Captain Kirk (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) stretches out to an impressive debut win (Singapore Turf Club)
Ninety-nine not out. After a successful US sojourn and a three meeting suspension, Joao Moreira returned to local racing last Sunday needing three for a century of Kranji winners by June. A double – below par by his standards – left Moreira stranded on 99 winners and given he heads to Malaysia for another Jockey Challenge on the weekend, he will want his ton early on Friday. The aptly-named, ALWAYS A WINNER, could see the milestone met in race 1 but the horse is a maiden and Joao will need to at his best. It doesn’t get easier for the man they call ‘Magic’ in the second, but his mount in the third, CAPTAIN McCAW goes close against the likely favourite, CAPTAIN KIRK. GIVE ME STRENGTH, HILLBILLY BEAR and STREET LEGAL all look each-way hopes in races four, five and six respectively but his best hopes do look late in the card. CAVALLO in race seven could be his best winning hope after looking a good thing beaten at his last start. If Joao still needs a winner – and let’s hope not for punters sake – LIGHTNING MAC (race 8) and DARK PULSE in the last look serious winning chances and more than likely provides the Champion hoop with wins 102 or 103. Get the Champagne on ice!
.
Best Bets; CAPTAIN KIRK (race 3, win), LORD BROMPTON (race 6, each-way) and PACINO (race 5, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), race 7 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 7), race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 4), race 9 (1, 3, 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 JET ACE – 4 ZAC HEAVEN – 6 DOUBLE CASH – 8 ALWAYS A WINNER
A Kranji Stakes D on the all weather over 1000m starts things off. JET ACE worked hard and knocked up last start; down in class here and over a distance that suits he should be near the lead all the way. His last win was in this Class at this distance with Nunes on top. DOUBLE CASH has put in good efforts at last two starts and from the ace should be hard to hold out. FLY FREELY charged home to win two starts back; the re-engagement of Vorster over Zuriman is significant and he should be running on strongly. ZAC HEAVEN found the wide gate and Class 4 too hot last start; he was racing well in this grade previously and should be right on the mark with a nice alley and Corey Brown. PERWIRA’s last win was 25 starts ago but it was at this trip with KB Soo aboard; he ran second two starts back in a similar race and the change of rider may help. ALWAYS A WINNER is a maiden who has been showing more fight at recent starts, Moreira takes over from Munro and from the good gate he should be on the speed all the way.
1 JET ACE *** Worked hard and knocked up last start; down in class here and should be near the leads all the way. 4.00
2 PERWIRA ** Has speed, runner-up in similar race to this two starts back; last win was with KB Soo up over this distance. 10
3 FLY FREELY ** Charged home to win two starts back; re-engagement of Vorster significant. 8.00
4 ZAC HEAVEN *** Found wide gate and Class 4 too hot last start; was racing well in this grade previously; should race well with nice alley and Corey Brown. 4.00
5 GOOD SUGGESTION * Finished well back at only three starts. 50
6 DOUBLE CASH *** Good efforts at last two starts and from the ace should be hard to hold out. 4.00
7 VANQUISH * Needs to improve on 3 efforts since resuming from spell. 33
8 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Maiden who has been showing more fight at recent starts, Moreira takes over from Munro and from the good gate should be on the speed all the way. 4.00
9 NOT FREE NOW * Done nothing in 11 starts. 50
.
Race 2
Selections; 1 LET’S TALK NOW – 7 REAL MEAN – 8 SUGAR MAN – 3 BEVERLY HILL
A small field in a Restricted Maiden over 1200m on the polytrack. LET’S TALK NOW has been runner-up at his past three starts; with KB Soo replacing the apprentice he should be able to set the speed and gets his chance to break through. BEVERLY HILL put in a poor run on turf last start; he may be more comfortable on the polytrack and from his nice draw should go be able to sit off the speed and finish off strongly. SILVER FLY put in his best effort to date last start, SH Lee takes over from Noh Senari and he should be handy all the way. At this time of year the southern hemisphere 2YOs have an advantage on the WFA scale. REAL MEAN had a rough passage at his only start, he is by Real Saga who sires early comers and being from the powerful Michael Freedman stable with Manoel Nunes to ride should not be under-estimated. Likewise, SUGAR MAN has looked useful at the trials and this is not a strong field – with Vorster to steer and having the Pat Shaw polish he could make his presence felt.
