Kam’s Comet all in form and ready to win (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
The penultimate race meeting for the 2015 season and with all three premierships done and dusted weeks ago, it is just some bragging rights up for grabs as Singapore racing winds down for the Christmas break.
It has been a relatively tough year for the code in Singapore with many changes, including the scraping of the International Races, to come into effect in the new season but for the likes of Mark Walker, Manoel Nunes and Rizuan Shafiq – champion trainer, jockey and apprentice respectively – a season to be proud of.
And while Nunes and Shafiq have started their holidays early, Walker will be hoping to finish off the year on a winning note and like he has done all season, the quietly spoken Kiwi has plenty of runners entered.
In fact Walker has at least one runner in all races bar the sixth and with the likes of DR OCTOPUS (race 1), THE COSMOS (race 3) and KAM’S COMET (race 7) all in form and ready to win, he should 
add to his margin in the championship.
Trainers thinking that Walker might take his foot of the pedal this late in the season would have also noted two newcomers in COURT CASE (race 2) and COUNTRY WARRIOR (race 9) that look handy types who can win on debut.
Which all points to Walker being the man to beat again in 2016.
Friday 11 December
Best Bets: (KIWI KARMA race 7, win), (NATION THEATRE race 6, value) and (WELL DONE race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10), race 7 (1, 2, 8 and 10), race 8 (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12), race 9 (1, 2, 5 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; 7 MACHFIVE – 2 GADAWON – 9 DR OCTOPUS – 3 PROBO CHANDROSO
The opening race of the last weekend of racing for the 2015 season and it looks a tough one for punters with a few Class droppers that look ready to win. And no one is dropping further in Class on recent runs than MACHFIVE who resumes after a couple of runs in BM89 Company. The 6YO has been trialling well and this company and race certainly look suitable. GADAWON will also find Class 5 to his liking after some mixed form in Class 4. But the 5YO raced handier last start, which does look his caper, and he could easily show up on his only winning surface. PROBO CHANDROSO is another that improves dropping to Class 5 while the usual suspects in DR OCTOPUS, ZAC COMMAND and even TROPICAL FOREST are all in the mix. Keep the second emergency – I’M KOOL – safe when he gets a start.
1 AMISTAD ** Drawn wide but not a mile away when resuming and pay to keep safe. 12
2 GADAWON *** Significant drop in Class and expect a very forward showing. 6.00
3 PROBO CHANDROSO *** Also drop in Class and won last time he was in similar affair. 6.00
4 WINNING STAR * Appreciates company but should need longer. 33
5 WONDERFUL ERA * Another who will go well in Class 5 but wait for longer. 33
6 CONGO ZANDOR ** Yet to place on the Poly in some 17 starts but thereabouts as a rule and can follow. 6.00
7 MACHFIVE *** Resuming in very suitable race after some tough assignments last campaign. Big show. 5.00
8 ZAC COMMAND *** Always an each-way show in races like this. 5.00
9 DR OCTOPUS *** Desperate for a result but will be storming late and cannot be discounted. 6.00
10 MAGIC RANGER * Blinkers on but no. 100
11 MAJOR GREEN * Struggles as a rule. 100
12 TROPICAL FOREST ** Not a mile away last start and a must for exotics in this type of race. 14
13 JOYOUS * Easier to ignore. 100
14 I’M KOOL *** Maiden who has speed and should be prominent throughout. 10
Race 2
Selections; 11 INFANTRY – 5 MAGNETISE – 8 FALKIRK LEAD – 10 COURT CASE
Apart from FALKIRK LEAD who showed marked improvement last start when blinkers went on, most of the raced horses look only fair which gives some newcomers the chance to knock in a win on debut. INFANTRY has had two good local trials and we like the fact he was given a very strong hit out at his most recent. Juglall rides for HW Tan and from gate 4 we can expect a very forward showing. There was a lot to like about the trial of MAGNETISE as well with his work late at his most recent hit-out suggesting he is ready to show up on debut. COURT CASE is also a show on trial form but he does look the type who may need the race experience with the market a good guide on his chances. As mentioned, FALKIRK LEAD looks the best of the raced brigade but a few of the others do look like improving with race experience.
