form winner and query this surface. 12
5 BLUE CONDOR ** Honest type resuming and looks a must for exotics and follow over longer. 10
6 I-SCREAM NOW * Maiden who struggled first-up and may need easier. 20
7 GOOD BUDDY ** Competitive – often at odds -but doesn’t win out of turn. 20
8 IMACRUISER * Reassess longer and easier. 50
9 LADY SHARK ** Some recent nice trails has her under notice but love to see in Class 5. 10
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Race 4
Selections; 6 ART OF WAR – 7 REGAL SALUTE – 4 HERE COME BUDDY – 1 MULTITASKING
This race doesn’t look much on paper and in fact could be a race in two or three at very best. The obvious choice looks to be REGAL SALUTE who resumes after a good run of form. The 5YO is a 23 start maiden but given the company he looks extremely well-placed to win first-up with 4kg claimer Amin back-on-board from gate 4. But one that might get support is ART OF WAR and happy to have him on top. The 3YO has shown enough on occasion to think he is better than most (if not all) of these and we like the fact he has head-gear removed for this as a recent trial sans blinkers was very good. Hard to get excited about most others but HERE COME BUDDY placed at odds last start and that could be good enough for this and MULTITASKING comes under notice with a nice recent trial under his belt.
1 MULTITASKING ** Blinkers off and while race form disappointing recent trial sans head-gear good so look for improvement. 12
2 ROCKET PANDA ** Resuming after a disappointing run of form but trials OK so market a fair guide. 12
3 SUPER ENOUGH * Impossible on form. 50
4 HERE COME BUDDY *** Not far away at long odds first up run and pay to follow. 4.00
5 PHARMA BROWNE * Resuming and needs longer. 50
6 ART OF WAR *** Head-gear off and worth noting recent good trial was sans blinkers. Goes close. 4.00
7 REGAL SALUTE *** Resuming and was overdue last campaign so can win. 2.50
8 MATOAKA * No. 50
9 JUST DUIT * Unlikely. 100
10 SUPER BONUS * Struggles as a rule. 50
11 DIAMOND ON THE BAY ** Placed two back this company and can include in exotics. 10
12 SOARING WIN * Prefer others. 33
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Race 5
Selections; 7 YOU DA ONE – 1 MILITARY ALLIANCE – 6 LADIES FIRST – 5 DAAD’S THE WAY
This could be another race in two or three with MILITARY ALLIANCE and YOU DA ONE the most likely to get support. You can make a strong case for both and coincidentally the two come into this mile with very similar form over 1200m (Poly) and 1400m (turf) at two starts this campaign. Both will be suited this trip and surface and while MILITARY ALLIANCE won four starts back this journey, YOU DA ONE looks due and can knock in what would be his first win in Singapore with gate 3 a bonus. The winning hopes fall away alarmingly after these two but old DAAD’S THE WAY is always an each-way show this trip and company and LADIES FIRST will improve with a run under her belt and very well might lead throughout.
1 MILITARY ALLIANCE *** Form looks only fair since resuming but back on Ploy over winning trip suggests he goes mighty close. 3.00
2 FLYING AHEAD ** Just fair last few but switch to Poly could see improvement. 20
3 ABOVE THE HORIZON ** Returned not striding last start so worth worth another look as should be competitive. 12
4 BUNGAE ** far from reliable but showed last start why he has to be kept safe. 12
5 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Grand old campaigner who has had support of late so could be ready to show his beet. 5.50
6 LADIES FIRST *** Appreciates first-up run and could be hard to run down in given any leeway out front. 8.00
7 YOU DA ONE *** In-form and this race looks suitable to knock in first Singapore win. 4.00
8 BEAUTIFUL WORLD * Struggling of late. 33
9 HEAR ME ** Hit the line well last start and the type to keep safe at odds. 20
10 ULTIMATE WARRIOR ** Another who has been closing late and could easily show up if race run to suit. 20
11 SOUTH GATE ** Adds to the list of those that could show up late if on-song. 20
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Race 6
Selections; 8 CASSIS OOLONG – 7 VASSILAKOS – 1 SO PERFECT – 6 SUPER CAPTAIN
Tough to do the form on this race with a few horses in just fair form back in what should be a suitable race and three last start winners suggesting the race should be a very honest affair. The two horses that should improve over 1200m in Class 5 are CASSIS OOLONG and VASSILAKOS. CASSIS OOLONG in particular finds himself back to a trip that saw him win three on the trot after blinkers were added back in March. His form in Class 4 over this trip was good also so after three runs over the mile in KSD company, he is back in his wining Class and trip. VASSILAKOS gets blinkers back on, Davey Flores and while over same trip as his last start, the jockey/blinker combination saw him win three back. Of the three last start winners, SO PERFECT and SUPER CAPTAIN should race very well and no reason to jump off the pair but AFTERNOON DELIGHT has not drawn to advantage with a 4kg claimer on. RAVOUX, POWER ANGEL and BEAT TO QUARTERS in the mix.
