Golden Brilliant looks hard to beat (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A solid (without being spectacular) nights racing from Singapore on Friday and as usual, the better fields gravitate to the back-end of the card. Race 7 in particular looks a beauty with the progressive GOLDEN BRILLIANT hard to beat in a Benchmark 89 1200m turf sprint. The 4YO is resuming after a terrific run of form and a recent strong trial suggests he is ready to continue in that vein this preparation with manny Nunes up.
The race has depth though with the likes of HYPERNOVA, VALEVOLE and KLEVER MAN and intrigue to boot with MING ZHI COSMOS having her first start in Singapore against the locals. The former French galloper has stayed on in Singapore after placing in the lucrative China Horse Club Cup and looks well-placed in this company to go well although she might need longer to show her best.
Elsewhere on the card, GET GOING looks a solid betting option in race 6. The former Aussie has placed at his last two in similar affairs to this but looks ready to open his Singapore 
account after a nice recent trial with Nunes on-board a factor. The Brazilian hoop is certainly in form and again looks to have a terrific book of rides that also includes AGUILA AZTECA (race 2) and REIDEL (race 3) just to name another two with winning hopes on the nine race card.
Friday 10 April
Best Bets; (AGUILA AZTECA race 2, win), (GET GOING race 6, win) and (GYPSY STAR race 1, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15), race 7 (1, 2, 4 and 7), race 8 (1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 11), race 9 (1, 4, 5, 8 and 9).
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 1
Selections; 2 PURE RABID – 11 GYPSY STAR – 7 PEREGRINE FALCON – 4 SILENT ARROW
Due to a cancelled meeting or two and a glut of Class 5 horses, this race is a tad topsy turvy with the two emergencies the equal top-rated horses. So obviously it will pay to keep MR DREYFUSS and BREAKING VAULTS safe as both give this a shake if they get a run. But as it stands there are more than enough confirmed starters with winning hopes to keep us busy including last start winner, SILENT ARROW. Munro stays on-board and more often than not, winning form is good form to follow in races like this. However, a Class dropper in PURE RABID could be the bolter. From gate 1 and finally over a suitable trip, the 5YO looks well-placed with a Zuriman claim and should be each-way value. Another at value could be GYPSY STAR who gets the Kif Toh treatment. The comeback claimer can get the best out of horses and expect a big run late. Nunes on PEREGRINE FALCON picks himself with OCTAVIA, GODS SPEED and DOS EQUIS also in the winning mix.
1 OCTIVIA *** Backed up maiden win with two good runs and a big show here with handy 2kg claim. 4.00
2 PURE RABID *** Form reads poorly but gets over a suitable trip in suitable company. Improves. 20
3 RUBICON ** Shown little but should appreciate Class 5 and the mile with upgrade to blinkers. 50
4 SILENT ARROW *** Backed up good run with a nice win and will be motoring late again. Big show. 5.00
5 GODS SPEED *** Form better than it reads and can win again with blinkers back over the mile. 7.00
6 BEVERLY HILL * Winkers and tongue-tie off but form not good enough for this. 50
7 PEREGRINE FALCON *** Showed last start this type of race is his caper and a leading hope again. 3.00
8 TOOBIGTOFAIL ** Excuses last start and worth a thought in exotics at value with mile in his favour. 33
9 WEOWNA FLYER * Has done little since changing stables. 50
10 DOS EQUIS *** Excuses not to win last start and has to be respected. 12
11 GYPSY STAR *** Will work into this late with Kif Toh a good booking. Value. 12
12 ACE RICH ** Maiden but often thereabouts at odds. 33
13 REAL GOODMAN ** NOt seen often on the turf but another who can hold his own in this company. 33
14 BRILLIANT POWER * Hard to have on form. 100
15 MR DREYFUSS ** Excuses last start when supported and pay to keep safe stepping up to the mile. 20
16 BREAKING VAULTS *** Sneaks back into Class 5 and would give this a serious shake on a good day. 12
Race 2
Selections; 11 AGUILA AZTECA – 12 TENMA – 2 ASTRO MAN – 14 BULLET
The connections of AGUILA AZTECA would be happy after not getting a run last weekend to find herself up against this field. Nunes stays on and given what he showed on debut and at a couple of trials, he looks the one to beat and punters will no doubt be jumping on in droves. Nothing jumps off the page to beat him although two newcomers in TENMA and ASTRO MAN have both trialed well enough to go well on debut and worth a look. Of the two, TENMA probably showed more at his trial to give AGUILA AZTECA a scare and as a Northern Hemisphere, he gets a little pull in the weights. MUVAKA, BATTLE KING and BILBO BAGGINS for exotics and keep the second emergency, BULLET, safe as he showed last start with blinkers that he wins one soon.
