LADRONE looks good to win (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Plenty of interest for punters on another Friday night mixed surface meeting and hopefully some value to be found if we look hard enough.
In fact we may even find some in race 1 on the card with MAGIC PAINT who looks hopeless on exposed form but could be ready to show something in what looks a weak maiden.
The 3YO had excuses last start when blinkers were added to his gear and with the odd good trial under his belt with headgear on, an improved performance at long odd could be on the cards.
With an eye on each-way value it may also pay to keep the likes of EASY EASY (race 4) in your 
thoughts as he looks well placed back on the poly to show his best while BATTLE BOY very much appreciates being back in Maiden Company in race 6 and can win.
“Good things” were harder to find, although we like the fact the blinkers go on LADRONE in race 7 and he could be the testing material while INFANTRY could be too good in the last with blinkers removed.
Friday 19 February
Best Bets: (LADRONE race 7, win), (BATTLE BOY race 6, each-way) and (MAGIC PAINT race 1, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8), race 7 (5), race 8 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8), race 9 (1, 2, 5, 7 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; 6 MAGIC PAINT – 2 ARCHER COMPANY – 7 ROYAL EXPLORER – 8 SPEED CRAFT
While ARCHER COMPANY should start favourite and very well could be the one to beat, one from left field to watch at hopefully handy odds is MAGIC PAINT. Yes, the 3YO’s best finish at the races is ninth but we suggested he would improve last start with blinkers on and he had enough excuses that day to give another chance. In his favour is he gets a senior hoop and a tongue-tie to show his best and hopefully he brings some good trial form to the races. But as mentioned, ARCHER COMPANY has the recent race form on the board and could be hard to hold out in this weak field. Chaves rides for Freedman and if close enough to the leaders on straightening, he will be the one working home strongly. ROYAL EXPLORER is the other to watch after a very good recent trial with blinkers on. We would have had him on top on that effort but he races sans headgear so have to take on trust.
1 QUEEN’S ABEJA * No. 100
2 ARCHER COMPANY *** Mile suits and will be working into winning calculations late. 2.60
3 NOVA GLORY * No. 100
4 DASHING JACK ** Thereabouts last couple in Class 5 and a must for exotics. 8.00
5 GOLD RESERVE ** Better effort last start and can improve again stepping up to the mile. 10
6 MAGIC PAINT *** Had all sorts of excuses when blinkers went on last start and pay to follow with senior hoop and tongue-tie added. 12
7 ROYAL EXPLORER *** Form only fair but a recent trial with headgear (albeit with blinkers) was good should be handy throughout. 5.00
8 SPEED CRAFT ** Slow start costly last time out with support and some show on best form. 6.00
9 AMISTAD ** Blinkers and tongue-tie removed and while recent form only fair, can improve with Munro up. 20
10 RAINBOW WARRIOR ** Very disappointing last start but has shown glimpses so keep safe. 12
11 BERNARD’S FIGHTER ** Hard to catch but placed at long odds last start and can include in exotics. 12
Race 2
Selections; 1 FLYING SHADOW – 3 ELITE STAR – 2 NOVA MASTER – 4 WARSHIP
A small field but with four or so ready to break their maiden status’ it could be a very spirited betting affair. From the top, FLYING SHADOW gets this chance after excuses at his last couple. The Aussie-bred 3YO just missed two starts back this trip and track when he had traffic issues in the straight and certainly showed enough on the turf last start to follow. ELITE STAR always gets support and while disappointing not to have won one by now, he wins this without surprising with gate 2 in his favour. NOVA MASTER will lead and while there may be a slight query late over 1200m, he will look the winner at some stage late. WARSHIP is back in trip but always looks a show and may even sneak out to value. Market best guide on the rest.
