Got Luck gets his chance in Open Benchmark 83 compay (pic by Singapore Turf Club)
With most eyes on a bumper Sunday meeting that includes the Juvenile Championship, the Chairman’s Trophy and the Korea Racing Authority Trophy, Sunday has a distinct Aussie feel with plenty of highlights.
The National Australia Bank Cup (race 5) in particular looks a cracking Poly sprint where GOT LUCK gets his chance in Open Benchmark 83 company. The highest rated horses in the field, GOT LUCK gets a handy 1kg R Shafiq claim and given his first-up effort over 1100m in a top BM97 field, he will be extremely hard to beat.
Two horses resuming in RAISE NO DOUBT and EXCEED EXPRESS look the main dangers and given both have excellent trial form leading into this, the market will be a terrific guide for punters.
The Class 3 Austcham Cup over 1200m is another terrific race that will have the crowd buzzing. KAM’S COMET looks a very progressive type and must go close to making it four wins from just five career starts but the race does have depth with the former Malaysian SMART PEOPLE ready to win and value about with PINT SIZED PRINCE and even STRILING for Laurie Laxon.
Elsewhere on the card, STOCK BROKER may be a maiden but also may be a good thing in race 6 where he meets a very weak Class 5 field. In fact punters might just make him one of the better bets on the night and if he gets any luck in running, he is extremely hard to beat with R Shafiq riding for Michael Freedman.
Friday 24 July
Best Bets: (STOCK BROKER race 6, win), (KIRKUS race 2, each-way) and (PINT SIZED PRINCE race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1), race 7 (1, 2, 4, 8 and 10), race 8 (1), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 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; 1 DR OCTOPUS – 3 GOOD LOOUKEN – 8 INFERMO – 7 ALWAYS A WINNER
This race is probably tougher than it first looked on paper but happy to stay with the obvious choice, DR OCTOPUS. The 4YO has only won once from some 20 career starts but some of those placed efforts suggests he is better than Class 5 and will win in this company sooner than later. The start did look to cost him last time out and Nunes will be keen to make amends here. GOOD LOOUKEN is the danger with three close-up placing’s since dropping to Class 5 and expect much the same again. The benchmark in this type of race of late has been ALWAYS A WINNER and he will again keep them honest but it will pay to keep INFERNO safe at odds as he gets blinkers and would give this a shake on best form. Of the rest, not many 2YO’s get a run in Class 5 so watch EAGLE SOAR with LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT and SUPER JOY both capable of upsets at odds.
1 DR OCTOPUS *** Start costly last time out and hard to hold out here. 2.40
2 EAGLE SOAR ** Form reads hopeless but only a 2YO and has enough speed to run a cheeky race in Class 5. 20
3 GOOD LOOUKEN *** Foot on the till since dropping to this company and right in this finish. 3.50
4 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT ** Resuming with good trial under his belt and could give this a shake on best form. 20
5 FALCON * Back in trip a good move but has been disappointing with support. 12
6 SUPER JOY ** Very much appreciates drop back to 1000m and expect a very solid run. 6.00
7 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Hard to fault form and must be respected with winkers and tongue-tie added. 6.00
8 INFERMO *** Form reads badly but gets blinkers back on and could surprise at odds. 20
9 RAINBOW STAR * Blinkers off but needs to do much more. 33
Race 2
Selections; 5 SCENE OF THE CRIME – 3 KIRKUS – 9 DRAGON GOLD – 8 TENMA
A nice enough maiden with plenty of promising types ready to open their accounts. SCENE OF THE CRIME is certainly one of those given his excellent debut run with support. He also gives every indication that 1200m is ideal and with Nunes staying on, he could be hard to beat. Other 3YO’s that look ready to win include PREFERRED and MR BLOSSOM, who both will run on from wide draws, KIRKUS who showed plenty on a debut with excuses and the NH-bred TENMA, who can win. A few 2YO’s also look very well placed with 50kg to win this with DRAGON GOLD a likely on-pace runner who could be hard to pass. Throw in two 2YO debutantes in GROENEWEGEN and SPECIAL FORCE and even JET STRIKE at long odds.
