Affleck headlines the 11 horse field. (Picture Singapore Turf Club)
After the cancellation of racing in Singapore last weekend due to the sad passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, we celebrate the death of another great man with a public holiday and a terrific race meeting that now includes the Three Year Old Sprint.
Originally scheduled for last week, The Group 3 feature (race 9) headlines the card and the mighty AFFLECK headlines the 11 horse field. The champion 2YO resumes after winning his second Group race when clean-sweeping the “minor” 3YO series in November last year and while we would love to find something to beat him, he looks to have this set-weight race at his mercy. Obviously his career record of six wins – including two Group races – from just seven career starts suggests he is better than most but in what is an ominous sign for his opponents, the AFFLECK camp suggests and we quote, “he is a lot bigger and stronger this preparation.” So who can beat him?
The connections of KIWI KARMA will be somewhat buoyed by the fact that the “flying filly” is the only horse who has indeed lowered the colours of AFFLECK at the races. Now with Michael Clements, KIWI KARMA was impressive when beating her then stablemate in the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe last year and is two-from-two since switching stables. A handy weight pull to the fairer sex is obviously in her favour and no doubt she will lead the field at some stage and could be very hard to pass late.
Another filly, BELIEVE YOURSELF, also looks a genuine winning hope after three solid runs in Singapore. Her Australian Juvenile form – which included a placing in the iconnic Golden Slipper – more than stacks up against AFFLECK and KIWI KARMA and if the Hideyuki Takaoka filly brings her “A” game to the races on Friday, she might be the value bet of the night.
The great racing doesn’t stop there with JOHNNY GUITAR resuming over 1400m in Kranji Stakes A company (race 10) where he faces some formidable foes in STEPITUP, GOLD 
RUTILE and GOODMAN to name just three.
In the 11th race on the Good Friday card, the impressive JIMMY REA takes on the undefeated RATHAUSGLOCKEL with an exciting newcomer in KING’S BAY making the BM83 1200m sprint one not to be missed.
Friday 3 April
Best Bets; (AFFLECK race 9, win), (ICONNIC race 12, each-way) and (KING’S BAY race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 9 and10), race 10 (1, 2 and 7), race 11 (3, 4, 5, 8 and 11), race 12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 12).
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.
Race 8
Selections; 1 CITY OF KIRKWALL – 6 SINGSURAT – 4 SCHILTRON – 2 PRINCE MAG
While it may only be Kranji Stakes D company, this field has some very solid stayers so expect a busy finish with most having a say on best form. And most bring good form into this and two last start winners in CITY OF KIRKWALL and SCHILTRON appeal. Of the two, we like the fact CITY OF KIRKWALL more than handles the company and the trip but more importantly, will race handy throughout and be the one to pass late. SCHILTRON is up in grade but his last start maiden win in Class 5 was very strong and he looks more than up to this. SINGSURAT also looks a strong chance after backing up his maiden win with a solid on-pace effort and of the rest, PRINCE MAG looks the one to be doing best work late so expect him to figure somewhere. Blanket over most of the others for exotics.
1 CITY OF KIRKWALL *** Stayed strongly to win over 2200m last start. Should race well again. 3.00
2 PRINCE MAG *** Out-and-out stayer who will be there at the finish. 5.00
3 RISING TIDE * Excuses last start but didn’t run on so have to take on trust. 20
4 SCHILTRON *** Backed up some solid form with a strong Class 5 win and pay to follow. 4.00
5 NO NONSENSE * No. 100
6 SINGSURAT *** Backed up nice Class 5 win with close-up effort over 2000m in Class 4. Big show on that form. 5.50
7 OVER EASY ** Ordinary last start but may appreciate senior hoop and turf. 12
8 SHENZHOU ONE ** Not a mile away over the mile this company last start and can include in exotics. 20
9 NOVEMBER SUCCESS ** Solid stayer who likes the turf and well worth an each-way look. 12
10 ANGE D’ORIENT ** Another that stays like the mother-in-law and keeps a few honest. 20
Race 9
Selections; 1 AFFLECK – 10 BELIEVE YOURSELF – 9 KIWI KARMA – 2 SPANISH BAY
The 3YO Group 3 Sprint may have been put put back a week but looking at the field, it is well worth the wait. Obviously the cream at set-weights rises to the top and it’s impossible to go pass the Laurie Laxon-trained AFFLECK. Highly regarded by the stable well before he raced, AFFLECK proved them right by winning six of seven including a couple of Group races. He is the obvious choice and can win resuming with John Powell up. KIWI KARMA is the only horse to have lowered AFFLECK’S colours on the track and she must be respected. The speedy filly also has two Group wins to her name and is two-from-two for Michael Clements so she must go close. But the biggest danger to AFFLECK may be another filly in BELIEVE YOURSELF. The former Australian came with big wraps after placing in the Golden Slipper and has certainly shown enough at three starts in Singapore to follow in feature races. You can make an exotics case for most others but SPANISH BAY was impressive winning first up and should play a part late.
