STEPITUP gets a canny Laxon 4kg claim and no one does these Kranji Stakes A races better than Laurie (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Not many trainers have more “nouse” than Laure Laxon.
Ten or so training premierships can attest to that and the canny Kiwi could show why he is the King when STEPITUP goes round in race 7 tonight – a Kranji Stakes A over 1400m.
The reigning Horse-of-the-Year wasn’t far way last start with excuses over 1200m, so this race with a 4kg claim looks perfect.
But while Laxon has used these 4kg claimers to much success in KSA races on many occasions in the past, the exciting FASTNET DRAGON could foil even the best-laid plans.
The 5YO has been a revelation when going through the ranks in 2015 with four wins but it his close-up placings in Group Company at his last four starts that has him pegged as top class.
He is resuming in a good race but his form with 56.5kg to carry suggests he could be one of the better bets on the night.
Elsewhere on the card a couple of horses with near flawless Poly form in MY LUCKY STRIKE and SUPER WINNER make race 8 a must watch affair and looks a highlight on what is a very good weekend of racing the includes the Group 3 Kranji Sprint on Sunday.
Best Bets: (FASTNET DRAGON race 7, win), (TIM race 1, value) and (ROCKFAST race 5, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3 and 6), race 7 (1, 2, 5, 6 and 7), race 8 (1 and 2), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
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; 4 TIM – 2 JOE – 5 CAPTAIN MCCAW – 6 BALESTRA
While a few horses down in the ratings are in form and should go well – LAM EDITION, NOTNOWTOMORROW and RIO DE JANEIRO to name three – horses that are dropping or have recently dropped to Class 5 should be the one’s to follow. TIM finds himself back in his recent winning grade and given he is also on his preferred surface and gets to jump from gate 1; he could be hard to beat. The similarly named JOE also finds himself in a winnable race and his recent form suggests he is prominent throughout. CAPTAIN MCCAW doesn’t win out of turn but is due and has the red-hot Vlad Duric to steer so gets his chance while BALESTRA had support and went OK when resuming so pay to follow with an upgrade to blinkers. Keep the emergency – SUPER BONUS – safe at odds.
1 CHEETAH KING * Right company but reassess over longer on the turf. 33
2 JOE *** Wins this type of race sooner than later and should figure prominently throughout. 5.00
3 SCARLET STAR ** Form reads badly but should find a few lengths in this company. 12
4 TIM *** Right grade, right race, right alley. Right on! 6.00
5 CAPTAIN MCCAW *** Does not win out of turn but looks due and has to be respected. 6.00
6 BALESTRA *** Gets upgrade to blinkers after solid run with support when resuming. Keep safe. 6.00
7 KAISER BRIGHT * Struggling. 50
8 NOTNOWTOMORROW ** Turned around some very poor form to win a weak race well when resuming and pay to follow. 12
9 JOHN DUKE ** Improved effort at last couple and can include in exotics. 20
10 FLAMING FIREHEART ** Will find this easier than last start and did look to be going OK prior. 12
11 RIO DE JANEIRO ** Solid without winning and exotics look best again. 8.00
12 LAM EDITION ** Long-term maiden status some concern but close up form from last start has been franked so could show up. 8.00
13 SUPER BONUS ** Form better thank it reads and this type of race is his caper. Value. 33
14 BARNBURGH LAD * Resuming and shows enough on occasion to include in exotics for value. 50
Race 2
Selections; 11 LIM’S SAMURAI – 7 SILK ROUTE – 8 VOLKS TREASURE – 2 BORN A FIGHTER
James Peters gets a chance to start his new career as a fully-fledged trainer with a win with SILK ROUTE a leading hope in this Restricted Maiden. The likeable Englishman has officially taken over from Michael Freedman (who moved to Sydney, Australia) and SILK ROUTE certainly did enough with support on debut to open Peter’s account in the best possible way. In saying that, Laurie Laxon doesn’t give away wins easily and LIM’S SAMURAI is the one they all have to beat. The Japanese-bred 3YO did a super job on debut when he just missed after doing it relatively tough throughout and he gets his chance here to show he is a horse to follow with Dan Beasley up. Nothing wrong with the form of VOLKS TREASURE and BORN A FIGHTER though and while both should improve again over further, they should appreciate the long straight and figure somewhere late.