1 PREFERRED ** Drawn badly but will be running on at odds. 12
2 MR BLOSSOM *** Also drawn wide but will also be running on late and goes close on recent form. 11
3 KIRKUS *** Debut with excuses a beauty and looks well placed over 1200m. Can win. 6.00
4 PARTIE ARTIE * Resuming after poor run and have to take on trust. 100
5 SCENE OF THE CRIME *** Went very close on debut and gives every indication 1200m ideal. 3.00
6 JELLY BEAN ** Looked good at recent trial but that was with blinkers and might pay to wait for headgear. 20
7 RAJA RANI ** Won trial in slow time so like to see support on debut. 20
8 TENMA *** Flew home when all over last start but effort good enough to win this if handier in running. 8.00
9 DRAGON GOLD *** Improving with each run and could be hard to run down with 50kg. 8.00
10 GROENEWEGEN *** Looked comfortable at a few local trials and look for support. 8.00
11 JET STRIKER ** Appreciates debut run, nice gate and lightweight. Exotics. 50
12 SPECIAL FORCE *** Another 2YO that trialed good enough to include on debut. 8.00
13 HEE’S EGO * Resuming and while has placed over 1100m, may need longer. 33
14 WHISPERINTHEWIND * Winkers off and yet to live up to early potential. 33
Race 3
Selections; 1 CASH BOX – 3 NOVA WARRIOR – 5 LUCKY DAPPER – 2 CALIFORNIA EAGLE
Not much depth to this Class 4 and as such, CASH BOX gets his chance to knock in his maiden Singapore win. The 5YO has won two races back in Australia and has certainly showed enough at four starts since arriving to suggest he win a race like this with a tonguetie added today. NOVA WARRIOR is one that punters may back to beat CASH BOX. The 3YO backed up a good maiden win on debut with a close-up Class 4 placing and given he had excuses last start, he could win this. Of the rest only LUCK DAPPER should come in for any sort of support and will run his usual each-way-all-the-way race. If you have to include others for exotics, CALIFORNIA EAGLE may be the improver at odds with Michael Rodd up back on the Poly.
1 CASH BOX *** Gets a tongue-tie after having every chance last start but wins one of these soon. 2.00
2 CALIFORNIA EAGLE ** Form obviously reads badly but will appreciate being back on the poly in Class 4 and Rodd. Keep safe. 20
3 NOVA WARRIOR *** Interfered last start and shown enough to win a race like this. 2.80
4 XIN TREASURE * Not going well enough. 50
5 LUCKY DAPPER ** Always a show and recent trial good enough to include here with the visor off. 7.00
6 DRAGON INFINITY * Looked to have issues last start but should need easier. 50
7 ROMA ** Competitive on his day but recent wins in Class 5. 20
8 MONEY KING ** Will be running on late but another that should need easier and perhaps longer. 20
9 PUBLIC FIGURE ** Maiden but last two efforts have been good and could run a cheeky race. 20
10 JUST DUIT * No. 100
11 ZAC COMMAND ** Field weeks enough to include in exotics but prefer in Class 5. 20
Race 4
Selections; 2 BORDEAUX – 4 MILITARY ALLIANCE – 5 JIMTOWN – 10 LIM’S MIRAGE
Too many horses have a chance to win this to be confident but hopefully there is value on offer for a horse like BORDEAUX. Yes, the 4YO has been very disappointing not to have won since making waves in late 2013, but in Kranji Stakes D company he should give a sight. MILITARY ALLIANCE looks to have fluctuating form but his good recent form is all on the Poly so he must be a show while JIMTOWN is one that will be storming late and has to be included somewhere. Throw in TEQUILA SHOT down in grade, CLERMONT CLUB, BLOSSOM’S SEQUEL, WINNING STAR and even the maiden LIM’S MIRAGE, who looks due. A raffle.