1 AFFLECK *** Resuming. Champion juvenile who has won three-from-three as a 3YO. Get on. 2.00
2 SPANISH BAY ** Resuming with strong win at handicap conditions and yet to run a bad race. Keep safe. 8.00
3 TOUCH ME NOT ** Excuses of only poor run and in this a long way. 20
4 PLATOON ** Freshened since winning three from four last preparation. This is tougher. 20
5 CASTOR ** Has placed behind Affleck on more than one occasion and keeps the favourite honest again. 8.00
6 SEBAS * Will run a very cheeky race but tested late in this company. 33
7 GREAT SCOTT * More than competitive at three Singapore starts but will find this company very tough. 33
8 TIME ODYSSEY * Broke maiden status when blinkers added last start but will find this much harder. 20
9 KIWI KARMA *** Classy filly who meets Affleck for the first-time since runner-up in Juvenile Championship. The danger. 4.50
10 BELIEVE YOURSELF *** Quality filly who showed enough at Group level last start to give this a shake. 12
11 PRETTY ABLE * Just missed at race debut but eligible for easier. 33
Race 10
Selections; 1 JOHNNY GUITAR – 2 STEPITUP – 7 GOLD RUTILE – 12 NANDOWRA
Tough race to line up the form with some very good types resuming including the top-rated JOHNNY GUITAR. And given he looks well-placed at the Kranji Stakes A conditions and 1400m looks ideal first-up, he must go close to winning this. STEPITUP is the interesting runner. The “little bull-dog” resumed with a very good run over 1200m in the Merlion Trophy and will keep all and sundry honest on that form. Nothing else really jumps off the page but the mare GOLD RUTILE rarely runs a bad race and looks a very solid each-way hope with 55kg for regular hoop, Alan Munro. One bolter at odds could be NANDOWRA. The 7YO hasn’t been anywhere near his best of late but could lead and lead well with winkers added and a cheeky run is expected.
1 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Top-liner resuming and this looks perfect to show his Class fresh. 2.50
2 STEPITUP *** First-up run over 1200m a beauty and right in this if handy enough when needed. 5.00
3 GOODMAN ** Placed behind El Padrino when first-up on the Poly and this race suits. 10
4 DAVIDE ** Not a lot last start but should appreciate being back on the turf. Value. 12
5 WILD GEESE ** Resuming with blinkers after finding Group 1 racing too tough last campaign. Keep safe. 20
6 SUPERNOVA ** This trip looks a good option and gets every chance from gate 1 with 2kg claim. 20
7 GOLD RUTILE *** Honest mare and happy to follow each-way in races like this. 6.00
8 CITY LAD * Appreciates first-up run but hard to have on form. 50
9 SIR LOVESALOT * First-up run after bleeding attack was good but need to be at his very best here. 33
10 RAPIDO STAR * Should struggle this company. 50
11 INDIAN JADE ** Honest and placed this company last start over 1200m so can include somewhere. 8.00
12 NANDOWRA ** Winkers on and could run a very cheeky race with no weight. 20
13 MR ARMSTRONG * Resuming after bleeding attack and should need easier. 100
Race 11
Selections; 11 JIMMY REA – 8 RATHAUSGLOCKEL – 5 KING’S BAY – 4 INDICIO
A terrific race that pits together the exciting JIMMY REA up against the unbeaten RATHAUSGLOCKEL with an undercard that includes a promising newcomer from South Africa in KING’S BAY with DARCI CHARMER and INDICIO also in the wash-up. But JIMMY REA is the one to beat. The 3YO probably should have had a start in the Dester Sprint but wise heads have opted for this handicap and with just 50kg, he should be very hard to beat. Another 3YO in RATHAUSGLOCKEL could also have held his own in the Dester Sprint but his trainer has opted for avoiding the stable star in Affleck and this race is obviously the better option to keep his unbeaten run intact. KING’S BAY is the interesting runner. A winner of six from nine in South Africa, the 4YO has trialed well and is worth keeping safe at value. INDICIO will find this company to his liking and DARCI CHARMER always a show. Great race, enjoy.