1 SATELLITE LEGEND * Well beaten into fourth last start but is improving with racing so can include in exotics. 33
2 BORN A FIGHTER *** Like to see over further but will be running on and should figure at the business end. 8.00
3 CELERITAS ** Solid without threatening but will be prominent throughout. 12
4 DRAGON KINGDOM ** Solid at the trials and pay to watch market on debut. 12
5 HOFFMAN ** Appreciates solid debut and should get a good run throughout. 12
6 RACING TALENT * Quiet trials and would need support to consider. 33
7 SILK ROUTE *** Improves on tough debut run where he had support and can win this. 5.00
8 VOLKS TREASURE *** Looked a horse with a future on debut and must go close in this. 5.00
9 MISS WAIMATAITAI ** Headgear off after having excuses when just fair when resuming. Keep safe. 12
10 PEARL ** All sort of excuses on debut but worth another look on good trial form with tongue-tie off for this. 20
11 LIM’S SAMURAI *** Did it tough on debut so effort to just miss was very good and hardest to beat here. 3.00
Race 3
Selections; 6 MR SCORSESE – 9 LIM’S ARCHER – 5 LITTLE BIG MAN – 7 RED GENERAL
A bottom heavy Novice event where the 3YO’s looked very well weighted to win including the maiden LIM’S ARCHER who looks a big show with only 53kg. The former Aussie brought some very good maiden form to Singapore and his effort on debut suggests he is a horse to follow through the ranks. But MR SCORSESE won too well at his race debut not to be the one to have on top. The Laxon-trained 3YO won easily over 1000m on that occasion and gives every indication that 1200m and beyond is his caper. Likewise, LITTLE BIG MAN probably gets better over longer trips than this but has to be respected with best work expected late. The field doesn’t have a lot of depth but RED GENERAL should be given another chance on his debut win two starts back and MISS BLANCHETT is in winning – albeit Class 5 – form.
1 ARCHEW * Ran out of puff at Singapore debut and would like see more before considering. 100
2 RIKIOH * Shown little at two starts this campaign and have to take on trust. 50
3 DREAMWEAVER * Appreciates Singapore debut and the switch to turf but may need longer again to show his best. 12
4 NOMERCY * Struggling and needs easier than this. 50
5 LITTLE BIG MAN *** Drops back from 1400m but very honest and will look a winning hope late. 4.00
6 MR SCORSESE *** Streeted them when winning on debut and very hard to beat with 1200m in his favour. 2.50
7 RED GENERAL ** Never looked comfortable last start when very disappointing but pay to keep safe on strong debut win. 10
8 MISS BLANCHETT ** Took Class 5 company to win but handy enough to include in exotics in this field. 12
9 LIM’S ARCHER *** Well weighted here and showed at Singapore debut he has ability and wins one soon. Big show. 3.00
Race 4
Selections; 2 WHITE COFFEE – 1 NATURAL NICE – 8 JOYOUS – 6 APPELLATION
What makes this Class 5 more than interesting is the fact that two horses – NATURAL NICE and WHITE COFFEE – find themselves in the bottom grade after very good careers that saw them both pitted against some very nice types. In fact NATURAL NICE raced in Group company back in September 2013 – coincidentally the race after his last win. That run of outs is obviously against him but his last run was good and he gets Vlad Duric. WHITE COFFEE also went good enough last start to think he is ready to show up dropping to Class 5 and in his favour is that his last win was in June 2015 so he might not have forgot where the winning post is. They face the usual suspects including the maiden and likely leader JOYOUS, INSOFAR off a good trial, APPELLATION who is due and a blanket over most others.
1 NATURAL NICE *** Long time between drinks but Class 5 should suit given he ran in the Jumbo Jet in 2013. 5.00
2 WHITE COFFEE *** Another who finds himself in Class 5 for the first time and has to be a huge show with blinkers off. 5.00
3 INSOFAR *** Not a million miles way last start similar affair and has subsequently trialled well. Keep safe. 10
4 ZAC COMMAND ** Always a show in this type of race but this is a tougher field than last start win. 10
5 SATELLITE STAR * Struggling of late and gate no help. 100
6 APPELLATION *** Hard to fault form this campaign but desperate for a result for followers. 8.00
7 JOE SWIPER ** Backed up solid trial with nice run so pay to follow with upgrade to blinkers. 12
8 JOYOUS *** Maiden who will most likely lead and will look the winner at some stage. 7.00
9 SUN DANCE ** Maiden who just missed out last start this trip behind Zac Command. 8.00
10 UNION JAC * Not a million miles away last start but needs to show more. 100
11 BIMALA ** Another maiden who looks due and should get every chance from the nice gate. 8.00
12 GALAXY EXPRESS ** Will be doing best work late but should need longer to be in the winning mix. 25
13 SING ENERGY * No. 100
14 SPIRIT OF SPEED ** Form reads badly but the odd good run of late suggests he could surprise at odds. 33
15 STANZOUT * Not getting any younger. 100
Race 5
Selections; 4 ROCKFAST – 2 SHANGHAI BUND – 3 VIVIANO – 6 FORTUNE WINNER
A good raffle but a raffle nonetheless. So while some very nice horses involved will keep us interested in this BM67 mile, it may be a race we tread carefully as most can win without surprising. ROCKFAST had the most excuses at his last start so making good use of the race reviews; he gets his chance. That run was in good company and given Manny Nunes replaces an apprentice, he must go close in a race that suits. SHANGHAI BUND is the obvious choice though. The 4YO has his foot on the till and the step up to the mile might be a winning move by his trainer James Peters. The blanket again goes over the rest of the field and it might be worth a look at a few of the longer priced runners for exotics or each-way.
