Sun Times and Manoel “Manny” Nunes look good in race 2
Sometimes this punting game is not as hard as people make it out to be. Sure, you can do the form till the cows come home and look at barriers, the track, trials and even an important gear change or two but following the top hoop is a much easier option.
The top hoop in question is Manoel “Manny” Nunes and given the Brazilian has already knocked in some 120 wins in 2015 and is some 57 wins in front of his nearest rival – Corey Brown – you would think it would pay to follow. His strike rate of 21.54% also speaks for itself and on Friday we might just keep a very close eye on Nunes’ mounts. The fact we have him on top in the first four races on WAR SPIRIT, SUN TIMES, IDYLLIC SPIRIT and PRETTY ELUSIVE respectively suggests he is for a good night and hopefully he knock in an early win or three to get things going for followers.
An outsider in ADRENALINE keeps him occupied in the middle of the card before two good mounts late in MY LUCKY STRIKE (race 7) and SPEEDY DRAGON (race 8) may see him finish the night with a hat trick or even a handful of winners. The latter would be nice.
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Friday 4 December
Best Bets: (SUN TIMES race 2, win), (HAPPY MONEY race 7, value) and (BOARD WALK race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3 and 7), race 7 (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 12), race 8 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 7), race 9 (1, 3, 4 and 8).
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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; 4 WARSPIRIT – 2 SUPER JOY – 1 SUPER BONUS – 8 ALWAYS A WINNER
The veteran WAR SPIRIT gets a very good chance to add another win to his solid career record in a Class 5 sprint with no stand out. Obviously we can ignore his last start when the jockey lost the irons and given his previous form and an important jockey change – Nunes on – he should give a sight. SUPER JOY has showed at his last two that he wins in Class 5 sooner than later. The 4YO does only have one win to his name but you can bet your bottom dollar that he improves that record in this company. SUPER BONUS looks hopeless on recent form but given this is his first start dropping to Class 5 since winning four starts back suggests he improves lengths. Throw in ALWAYS A WINNER with blinkers added and TIM who is always in the mix without winning while LIVE IN HOPE could be the value runner.
1 SUPER BONUS *** Forget recent form as grows a leg in Class 5 and can win. 10
2 SUPER JOY *** Foot on the till and looks suited here. 4.00
3 TIM *** Extremely costly for punters given his winning drought but has to be considered. 4.50
4 WARSPIRIT *** Forget last start where he lost the irons and can win this. 3.50
5 APPELLATION ** Better than what he has showed last couple and pay to keep in this company. 14
6 OASIS SPUR * Has the ace but struggling. 33
7 OCEAN STORY * Resuming, no. 50
8 ALWAYS A WINNER *** In form and gets blinkers and recent trials suggests he goes close. 6.00
9 LIVE IN HOPE *** Form reads badly but recent good trial has him under notice. 20
10 SO PERFECT ** Can be hard to catch but going along OK at the minute and a must for exotics. 10
11 PIONEER LIU * Back in trip but looks impossible. 200
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Race 2
Selections; 7 SUN TIMES – 6 SILVER TYCOON – 2 LUCKY LINCOLN – 10 CELERITAS
SUN TIMES looks the obvious choice and we expect the 4YO will come under for some very heavy support. With two very close up placings from two starts it’s impossible not to have him on top in this Initiation with Nunes looking for an easier assignment after drawing better in gate 2. But the race has depth and it will be interesting to see which other horses get support. SILVER TYCOON is one that should have admirers after a very good debut and LUCKY LINCOLN has trialed well enough to think he gets some stable support after a three month let-up. It gets interesting after these two with CELERITAS, SWINGLOWSWEETJACKY and PALTROW all likely to improve given race experience while a newcomer in ARHAT is worth considering on good trial form. Needless to say, go wide in exotics.