1 GOLIATH * Appreciates company but better on the Poly over longer. 50
2 METEOR MIKE * Has been doing it tough of late but needs to improve. 50
3 DARCI CHARMER *** Last start OK and won one of these two back. Keep safe. 12
4 INDICIO *** Looks due and may get out to value in what is a suitable race. 12
5 KING’S BAY *** Former South African entire with impressive record who trials like he has a big say at his Singapore debut. 10
6 GHOST ** Injury-plagued but smart when right although slight query on the turf at this level. 20
7 ONE SMART CAT ** Cheeky run expected but yet to win on the turf. 20
8 RATHAUSGLOCKEL *** Very progressive 3YO who looks well-placed fresh to continue winning run. 3.60
9 REACH FOR THE SUN ** Freshened with nice trial and always a show. 12
10 PHILANTHROPIST * Disappointing two runs this campaign. 100
11 JIMMY REA *** Could only manage a place as the odd-on pop last start but that was Group company. Can make amends. 2.00
12 MEXBOROUGH BOY * Competitive on his day but needs easier. 50
13 TERMINATOR * Resuming and have to take on trust in this strong field. 33
Race 12
Selections; 12 ICONNIC – 3 LIKA TIGER – 1 MEXICAN GAL – 2 MY BROTHERS KEEPER
A pundit could look at this race six times and find six different winners so good luck if you are confident on how this pans out. One thing is for sure there is plenty of pace drawn wide with ICONNIC (10) and BARNATO (12) both likely to go forward. Both can win but happy to stay with a last start – albeit maiden – winner in ICONNIC. He does lose blinkers for this but hopefully he still races in a forward position and he should be right in this on his strong last start win. Too many other horses that give this a shake to do them all justice with a comment but MEXICAN GAL will have admirers with C Brown up and MY BROTHERS KEEPER had excuses last start so worth a look with a handy 4kg claim. LIKA TIGER and Q NINE MAGIC are both due and get Powell and Nunes respectively while BARNATO and GADAWON will be handy throughout.
1 MEXICAN GAL *** Yet to win on the turf but must go close in this company. 4.00
2 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Back in trip but freshened by recent good trial and must be considered. 12
3 LIKA TIGER *** All sorts of excuses last start and happy to think he can win this if race run to suit back-markers. 12
4 Q NINE MAGIC *** Foot on the till but desperate for result for the support. 3.50
5 RISING EMPIRE ** Up in grade after nice enough KSD win and should be more than competitive. 12
6 HIGH TROJA ** Back in trip after two promising runs but have to take on trust. 50
7 BARNATO *** Not at his very best of late but likely to go forward and can be hard to catch. 12
8 SMART VINTAGE ** Resuming with blinkers after ambitious Group run and worth thought at value. 50
9 HAPPY HAPPY ** Turned around some average form in easier company last start but have to take on trust. 12
10 WINNING STAR * Won two starts back over 1400m and should need longer than this. 50
11 GADAWON ** Very honest type resuming and should be handy throughout with blinkers on. 8.00
12 ICONNIC *** Resuming sans blinkers after very strong maiden win and pay to follow. 6.00
13 FAT KIDDY ** Resuming and was going along very well last campaign so can include somewhere. 12
14 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Excuses last start not to finish closer and worth a look at value. 20
