VERTICAL START is always a show in races like this and wins without surprising (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Another great weekend of racing from Singapore highlighted on Sunday by the Gr2 Chairman’s Trophy over 1800m where Pat Shaw is likely to have a big say with three runners headed by his stable champ, QUECHUA.
Shaw also has a big say on what is a very solid Friday mixed surface meeting, again having multiple runners competing in four of the five races his stable has a runner entered.
Most of his runners look extremely well placed to show their best and most look some hope in adding to Shaw’s 2016 win total which stands at 44 and see’s him sitting equal second on the Premiership table.
The affable South African is some nine wins behind Alwin Tan but given he has had 173 less runners than the prolific Tan, his strike rate is easily the best of any of the trainers in the top ten.
In race 2 on Friday, MIGHTY KENNY can win for Shaw on the back of a nice trial with stablemate’s VERTICAL START and ROYAL EXPLORER also in the mix.
A few races later and SUPER JOE looks a big chance in race 5 with MIGHTY EMPEROR keeping him company at each-way value.
BIG BROTHER or MIGHTY GLORY can win race 6 while the Shaw pair of THE GENERAL and RAFAELLO keep likely favourite WIMBLEDON honest in race 7.
ELUSIVE EMPEROR in the lucky last can cap off a big night for Shaw and perhaps push his strike rate even higher than 15.17% by meeting end.
Friday 5 August
Best Bets: (WIMBLEDON race 7 win), (WONDERFUL PRINCE race 3, value) and (SING EXPRESS race 5, long-shot).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8), race 7 (2, 7 and 9), race 8 (1, 2, 4, 5 and 10), race 9 (1, 2 and 3).
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; 3 MOTHER NATURE – 1 CONFEIGN – 4 UNCLE LUCKY – 5 LUCKY SIX
A tricky opener with a couple of maidens that look well-placed to open their winning accounts and a couple of others that win sooner than later in Class 5. MOTHER NATURE in particular drops to Class 5 for the first time since winning over this trip and company back in February. Blinkers are off but a recent good trial suggests he is ready to show up with V Duric to ride. CONFEIGN is a maiden resuming but did look due at his previous campaign so must be considered. The 5YO has changed stables and Dan Meagher looks to have found a very suitable race for him to show his best. UNCLE LUCKY is another maiden who will appreciate Class 5 after some solid Class 4 efforts and he wins without surprising while LUCKY SIX has had support at his last two runs in thist company and wins sooner than later.
1 CONFEIGN *** Resuming for new stable with tongue-tie added. Still a Maiden but trials have been good and enjoys the Poly. 3.00
2 GOOD MISSION * Improves with race fitness but like to see support before considering. 33
3 MOTHER NATURE *** Ignore recent poor form as drops to winning Class and recent trial with blinkers off good enough to win this. 4.00
4 UNCLE LUCKY *** Maiden who has shown enough in Class 4 to think he gives this a shake. 6.00
5 LUCKY SIX *** Showed he wins soon this Company but needs a result for the heavy support. 4.00
6 PROBO CHANDROSO ** Veteran who is always an each-way show in Poly sprints. 33
7 TURQUOISE SON ** Resuming after showing marked improvement with support in maiden company last start when blinkers went on. Follow. 8.00
8 ANGRY CAT * Can run on but disappointing last two so easier to ignore. 33
9 DRAGON INFINITY * Resuming and no. 33
10 DRAGON KING ** Not a mile away last start but exotics look best. 20
Race 2
Selections; 7 MIGHTY KENNY – 1 SPECIAL FORCE – 2 VERTICAL START – 12 ROYAL EXPLORER
A very even race and with Pat Shaw having three with winning chances – VERTICAL START, MIGHTY KENNY and ROYAL EXPLORER – it will pay to follow the canny South African. MIGHTY KENNY might be the best of his trio given a very nice recent trial. The now 4YO showed enough last start over 1200m to think he is back in form and his trial sans blinkers easily good enough to think he is ready to win again. VERTICAL START is always a show in races like this and wins without surprising while ROYAL EXPLORER might be the value down in weights and his recent form is better than it reads with the mile ideal. SPECIAL FORCE may be the biggest danger given what he has shown in better Company than this with PERFECT CHALLENGER and Q NINE MAGIC just two others that can win.