1 TEQUILA SHOT *** Drawn awkwardly and having first start on the Poly but trials well and will enjoy this company with tongue-tie off. 8.00
2 BORDEAUX *** Long time between wins but has ability and should go very close in this company. 6.00
3 CLERMONT CLUB *** Not a mile away last start and this race is suitable so keep very safe. 16
4 MILITARY ALLIANCE *** Ignore last start as much better suited on the Poly. Goes close. 4.00
5 JIMTOWN *** Wide gate no issue as will get back and be doing best work late. Can win. 6.00
6 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL *** Thereabouts of late and significant rider change has him under notice. 5.00
7 WINNING STAR *** Just missed last start and more than handles switch to Poly. 11
8 ONEPLUSZERO ONE * No. 100
9 BLACK FRIDAY ** Can run a very cheeky race at odds but should need easier. 33
10 LIM’S MIRAGE *** Maiden but in form and might give a sight from gate 2. 10
11 GRAND PARIS ** Competitive this company but recent good form is in Class 5. 20
12 NOVEMBER SUCCESS ** Not a mile away last start in Class 5 but exotics look best. 20
13 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ * Will be running on late but better suited in Class 5. 33
Race 5
Selections; 1 GOT LUCK – 5 RAISE NO DOUBT – 7 EXCEED EXPRESS – 6 SEBAS
Aptly named race as they may back one of these horses to be “better than bank interest” and for those willing to take the shorts, it may be GOT LUCK they jump on. The 5YO went super close when resuming last start in nice company over 1100m and this race with a 1kg claimer looks ideal. Two from the trials that look ready to go well first up after spells are RAISE NO DOUBT and EXCEED EXPRESS. Both horses obviously go well enough regardless but with eye-catching trails under their belts, big runs are expected. Throw in the in-form SEBAS and PETRENUI but GOT LUCK the one to beat.
1 GOT LUCK *** Went very close first up and hard to beat from the ace with handy 1kg claim. 2.50
2 INDIAN JADE * Resuming after bleeding attack and have to take on trust. 33
3 PETRENUI ** Has been the bunny of late but goes better than most when on-song so pay to keep safe. 8.00
4 DRAGONHEAD * Former Malaysian (Military Attack) and prefer to watch at Singapore debut. 33
5 RAISE NO DOUBT *** Smart type resuming sans tongue-tie and recent trials suggests he is ready to show up. 3.20
6 SEBAS *** In form and will run a very forward race with lightweight. 5.00
7 EXCEED EXPRESS *** Resuming and recent trial suggests he goes very close. 6.00
8 SECRET MISSION * Will be value and could be competitive but needs easier to win. 33
Race 6
Selections; 1 STOCK BROKER – 8 LIVE WELL – 6 SINGLE STAR – 10 GENUINE BARGAIN
I think it’s safe to say that whoever wins this “cup” won’t be needing to build a trophy cabinet anytime soon. The field is ordinary to say the least and while he is a 14 start maiden, STOCK BROKER is the one to beat. The 3YO will not find a weaker race to win and his recent form suggests – while not likely to win any more silverware anytime soon – he is better than Class 5. Nothing else stands out to beat him – in fact more than half of the field have no form whatsoever – but SINGLE STAR first up after a break, LIVE WELL on his recent run and trial form and GENUINE BARGAIN on solid Class 5 form, can be included.
1 STOCK BROKER *** Maiden but will win one in Class 5 and gets his chance here. 1.80
2 THINK PRETTY * Struggles as a rule but should appreciate the company. 33
3 BANK ON ME * Needs to show more. 33
4 BLACK DIAMOND * No. 100
5 LAM EDITION * Struggles as a rule. 50
6 SINGLE STAR *** Resuming but certainly goes good enough on his day to win in this weak field. 6.00
7 NINTH AVENUE ** This should be too short better than most of these so keep safe in exotics. 12
8 LIVE WELL *** Improved effort first up and recent trial OK so must go close in this field. 8.00
9 ZAC GALLANT ** Long-term maiden but another who gets his chance in a field with no depth. 12
10 GENUINE BARGAIN *** Last win was almost one year back but recent form good enough to give this a shake. 6.00
11 HONKYTONK MAN * The odd good run but easier to ignore. 33
Race 7
Selections; 2 SMART PEOPLE – 4 KAM’S COMET – 10 PINT SIZED PRINCE – 8 STIRLING
A great race and expect punters to support at least five runners with genuine winning hopes. Heading the list for punters will be KAM’S COMET who is gunning for three straight wins. In fact if he does get the chocolates for regular rider Manny Nunes it be his fourth win from just five career starts and they may jump out of the trees to back him. Hopefully they do and there will be value on SMART PEOPLE. The former Malaysian had issues in a similar affair last start (including his saddle slipping) and that effort good enough to win this. One at long odds that we may want to include in PINT SIZED PRINCE. The 6YO has been a terrific money-spinner for connections and given he had excuses last start and gets blinkers added, he might be suited back in trip. Throw in STIRLING and FLYING ZERO as winning hopes.
