RAFAELLO looks ready to knock in another win (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A mixed surface meeting and with some of the better races scheduled for Sunday – including the Korean Racing Association Trophy – there does look a few battlers taking part so pundits may be cautious.
But in good news for punters, there does look some diamonds in the rough to be found including ALOHA in the opener who looks hopeless on recent race form but comes into contention dropping to what looks a weak Class 5 Poly sprint.
Staying with the Poly sprints – albeit of a better quality – SATELLITE BOY also comes into this Class 4 with some poor recent runs under his belt but looks a big show in race 4 with blinkers added on the back of a very smart trial.
Also in his favour is the fact we can find excuses for his poor efforts at his last two starts (respiratory and saddle slipping respectively) and his form prior suggests he is up to wining a race like this.
The best race on the card is a BM83 turf affair over 1200m and with the Short Course E likely to favour on pace runners, FLAK JACKET gets his chance to turn some solid form into a win.
The race certainly looks suitable to get what would be an overdue win although he will need to be at his best with a handy 3YO in RAFAELLO ready to pounce if he does make a mistake out front.
Friday 22 July
Best Bets: (SATELLITE BOY race 4 win), (ALOHA race 1, value) and (OVER EASY race 3, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 6, 10 and 11), race 7 (1, 2, 4 and 5), race 8 (2, 5, 9 and 11), 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; 1 ALOHA – 3 STOCK BROKER – 2 PRETTY ELUSIVE – 9 CAIYAYA
No depth to the opener and happy to concentrate on two horses in ALOHA and STOCK BROKER. Not much separates the two but ALOHA gets to jump from gate 3 and S John will get all the favours. Obviously the drop to Class 5 is in his favour and this type of race is ideal. STOCK BROKER dropped to Class 5 last start and showed he wins sooner than later. He has drawn wide for this but given there are some very slow horses drawn inside him, V Duric should have enough in the tank early to find a nice position and he should figure in the finish. Nothing else jumps off the page but PRETTY ELUSIVE gets a tongue-tie and he has shown glimpses of ability so keep safe while the likes of CAIYAYA, EXCITING PROSPECT and last start winner, RUN CHEETAH RUN, could figure in exotic calculations.
1 ALOHA *** Form looks hopeless but hard to beat this company over this trip and track. 3.00
2 PRETTY ELUSIVE ** All sorts of issues of late and worth a look on best form with tongue-tie added. 6.00
3 STOCK BROKER *** Drawn wide but showed last start he wins in tis company sooner than later. 3.00
4 RUN CHEETAH RUN ** Supported when winning a weak one last start and market best guide. 8.00
5 BASTION * Appreciates company but have to take on trust dropping back significantly in trip. 20
6 SUPER BIG * No. 100
7 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Will work into this late but like to see over longer. 20
8 BLOOD ROYAL * Struggles. 100
9 CAIYAYA ** Veteran who shows up on a good day and a must for exotics. 12
10 EXCITING PROSPECT ** Gets blinkers in the right sort of race so keep safe with M Chadwick on his Singapore debut. 20
11 HOW HUGE * Better suited over a tad longer on the turf. 33
12 SIMPANG ** Another to include in exotics in a race that looks his caper. 20
13 GREENBACK * No. 100
Race 2
Selections; 4 REWARDING SMILE – 11 SUPER RED – 10 PERFECT DJ – 1 SUPER HERO
Another race with no depth whatsoever and the tote will be an excellent guide to a couple of the fancies. And while it will be smart to have a long look at the 2YO’s with no weight at this time of year, the 3YO REWARDING SMILE looks ready to win on debut. He has drawn wide but his trials nicely enough to think C Brown will ride him like a good thing and hopefully he is just that – a good thing! The two 2YO’s to watch are PEFECT DJ on debut with some nice trials under his belt and SUPER RED who improves with racing and has drawn the ace with B Vorster up. SUPER HERO the only other that wins without surprising and he will be running on at the business end. Watch gear changes on NOBLE CRAFTSMAN and LIM’S RANGER who could both improve at long odds.