1 SPECIAL FORCE *** Progressive stayer who will enjoy this Company and should be flying late. 8.00
2 VERTICAL START *** Always a hope in races like this so keep very safe if he gets a start with blinkers off. 4.00
3 HIGH BLADE * Backing up and needs to lift on recent form. 33
4 PERFECT CHALLENGER *** Did it tough last start similar affair and pay to give another winning chance. 8.00
5 Q NINE MAXIM *** Will be running on at the business end and must be considered. 8.00
6 LUCKY COIN * Easier to ignore from wide gate on current form. 33
7 MIGHTY KENNY *** Blinkers off and recent trial good enough to think he is ready to win a race like this. 4.00
8 MR CONNERY ** Form looks hopeless but very much appreciates being back on the Poly so can improve at odds. 20
9 HEE’S EGO ** Dead-heated over 1200m last start in Class 5 but handles the mile and should be competitive. 12
10 WINNING STAR ** Ignore some recent poor form as mile suits and another that improves. 12
11 BATTLE BOY ** Maiden who has been thereabouts without being a threat but can include in exotics. 20
12 ROYAL EXPLORER *** Not far away last start and won maiden this trip and track so keep very safe. 12
Race 3
Selections; 1 WONDERFUL PRINCE – 2 HONGCHEN – 6 THE WIND – 5 REDDOT RISING
A dead-set raffle with all eight runners looking to have winning hopes. Therefore we presume there will be value about and a couple of horses with seemingly poor recent form in WONDERFUL PRINCE and THE WIND might be good betting options. Both had excuses when finishing eighth at their respective last starts and WONDERFUL PRINCE in particular would win a race like this is having a good day. Nunes stays on and hopefully the 6YO settles a bit better during the race. But you can make a cracking case for most others and hard to fault the winning form of GOLD CROWN and the likes of HONGCHEN had excuses last start so has to be a show. The Stephen Gray pair of WHOSE ELSE’S and REDDOT RISING could quinella the race without surprising and QUEEN’S SEVEN always worth a look at value. Good luck!
1 WONDERFUL PRINCE *** Last start better than the result and looks ready to show his best so keep very safe. 12
2 HONGCHEN *** Excuses last start and went very close this trip two back so must go close. 5.00
3 WHOSE ELSE’S *** In fine form and looks the benchmark. 3.00
4 GOLD CROWN *** Resumed with good win over 1200m and better suited again over this trip. 3.50
5 REDDOT RISING *** Excuses last start in similar affair with support and pay to follow. 4.00
6 THE WIND *** Never given a chance last start and did look due prior so worth a look at odds. 20
7 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Won this trip two starts back in KSD Company and another that is in the winning mix. 20
8 DEAUVILLE ** Competitive but should need easier than this to win. 20
Race 4
Selections; 1 MAJOR GREEN – 6 SUPER BONUS – 8 ROMA – 4 RORY
A shocking field as you would expect in a division 2 Class 5 dash and as such a solid maiden in MAJOR GREEN gets his chance. The 5YO is relatively lightly raced and his form of late suggests he wins soon and gate 1 does look a bonus. Who beats him? SUPER BONUS flopped last start with support but did have respiratory issues. The blinkers go back on – as does a 3kg claimer in Y Salim – and no reason he can’t win this on what he showed two starts back. ROMA has hit form and could also win without surprising but very hard to make a case for any others in a race that should be played with care by punters.