1 MUVUKA ** Ran on well to place at long odds this trip last start and plays a part on that effort. 12
2 ASTRO MAN *** Trailed well enough to have a say on debut. 8.00
3 BATTLE KING ** Recent trial with blinkers was solid and can include in exotics. 12
4 BILBO BAGGINS ** Just battled away at debut but should be improved for the run. 12
5 BLAZING SUN * Trials just OK and wide gate makes this tough. 20
6 DRAGON INFINITY * Needs to find a few lengths on what we have seen so far. 50
7 LIM’S ATTACK * Prefer to watch on trial form. 20
8 SPEED CRAFT * Quiet trials and market only guide. 20
9 THE MYTH * Needs to show more. 50
10 THINK PRETTY * Needs more than looks. 100
11 AGUILA AZTECA *** Trials and very good debut suggests he is very hard to beat in this field. 1.80
12 TENMA *** Had a very good hit out at recent trial and keeps the favourite honest. 6.00
13 GOLD RESERVE * Blinkers on but easier to ignore. 100
14 BULLET *** Just missed when blinkers when on last start and gets his chance here. 5.00
Race 3
Selections; 5 RIEDEL – 1 WAR LORD – 7 BRAD – 3 CLERMONT CLUB
Regular followers would know that RIEDEL has been the on-top selection on more than one occasion of late and while we probably look elsewhere, he gets the nod again. Nunes does replace Shafiq but given the Brazilian ace has had his chances of late on REIDEL, the combination does have to be on top of their game. One last chance! In his favour is that nothing jumps of the page to beat him although both BRAD and CLERMONT CLUB are in excellent winning form and are both more than up to this company. WAR LORD drops in grade which is definitely in his favour and getting back on the Poly is also a significant move. Of the others, BOARD WALK and WHITE COFFEE can both win and leave out the veteran DAAD’S THE WAY at your peril.
1 WAR LORD *** Pay to ignore last few as back in Class 4 on the Poly looks a significant move. 12
2 BOARD WALK *** Versatile and in this a long way. 6.00
3 CLERMONT CLUB *** Up in Class but form just too good to ignore. 6.00
4 DAAD’S THE WAY ** Veteran who is always an each-way hope in these. 20
5 RIEDEL *** Overdue for a win but gets Nunes and will make his presence felt late. 4.00
6 WHITE COFFEE *** Mile has tested in the past but in form and M Rodd a good booking. 6.00
7 BRAD *** Up in Class and drawn wide but progressive type who has has to be respected. 5.00
8 YES BABA ** Tongue-tie back off after another poor run but gives this a shake at his best. 20
9 PATERSON ROAD ** Just battled last couple but would give this a shake on a good day. 20
10 CALLIDE RIVER * Tongue-tie goes back on but needs more than that. 100
11 BLACK BEAN * Needs easier. 50
12 OZYMANDIAS ** Only a one-time winner but more than competitive in this type of race. 12
Race 4
Selections; 2 MIGHTY WARRIOR – 8 MONEY KING – 11 CHEETAH KING – 14 AFFIRMATION
MIGHTY WARRIOR looks a very good winning hope in this KSD and happy to make him one of the better bets of the day. The 3YO backed up a good win on debut when supported with a close-up placing in Novice company and a recent trial with winkers suggests he has trained on and a big show here. It is a solid field though and expect a busy finish with a couple of handy swoopers likely to play a part late. The two horses in question – MONEY KING and CHEETAH KING – should both be suited on the Long Course (B) and both won two starts back with 1400m ideal. For value you might want to keep the grey veteran AFFIRMATION safe as he gets back on the turf over his favourite trip and while eligible for easier, he can show up. Very hard to leave out FRANCES who is in winning form and more than up to this with GUILTLESS and SACRED SPIN another two that can win without surprising.