1 ANAK PENANG ** Beaten a long way into third last start and will need luck here from the wide gate. 14
2 AH KAI * Would like to see support on exposed trial form. 33
3 ARLO ** Will improve on debut and can include in exotic mix. 20
4 KING OF THIEVES ** Improving with each run and blinkers over 1200m looks a good move. 10
5 MAGNETISE *** Trialling well and looks a sold winning chance at debut. 4.00
6 SPEEDY MOMENT * Hard to have on what we saw on debut. 100
7 GOLD RESERVE * No. 200
8 FALKIRK LEAD *** Improved lengths to just miss when blinkers added last start and can win this. 4.00
9 RAJA RANI * Resuming after bleeding on debut so take on trust. 200
10 COURT CASE *** Looked green at recent trial but has ability and pay to respect. 6.00
11 INFANTRY *** Given solid hit out to win recent trial and could be the testing material. 3.00
12 LIM’S ABSOLUTE * Needs to improve on efforts to date. 33
13 MAGIC PAINT ** Race form hopeless but recent trial – albeit with blinkers – was good so take on trust. 20
14 VOLCANO * No. 200
Race 3
Selections; 1 THE COSMOS – 3 VIVIANO – 6 SUGAR MAN – 9 LUCKY SIX
Not a lot of depth to this Class 4 Poly sprint and as such, THE COSMOS should be hard to beat. After just missing at his last two starts, the stable has opted for a 4kg claimer in CK Ng and from gate 2, he should be the testing material. The interesting runner is VIVIANO. The former Kiwi was struggling for form back in the land of the long white cloud but two very good local trials suggests he has adapted very well to the conditions at Kranji. Gate 1 and the experienced Alan Munro looks a good combination and the market will be a good guide. The only other that looks a winning hope on form is SUGAR MAN who has been in very good form of late and certainly keeps the favourite honest.
1 THE COSMOS *** Just missed last two and hard to beat from gate 2 with a 4kg claim. 2.00
2 SATELLITE SPEED * Former Kiwi who may need the run. 50
3 VIVIANO *** Former Kiwi who has been trialling like he could be a horse to watch at his Kranji debut. 5.00
4 PHILANTHROPIST ** Struggled at last couple but will work into this late if having a good day. 20
5 RAZZOSTELLA ** In form but was found out at only Poly start so take on trust. 6.00
6 SUGAR MAN *** In form and looks a solid each-way hope. 6.00
7 MILLION ROUND * Easier to ignore on recent form. 50
8 EASY MONEY * Another hard to have on recent form. 100
9 LUCKY SIX ** Competitive this company but should need easier to win. 13
10 ANONYMOUS ** Maiden who will be thereabouts in this company and a must for exotics. 12
11 ALWAYS AHEAD * No. 200
Race 4
Selections; 2 MIGHTY EMPEROR – 13 HAN SOLO – 5 SUN DANCE – 4 SLAVONIC DANCE
A terrible maiden mile and as such MIGHTY EMPEROR get this chance to break through. The 4YO has had eight career starts for only two placings but given his last four runs have been close-up finishes, he is ready to win. SUN DANCE is the only danger with a confirmed start. The 4YO is always a show and his recent efforts in Class 5 Poly miles with support has him in the mix although he does have a wide gate to contend with. The emergency, HAN SOLO can win if he gets a start. Although only having one placing to his name in some 14 starts, he has looked the goods of late and from gate 1 he could be the testing material. Nothing else appeals – in fact nothing else looks likely to gets within six lengths of whoever wins – so go wide in the skinny end of exotics.
