Famous Artist (Manoel Nunes) romps home to victory in Friday’s race (picture Singapore Turf Club)
Value versus good things? The age old punters question and Fridays card looks one where we may be able to put most races into one basket or the other.
Race 1 goes into the value side of the ledger with RORY likely to start at each-way odds. The 5YO doesn’t do much wrong over the 1000m – all his five wins have been over the shortest trip – and certainly Class 5 is in his favour.
Staying with value, FAST JET could run a race at long odds in the second on the back of a good recent trial while DUTY FREE might fly home late at a price in the third.
The “good things” could start in race 4 with SPECIAL ID after he looked a good thing beaten by the gate on debut with Poly specialist SUPER WINNER (race 7) and FAMOUS ARTIST (race 8) all very hard to beat on form in what look to be suitable races. FAMOUS ARTIST in particular looks extremely hard to beat in Novice company after backing up a big debut win with a narrow defeat to the smart DIVIDED HOUSE at start two.
Manny Nunes – who returns from an enforced layoff – stays on-board the 3YO Australianbred 
gelding and from gate 3, the combination should win. Nunes could also provide a value winner in KING SAVINSKY in the sixth as the Brazilian hoop resumes his tilt towards a second Singapore Jockeys Championship.
Friday 26 June
Best Bets; (FAMOUS ARTIST race 8, win), (KING SAVINSKY race 6, each-way) and (RORY race 1, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (2, 3, 5 and 7), race 7 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7), race 8 (2), race 9 (1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7).
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 RORY – 6 EASY EASY – 4 D’DON – 11 HAPPY FOREVER
This could be a very interesting betting race with at least three horses – RORY, D’DON and EASY EASY – looking very well placed to win over 1000m. RORY in particular gets a crack at what is his best trip and obviously a recent drop to Class 5 is in his favour. Oscar Chavez rides and you expected a very forward showing throughout. EASY EASY won this trip/track two starts ago and showed more than enough over 1200m on the turf in KSD company to win again. D’DON might beat them all as he showed last start this grade is his caper and while he has drawn wide, he must be respected. Down in the weights, HAPPY FOREVER and FOUNTAIN will offer value and keep the above-mentioned trio honest.
1 HAKAMGONG * Appreciates drop in grade and will work into this late but prefer over longer on the turf. 20
2 RORY *** Form better than it reads and could be hard to hold out over 1000m. 6.00
3 BANK ON ME * Try bank interest instead. 50
4 D’DON *** Showed last start this type of race is his caper and hard to beat with nice recent trial a pointer. 2.50
5 RUN CHEETAH RUN ** Will work into this late but may need a tad longer. 20
6 EASY EASY *** Won one of these two back and subsequent KSD run easily good enough for this. 2.80
7 STING * Where is Paul Newman when you need him. 33
8 LAM EDITION * No. 100
9 SILVER FLY ** Resuming and while form reads badly goes OK first-up and could work into this late. 33
10 FOUNTAIN ** Blinkers off. Ignore last start as some previous form OK and gets senior hoop. 12
11 HAPPY FOREVER *** Going along OK and well worth an each-way look with no weight. 10
Race 2
Selections; 1 JUBILATION – 8 FAST JET – 4 ASTRO MAN – 2 TENMA
While he has been costly for punters (always supported and beaten three times as the oddson elect), JUBILATION looks the one to beat. To be fair the horse has done everything bar win with Matt kellady or John Powell up but a sneaky 4kg claimer in H Syafiq could be a masterstroke by trainer Shane Baertschiger. Two horses that will keep him honest are TENMA and ASTRO MAN. Both have shown enough to follow and both very much appreciate being back on the Polytrack which should see improvement and perhaps a result. One to watch at (hopefully) long odds is FAST JET. The NZ-bred gelding comes into this with poor form but a recent good trial with blinkers on suggests he has something to offer here with Oscar Chavez up.