1 ABOVE THE SKYLINE *** Been in very good form of late and this looks suitable to knock in another win. 6.00
2 SHANGHAI BUND *** Foot on the till and step up to the mile might turn good form into a win. 4.00
3 VIVIANO *** Another that looks at the mile to turn some good for into a win. 4.00
4 ROCKFAST *** Plenty of excuses last start over this trip in nice company to think he goes very close here with Nunes up. 5.50
5 LAUGHING GRAVY *** Just fair last start but step up to recent winning trip has him under notice. 12
6 FORTUNE WINNER *** Honest and will be working into winning calculations late. 6.00
7 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Versatile and will be at long enough odds to include in exotics. 33
8 EL CAMINO ** Progressive type and has be respected although this is obviously a test. 12
9 KEEP SPINNING ** Resuming after a good run of form and the mile might suit first-up. 12
Race 6
Selections; 1 SUPER EIGHT – 3 FUKU ICHIBAN – 6 SHUYING XIAOXIAO – 2 DRAGON GOLD
Another raffle but this one with horses that struggle to win at the best of times. Case in point is two of our top four picks – DRAGON GOLD and SHUYING XIAOXIAO – are maidens. But both showed last start they are ready to win a race like this and while they won’t be world-beaters, it’s a start. Not much separates the pair but SHUYING XIAOXIAO gets Vlad Duric and the Aussie hoop is in fine form. But SUPER EIGHT could be the one to beat. The 4YO wasn’t a mile away last start over 1200m and should find the line well again here. FUKU ICHIBAN is the likely leader and the veteran could be hard to run down if he gets a soft lead. ADRENALINE and JACK OF HEARTS the only two others to worry about.
1 SUPER EIGHT *** Has looked due of late and gets his chance in this weak field. 4.00
2 DRAGON GOLD *** Maiden who is not seen often on the turf but does look ready to win. 5.00
3 FUKU ICHIBAN *** Veteran who can run along out front and might prove hard to run down. 6.00
4 ADRENALINE ** Has been disappointing of late but goes OK when right and get Nunes and the ace. 7.00
5 JIMTOWN ** Another that goes OK on his day but drawn badly again so will need some luck. 12
6 SHUYING XIAOXIAO *** Maiden who showed last start this trip and track is his caper and can consider with senior hoop with upgrade to blinkers. 6.00
7 JACK OF HEARTS ** Drawn badly but has put in improved efforts of late and may enjoy switch back to turf. 12
8 CLEVER BRIGHT * Resuming and no. 100
9 ROYAL FLUSH * Blinkers off but hard to have. 100
10 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * Can run a cheeky race but easier to ignore. 33
11 THINK PRETTY * Needs to find a few lengths. 50
12 GODS SPEED * Not a mile away last start and gets tongue-tie but easier to ignore. 50
13 GREENBACK * Just battling of late. 50
14 GYPSY STAR ** Can run on strongly when in the mood and a must for exotics. 12
Race 7
Selections; 2 FASTNET DRAGON – 1 STEPITUP – 7 BELIEVE YOURSELF – 6 SPANISH BAY
A terrific race on paper and you would think most of these horses have a big say in feature races throughout the year. From the top, reigning Horse-of-the-Year STEPITUP gets a canny Laxon 4kg claim and no one does these Kranji Stakes A races better than Laurie. The Kiwi handler has had great success putting claimers on the likes of Why Be at these conditions and it can work again. But FASTNET DRAGON resuming looks the horse to beat. The 5YO has had only 10 career starts and when you consider he placed in the Gold Cup at is last start but 1400m looks his trip, he is the one to be on. For value, BELIEVE YOURSELF also resuming looks some hope. The mare has plenty of ability and the break might see her show she is up to this company with 1400m idea fresh. The rest all have winning hopes with the exception of BRILLIANT DEAL.