1 DASHING * Form hopeless but races like he appreciates more ground. 50
2 MIGHTY EMPEROR *** Just missed last start and very hard to beat in this weak field. 1.80
3 RAAJPOOT * No. 200
4 SLAVONIC DANCE ** Not a mile away last couple and can include in exotics in a field with no depth. 12
5 SUN DANCE *** Foot on the till and goes very close with any luck from the wide gate. 2.50
6 ZAHIR * No. 100
7 EAGLESHAM ** Improved with blinkers last start and pay to watch for any support. 12
8 SPEED CRAFT ** Excuses not to finish closer last start and mile should suit. 12
9 SHARP KNIGHT * May improve over the mile but prefer others. 50
10 GANNA * No. 50
11 KNIGHT’S CHARISMA * Struggling. 200
12 VOY * Hard to have on race form. 100
13 HAN SOLO *** In form and a big winning show from gate 1 if he gets a start. 3.00
14 SHUYING XIAOXIAO * No. 200
Race 5
Selections; 1 SILVER STAR – 4 HYDRO – 6 XZUBERANCE – 8 PUSAKA
A few horses with queries in this Class 4 mile, which should make for an interesting betting market. Case in point is the equal top-weight, SILVER STAR, who is yet to race over the mile. In saying that, the 5YO is in very good form, more than handles the Poly and has placed over 1400m. HYDRO is another with a query given he is yet to race on the Poly. In his favour is his honest and very good form and he should figure at the business end if he does indeed handle the all-weather. Two others to watch are the likely leader in XZUBERANCE and the swooper in PUSAKA. From gate 3, XZUBERANCE could get a soft lead and has to be considered seriously but if it does get frantic out front, PUSAKA will be winding up late and pay to keep very safe.
1 SILVER STAR *** Query at the trip but in very good form and can win with blinkers removed. 6.00
2 THE GREAT GREY * Appreciates first up but have to take on trust at first Poly start. 20
3 DOUBLE RAINBOW ** Freshened after a good run of form and should play a part in this finish. 6.00
4 HYDRO *** Another having first crack on the Poly but in very good form and has to be respected. 4.00
5 INVICTUS ** Blinkers on after being just fair this company last start. Keep safe. 12
6 XZUBERANCE *** Can lead from gate 3 and shown he is hard to run down. 6.00
7 GRAVITY * No. 100
8 PUSAKA *** This is harder than recent outings but should make his presence felt late if race run to suit. 8.00
9 FREE HAPPY ** Usually in the exotic mix in this type of race. 12
10 Q NINE MAXIM ** Wide gate makes this tough but should be competitive. 12
11 DAAD’S THE WAY ** Took a drop to Class 5 to win again but always worth a look in exotics. 20
12 FORTUNE SPIRIT ** Broke maiden status last start over 1200m and looks like the mile suits. 16
13 ROSEGOLD ** Recent win was in Class 5 but another that is competitive as a rule. 33
14 SECRET SPICE ** Should need easier to win but gets blinkers and worth keeping safe. 20
Race 6
Selections; 3 MONEY KING – 1 NATION THEATRE – 6 KIRKS RYKER – 4 SING EXPRESS
Four last start winners suggests there is plenty of good form to go on in this KSD mile and any one of SING EXPRESS, RUN CHEETAH RUN, ALLEZ and GREAT BALLS OFFIRE could easily go on with the job in this even field. Of the quartet, SING EXPRESS and ALLEZ both won this trip and track and while they were both in maiden company, they look up to this. But one to watch is MONEY KING who is coming off a shocker. But he had excuses that day and given he finds himself back on the Poly where he has won his last two, he must go close. Steve Burridge will have a big say with three runners and while BLADEMEISTER and the above mentioned GREAT BALLS OFFIRE are coming off good runs, NATION THEATRE may be the one to watch dropping to what is very suitable company on a surface he loves. Others to watch include the newcomer in KIRKS RYKER and the first emergency, SATELLITE PRINCE.