1 JUBILATION *** Doing everything bar get over the line so 4kg claimer goes on. Big show. 2.50
2 TENMA *** Pay to ignore last start and will appreciate being back on the Poly with tongue-tie added. 5.00
3 TROPPO FORTE ** Resuming after long break but showed enough first campaign to keep safe. 20
4 ASTRO MAN *** Winkers on and another that appreciates being back on the Poly. Value. 3.50
5 BILBO BAGGINS ** Nothing last start but has speed and cheeky run expected. 12
6 SUN EMPIRE * No. 50
7 SUPER BIG * Easier to ignore. 20
8 FAST JET *** Form reads terribly but gets blinkers and recent trial suggests he has something to offer at odds. 20
9 STOCK BROKER ** Thereabouts as a rule and a must for exotics. 12
10 OUR RIVER DANCER ** Another who usually in the exotic mix and will add value. 20
11 GRAVLAX * Had his chances. 50
Race 3
Selections; 5 CLIP THE TICKET – 1 ASSERTIVE LAD – 8 DUTY FREE – 7 ROYAL STYLE
Plenty of winning hopes in this Class 4 (division 2) sprint and with the pace drawn wide, expect a solid clip early and late. With the speed very wide, CLIP THE TICKET from gate eight should get a nice run throughout for R Shafiq and his recent form suggests he is the one to beat. He will be supported and it does look a case of any luck in running and he will be very hard to beat. The two horses that are likely to go forward from wide gates are ASSERTIVE LAD (11) and DRAGON SPIRIT (10). Both have realistic chances of winning in this company and while ASSERTIVE LAD has yet to win on the Poly, a recent good trial suggests he can add an all-weather win to his CV. If the race is run to suit swoopers – and it should – DUTY FREE and ROYAL SRTYLE both come under notice and pay to keep them both safe with value in mind. OCEAN GENERAL and FOREVER LUCKY both could also win without surprising.
1 ASSERTIVE LAD *** Yet to win on the Poly but will win this grade and must be respected on a good recent trial. 5.00
2 DRAGON SPIRIT *** Drawn awkwardly but will improve lengths this grade and pay to follow. 20
3 OCEAN GENERAL *** Turned some good form into a KSD win and should be thereabouts. 4.00
4 FOREVER LUCKY *** Resuming after bleeding attack and gives this a shake on good win two back. 12
5 CLIP THE TICKET *** In form and this race very suitable to knock in another win. 2.50
6 KAISER BRIGHT ** Excuses last start and always an each-way hope in races like this at odds. 20
7 ROYAL STYLE *** Has been running on well in easier company but up to this on his day. 8.00
8 DUTY FREE *** Another that ail be doing best work late and should be value so keep safe. 20
9 ZAC COMMAND * Some recent form OK but might be looking for easier company. 33
10 DR OCTOPUS ** Honest enough to include win skinny end of exotics but needs easier to win. 33
11 BALESTRA * Resuming with tongue-tie and prefer to just watch. 50
Race 4
Selections; 10 SPECIAL ID – 9 SCENE OF THE CRIME – 1 PUBLIC FIGURE – 6 MR BLOSSOM
While a smart debutante in SCENE OF THE CRIME keeps things interesting, this race does perfect for SPECIAL ID to knock in an early win. The 3YO was probably a good thing beaten on debut after jumping from a wide gate and given what he showed on that occasion coming off a slick Official trial, he is the the one to beat here after drawing favourably in gate 2. But SCENE OF THE CRIME has drawn well in gate 7 and gets Manny Nunes so should get every chance if good enough. His trial suggests he will go close and whatever happens here, he is a horse to follow. PUBLIC FIGURE and MR BLOSSOM both come into this with good runs under their respective belts so can figure if things go bad for the fave and market best guide on the rest.
1 PUBLIC FIGURE *** Drawn wide but showed last start he is due with subsequent good trial a pointer. 6.00
2 KIWICAN ** Resuming sans winkers and have to take on trust on race form. 20
3 BRAVE CAVALIER * Resuming after poor debut and hard to consider. 100
4 KAISO ** Respiratory issues at two starts so pay to give another show on good trial form. 33
5 LIM’S ACTION * Shown little at two starts however has had support so could improve. 33
6 MR BLOSSOM *** Improving with each run and showed more than enough last start to win this. 7.00
7 DAZZLING SUN * Needs to show more. 33
8 KIRKUS * Would like to see support given quiet trial. 33
9 SCENE OF THE CRIME *** Trial looked good enough to win on debut with Nunes a positive booking. 4.00
10 SPECIAL ID *** Bad gate looked costly when narrowly beaten on debut and hard to beat after drawing to advantage. 2.40
11 CASTLE QUEEN ** Given a push at Official trial but effort suggests he can be included in exotics. 12
12 MISS ELYSIUM ** Appreciates debut run and gets blinkers added so should improve. 20
13 EAGLE SOAR ** Two-year-old who has speed and could run a very cheeky race with 49kg. 50
Race 5
Selections; 6 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR – 1 HYDRO – 8 TIME ODYSSEY – 7 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE
While you would expect support for the likes of HYDRO and NINETYSEVENEMPEROR and both figure heavily in our selections, this race has enormous depth so there should be plenty for value seekers to ponder as well. But as it stands, NINETYSEVENEMPEROR bolted in when breaking his overdue maiden status last start and have to follow. That was also over the mile and while drawn wide here, he could be hard to beat. HYDRO has done nothing wrong and the 4YO looks the benchmark and probably starts favourite on his form since arriving from Australia with gate 2 and Corey Brown a good combination. You can make a good winning case for most (in not all) in the field but TIME ODYSSEY had heavy support last start and is worth another look.