1 SUPER HERO *** Ran on to place at odds last start and will appreciate extra 100m in this weak field. 4.00
2 SPIRIT SEVEN * Best runs have been over longer. 20
3 NOBLE CRAFTSMAN ** Impossible on exposed form but gets senior hoop and blinkers first time so look for improvement. 20
4 REWARDING SMILE *** Trialling well enough to be hard to beat on debut in this field. 2.80
5 WESTERN TOWKAY * Resuming after very poor debut but recent trial OK so another that can improve. 50
6 LIM’S RANGER ** Resuming with blinkers added and trial suggests he should improve on poor race form. 12
7 GREAT WARRIOR * No. 20
8 SKYHAWK * Struggling. 100
9 AWATERE ** Will improve on debut effort but might need headgear or longer again. 8.00
10 PERFECT DJ *** Solid at the trials and would expect a good debut in a field with no depth. 8.00
11 SUPER RED *** Ran on well over this trip last start and goes close in he can make use of the ace. 6.00
Race 3
Selections; 8 OVER EASY – 1 ARHAT – 3 GURU-GURU – 2 KAI POWER
The first of the turf races on the card and it will be interesting to see if the Short Course (E) favours the on pace runners. We are betting it will and as such OVER EASY gets his chance. The 7YO has been in good form in Class 5 of late and given his penchant for giving the rest something to catch, he can win this. If the track and race tempo does give everyone a chance, ARHAT is the one to beat. His last start maiden win was strong and the step up from 1600m to 2000m is not an issue. M Rodd should get the favours from gate 1 and punters won’t miss him so expect a very short quote. Of the rest, GURU-GURU probably looks the threat to an OVER EASY/ARHAT one-two finish and he should be prominent throughout. KAI POWER, BLACK SWAN and BIMALA should all be running on.
1 ARHAT *** Broke maiden status last start with heavy support over the mile and more than up to this. 2.40
2 KAI POWER ** Ignore some poor recent form as finds himself in right company over suitable trip. 12
3 GURU-GURU *** Foot on the till and should figure heavily at the business end. 5.00
4 TIGER BAY ** Recent wins on the Poly but has some solid turf form to his name and a must for exotics. 8.00
5 BLACK SWAN ** Maiden who will be working into this late if race run to suit swoopers. 6.00
6 ROYAL EXPLORER ** Ignore last start where he had excuses and worth thought at odds. 20
7 WATER PARK * Hard to have on form. 50
8 OVER EASY *** Will lead and very hard to run down with 4kg claimer on a course that suits. 8.00
9 BIMALA ** Prefer in Class 5 but excuses last start not to finish closer and will be running on. 12
10 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * Has been running on OK but like to see in easier company. 50
Race 4
Selections; 1 SATELLITE BOY – 8 LADRONE – 7 BE BOLD – 2 JOBODWANA
The best Poly race on the card but a tough one for punters with a few of the fancies drawn wide. There are also some very significant gear changes and also some good trial form to consider with SATELLITE BOY and LADRONE ticking both those boxes. SATELLITE BOY in particular comes into this race with a very strong trial under his belt with blinkers added and given he had excuses at his last two starts, he goes close. He has drawn wide though as has LADRONE who resumes sans blinkers and looks a serious hope on form from his last campaign coupled with a nice recent trial. BE BOLD also resumes sans blinkers and is another who can win on good form prior in similar races to this. Plenty of others to consider including JOBODWANA, SPECIAL ID and MR LUCK while THE COSMOS is always a winning hope but often disappoints given the heavy support he gets.
1 SATELLITE BOY *** Excuses last couple so ignore and can win with blinkers added on nice recent trial form. 10
2 JOBODWANA *** Excuses last start and well worth a look on previous form. 8.00
3 SECRET LIBERTY ** In form but has looked a better winning option on the turf so take on trust. 20
4 THE COSMOS *** Always a show but desperate for a result given the support. 4.00
5 LIM’S BATTLE * Reassess over longer. 50
6 SPECIAL ID *** Best form has been on the turf over 1400m but has speed and up to this on his day. 12
7 BE BOLD *** Resuming sans blinkers and did look due last campaign and well worth a market watch. 8.00
8 LADRONE *** Another resuming sans blinkers after a nice run of form and recent trial suggests he goes close. 5.00
9 MR LUCK *** Placed with support similar affair last start and gets his chance from nice gate. 5.00
10 HOSHIKO ** Late Blue Moon. Always a show in races like this with nice recent trial a pointer. 12
11 HELEN * Solid but like to see in easier company than this. 33
12 LADY ROULETTE ** Form better than it reads and could add plenty of value to skinny end of exotics. 33
13 SOUTHERN CHIEF * Enjoys the Poly but needs easier than this. 33
14 CERTAINLY ** Resuming and goes good enough to consider first up over this trip. 20
Race 5
Selections; 4 MISS STREISAND – 5 EVERTRUST – 6 HORAZ SAMOSIR – 1 DYNASTY KNIGHT
The word “raffle” may pop on more than one occasion during today’s meetings and it definitely applies to this Class 5 (division 2) race over 1400m. In fact you can make a winning case for the top six or so rated horses in the field but MISS STRIESAND does look the best option at her first start in Class 5. The 3YO filly has shown glimpses at her 12 career starts but should appreciate this weak field and M Rodd gets his chance to knock in another winner. Not much separates the likes of DYNASTY KNIGHT, TENMA, MILLION ROUND, EVERTRUST and HORAZ SAMOSIR who just missed last start with M Nunes retaining the ride.