1 FLYING SHADOW *** In form and just missed on the Poly two starts back and gets his chance here. 3.00
2 NOVA MASTER *** Can lead and will look the winner at some stage. 3.00
3 ELITE STAR *** Desperate for a result for the support but wins without surprising. 4.00
4 WARSHIP *** Recent good form on the turf over 1400m but has run well this trip and track so has to be a show. 6.00
5 NOVA LEGEND ** Resuming after a bleeding attack and shown enough previously to keep safe. 20
6 PUTHIMONICE * No. 100
7 SUPERTEN ** Green but has ability and wins when he gets his act together. 12
8 MOONRAKER * Filly who has had a quiet local trial and would need support to consider. 16
Race 3
Selections; 1 THESE STREETS – 7 BAAB AL NASR – 2 WINNING CAUSE – 44
Vlad Duric is back in the saddle in Singapore and the affable Aussie hoop can get his new stint off to a winning start with THESE STREETS. The 6YO is honest as the day is long and while his lack of recent winning form is a concern, he has been going round in some good company of late so the drop back to KSC looks a key factor. But the race is a beauty and one to watch is BAAB AL NASR. The journeyman was improving with each race in Singapore before winning very well last start and he could be the testing material on that effort. It’s hard to fault WINNING CAUSE’s recent form and he picks himself while DAVINCI improves with a run under his belt and is a horse to follow this preparation. Go even wide in exotics.
1 THESE STREETS *** Honest without a result of late but looks suited this company. 3.00
2 WINNING CAUSE *** Not at his best when finishing fourth as even money fave last start but hard to fault form prior. 3.00
3 EMPRESS WU * Should appreciate the turf but easier to ignore. 33
4 DAVINCI *** Promising type who appreciates first-up run and mile is suitable. 8.00
5 RIDE OF VALKYRIES ** Placed last start in similar affair and pay to follow. 8.00
6 SUPER JOE ** Honest and a must for exotics with light weight. 12
7 BAAB AL NASR *** Turned the corner last start this trip and win strong enough to give this a shake. 8.00
8 LIM’S AFFECTION ** Two runs this campaign have been good and mile should suit. Keep safe. 7.00
Race 4
Selections; 2 EASY EASY – 3 SIMPANG – 7 BROWNE’S ANATOMY – 11 CASSIS OOLONG
The usual lowly rated Class 5 conveyances head to the start and while we will make a strong case for three runners, it is a raffle. EASY EASY ticks a few boxes including the coveted gate 1. K Fujii should give him a good run throughout from the ace and given he finds himself back on his preferred surface over 1200m, he is hard to beat. SIMPANG showed last start that the Poly this trip is his caper and with a crucial 3kg claim, he is right in this finish. BROWNE’S ANATOMY also find himself back on his winning surface and given he raced OK and was supported last start on the turf, he wins without surprising. They look he best winning hopes on paper but a market watch in is order on a few of the others.
1 ON TWISTTER * Blinkers off and hard to have on recent form. 100
2 EASY EASY *** In form and hard to beat back on the Poly over 1200m. 3.00
3 SIMPANG *** Showed last start this is his caper and should figure late. 4.00
4 TROPICAL FOREST ** Veteran who placed last start similar affair and a must for exotics. 13
5 AFTERNOON DELIGHT ** Will not win out of turn but another who is always some show. 8.00
6 PROSPERITY STAR * Struggling. 50
7 BROWNE’S ANATOMY *** Supported and not far away last start and worth another look back on his winning surface. 4.00
8 JACK OF HEARTS * Improving but still needs to find a few lengths. 20
9 SACRED CROWN ** Start costly last time out and usually thereabouts throughout. 12
10 REAL GOODMAN * Reassess over longer. 50
11 CASSIS OOLONG ** Not far away last start and will go close if he can make use of the good gate. 12
Race 5
Selections; 5 SUN PIONEER – 2 CONFLIGHT – 4 NORTHERN BOSS – 7 RICH FORTUNE
There is some cracking Poly form in this field and the race shapes as a beauty. Obviously two horses with multiple winning form in CONFLIGHT and RICH FORTUNE appeal. CONFLIGHT in particular with three wins on the trot looks the testing material. He was pushed out in a recent trial but the effort looked good enough to think he is ready to show his best, which is obviously very good. RICH FORTUNE is yet to taste defeat in two career starts and his debut win on the Poly was good enough to think he is up to this company. But SUN PIONEER might be good enough on the poly to beat them both. The 4YO had excuses last start on the turf and was flying on the Poly prior so looks a big show with 55kg a winning weight. NORTHERN BOSS is the interesting runner. His recent form looks patchy at best but given his four career wins came from just five starts on the all-weather track, he could surprise at odds.