1 WARSPIRIT ** Hard to catch but finds himself in very winnable company and pay to watch market. 20
2 MIGHTY WARRIOR *** Backed up good Novice run this trip with nice trial and hard to beat with winkers added. 3.00
3 SACRED SPIN *** No luck with the barriers again but looks due and will figure late. 8.00
4 GINSENG ** Excuses last start but may need a tad longer again to show his best. 20
5 FRANCES *** Wont win out of turn but showed more than last start to keep following. 6.00
6 MY SAPPHIRE ** Showed last start he will be competitive in this Class and extra 200m suits. Value. 33
7 GUILTLESS *** Excuses two back not to win one of these and pay keep very safe. 12
8 MONEY KING *** In fine form and will be flying late in a race that suits. 5.00
9 HONGCHEN ** Placed at odds last two and happy to keep following at value. 33
10 FABER HEIGHTS ** Not far away last start and gets blinkers. Keep safe. 20
11 CHEETAH KING *** Will be doing best work late and always a show on turf. 12
12 LADY TRIO ** Form hard to follow but race does suit. 33
13 MAGIC MASTER * Maiden who needs easier. 100
14 AFFIRMATION *** Eligible for easier but due and the 1400m is his pet trip. 20
15 JACKPOT * Downgrade to winkers and needs easier. 33
16 JAPPANELLA * No. 200
Race 5
Selections; 4 RACER KING – 6 VIST AN AU – 7 BELLUS WONDER – 5 SPIRIT OF SPEED
While three last start winners in SPIRIT OF SPEED, VIST AN AU and BELLUS WONDER all appeal, it may be the honest RACER KING who gets his chance. The 3YO’s only win was over this trip and while he been asked to be ridden quieter to see how far he can go, he has natural speed and right in this throughout. Of the three last start winners, VIST AN AU trials very well and can back up his maiden win with Nunes staying on-board while SPIRIT OF SPEED is resuming and hard to fault his debut win when he also suffered from heat-stress. Of the rest, keep the two emergencies who are resuming – CUSTODIAN and HELEN – safe while ART OF WAR looks suited here and TREASUREINTHEHEART showed last start he has a say.
1 DANNY RICARDO * This race looks to short but shown a bit over Poly sprint trips of late. 12
2 TREASUREINTHEHEART ** Put in best effort in Singapore to date with close-up placing similar affair last start and have to respect. 8.00
3 ART OF WAR *** Last two ordinary but has pace and could give a sight at odds over this trip. 12
4 RACER KING *** Honest and looks due to win a race like this. 4.00
5 SPIRIT OF SPEED *** Resuming after suffering from heat-stress when winning on debut at odds. Keep safe. 4.50
6 VIST AN AU *** Backed up maiden win with a good trial and this type of race does look his caper. 2.80
7 BELLUS WONDER *** Drawn awkwardly but has pace and in this a very long way. 12
8 FLAMING FIREHEART * Excuses last start but should need easier. 50
9 FLYING WILD * Blinkers off and will be doing best work late but might be looking for easier. 33
10 NAOMI * No. 100
11 DRAGON NINETYNINE ** Resuming after not being a mile away last start and will enjoy being back on poly. 33
12 OASIS SPUR * Needs easier. 100
13 CUSTODIAN *** Resuming after a good first campaign and has to be a show fresh with a tongue-tie added. 4.00
14 HELEN ** Also resuming after showing enough at two starts to consider first-up. 12
Race 6
Selections; 1 GET GOING – 5 MIGHTY MAN – 7 KNOW EACH OTHER – 11 SUPER VOICE
GET GOING might not have won at four starts in Singapore but a very strong recent trial suggests he gets his chance here. The former Aussie won over this trip before arriving and apart from his strong recent trial, the 4YO gets Nunes and might be hard to beat. And he might not even be favourite with MIGHTY MAN also in the field. The 3YO was sent out as the odds-on pop and just missed this company last start and certainly will make his presence felt here with support. Of the rest, KNOW EACH OTHER was disappointing at his first start for Pat Shaw in this company but is worth another look while SUPER VOCE looks the value runner with Munro up and a nice recent trial under his belt. XAVIO and the two emergencies – HAKAMGONG and ROUGH DANCE – also in the winning mix.