1 DYNASTY KNIGHT *** Resuming with two solid trials under his belt and always a show in this company on the turf. 10
2 TENMA *** Only win was this trip and track so worth thought on solid recent form. 6.00
3 MILLION ROUND *** Might pay to ignore last start as can give a sight and hard to run down on a course that suits. 12
4 MISS STREISAND *** Excuses last start and should get her chance at first start in Class 5. 4.00
5 EVERTRUST *** Starting to get his act together in Singapore and in this a long way from gate 2. 6.00
6 HORAZ SAMOSIR *** Just missed last start and only win was this trip so gets his chance. 4.00
7 KING OF THIEVES * Gets blinkers back on but hard to follow. 12
8 SING ENERGY ** Solid at last two runs this trip and track so worth thought in exotics. 12
9 ALADDIN * Only wins this trip but hard to have on recent form. 50
10 NATURAL WATER * No. 100
11 ROAN RANGER * Coming off a shocker but previous form OK so could improve with blinkers off. 33
12 HANDSOME BAB ** Long-term maiden status a concern but OK last start and gets C Brown from gate 1. 20
13 SUN HANCOCK ** Has been thereabouts on occasion and should improve at first start in Class 5. 20
14 DASHING * Gets tongue-tie but easier to ignore. 100
Race 6
Selections; 2 KEYSTONE – 11 DRAGON MASTER – 10 LUCKY SUGAR – 8 NOVA MASTER
Not a lot of depth to this race but plenty of maidens with enough early pace to ensure a honestly run race. KEYSTONE is a 4YO who showed more than enough in Class 4 company last start to think he is hard to beat in this. Blinkers go back on and from gate 1 with a 4kg claimer in H Syafiq onboard, he should be hard to hold out. In saying that, M Nunes is riding a handy 2YO in DRAGON MASTER who has the form onboard to win this with just 50kg. The 3YO filly, LUCKY SUGAR, also looks well weighted to give a sight while NOVA MASTER and NATURAL IMPULSE both have shown more than enough to win without surprising. Market best guide on the newcomer LIM’S ADMIRAL who placed at his only start in Australia.
1 LIM’S ADMIRAL *** Former Australian who placed at only start and had enough trials to show up at Singapore debut. 12
2 KEYSTONE *** Placed in Class 4 last start and hard to beat back in maiden company with blinkers on. 2.50
3 GOOD BET ** Resuming after a shocker but previous form looked good enough to follow. 12
4 DEE MAJULAH * No. 200
5 SEMIFREDDO * Appreciates first run back and this company but like to see support on exposed form. 50
6 NATURAL IMPULSE *** Has plenty of speed and in this a very long way. 8.00
7 ASTAIRE * Maiden company suits but easier to ignore. 50
8 NOVA MASTER *** Had excuses last start and happy to give another chance on good form prior. 10
9 WINNING EXPRESS ** Trials have been solid without being spectacular and market best guide on debut. 20
10 LUCKY SUGAR *** Has plenty of speed and wins one soon with a tongue-tie added for this. 10
11 DRAGON MASTER *** 2YO who is due and gets Nunes with weight advantage a factor. 3.50
12 COPACABANA * Need to see support on exposed trial form. 50
Race 7
Selections; 2 FLAK JACKET – 5 RAFAELLO – 1 LASER STORM – 4 KNIGHT WAGER
Again, we will be banking on horses that are in front when they turn for home being hard to pass and FLAK JACKET should be the lamplighter. The 5YO hasn’t won since October 2014 but given he has been more than competitive in good races, he gets his chance over 1200m in this Company with gate 3 a bonus. RAFAELLO might be the testing material. The 3YO looks a very progressive type and also appreciates dropping back form 1400m to his recent winning trip. LASER STORM resuming with a good trial under his belt and a 4kg claimer on top could also give a sight while KNIGHT WAGER will keep them all honest late if race run to suit swoopers.