1 NATION THEATRE *** Form reads badly but should find this company to his liking so keep very safe. 12
2 BLADEMEISTER *** Draw a concern but just missed last start similar affair so worth thought. 6.00
3 MONEY KING *** Excuses last start and has won his last two on this surface so must be a big show. 7.00
4 SING EXPRESS *** Broke maiden status this trip and track last start and pay to follow. 4.00
5 SPINNING SUCCESS ** Looks to be struggling at two runs this campaign but look for improvement back on the Poly. 33
6 KIRKS RYKER *** Irish maiden who has trialled well enough to seriously consider at Singapore debut. 8.00
7 SATELLITE STAR * Tested over the mile but appreciates the company. 33
8 RUN CHEETAH RUN ** Supported when winning over 1100m this company last start and have to respect. 10
9 ALLEZ *** Broke through for good maiden win last start and another that can go one with the job. 6.00
10 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE *** Won well in Class 5 last start and might go close here after drawing gate 1. 10
11 CHEETAH KING * Prefer on the turf. 50
12 LUCKY COME ** Always some hope on the Poly but is eligible for easier. 12
13 SATELLITE PRINCE *** In very solid form and more than handles the surface so some show if he gets a start. 8.00
14 WINNING GOOD ** Gate a concern but had enough excuses last start to give another show in open company. 33
Race 7
Selections; 2 KIWI KARMA – 1 AFFLECK – 8 SUPER KENNY – 10 KAM’S COMET
What’s odd about this race is that the likes of AFFLECK and KIWI KARMA find themselves in Class 2. Both were more than serious 3YO’s with KIWI KARMA the best sprinter and AFFLECK the best miler in their age group but both have struggled to win since. But in saying that, KIWI KARMA put in a huge effort in the now defunct KrisFlyer Sprint in May and her first up run was better than the result. This race looks perfect and she looks good enough to overcome a bad gate and win with a senior hoop in Antonio Da Silva a factor. AFFLECK resumes with a tongue-tie after two unplaced runs since his Guineas win and while he has never won on the Poly, he has trialled well and is too good not to be a show. SUPER KENNY is the interesting runner resuming. The 6YO doesn’t look a show on paper in this good field but plenty of very good trials has him under notice at odds. KAM’S COMET the other that wins without surprising given his excellent winning strike rate.
1 AFFLECK *** Guineas winner who resumes after two unplaced runs with tongue-tie added to gear. Has the class to win. 4.00
2 KIWI KARMA *** Drawn wide but plenty of excuses last start when resuming and must go close. 3.00
3 BLUE SWEDE ** Will improve again over longer but first up run very good and has to be respected. 10
4 SOUTHERN BOSS * Can lead from gate 3 on the Poly but should be found out late. 20
5 ALBANY REUNION * Resuming after showing glimpses at his first Singapore campaign but should need longer. 20
6 EL MILAGRO * Not at his best of late but 4kg claim from gate 1 could see a better effort. 50
7 PIONEER SEVEN ** Showed a return to form last start but drawn wide and blinkers are off again so take on trust. 12
8 SUPER KENNY *** Resuming with a plethora of very nice trials under his belt and could be the bolter at odds. 12
9 HYPERNOVA ** Loves the Poly and showed enough last start to keep very safe. 10
10 KAM’S COMET *** Query this level but knows how to win and should figure prominently throughout. 8.00
11 SEBAS ** Another that knows how to win but this company is a test. 12
12 THESE STREETS * Not a bad effort in the EW Barker but tested here. 100
13 GOOD NEWS ** Form better than it reads and will by flying late on a surface which is his caper. 20
14 POWER LION * Tested this level but last run was better than the result and should be long odds. 50
Race 8
Selections; 2 WELL DONE – 9 CASING ROYAL – 4 CUARON – 3 MANGATOETOENUI
While we will make a strong case for a couple of these runners, it’s extremely hard to put a pencil through any of the 12 confirmed starters as serious winning hopes. And given the race is so open, one of the horses we will make a case for – WELL DONE – could be odds given his two career wins have been over the mile on the turf. But the 4YO is resuming with blinkers and his recent very slick trial suggests the Poly is no issue and he could try to pinch this with a 4kg claimer onboard. The other horse we can make a strong case for is the undefeated CASING ROYAL. The 3YO colt has own well at both starts and while drawn wide here, is best in at the race conditions so has to be respected. Throw the blanket over the rest but the Laxon pair of CUARON and MANGATOETOENUI both look suited and should be solid each-way options.
