Mr Fantastic winning the RESTRICTED MAIDEN (Photo by Singapore Turf Club)
Who are we to tip against a horse that is a genuine winning hope at start 100? The horse in question is DAAD’S THE WAY (race 10) and what better way to celebrate the century milestone than with another win over his favourite trip (mile) on his favourite track (Poly).
For the record, the NZ-bred 9YO started his career way back in March 2009 and scored his first win under the guidance of Joao Moreira – who else – when beating the oddly named EE EE UO UO (I kid you not). Some 23 different riders have been legged up by two trainers (Gray and Marsh) in his 99 starts for nine wins and plenty of good placing’s. And in what is a good advertisement for the rating system, the horse has never won above Class 4 company but has amassed more than $567,000 in prizemoney.
DAAD’S THE WAY is no champ in the literal sense but did have a crack at Group 3 level in the New Years Cup in 2011 and while being well beaten by Escamonda, it’s no surprise all the horses in that race have since been retired. Go you good thing!
Elsewhere on the card and on the other end of the spectrum, a couple of promising 3YO’s in GOLDEN TOMAHAWK and IMPERIAL BOY go head to head in race 9. Both are in-form, both have claimers onboard and both look to have found a very suitable Class 4 Poly sprint to knock in another win.
Another two 3YO’s in MR FANTASTIC and DYLAN also look extremely well placed to win the lucky last – a Class 4 sprint over 1200m on the turf. Of the two, MR FANTASTIC won in this Class two starts back and with a handy 2kg claim from gate 3, he could be the one to beat.
Friday 17 July
Best Bets: (MR FANTASTIC race 11, win), (GOLDEN TOMAHAWK race 9, win) and (MEASIN race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10), race 9 (1, 3 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9), race 11 (2, 4, 6, 9 and 10).
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; 5 RAVOUX – 10 LUCKY STRATEGY – 3 FALCON – 8 HAKAMGONG
While there looks to be a few horses that improve in Class 5 over 1400m, two horses with their feet well and truly on the till in RAVOUX and LUCKY STRATEGY are the horses to beat. But has RAVOUX forgotten how to win? Tiger Woods was still playing good golf and Sachin Tendulkar test cricket the last time the 7YO tasted victory but a plethora of recent close-up placing’s surely has him breaking the drought soon and this is suitable. Likewise, LUCKY STRATEGY is overdue but in his favour is the fact he is back over his only winning trip and hopefully Brad Parnham gets his first win in Singapore. There might be value to be found elsewhere though so keep an eye on FALCON with blinkers on first-time, HAKAMGONG over what looks his best trip in suitable company, CALLIDE RIVER and EL VERDUGO, just to name another four. Go very wide in exotics.
1 ALADDIN * Struggling but will appreciate Class 5. 33
2 EL VERDUGO *** Maiden who resumed with good effort and has raced well this trip previously. 8.00
3 FALCON *** Disappointing last couple with support but blinkers added first time has him under notice. 6.00
4 LADY TRIO ** Can be hard to follow but showed enough last start to give another go. 12
5 RAVOUX *** Very long time between drinks but in honest form and gets another chance here. 3.00
6 CALLIDE RIVER *** Form better than it reads given he drops to Class 5 and market watch in order. 12
7 ZIPANGU ** Probably as short as he wants to but have to respect dropping to Class 5. 12
8 HAKAMGONG *** Another whose form looks ordinary but enjoys the trip and in the right company. Value. 12
9 AUREUS ** Competitive but better winning option on the Poly over a tad longer. 12
10 LUCKY STRATEGY *** Overdue and this was his winning trip. Big show. 5.00
11 STREET CHAMP * Should be doing better. 50
12 HAPPY CAT * Needs to improve. 100
Race 9
Selections; 1 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK – 7 IMPERIAL BOY – 3 BELLUS WONDER – 2 MEXBOROUGH BOY
A couple of progressive 3YO’s in GOLDEN TOMAHAWK and IMPERIAL BOY look to found a very moderate Class 4 field and connections of both will be hoping for another early career win. GOLDEN TOMAHAWK is as honest as the day in long – his only blemish in seven starts when demoted from third on protest – and looks extremely well placed here. Trainer Michael Freedman has opted for a 4kg claimer and you would expect the instructions will be “just hang on”. IMPERIAL BOY has one win and two places from five career starts and a 2kg claimer in J See suggests he might also try to run a few off their feet. Nothing else jumps off the page but BELLUS WONDER is in winning form – albeit in KSD company – so has to be respected while the others do need to improve on recent form.