1 BLACK FURY ** Had bad gates to overcome at last two starts so look for a return to form from an inside draw. 20
2 CONFLIGHT *** Hard to fault winning form and recent trial suggest he can be followed again. 3.00
3 HIMALAYA DRAGON * Very disappointing last couple and have to take on trust. 33
4 NORTHERN BOSS *** Form looks patchy but has won four times from five career Poly starts so has to be a huge show. 8.00
5 SUN PIONEER *** Excuses last start on the turf and Poly record is excellent so hard to beat. 3.00
6 BIGDINERO * Race suits but like to see support after just fair first up run. 33
7 RICH FORTUNE *** Hard to fault winning form and looks a leading hope. 3.50
8 STAR GENERAL ** Resumed with a solid effort in Class 3 and some show if right. 20
9 SCOUT DONE ** Just fair last start but has a very good Poly record so might pay to give other chance. 20
Race 6
Selections; 2 BATTLE BOY – 1 EXCELLENT WINNER – 5 EAGLESHAM – 8 SUN DANCE
This maiden field certainly has enough winning hopes to keep punters interested but obviously one to play with caution given the race status. Oddly, BATTLE BOY has done most of his racing out of maiden company and some of his efforts in Class 4 and the like has been easily good enough to win this. Hopefully on the Short Course (E), S Sam can make use of the good gate (4) and he could be hard to hold out. EXCELLENT WINNER is also one to watch after a solid local debut. J Powell stays on board and the mile with that run under his belt suggests he could win one soon. The race may favour on-pace runners so EAGLESHAM and SUN DANCE could both look lively winning hopes late while EASY DRAGON has to be respected and FALKIRK LAD will be the one flying late. Good race.
1 EXCELLENT WINNER *** Backing up after very solid Singapore debut run and looks a leading hope. 4.00
2 BATTLE BOY *** Will very much appreciate being back in maiden company and hard to beat. 3.00
3 EASY DRAGON *** Improving with racing and should figure in this finish. 9.00
4 FALKIRK LEAD *** Foot on the till with best work expected late. 6.00
5 EAGLESHAM *** Excuses last start and should be prominent throughout in this field. 6.00
6 LEE MAN * Improved effort last start but still needs to find more. 33
7 BIG BANKER ** Thereabouts as a rule without threatening and exotics look best with blinkers off and visor on. 12
8 SUN DANCE *** Can race handy and could look the winner at some stage in the straight. 8.00
9 SHARP KNIGHT * OK two starts back but easier to ignore as a rule. 33
10 SOUTHERN ADMIRAL * No. 200
Race 7
Selections; 5 LADRONE – 6 NOVA EAGLE – 1 EATONS GOLD – 2 COTE DE NUITS
Two horses get a gear change in this race and while ARROWHEAD needs much more than that to figure in the top ten, LADRONE can win with blinkers added. The 4YO has showed plenty at his four career starts and a recent trial with headgear added suggests he improves which will make him hard to beat. NOVA EAGLE also looks a progressive type who should find Class 4 to his liking. The 3YO has had two solid runs in Novice company since his maiden win and both good enough to think he plays a part in this. Others that should figure in the finish include EATONS GOLD back in Class 4, COTE DE NUITS after having excuses for his poor last start effort and the in form SUPER JOY. One to watch at odds is the emergency LET’S TALK NOW who resumes after a long break but recent trials have been good so he could show up fresh.