1 GET GOING *** Looks due and recent strong trial suggests he gets the job done here. 4.00
2 MONT BLEU ** Plenty of excuses last start and has trialed well since. Improves. 33
3 XAVIO *** Showed last start he wins again soon this company with Rodd a good booking. 8.00
4 DRAGON FURY ** Knocked in well deserved maiden win last start but not seen often enough on the turf to be confident. 10
5 MIGHTY MAN *** Progressive type who just missed last start as the odds-on elect and right in this. 3.00
6 YOU DA ONE ** Yet to win in Singapore but always a show so take on trust. 10
7 KNOW EACH OTHER *** Just battled when it counted last start this company but will win one soon. 12
8 ZAC COMMAND ** Very consistent 7YO who picks himself in exotics. 12
9 BENJI’S EMPIRE ** Will lead them up but what happens next is the question. 33
10 LEADERSHIP ** Freshened after solid Class 5 win and worth following. 16
11 SUPER VOICE *** Form better than it reads and recent trial sans tongue-tie suggests we keep safe at value. 33
12 ROMA ** Competitive but love to see in Class 5. 20
13 GOLDEN PASTURE * No. 100
14 GREENBACK * No. 100
15 HAKAMGONG *** Looks due and pay to seriously consider if he gets a start. 10
16 ROUGH DANCE *** Another in-form emergency that can win. 10
Race 7
Selections; 7 GOLDEN BRILLIANT – 4 KLEVER MAN – 1 HYPERNOVA – 2 VALEVOLE
A very good race and plenty of interest in MING ZHI COSMOS, the first of the China Horse Club Cup horses to take on the locals. The former French galloper arrived with an international rating of 102 when placing in the $3.05 million Group 1 extravaganza over 1800m but finds herself in a competitive BM89 1200m sprint and not sure this trip is her caper. So who of the locals beats her home? GOLDEN BRILLIANT is smart and looks well-placed first-up after a spell to win this. Four wins from nine starts suggests the 4YO can go to open Class and his recent trial was very good. KLEVER MAN is another progressive type who is suited here. He gets blinkers and John Powell has a good record on him so he could be the testing material. Two horses who appreciate the company is HYPERNOVA and to a lesser extent VALEVOLE. HYPERNOVA’s recent trial suggests he is worth a good look on the day.
1 HYPERNOVA *** Will find this company more to his liking and looks a leading hope. 4.00
2 VALEVOLE *** Always a show in races like this and 3kg claim looks a good move. 8.00
3 RAPIDO STAR ** Backing up from poor run last Friday but improves this company. 33
4 KLEVER MAN *** Gets blinkers and improves back on turf after first-up Poly effort. Keep safe. 8.00
5 BOOMARANG DELUXE ** Progressive type resuming but might need longer to show his best in this company. 20
6 METEOR MIKE * Not at his best of late. 50
7 GOLDEN BRILLIANT *** Smart type resuming and recent trial suggests he can win this. 3.00
8 MING ZHI COSMOS ** First of the China Horse Club Cup ring-ins to race against the locals and this may be too short with tongue-tie on. 5.00
9 FLAK JACKET ** Appreciates first-up run and could provide value back on the turf. 20
10 INDICIO ** Just fair last start but previous form has him right in this. 20
11 MACHFIVE * Needs Poly, easier, shorter. 100
12 D’DON * Needs Poly, easier, shorter. 100
Race 8
Selections; 1 BLACK FIERY – 4 SUPER WINNER – 8 MAC VOLKS – 11 MAKAWAO
BLACK FIERY has been a revelation this campaign stepping up in grade after two wins and no reason to think he doesn’t go on with the job in this. Any fears the 4YO wasn’t up to this company was certainly put to rest last start when he placed behind the smart Peace No War and from gate 2, Munro will give him very chance. In saying that, the field has depth and SUPER WINNER does little wrong on the Poly. The 3YO has won three from six (career) and more importantly he was only half a length away from being four from four on the poly at his last start. Of the rest with winning hopes, MAC VOLKS is an out-and-out Poly sprinter and has to be respected with SCRAT resuming and SAND LANE right in this on best form. MAKAWAO the bolter in what should be a good race.