1 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK *** Super honest and may try to pinch this with 4kg claimer. 2.50
2 MEXBOROUGH BOY ** Nothing last start but can give a sight with positive ride so pay to keep safe. 9.00
3 BELLUS WONDER *** This is tougher but won well last start and can give a sight. 5.00
4 BEST NINE ** Had excuses of late and gets tongue-tie so might pay to keep safe at odds with nice recent trial under his belt. 20
5 TERMINATOR * Company suits but needs to lift on recent form. 33
6 XIN TREASURE * Pops up occasionally. 50
7 IMPERIAL BOY *** Backed up maiden win with solid KSD effort and pay to follow with handy 2kg claim. 3.50
8 LION BAROWS * Resuming after a long break and prefer over longer. 50
9 NEUTRINOS * Can run a cheeky race but needs easier than this. 50
10 ZAC COMMAND ** Honest enough to include in exotics but might be looking or Class 5. 12
11 TIM ** Does enjoy the Poly and might add some value to exotics with no weight. 20
12 BALESTRA * Blinkers to visor but hard to have on form. 33
13 DRAGON KING ** For good enough to play a part in this field so keep safe if he gets a start. 10
14 TOAST’S ANGEL ** Disappointing last start similar affair but worth another look on good trial form. 20
Race 10
Selections; 1 DAAD’S THE WAY – 5 MEAISIN – 4 WONDERFUL ERA – 9 RON
DAAD’S THE WAY might not be the best horse going round in Singapore but most owners and trainers would be pretty happy to own him. The 9YO is having his 100th start on Friday and with all nostalgia aside, he can win. His recent form is good and obviously his big run last Friday in Class 4 has him winning a race like this. He will need luck in running from the wide gate but wouldn’t that be a good story. Obviously he will need to be on his game with two last start winners in WONDERFUL ERA and RON in the field while the likes of MEASIN, GUILTY PLEASURES, LOUEY VELOCE and TIP OF BORNEO can all win.
1 DAAD’S THE WAY *** In form, right company and can join an elite club of winning at start 100. 5.00
2 LOUEY VELOCE *** Query the trip but ran a cheeky race last start and expect much the same. 12
3 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Another having first go at the trip but excuses last start and should be thereabouts in this. 5.00
4 WONDERFUL ERA *** Hit a purple patch of form and a leading show in this field. 4.50
5 MEAISIN *** Well placed in this type of race with senior hoop a factor. 6.00
6 TIP OF BORNEO *** Been in solid form this campaign and one to include at value. 12
7 SCHILTRON ** Resuming with nice recent trial under his belt and worth thought. 20
8 DRAPPIER * Nothing last two but appreciates being back on the Poly. 50
9 RON *** Coming off a run of good Class 5 form and should handle this. 5.00
10 SAFFIR ** Not a mile away last start and only win was this trip and surface. 20
11 BIGCAT RHAPSODY * Struggling. 50
Race 11
Selections; 2 MR FANTASTIC – 4 DYLAN – 10 BLACK MAMBA – 9 ONE UNITED
This Class 4 looks very similar to race 9 on the card where two in form 3YO’s – MR FANTASTIC and DYLAN – look to have found a very moderate Class 4 field to add another win to their CV’s. Of the two, MR FANTASTIC probably looks to have a shade more upside given he has a win in this company to his name. That was two starts back when supported and with a 2kg claimer on-board today, he can win again. DYLAN has needed KSD company to win of late but has been competitive in Class 4 so have to respect with Michael Rodd up. Of the rest, BLACK MAMBA and ONE UNITED look suited in this race with some nice recent form under their belt and GADAWON could run a very cheeky race if he gets any peace out front.
1 GUARICANA * For obviously reads very badly but will enjoy company and turf. 50
2 MR FANTASTIC *** Did it tough last start and happy to think he goes close here with handy 2kg claim. 3.00
3 FARETTI ** Resuming after issues but trials well enough to keep safe at odds. 20
4 DYLAN *** Happy to ignore last start where he did it tough as previous form has him winning a race like this. 4.50
5 RACER KING * Yet to place on the turf and happy to wait for Poly. 12
6 GADAWON *** Needs to get it his own way out-front but will pinch one. 12
7 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Resuming after excuses at recent runs so happy to follow at long odds. 20
8 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE ** Goes good enough on his day to include in exotics with value the key. 20
9 ONE UNITED *** Placed last two start and happy to follow back on the turf. 8.00
10 BLACK MAMBA *** Coming into the form that has him winning a race like this. 6.00
11 D’DON * Needs Poly, easier and shorter. 100
12 VITALLY SECRET * Needs Poly, easier and longer. 50
13 MOONBEAM DAZZLER ** Showed two starts back that he can run cheeky race at odds. 12