1 MAJOR GREEN *** Maiden who is due and gets his chance in this weak field after drawing the ace. 2.60
2 NUMERO UNO * Easier to ignore but run two back over 1100m was OK. 20
3 RAINBOW FISH * Freshened but hard to have on exposed form. 33
4 RORY ** Hard to have on form but 1000m is his caper and pay to keep an eye on the market. 12
5 BULLISH LUCK * Starts costly but can run on when right. 20
6 SUPER BONUS *** Respiratory distress last start so ignore and take on good form prior with blinkers on. 5.00
7 FOLLOW THE KING * Not at his best of late and happy to ignore. 20
8 ROMA *** Foot on the till and appreciates the poly. 5.00
9 GODS SPEED ** In form but query dropping back in trip. 12
10 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD ** Yet to win in Singapore in some 38 starts but in the mix of late and a must for exotics. 12
11 PURE WHITE ** Has enough speed to be competitive but gate will test. 20
12 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * Nuisance value only. 33
Race 5
Selections; 2 SUPER JOE – 6 GOLAZO – 8 SING EXPRESS – 3 SPRING THUNDER
An interesting race where a couple of horses in SUPER JOE and SING EXPRESS look out of form but should both grow a leg back on the Polytrack. SUPER JOE has obviously been the steadier of the two of late and this trip and track is his caper and B Vorster should give him every chance from gate 5. SING EXPRESS looks hopeless on recent form but worth noting he hasn’t been seen on the Poly since January and that is significant given it is his preferred surface. Of the rest with winning hopes, BILLY BRITAIN won last start and is worth following although Munro jumps off him and onto GOLAZO who is in good enough form to win this too. SPRING THUNDER also looks well suited to show up over 1800m while most others have queries on the trip and track so market best guide.
1 BILLY BRITAIN *** Broke through for first Poly win last start and pay to follow. 5.00
2 SUPER JOE *** Ignore last two turf runs as will grow a leg back on the Poly and can win. 3.00
3 SPRING THUNDER *** Ran on well last start in this Company and step up to 1800m looks ideal. 20
4 EN CIVIL ** Disappointing last start with support but always looks a chance. 4.50
5 ASPEN ** In solid form on the turf but slight query on the Poly so take on trust. 12
6 GOLAZO *** Progressive stayer who should handle the Poly and could be each-way value. 6.00
7 HUMDINGER ** Form better than it reads recent trial suggests he could play a part at odds. 20
8 SING EXPRESS *** Looks hopeless on form but very much appreciates being back on his winning surface and trip also suits. 12
9 MIGHTY EMPEROR ** Always a who on the Poly and should be thereabouts with gate 1 a bonus. 20
10 TIGER BAY ** Excuses for some of his bad runs of late and pay to keep safe in exotics at value. 20
Race 6
Selections; 1 BIG BROTHER – 4 MIGHTY GLORY – 6 XZUBERANCE – 8 FLYING WINNER
Like the previous race, a couple of horses in just fair form should improve lengths back on the Polytrack and expect support for both MIGHTY GLORY and XZUBERANCE. MIGHTY GLORY also gets to jump from gate 1 and the Pat Shaw-trained 5YO does look the benchmark. XZUBERANCE gets G Boss from gate 4 and it will pay to ignore his last two turf runs, as the Poly is definitely his caper. One that might beat them both is MIGHTY GLORY’s stalemate, BIG BROTHER. The Argentinean is in fine form on the turf and you would expect the Polytrack holds no fears given his country of birth and trial form. Of the rest, FLYING WINNER is too honest not to be a winning threat and the maiden AURA D’ORO is also in good enough form to win.
1 BIG BROTHER *** Foot on the till and Poly won’t be an issue so hard to beat. 3.00
2 AURA D’ORO *** Maiden who has shown enough to consider at first start in open company. 12
3 CORDOBA ** Yet to win on the Poly but suited grade and trip so keep safe. 12
4 MIGHTY GLORY *** Just fair last start but gets back on favourite track and hard to beat with gate 1 a bonus. 4.00
5 SILK ROUTE ** Has just battled since maiden win but may improve stepping up to the mile. 20
6 XZUBERANCE *** Ignore last couple as will grow a leg back on his preferred surface and right in this. 4.00
7 BORDEAUX * Not at his best of late and may be looking for something easier. 33
8 FLYING WINNER *** Honest and would win a race like this without surprising. 6.00
9 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Struggling. 100
10 TANGIBLE ASSETS * Reassess Class 5. 33
Race 7
Selections; 2 WIMBLEDON – 9 RAFAELLO – 7 THE GENERAL – 5 ACCOMPLISHED
Bar a couple of pesky Pat Shaw runners, this does look WIMBLEDON’S race to lose. The 5YO hasn’t won for over one year but the Company he has been keeping (and running some huge races against) has been elite and he looks extremely well placed here with 57kg to win with a good recent trial a pointer. The two Pat Shaw runners in question – THE GENERAL and RAFAELLO – are both in form and both appreciate the lightweights allocated. Of the two, RAFAELLO does look more progressive on this surface and expect support and a very good run. THE GENERAL showed two back he does handle the turf and he should be prominent throughout. Too many question marks on the others to be confident but pay to keep and eye on the market.