1 BLACK FIERY *** In spanking form and might be hard to beat in this from gate 2. 4.00
2 JOYFUL MELODY * No. 200
3 SAND LANE *** Issues last start (roarer) and a winning hope on best form. 6.00
4 SUPER WINNER *** Very smart Poly sprinter and could be hard to beat here. 5.00
5 PURE TACTICS ** Not a mile away last start and gets back on to his preferred surface. 20
6 SMART IDEA * Resuming and should need longer. 33
7 LIVELY DRAGON ** In fine form but wide gate can test. 12
8 MAC VOLKS *** Always a show this type of race and pay to respect. 5.00
9 SCRAT *** Resuming after winning similar affair back in October. Goes close. 5.00
10 EXQUISITELY SWEET ** Needs easier to win but appreciates the Poly. 33
11 MAKAWAO *** Resuming and very cheeky run expected at value. 20
12 MEGATHINK * Former Australian who might need the run on trial form. 50
13 WARPATH * Not a mile away last start but not suited here. 100
14 TERMINATOR * Appreciates the Poly but have to take on trust. 100
Race 9
Selections; 1 WIMBLEDON – 4 CRAZY TIMES – 9 KEVIN ELEVEN – 8 HIGHER SOUL
An interesting Class 4 sprint to finish the evening given the top two rated horses – WIMBLEDON and FEDERER – are yet to salute on the grass. Which is obviously ironic given their respective names and while the pair should have plenty of support, both could be considered a risk. Of the two, WIMBLEDON had his first turf run last start in nice company and happy to think that form holds up here. From gate 2, with blinkers back on and a claim suggests he is hard to beat. Federer on the other hand struggled at his only turf run so you have to take on trust. Of the rest, CRAZY TIMES is a hope in what is a suitable race, LUCKY DAPPER the benchmark, HIGHER SOUL a show resuming and KEVIN ELEVEN the value.
1 WIMBLEDON *** Showed last start he handles the turf and appreciates being back in this company with blinkers on. 3.00
2 FEDERER ** Nothing wrong with form but slight query on the turf. 5.00
3 FREE HAPPY ** Not far away last start and will win a race like this. 12
4 CRAZY TIMES *** Ran on well last start and could play a major role in this from gate 4. 10
5 LUCKY DAPPER *** Tongue-tie on and each-way all the way. 6.00
6 ROYAL FINISH ** Winkers on after issues at start and worth a look on nice recent trial. 20
7 XIN TREASURE ** Not often seen on the turf but in-form and does handle the surface. 33
8 HIGHER SOUL *** Progressive type resuming after respiratory issues last start. Keep safe. 7.00
9 KEVIN ELEVEN *** Excuses last start not to finish closer and worth a look at value. 20
10 ALAN * Not a mile away last start but should need easier. 33
11 SUPER EIGHT ** Last run better than the result and honest enough to follow each-way. 20
12 METAPHOR * Maiden who needs easier than this. 100
13 DRAGON KNIGHT * Happy to wait for Class 5. 50
14 GYPSY MAGIC ** Can run on but might b looking for easier. 33
15 BLACK MAMBA ** Supported last start and while disappointing is worth a look at odds back on turf. 33
16 RAINBOW STAR *** Blinkers on. Maiden who ran well in this company last start and has subsequently trialed well with head-gear. 20