1 NUMERO UNO ** Last run in Novice company better than the result and well worth a look at odds back in maiden company. 20
2 LUCKY LINCOLN *** Resuming with a nice trial under his belt and happy to think he gives this a shake. 8.00
3 ARHAT *** Wide gate a concern on debut but trialed well enough to keep safe with the market a good guide. 10
4 ARLO ** Will improve on debut and can include in exotic mix. 20
5 GOLDEN IRON * Hard to have on exposed trial form. 50
6 SILVER TYCOON *** Excuses not to finish closer on debut with some support and in the mix here. 4.00
7 SUN TIMES *** Just missed at two race starts and could be hard to beat from gate 2. 2.50
8 SWINGLOWSWEETJACKY ** Thereabouts at two starts and pay to follow. 12
9 PALTROW ** Another who has had support and been thereabouts at two career starts so pay to keep safe. 12
10 CELERITAS *** Can make excuses for poor run last time out and pay to give another chance. 10
11 BUTCH CASSIDY * Gets tongue-tie after just fair debut and prefer to watch. 33
12 SQUIRE BENTLEY * Not on exposed trial form. 200
13 RAJA RANI * Resuming and hard to have. 200
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Race 3
Selections; 1 IDYLLIC SCENERY – 5 BOB – 9 MAREA NEGRO – 6 DRAGON G
A race with too much depth to be confident but winning form is good form and IDYLLIC SCENERY looks capable of going on with the job. The former Australian had a few sighters before winning at start five over 1400m in Kranji Stakes D company but that effort looked good enough to win in Class 4. Likewise, NINETYSEVENEMPEROR won over 1400m in KSD company at his last start and is also worth following up in grade. Plenty of others with winning hopes and BOB will make use of a good gate and be prominent throughout while MAREA NEGRO looks due and has to be seriously considered with Munro back on board. Throw HEE’S FORTE and DRAGON G into the winning mix and another race where it will pay to go wide in exotics.
1 IDYLLIC SCENERY *** Up in grade but in form, handles the Poly and mile looks ideal. 4.00
2 TIGER MASTER * Down in grade but looks to be having a few issues and happy to ignore. 100
3 HORSE WARRIOR ** Tongue-tie on and cheeky run expected at value. 20
4 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR *** Another last start winner who looks well suited to go on with the job. 5.00
5 BOB *** Will go forward from the nice gate and in this a very long way. 10
6 DRAGON G *** Drawn a little awkwardly but always in the mix in races like this. 8.00
7 HEE’S FORTE *** Wide gate a concern but excuses last start and can show up in a race like this. 10
8 FOURVIERE * No. 200
9 MAREA NEGRO *** Foot on the till and should figure heavily late with luck in running. 4.00
10 LA FONTANA ** Coming off a shocker but always pay to keep safe on the Poly. 12
11 TOP OF THE TOWN * Reassess in easier company. 100
12 INSOFAR * Improving maiden but eligible for easier than this. 50
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Race 4
Selections; 10 PRETTY ELUSIVE – 2 ZIPPY – 6 PARKER – 4 SCENE OF THE CRIME
The market will give us a pretty good guide to how confident the respective stables are heading into this maiden but with Nunes replacing an apprentice on PRETTY ELUSIVE, you would expect the 4YO mare to start near to favourite regardless. Nunes is streets ahead in the jockey’s championship and will hoping to add a few more wins in races like this to cap off another stellar year. The horse is obvious in good form as well and gate 6 suggests she gets every chance. There was a bit to like about ZIPPY’s last run and given his racing pattern you would expect Zawari to ride him cold before having a crack late. Plenty of others to consider including PARKER sans blinkers who comes off a nice trial, SCENE OF THE CRIME who should show something first-up, THE DODGER who always looks a chance and SOLDIER BOY at value who improves on what was a solid debut.
1 ROBIN HOOD ** NZ maiden who has been solid at the trials and worth thought at Singapore debut. 12
2 ZIPPY *** Excuses not to win last start and will be hard to hold out late. 4.00
3 THE DODGER *** Always looks a winning show and get this chance in this field. 4.00
4 SCENE OF THE CRIME *** Resuming after a poor run but did look due prior with gate 2 a factor here. 9.00
5 EASY DRAGON * No. 100
6 PARKER *** Resuming after a poor run with support but trials like he gives a race like this a shake. 10
7 GOLDEN CHOICE * Prefer to watch on exposed trial form. 33
8 SOLDIER BOY *** Appreciates debut run where he had some support and look for improvement. 12
9 HERECOMESMYMONEY ** Drawn badly but not far away last start and pay to keep safe. 12
10 PRETTY ELUSIVE *** In the mix at all three career starts and should figure again. 4.50
11 ASTROCANDY * Need support given trial form. 100
12 UNION JAC ** Will improve with racing but exotics best option. 20
13 THE RAID * Gets blinkers but prefer to just watch. 100
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Race 5
Selections; 8 SPECIAL ID – 3 HOST THE NATION – 1 KINGS RYKER – 5 INVINCIBLE MAN
This is a very interesting race with a couple of horses making their Singapore debut that have trialed well enough to give this a shake. KING RYKER is the first to look at and the former Irish galloper certainly did enough at a recent trial to think Laurie Laxon has him ready to show up. Theo Kieser has the former Argentinean in SPLENDOUR who put in a solid trial and is worth thought although a wide gate might make winning tough. Of the knowns, we were on SPECIAL ID when he broke his overdue maiden status last start and happy to think he can go on with the job in Class 4. In saying that, HOST THE NATION is in cracking form in this company and often goes round at value so is always a good betting option. Throw in INVINCIBLE MAN with blinkers added but he is nearing a year without a win so play with some care.