1 HUKA FALLS * Not at his best of late and top-impost is a concern. 20
2 WIMBLEDON *** Freshened with a nice trial and does look due. 2.00
3 KAM’S COMET * Appreciates first-up run but is a better prospect on the Poly. 20
4 ITALIAN JOB ** Another whose best form is on the Poly but showed enough last start to keep safe. 8.00
5 ACCOMPLISHED ** Appreciates first-up sighter over 1000m and should be more than competitive. 20
6 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS * Battled on OK last start and has no weight but may need easier. 20
7 THE GENERAL *** In form and showed two starts back he is capable on the turf at this level. 8.00
8 GOT LUCK * Saddle slipped last start but needs to show more. 100
9 RAFAELLO *** Progressive sprinter who looks well placed in this field with just 50kg. Can win. 3.00
Race 8
Selections; 1 ECLAIR FLASH – 2 KNIGHT CHEN BAY – 4 PAPERBACK TROOPER – 10 QUEEN ROULETTE
Great Novice field with three horses coming off good debut wins and two others that broke their respective maiden tags in fine style at their last starts. Of the debutante winners, ECLAIR FLASH beat subsequent Juvenile Championship winner Mystic Master and punters won’t miss that form. The two other debut winners – KNIGHT CHEN BAY and PAPERBACK TROOPER – both had support and won well and all three win this without surprising. SUPER HERO and QUEEN ROULETTE both took a few runs to get their act together but both won in fine style with QUEEN ROULETTE getting a nice pull in the weight as a 3YO filly. MR CROWE the smokey at odds resuming with best work expected late.
1 ECLAIR FLASH *** Beat subsequent Group winner Mystic Master on debut and pay to follow that form. 3.00
2 KNIGHT CHEN BAY *** Won well with heavy support on debut and can win again with winkers added. 3.00
3 MR CROWE ** Resuming and could be running on late at odds. 33
4 PAPERBACK TROOPER *** Backing up after a strong debut win with support and must be respected. 4.00
5 SUPER HERO *** Still has a bit to learn but bolted in last start to break maiden status and gives this a shake. 7.00
6 JOYOUS * Ran a cheeky race at odds last start in this company over 1400m but better suited in Class 5. 33
7 MOONRAKER ** Was long odds when breaking maiden status two starts back and may need further to show his best at this level. 20
8 DREAMER LEGEND * Resuming and no. 200
9 MR MIURA * Improves on debut effort but may need longer. 100
10 QUEEN ROULETTE *** Won well last start against own age group but well in at the weights and could run well at value. 10
Race 9
Selections; 1 STAR GENIUS – 2 ELUSIVE EMPEROR – 3 POWER LIN – 10 JOHN DUKE
A top heavy finish to the nights racing and most punters will be concentrating on STAR GENIUS who has her foot well and truly on the till. The 4YO mare has just missed in Graduation company on more than one occasion of late and connections will be hoping Class 4 with a handy 3kg claim gets the result. Her biggest and perhaps only danger is ELUSIVE EMPEROR. The 5YO is resuming and having his first start on the Poly but his recent good trials suggest he is more than ready to win a race like this with Vorster to ride from gate 4. POWER LIN looks the only other horse that wins without surprising and it will pay to keep him firmly in mind in some top-heavy exotic combinations.
1 STAR GENIUS *** Excuses not to win last start in Graduation company and hard to beat on winning surface with handy claim. 2.00
2 ELUSIVE EMPEROR *** Resuming after looking like having issues last start and trials like he can win. 3.00
3 POWER LIN *** In solid form and should figure at the business end. 7.00
4 CASH BOX * Struggling. 200
5 SOUTHERN CHIEF * Reassess in easier company than this. 50
6 SILVER POWER * Gets tongue-tie but needs to improve on recent form. 20
7 INVINCIBLE MAN ** Improves back on the Poly and could include in exotics in a field with no depth. 20
8 PRATT STREET ** Form reads badly but only win was on the Poly sans headgear and could improve. 20
9 SOON YI ** Never involved last start but always worth including in exotics in races like this. 20
10 JOHN DUKE ** Competitive but should need easier to win. 10