1 HYDRO *** Progressive type who figures heavily in this finish. 3.50
2 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON *** Put a line through his last start where he had excuses and can break his Singapore duck in this. 7.00
3 SCIENCE FICTION *** Issues last start (roarer) and looks a big show at odds on start prior. 33
4 IKING *** Doesn’t win out of turn but hard to fault honesty and can figure. 12
5 SACRED SPIN ** Coming off a solid KSD Poly win and pay to keep very safe as handles the turf. 12
6 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR *** Broke maiden status in fine style this trip last start and can go on with the job. 5.00
7 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE *** Another that doesn’t win out of turn but always looks a show and can be value. 10
8 TIME ODYSSEY *** Looked to have every chance when disappointing last start with heavy support but pay to follow. 5.00
9 MATA MATA ** Will be running on late at value. 33
10 ADRENALINE ** Appreciates first-up run and improves at odds. 33
11 MASURAO *** Very cheeky run at any old odds expected so keep safe in a race with depth. 33
12 MR CONNERY ** Very honest and yet another to include in exotics. 12
Race 6
Selections; 5 KING SAVINSKY – 3 AUREUS – 2 RAVOUX – 7 BREAKING VAULTS
KING SAVINSKY might not have won in some 12 starts in Singapore but the former NZ winner looks well placed over the mile in Class 5 to change all that. He gets Nunes which can’t hurt and given some nice runs without a result in better company than this, he can win. RAVOUX does look the benchmark though. The 7YO has been in very solid and honest form of late and certainly overdue for a win. Two at value to watch include AUREUS who improves lengths in Class 5 and BREAKING VAULTS who is also suited this Class and trip. You could make a case for a few others so go wide in exotics and keep an eye on the tote for any stable support.
1 BOURNE ACADEMY ** Form reads badly but very much appreciates drop to Class 5 company so can improve at odds. 33
2 RAVOUX *** Doing everything bar win of late and might not get a better chance than this. 3.00
3 AUREUS *** Recent form reads badly and two career wins on the Poly but suited the trip and grade so big run expected. 8.00
4 HARDEN UP ** Query at the trip but in-form so pay to keep safe. 8.00
5 KING SAVINSKY *** Excuses not to win dropping to Class 5 last start and could be hard to hold out. 3.00
6 HENRY THE EIGHTH ** Maiden who will appreciate Class 5 and a must for exotics. 33
7 BREAKING VAULTS *** Showed two starts back this type of race is his caper and can figure in this finish. 8.00
8 HEAR ME ** Form reads very badly but not a mile away last start and mile suits. 33
9 CHEETAH KING ** Gets blinkers and will work into this late. 33
10 READY FORTUNE * Drawn wide and good recent form has been on the Poly. 33
11 JACKPOT ** Should be running on with blinkers downgraded to winkers. 20
12 POWER KING * Maiden who gets blinkers but nuisance value only. 33
13 THREE WHIP * Resuming, no. 100
14 BRILLIANT POWER * Gets blinkers and loses tongue-tie but not for me. 100
15 PIONEER LIU * No. 100
16 ENCOSTA ZONE *** Showed last start this type of race is his caper so keep safe if he gets a start. 12
Race 7
Selections; 4 SUPER WINNER – 1 SOUTHERN BOSS – 2 GOLDEN SAND STEED – 7 GOT LUCK
SUPER WINNER goes better than most on the Poly and could be very hard to beat in this BM97 sprint. The 3YO has won five from six on the all-weather track (just how did Golden Curl beat him?) and given the strength of his last two wins and subsequent strong trial, he is the one to beat. In saying that he is up in Class and weight so you have to respect the competition with SOUTHERN BOSS the one he will have to run over late to win. With a strong early pace expected, GOLDEN SAND STEED will be suited to swoop late so has to be kept safe with most others some hope on best form including GOT LUCK resuming.