1 KINGS RYKER *** Former Irish galloper who has trialed like he has something to offer at his Singapore debut. 4.00
2 PROFESSOR X ** Gets blinkers after just fair local debut and might grow a leg on the Poly. 12
3 HOST THE NATION *** In terrific form and often goes about at very good value. Follow. 5.00
4 FLYING TEMPO * Resuming and should need longer. 50
5 INVINCIBLE MAN *** Blinkers on to turn a frustrating run of good form into an overdue win. Goes close. 4.00
6 SPLENDOR ** Former Argentinean who looked solid at his local trial and should debut well. 12
7 ARROWHEAD * Resuming sans blinkers and tongue-tie but hard to consider although most recent win was first up. 50
8 SPECIAL ID *** Broke through for overdue maiden win last start and pay to follow with gate 1 a factor. 3.00
9 ECLIPSE DANCER * Resuming and should need longer. 33
10 DRAGON KING * Goes OK on his day but might be looking for easier company. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 2 MIGHTY EMPEROR – 3 TIGER BAY – 7 TONGARIRO – 1 BIGCAT RHAPSODY
This really looks a race in four or five with most others having no hope whatsoever on recent form. Of those that can win, two maidens in MIGHTY EMPEROR and TIGER BAY appeal. MIGHTY EMPEROR was backed heavily last start in a maiden Poly mile but had excuses on that occasion and has looked due. Vorster from a fair gate should see them having every chance in this field. TIGER BAY is also due and gets a claim from gate 2 but he is having his first start on the Poly so the market may be a good guide. TONGARIRO is another that is due and should finish in the top few while BIGCAT RHAPSODY has been in very good winning form of late and must rate highly. ADRENALINE with Nunes and perhaps WORLD OF FAME at long odds with blinkers the only other two to worry about.
1 BIGCAT RHAPSODY *** Drawn a tad awkwardly but recent winning form hard to ignore. 4.50
2 MIGHTY EMPEROR *** Excuses last start when heavily supported and worth another long look. 3.00
3 TIGER BAY *** Maiden having first start on the Poly but in form and trip and company will suit. 4.00
4 ADRENALINE ** Lack of winning form on the Poly is a concern but goes well enough on his day to keep safe. 12
5 ZAC BENEVOLENT * Coming off two poor runs and have to take on trust. 16
6 DRAPPIER * Struggling. 100
7 TONGARIRO *** Looks due and expect a podium finish. 4.00
8 HAPPY JOY * No. 100
9 WORLD OF FAME ** Form looks hopeless but could improve with blinkers added at long odds. 100
10 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * Did not need the wide gate. 100
11 NORTH STAR * Struggling. 200
12 SILVER FLY * Gets blinkers back on but easier to ignore. 20
13 PINYIN * No. 100
14 GRAND PARIS * No. 100
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Race 7
Selections; 9 ITALIAN JOB – 8 MY LUCKY STRIKE – 6 HAPPY MONEY – 4 FAALTLESS
This looks tougher than usual for a Kranji Stakes A Poly sprint with most having winning hopes on best form so there might be terrific value about if we can find the winner. There are also a few unknowns in regards to Poly form at this level so the tote might be again a good guide. ITALIAN JOB won last start and happy to think he can win again with gate 1 and a senior hoop in his favour. MY LUCKY STRIKE is an out-and-out Poly specialist and he will appreciate being back on his only wining surface although Nunes does have a bad alley to contend with. It is extremely hard to fault the winning form of JAY EFF EXPRESS and he might just go on with the job while you have to include the usual KSA Poly suspects in HUKA FALLS, FAALTLESS, VALEVOLE and HAPPY MONEY (value). Keep MAGNETO safe and good luck if you think you can find this winner.