1 FLYING ZERO *** Ran on well last start and could easily show up here with 4kg claim. 10
2 SMART PEOPLE *** Had issues last start so effort to place was very good and can win this with tongue-tie added. 5.00
3 VON KRUMM ** Has speed and will be in this a long way. 10
4 KAM’S COMET *** Obviously very impressive winning three from four and more than up to this company. 2.50
5 LIVELY DRAGON ** Rarely seen on the turf but has speed to burn and will ensure a hot pace. 20
6 MEDIA CAPTAIN * Pinched one of these four starts back but will need every bit of the 2kg claim. 20
7 PURE TACTICS * Struggles as a rule on the turf. 50
8 STIRLING *** Excuses last start and did look due prior so pay to keep safe with gate 1 a factor. 8.00
9 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Will be running on strongly but better suited longer and easier. 50
10 PINT SIZED PRINCE *** Back in trip but had excuses last start and could surprise at long odds with blinkers added. 20
Race 8
Selections; 1 KEEN DRAGON – 2 KAISER – 4 BLAZING SUN – 5 TOAST’S ANGEL
No depth to this race and KEEN DRAGON gets his chance to knock in his third straight win. The 4YO took a few sighters to find his winning form but a spell after that win looked a good move as he came out and won in KSD company at his next start. Nunes stays on and expect heavy support. KAISER also gets an excellent chance to knock in a well-deserved win. The 6YO has been in very solid form of late in this this company and while he needs a result, he won’t find a race more suitable than this and will be prominent throughout. Nothing else wins without surprising but worth a look at BLAZING SUN, TOAST’S ANGEL – both at value – with KISS and LUCKY SIX also thereabouts.
1 KEEN DRAGON *** Resumed after breaking maiden status with good win and can go on with the job. 2.00
2 KAISER *** In very honest form and should win one of these sooner than later. 4.00
3 DRAGON KING ** For better than it reads and might be the value runner from gate 1. 20
4 BLAZING SUN ** Pay to ignore last start as goes OK and back on winning surface in his favour. 10
5 TOAST’S ANGEL ** Appreciates first up run and may improve at odds. 20
6 LUCKY SIX ** Hard to fault form include close-up finish two back this company. 6.00
7 KISS ME ** Resuming sans winkers after just missing last start in KSD company. Keep safe. 12
8 PROBO CHANDROSO * Took Class 5 company to win last start and probably needs that level. 20
9 BRANKSOME * Needs easier. 50
10 DELFYNE * Maiden resuming. No. 100
11 GOOD CHILD * Enjoys the Poly but needs Class 5. 50
Race 9
Selections; 3 PERFECT P – 2 HERO I AM – 5 WELL DONE – 8 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR
Something has to give in this race with at least seven horses featuring heavily in many a pundit’s black book. PERFECT P is one such horse after showing plenty at his Singapore debut. The ex-Argentinean did well against the track bias when swooping on that occasion and, on a track that should suit and over an extra 200m, he will be hard to hold out. HERO I AM also showed last start he wins soon in Singapore and will race handy throughout for Matt Kellady. John Powell (who was on HERO I AM last start) gets on WELL DONE and his form coupled with a nice recent trial has him under notice at odds. In no particular order, NINETYSEVENEMPEROR, BRAHMS AND LISZT, BOB and FREE HAPPY could all win without surprising and go even wider in exotics.
1 BOB *** In super form without a result but wins one soon and in this a very long way. 5.00
2 HERO I AM *** Just missed last start and will appreciate the mile. 5.00
3 PERFECT P *** Flew home to just miss out at Singapore debut and can win this. 4.00
4 FREE HAPPY *** Backed up good win with very nice effort in Class 4. Value. 20
5 WELL DONE *** In form and recent trial suggests he gives this a shake. 10
6 BILLY BRITAIN * Struggled of late and have to take on trust. 100
7 ANY RUMOUR ** Nothing last couple but may appreciate the drop back to the mile. 33
8 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR *** Stiff not to win last start and happy to follow. 5.00
9 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** No luck last start and wins one of these when he gets the rub of the green. 7.00
10 ACROSS THE SEA ** Close up last start at value and a must for exotics. 16
11 ECLIPSE DANCER ** Last run better than the result and will appreciate the mile. 33
12 KEEP SPINNING * Won in Class 5 last start and this is much tougher. 50
13 ROSEGOLD * Honest enough but tested this level. 33