1 EATONS GOLD *** Coming off a shocker but drops in grade and hard to beat on previous good form. 4.00
2 COTE DE NUITS *** All sorts of issues including respiratory issues last start but form prior has him having a say. 12
3 FIERY SHINZO * Former Japanese galloper who has been quiet at the trials so market only guide. 33
4 JOBODWANA ** Drawn awkwardly but Singapore debut was solid and should improve. 13
5 LADRONE *** Gets blinkers after not being far away last start and recent trial with headgear suggest he goes well. 3.00
6 NOVA EAGLE *** Has been in good form in Novice company and will be more than competitive here. 4.00
7 SUPER JOY *** Competitive this company and comes into winning calculations from gate 1 over this trip. 12
8 ARROWHEAD * Blinkers back on but hard to have. 100
9 MIGHTY CREATION * Needs to be having a good day to be working into this late. 50
10 KING OF THIEVES * Not a mile away last start but should need easier. 33
11 DELFYNE ** Has pace and 1000m suits but may need easier. 12
12 SUGARTIME JAZZ ** Another that should need easier but will work into this late if race run to suit. 20
13 LET’S TALK NOW *** Resuming after a long break and poor form but recent trials suggests he is going along in good order. Value. 33
Race 8
Selections; 5 MISS BLANCHETT – 2 CAPTAIN MCCAW – 3 DRAGON KING – 4 GOLDEN RABBIT
Most horse’s look to have a show in this Class 5 Poly sprint and again, the market might be a good guide. MISS BLANCHETT looks as good as place as any to start as she showed more than enough in Class 5 last start with support to think she wins one soon. That was on the turf but the Poly could improve her on some good trial form so she gets he chance. Laurie Laxon has another runner in CAPTAIN MACAW that also has a good chance. The 6YO will win sooner than later in this company and from gate 5 with a Rueven 2kg claim, he goes close. DRAGON KING might be the value runner. The 6YO’s form looks hopeless but gets back into Class 5 with a senior hoop suggesting they think he improves lengths. Of the rest worth mentioning, GOLDEN RABBIT resumes with a nice trial under his belt and SO SIMPLE gets blinkers and SUPERB SEVEN will be thereabouts.
1 ALWAYS AHEAD ** Showed last start that Class 5 could be his caper and pay to keep safe. 10
2 CAPTAIN MCCAW *** Will win one of these sooner than later. 6.00
3 DRAGON KING *** Will improve lengths dropping to Class 5 and can win with gate 2 and a senior hoop a factor. 8.00
4 GOLDEN RABBIT *** Resuming. Was showing some form at this level before pulling up lame and spelling an recent trial was good. 6.00
5 MISS BLANCHETT *** Supported and went good enough in Class 5 last start to follow. 4.00
6 SO SIMPLE *** Long-term maiden status a concern but went close last start and gets blinkers added for this. 6.00
7 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Veteran who will keep them all honest late. 12
8 SUPERB SEVEN *** Form better than it reads and will figure somewhere late. 8.00
9 OCEAN WORLD * Needs to lift. 33
10 REAL HERO ** Always a show on the Poly and a must for exotics. 12
Race 9
Selections; 1 INFANTRY – 5 CORDOBA – 9 MCGREGOR – 7 EXCELLENT ONE
You can look at this race a few times and try to find something to beat INFANTRY on paper but the equal top-weight always ends up the one the others have to beat. Blinkers go off after being narrowly beaten by Ares last start but he should still race handy enough to have the leaders in his sights when it gets serious and very hard to hold out. In saying that, he will be extremely short in the betting and a horse like CORDOBA might be a good each-way option. The 6YO appreciates a solid first up outing over 1000m and has to a big show on best form over this trip. Likewise, MCGREGOR appreciates a first-up run and he could be the one the fave has to run over late to win. Throw in EXCELLENT ONE, ROCKFAST and go wider again in exotics.
1 INFANTRY *** Blinkers off after narrowly missing out last start over 1200m and can make amends. 2.00
2 ROCKFAST *** Ignore recent average form as finds himself in winning grade and trip with best work expected late. 8.00
3 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Has been on solid form on the Poly and will appreciate turf and extra 200m. 12
4 AMAZON GOLD ** Had excuses last start and happy to think this type of race is his caper. Each-way. 12
5 CORDOBA *** Appreciates first-up run and finds himself in what is a very winnable race. Big show. 8.00
6 MAZANDARAN ** One time winner from Ireland via Hong Kong and may be better over longer. 20
7 EXCELLENT ONE *** Needs a result but has shown enough previously this trip to think he gives a sight. 7.00
8 HAMMER DOWN ** Form reads badly but looked to be on the improve and will add plenty of value to exotics. 50
9 MCGREGOR *** Another that appreciates first up run and could run a very cheeky race in what looks a race that suits. 8.00
10 CLERMONT CLUB * Needs Poly, easier and longer. 50
11 MILLION ROUND * Can run a cheeky race but looks headed to Class 5. 50