1 LASER STORM *** Resuming and goes well enough first up to seriously consider with handy 4kg claim. 6.00
2 FLAK JACKET *** Has been in solid form and looks suited this course to dictate terms and be hard to pass. 2.50
3 DRAGONHEAD * May appreciate turf but prefer to just watch on poor Singapore debut effort. 100
4 KNIGHT WAGER *** Always a show with best work expected late. 5.00
5 RAFAELLO *** More than handy 3YO who looks well placed here to knock in another win. 2.80
6 ALASAMO * Recent trial nice and easy but prefer over longer. 33
7 WHITE HUNTER ** In solid from but might need it easier to win with winkers off. 12
8 BIG CITY * Appreciates first-up run but needs to show much more. 50
9 MEAISIN * Reassess in much easier company. 50
Race 8
Selections; 2 LIM’S RESPOND – 9 FUKU ICHIBAN – 11 MISS WAIMATAITAI – 5 NATURAL NICE
Sometimes a wide draw might not be the worse thing for an on pace runner given they have no option but to make a solid move early to get a handy position. And we are hoping that is the case with the maiden LIM’S RESPOND who showed enough last start from a wide gate to think he goes forward again and could be hard to pass if he hits the front in the straight. Likewise, FUKU ICHIBAN can lead and has the form to win the race without surprising while the maiden filly, MISS WAIMATAITAI, could even start favourite and should figure prominently throughout. NATURAL NICE hasn’t won since Moses was a boy but always a show over 1400m.
1 DESTINY KNIGHT ** Probably needs further but could improve at first start in Class 5. 20
2 LIM’S RESPOND *** Drawn wide and can mix his form but should race handy and in this a very long way. 3.00
3 GLORIOUS WEALTH * No. 100
4 BLADEMEISTER * Blinkers to visor but a better option on the Poly. 20
5 NATURAL NICE *** May have forgotten how to win but this type of race was his caper. 5.00
6 ONE O NINE ** Maiden who showed a bit two starts back and might improve in Class 5 with blinkers off. 20
7 SPIRIT OF SPEED * Coming off a shocker and easier to ignore. 50
8 EASY DRAGON ** Another maiden who improves in Class 5 with blinkers and tongue-tie added. 12
9 FUKU ICHIBAN *** Always a shown races like this and will go forward and give a sight. 12
10 GOLD PIN * No. 100
11 MISS WAIMATAITAI *** In solid form and gets her chance with visor added. 3.00
12 GRAVITY ** Not at his best of late but can run a cheeky race from gate 1 so keep safe. 16
13 SECRET MAN ** Has had excuses of late and will be competitive with blinkers off. 8.00
14 LUCKY COME ** Showed two start back this trip and company that he has to be included somewhere. 12
Race 9
Selections; 1 EN CIVIL – 2 SMART LAD – 6 STORM TROOPER – 5 ASPEN
A very open race to finish the night and while you could make a case for most in the 11-horse field, a couple at the top of the ratings in EN CIVIL and SMART LAD appeal. EN CIVIL in particular looks well placed on the E Course and, after just missing last start, he can make amends and win with gate 2 a factor. SMART LAD was emergency for the Derby and given two of his three career wins have been over the mile, he goes close with a handy 2kg claim. Trainer Mark Walker saddles EN CIVIL but also has another two live hopes in ASPEN and STORM TROOPER. Both will be prominent throughout and both win without surprising which makes it tough for punters. Blanket over the rest with the exception of SING EXPRESS and LIM’S CASINO who both look better options on the Poly.
1 EN CIVIL *** Just missed last start similar affair last start and hard to beat. 3.00
2 SMART LAD *** Missed out on a Derby run and has wins over the mile so has to a show with best work expected late. 12
3 TALES OF SUMMER *** Continues to show enough to think he gets a result sooner than later in a race like this. 20
4 HONGCHEN *** In form and showed last start he is more than put to this Company. 8.00
5 ASPEN *** In very solid form and another that wins this without surprising. 7.00
6 STORM TROOPER *** Another with his foot on the till and will be prominent throughout. 4.00
7 MR MOSA ** Gets visor after just fair effort last start but previous form was good. 12
8 SING EXPRESS * Gets blinkers but better over longer on the Poly. 33
9 BLACK THUNDER ** Battled on OK last start after Initiation win over this trip but may need easier. 12
10 HIGHER SOUL ** Honest and each-way all the way. 12
11 LIM’S CASINO * Going along OK but may be a better option on the Poly. 33