1 STEPITUP *** Returned not striding in the Merlion Trophy and come into serious consideration here with 4kg claim. 4.50
2 FASTNET DRAGON *** Very smart type resuming after bold Gold Cup effort and might be hard to beat in this. 3.00
3 KAM’S COMET ** Gets blinkers after being in the mix in the Racing Guide Classic and have to respect. 20
4 BLUE SWEDE ** Lacked his normal turn of foot last start but will work into this late if race run to suit. 8.00
5 RAISE NO DOUBT *** Query the trip but hard to fault honest form and will have admirers. 4.00
6 SPANISH BAY *** Appreciates very good first up run and shown previously he is more than up to this level. 4.00
7 BELIEVE YOURSELF *** Exciting mare resuming and might sneak under a few radars so keep involved at value. 20
8 BRILLIANT DEAL * Nuisance value only. 100
Race 8
Selections; 1 MY LUCKY STRIKE – 2 SUPER WINNER – 5 OLYMPIC ANTHEM – 7 SEBAS
I think it’s safe to say that MY LUCKY STRIKE enjoys the Polytrack. In fact his career Poly record of 12 starts for eight wins and three placings is up there with the best of them and while he has top weight and a wide draw to contend with, he is the one to beat. Punters won’t miss him obviously and his close up placing to Spalato at his last start suggests he goes off at a short price. Matching his Poly form though is SUPER WINNER who has the enviable record of seven wins from eight starts on the all-weather track. The 4YO is resuming after a placed turf run and has to be a serious threat in what is his type of race. Not many others jump off the page to match these two but OLYMPIC ANTHEM resuming after a bleeding attack could run a big race while SEBAS is another Poly specialist that bears thought.
1 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** You lose no friends running Spalato to the wire and hard to beat. 1.80
2 SUPER WINNER *** Resuming and hard to fault exceptional Poly form with nice recent trial a pointer. 3.00
3 GOLDEN SAND STEED * Excuses when resuming after good trial but race form was ordinary prior. 100
4 INDIAN JADE ** Resuming after bleeding attack and has placed under similar circumstances previously. 20
5 OLYMPIC ANTHEM ** Also resuming after a second bleeding attack and again, has run well previously under similar circumstances. 12
6 BELLWETHER * First up run just fair and have to take on trust with tongue-tie removed. 20
7 SEBAS ** Always competitive on the Poly and gate one helps. 12
8 SOUTHERN BOSS * Speedster usually found wanting late but showed two starts back he has to be respected. 20
9 PIONEER SEVEN * Struggling of late and wide gate does not help. 50
10 POWER LION * Better suited on turf over 1400m but recent trial was nice so could surprise at odds in exotics. 50
11 LEE BANK * Tested this level. 100
12 LIM’S GREETING * Gets blinkers and in winning form but eligible for easier. 50
Race 9
Selections; 2 LIGN EM UP – 1 DRAGON FORCE – 6 MR LUCK – 3 OCEAN GENERAL
Like the previous race, it always pays to keep horses resuming after bleeding attacks safe first up but in the lucky last, they might be better than “keeping safe” options. The two horses in question are LIGN EM UP and DRAGON FORCE who both look well suited in this type of race first-up to win. LIGN EM UP was in solid form before at his last preparation and with blinkers removed and a 4kg claimer on, he gets his chance. DRAGON FORCE is coming off two concessive bleeding attacks and while that sounds alarm bells, his last start effort was a beauty in nice company and he wins without surprising. There looks plenty of pace in this race – OCEAN GENERAL and NOVA EAGLE – so keep swoopers safe with KEEN DRAGON and MR LUCK two others that deserve a mention.
1 DRAGON FORCE *** Resuming after multiple bleeding attacks but went close last start in good company so can win this. 6.00
2 LIGN EM UP *** Also resuming after bleeding at his last start but was due and goes close with blinkers off. 4.00
3 OCEAN GENERAL *** Form better than it reads given the company and could run a very cheeky race at value. 8.00
4 KEEN DRAGON *** In solid form and always going to be a chance in races like this. 6.00
5 NOVA EAGLE *** Has speed to burn and will be on the pace throughout. 6.00
6 MR LUCK *** Backed up debut win with a very good run in this company and pay to follow. 8.00
7 COURT CASE ** Coming of two poor runs with support and have to take on trust. 12
8 DUTY FIRST ** Turned around some poor form with a good Poly run in KSD company and can include in exotics. 20
9 SUPER JOY ** Should be competitive from the nice gate but will need easier to win. 20
10 OUR TOUCHE ** Drawn wide but placed in good company last start and pay to keep safe. 20
11 LADY ROULETTE ** Always a show in races like this. Value. 20
12 BASTION * Not a mile away last start but should need easier. 100
13 JOY AND HAPPY * Maiden and needs easier than this. 200