1 ASPREY ** In solid form and 4kg claim puts him in the mix. 20
2 WELL DONE *** Resuming with blinkers and recent slick trial suggests he could show up with handy 4kg claim. 12
3 MANGATOETOENUI *** Super honest and looks well placed here to be in the mix. 8.00
4 CUARON *** Excuses when resuming and that effort good enough to follow in this. 12
5 STICK SEEKER *** Excuses for only poor run and always going to be a show in races like this. 10
6 STORM TROOPER ** Showed last start the Poly is not an issue but wide gate is an issue. 7.00
7 HUMDINGER ** Resuming after winning well last start and pay to watch for support. 12
8 LIM’S ACTION ** Resuming and certainly showed enough last start to consider. 12
9 CASING ROYAL *** In best at the race conditions and can overcome wide gate and win again. 3.20
10 MR NEVERMIND *** Resumed with strong win and will get the favours from gate 2. 10
11 GOLDEN MILE *** Just missed last start behind MR NEVERMIND last start and that form should hold up here. 20
12 PEER GYNT *** Close enough at two turf races to think he goes very close on his only winning surface. 12
13 MOLLY BROWNE ** Would like to see over longer in something easier but could work into this late. 33
14 PUTHIMONICE * No. 200
Race 9
Selections; 5 LIM’S SINCERE – 1 HONEST TRUTH – 2 COUNTRY WARRIOR – 7 ALOHA
Oddly for a handicap, the bottom four runners in this field have claimers booked. But while most (if not all) of those look like they need easier company, another horse with a 4kg claimer (Syafiq) in LIM’S SINCERE could be the testing material. The 3YO won on debut with the same hoop and with a couple of second placings to his name, a return to the junior hoop might be just what the doctor ordered. But while the horse and hoop have youth on their side, HONEST TRUTH showed last start as a 9YO that blinkers are his caper over this trip. Yes, that was in KSD company but he won too well not to follow. The interesting runner is COUNTRY WARRIOR. The former Aussie galloper has trialled very well and expect support and a good Kranji debut. ALOHA the other that can turn around some poor form with blinkers with a nice recent trial a pointer.
1 HONEST TRUTH *** Up in grade but won too well last start when blinkers added so hard to beat. 3.00
2 COUNTRY WARRIOR *** One-time winner from Australia who has trialled well enough locally to keep very safe on debut. 5.00
3 LUCKY BOY ** Jockey queried Poly form after poor run so take on trust. 12
4 WARPATH * Hard to have on recent form. 50
5 LIM’S SINCERE *** Close up at two runs this campaign and hard to beat with winning claimer back onboard. 2.30
6 WINNER’S SMILE ** Nice enough type resuming and pay to keep safe with one eye on the tote. 12
7 ALOHA *** Impossible on recent form but trialled well with blinkers added and could surprise. 20
8 PO’DE OURO * Resuming and hard to consider. 100
9 RORY ** Should need easier but this is his trip. 33
10 KLEVER WARRIOR * No. 100
11 ENLIGHTEN KNIGHT * Blinkers off but reassess in more suitable affair. 100
12 DOUBLE CASH ** Should need easier but will improve lengths back on the Poly this trip and will be value. 33