1 SO PERFECT *** Won on turf last start and goes close back-on his preferred surface. 4.00
2 TURQUOISE SON * No. 200
3 AFTERNOON DELIGHT *** Gate a concern but in winning form and 4kg claim could assist. 8.00
4 ANODOUBT * Appreciates Class 5 but might need longer. 33
5 RAVOUX *** Blinkers off and while better over 1400m, will make his presence felt late. 10
6 SUPER CAPTAIN *** First-up win good enough to follow in similar affair. 4.00
7 VASSILAKOS *** In-form and goes close with blinkers back on in suitable race. 5.00
8 CASSIS OOLONG *** Form reads only fair but back in trip and in suitable Class has him under notice. 12
9 POWER ANGEL *** Appreciates first-up run and always a show in races like this. 7.50
10 BEAT TO QUARTERS *** Has been due and will be flying late so keep very safe. 12
11 OVERPOWER * Resuming and wide gate makes this tough. 33
12 ZAC APPEAL * Nuisance value only. 200
13 VANTAGE * Battles away but should need longer. 33
14 SINGLE STAR *** In form and would give this a shake if he gets a start. 4.00
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Race 7
Selections; 1 POWER LION – 8 BLUE SWEDE – 6 PERFECT CHALLENGER – 4 HIMALAYA DRAGON
Great race and while she could win this without surprising, we have to apologise for leaving HIMALAYAN DRAGON out of the top three. The mare has done nothing wrong at six career starts – wining three and only missing a place once – but with Zaki up we think she will go forward and with so many in-form swoopers, she may be a sitting duck. The swoopers who will be finishing over the top include BLUE SWEDE who appreciates a good first-up placing with support and PERFECT CHALLENGER who gets back onto his most recent winning surface/trip and might just be the value in this good field. But the one they all have to beat is POWER LION. Like HIMALAYAN DRAGON, the 4YO has done little wrong at seven career starts and might just appreciate being back on his debut winning surface. Throw in MEXBOROUGH BOY first-up on good trial form and CORONET PEAK will be closing late.
1 POWER LION *** Smart type who placed first-up over 1400m but has won this trip/surface and hard to beat. 3.00
2 CORONET PEAK ** Will make his presence felt late in what is a suitable race. 13
3 BORSALINO * Goes OK but dropping back from 2000m a big concern. 33
4 HIMALAYA DRAGON *** Smart mare who should figure heavily in this finish. 3.00
5 MEXBOROUGH BOY *** Resuming after excuses last start and recent trial suggest he runs super first-up. 6.00
6 PERFECT CHALLENGER *** Form reads just fairly but enjoys the Poly and will be flying late. Keep safe. 12
7 GRAVITY * Former Japanese galloper who might find a few of these too slick at Singapore debut. 33
8 BLUE SWEDE *** Had support when resuming and will be doing best work late again. 5.00
9 SPYDER ** Keeps a few honest but might need a tad easier to win. 20
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Race 8
Selections; 7 RED SAPPHIRE – 3 WINNING STAR – 2 WINNER’S SMILE – 4 ZAC SEDUCTION
Plenty of horses in form makes finding the winner tough in this race and obviously luck will play a big part over the mile on the Poly. WINNING STAR, ZAC SEDUCTION and GALAXY EXPRESS all come into this with winning form and while you could not discount any of them on form, WINNING STAR has just been going too well not to follow after drawing gate 3 with a handy Rueven 2kg claim. Another two horses only found one better at their respective last starts with RED SAPPHIRE and WINNER’S SMILE both well and truly in contention. Of that pair, RED SAPPHIRE gets the nod and while drawn wide and yet to break maiden status, he gets blinkers and that could be enough to win. Of the rest, SWIFT comes under notice back in a suitable race and it will pay to wide in exotics.
1 PRINCE MAG ** Out-and-out stayer who will be doing best work late in suitable company. 20
2 WINNER’S SMILE *** Showed last start the mile no issue and back to Poly looks ideal. 6.00
3 WINNING STAR *** In super winning form and looks well placed again from gate 3 with 2kg claim. 3.00
4 ZAC SEDUCTION *** Turned some good form into a win and pay to follow in what is a suitable race. 6.00
5 GRAND SEVEN SEAS * Battled on OK last start this company but needs to show more. 50
6 SATELLITE PRINCE ** Tough run last start and could be competitive at odds. 33
7 RED SAPPHIRE *** Maiden drawn awkwardly but looks ready to win after trailing well with blinkers added. 5.00
8 MIAGRACE ** Another maiden who comes under notice after working nicely to the wire last start. 20
9 SWIFT *** Form better than it reads but comes under notice back on Poly over winning trip. 20
10 GALAXY EXPRESS *** Ridden off the pace to win in Class 5 turf last start and have to respect. 6.00
11 VITALLY SECRET * Did it tough last start but still not enough to follow. 33
12 SUPERMART * May work into this late but needs easier. 33
13 GOLDEN PASTURE * Excuses last start but still needs to show more. 33
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