1 MAGNETO *** First-up run in the EW Barker was very good and subsequent trial suggests he goes close here. 8.00
2 GOAL KEEPER * Resuming with some nice trials under his belt but wide gate suggests we look elsewhere. 33
3 HUKA FALLS *** Always a show in Poly races like this and appreciates what looks a fair weight. 8.00
4 FAALTLESS *** Underrated type resuming and recent easy trial has him under consideration. 8.00
5 VALEVOLE *** Resuming and always seems a solid value option on the Poly. 20
6 HAPPY MONEY *** Resuming after saddle slipped last start and worth a serious look on best form. 12
7 GOODMAN * Should find these too quick. 100
8 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** Drawn wide but just goes too well on the Poly not to be another with serious winning hopes. 6.00
9 ITALIAN JOB *** Turned some good form into a strong win last start and could be hard to beat again from gate 1. 4.50
10 EL MILAGRO * Hasn’t been at his best of late and wide draw makes this very tough. 50
11 INDIAN JADE ** Honest and has featherweight with 4kg claim and could surprise. 12
12 JAY EFF EXPRESS *** Having first start on the Poly but hard to fault winning form and will have plenty of admirers. 4.00
13 RAISE NO DOUBT ** Loves the Poly and will keep a few honest for exotics at value. 20
14 DRAGON FURY ** Tested this level on the Poly but happy to ignore last start and should give an honest account of himself. 33
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Race 8
Selections; 3 SPEEDY DRAGON – 5 NOVA STRIKE – 7 BOARD WALK – 6 DIVIDED HOUSE
Back-to-back spanking Poly sprints on what has looked a good nights racing and the form from this race could hold up for a very long time. Especially when you consider our top two picks – SPEEDY DRAGON and NOVA STRIKE – have only had some 11 starts between them for three wins apiece. And while it’s a toss up for mine, SPEEDY DRAGON from gate 4 with Manny Nunes up suggests he get every chance and could be hard to beat. In saying that, NOVA STRIKE loves the Poly and is a winner so is a horse to follow. It’s definitely not a race in two though with DIVIDED HOUSE well and truly due and BOGART at the top of the ratings looking very chance back on the Poly. One to watch at value might be BOARD WALK who comes off a super trial and this is the type of race to keep him safe.
1 BOGART *** Appreciates first up run and enjoys this surface so must go close. 12
2 DESERT FOX ** Ignore last start when tried over 1700m and keep safe in more suitable affair. 12
3 SPEEDY DRAGON *** Blew the start and his chances last start as favourite and a huge show on previous form. 4.00
4 KAI POWER * Resuming and while this is too short a recent nice trial suggest he can be included in exotics. 33
5 NOVA STRIKE *** Very progressive 3YO who is just gong too well not to think he is up to this company. 2.70
6 DIVIDED HOUSE *** Tries the Poly as she tries to turn some good form into a win. Goes close. 4.00
7 BOARD WALK *** Recent form better than it reads and coming off a very good trial has him under consideration. 10
8 FAITHFULLY * Easier to leave out. 50
9 SECRET MISSION ** Put in a super run last start in good company and can win on a repeat of that effort. 20
10 EURO ZONE ** Appreciates solid first up run and one to keep very safe in exotics. 33
11 SING ROULETTE * Goes super on his day but may be looking for easier. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 4 LIM’S SINCERE – 1 FANTASTIC MAN – 8 PUBLIC FIGURE – 3 KISS ME
This doesn’t look a very strong Class 4 Poly sprint and as such a progressive type in LIM’S SINCERE can add another early win to his CV. The 3YO won well on debut before finding Super One way to strong at 2YO Group level but his subsequent first-up run was a beauty and happy to think he is more than up to this. FANTASTIC MAN also looks a horse to follow through the grades and he very much appreciates a first-up run with excuses and he is right in this with Mark Ewe retaining the ride. The race doesn’t have depth but PUBLIC FIGURE won well enough in Class 5 Company to follow in this field and KISS ME is always a show although he will need things to go right from the wide gate.
1 FANTASTIC MAN *** Excuses first up and happy to think he is up to a race like this. 4.00
2 LIM’S ELUSIVE * Appreciates first up run but might be better suited on the turf. 20
3 KISS ME *** Will need some luck from awkward draw but form is good and happy to follow each way. 6.00
4 LIM’S SINCERE *** First up run was very good and should win soon in this grade. 3.00
5 LADY ROULETTE ** The type to include in exotics on best form. 20
6 OUR TOUCHE ** Got support last start in KSD company and pay to keep safe. 8.00
7 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE ** Form better than it reads and gets to jump from the ace. Value. 20
8 PUBLIC FIGURE *** Maiden who won well last start and can go on with the job. 6.00
9 GANBATTE GANBATTE * Resuming after showing good form over longer last preparation. These will go too fast. 33
10 GUILTLESS * Struggling. 50
11 EXCITING PROSPECT * Not a mile away last start but may be looking for Class 5. 33
12 TWODOLLARMUPPET * Hard to follow but can run a cheeky race with Zaki up. 33
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