1 SOUTHERN BOSS *** Will lead them up and the one to pass late. 12
2 GOLDEN SAND STEED *** Worked home late as expected in similar affair last start and pay to follow. 6.00
3 VALEVOLE *** In sparking form and often value so keep very safe. 8.00
4 SUPER WINNER *** Five from six on the Poly and looks well up to this with 54kg. 3.00
5 GOLDEN BRILLIANT *** Will find this easier than Group company last start and hard to fault honest form. 5.00
6 PETRENUI ** Goes quick and could surprise at odds. 20
7 GOT LUCK *** Very smart sprinter resuming and first-up form good enough for this. 6.00
8 RAPIDO STAR * Struggling of late. 33
9 BAHEN ** Resuming and trails suggests he runs a big race late with just 50kg. 12
10 DESERT FOX ** Given no chance last start and will enjoy being back on the Poly. Value. 20
Race 8
Selections; 2 FAMOUS ARTIST – 3 CUARON – 9 ELITE STAR – 6 MIGHTY MAN
While we will be respecting the nice win on debut by CUARON and also the 2YO ELITE STAR with no weight, FAMOUS ARTIST looks extremely hard to beat and should go off the punters short-priced elect. The Australian-bred 3YO bolted in on debut but more importantly backed up with a narrow defeat to the more the handy filly, DIVIDED HOUSE. Given there was daylight third on that occasion, he could run this lot off it’s feet if they aren’t up to the task. As mentioned, the only two that look a danger are CUARON from the Laxon stable who won well on debut and ELITE STAR who wasn’t far behind the winner in 2YO company and looks well placed here with 50kg.
1 EXCITING PROSPECT * Won maiden at long odds last start and not in well enough at the conditions here to consider. 33
2 FAMOUS ARTIST *** Lost no friends when narrowly going down last start with daylight third. Hard to beat. 1.60
3 CUARON *** Won well on debut and pay to follow with gate 1 a bonus. 4.50
4 STORM TROOPER ** Pay to ignore last start as form prior very good and 3kg claim has him well placed. 15
5 LIZAZ ** Beaten a long way into third last start but will work home late. 12
6 MIGHTY MAN ** Gets blinkers after issues last start (respiratory) and should be more than competitive. 12
7 MOLLY BROWNE * Will work home late but might need longer to be a threat. 15
8 SECRET SPICE * Needs easier and longer. 100
9 ELITE STAR *** Debut in 2YO company was good enough to give this a shake with 50kg. 10
Race 9
Selections; 2 KAM’S COMET – 1 DRAGON FORCE – 6 TOAST’S ANGEL – 7 CITY OF SAILS
A dilemma in the last with KAM’S COMET likely to start favourite with good reason but a number of horses with eye-catching trial form likely to offer value in what is a very open race. From the top, DRAGON FORCE resuming after a bleeding attack should go very well. His trials have been excellent and a 2kg claim for Troy See looks a good move. Both TOAST’S ANGEL and CITY OF SAILS have also trialed well enough to consider and value should be found somewhere between the three. But KAM’S COMET has won two of three including a win over DIVIDED HOUSE who has franked that form so happy to have him on top. The consistent KAISER and last start winner SUN PIONEER two others that win without surprising.
1 DRAGON FORCE *** Resuming after a bleeding attack and can win this with some very strong trial form under his belt. 5.50
2 KAM’S COMET *** Hard to fault form and looks well-placed in Class 4 company. 3.00
3 MEXBOROUGH BOY ** Form reads badly but a significant drop in Class has him under notice. 20
4 KAISER *** Continues his good run of form and always worth an each way look. 5.00
5 SUN PIONEER *** Broke maiden status with heavy support last start and pay to follow. 4.00
6 TOAST’S ANGEL *** Resuming with an eye-catching trial under her belt and might run a big race at odds. 20
7 CITY OF SAILS *** Blinkers on. Pay to ignore last start as previous form solid and trial with head-gear good enough to win. 12
8 DRAGON INFINITY ** Turned around some poor form with a surprise win so have to take on trust. 20
9 HELEN ** Form reads badly but appreciates Class 4 and switch back to Poly. 33
10 TROPICAL FOREST ** Hard to have on form but another that has trialed OK recently and some hope on best form. 33
11 FARRAND * Reassess easier. 50
12 HAPPY PRINCESS * No. 100