1 LET’S TALK NOW *** Runner-up at past three starts, KB Soo replaces apprentice and the extra strength in the finish may make the difference. 3.10
2 SILVER FLY *** Improved effort last start, goes from apprentice to senior rider and should race well. 5.00
3 BEVERLY HILL *** Poor effort on turf last start; may be more comfortable on the polytrack from better gate and should go well. 4.00
4 SHARAKU GOLD * Gets Moreira but he may need more than that. 20
5 CALLIDE RIVER * Done nothing at only two starts, but had excuses last time out; has the ace, top apprentice and no weight. 16
6 PEREGRINE FALCON * 2YO who has not shown up at trials. From strong stable; watch market. 16
7 REAL MEAN *** Got pole-axed at only start; has no weight and should be right in the finish. 5.00
8 SUGAR MAN *** 2YO who has looked useful at the trials. Watch market and keep safe. 6.50
.
Race 3
Selections; 2 CAPTAIN KIRK – 5 CAPTAIN MCCAW – 1 POWERPAC – 6 TAKE IT HOME
Another small field, this time a Novice over 1100m on the polytrack and the Captains may well fight it out. CAPTAIN KIRK of the Starship Enterprise burnt them all off last time to win easily; with Harry Kassim retaining the mount he should be hard to run down. CAPTAIN MCCAW is of All Blacks fame, his last two efforts have been solid; he gets Moreira who won on him in Maiden company this track and must be a strong chance again. SMART SAMURAI got a soft run to win a maiden 3 starts back; he was then outclassed in the Guineas and wilted last start but well drawn with Manoel Nunes up he should give a sight. POWERPAC raced very wide last start and fought on well; he has been freshened and should be able to sit off the likely hot speed and run on well. TAKE IT HOME has been running on turf; he will appreciate being on the poly having won a maiden over this distance three starts back.
1 POWERPAC ** Raced very wide last start and fought on well; not in well at the conditions but should get a gun run and run on well. 7.00
2 CAPTAIN KIRK *** Burnt them all off last time to win easily; should be hard to run down again. 2.40
3 SMART SAMURAI ** Got gun run to win maiden 3 starts back; wilted last start but did it tough; ell drawn and has Nunes today. 7.00
4 POTLUCK * Only win was on polytrack at this distance; recent turf form ordinary and may improve on his surface with upgrade to blinkers. 20
5 CAPTAIN MCCAW *** Last two efforts solid; gets Moreira who won on him in Maiden company at his only start this surface; strong chance. 3.10
6 TAKE IT HOME ** Will appreciate being on poly; won maiden over this distance three starts back. 7.00
7 SO FREE NOW ** Maiden, has pace and usually around the mark. 208 NOBLEMAN STAR * Maiden; may find these too quick. 33
.
Race 4
Selections; 7 GIVE ME STRENGTH – 10 DRAGON PLAYER – 2 BY LAW – 1 ARABIAN NIGHT
A Class 5 for the middle distance one-pacers over 1900m on the polytrack. There are a number of back-markers in this and they will appreciate a solid rather than muddling pace. GIVE ME STRENGTH is an honest one-pacer with the Pat Shaw polish; he has been around the mark lately, gets Moreira and that could make the difference. DRAGON PLAYER’s last two turf efforts have been very good but must be taken on trust on the polytrack; Alan Munro gets the ride; he could well lead and should be suited by the distance. Greg Cheyne won on GOLDEN FRIENDS three starts back, he is not the most reliable but has won twice at 1900m and should get a good run from inside gate; he too could be one that goes forward. BY LAW has Corey Brown; he returned to form last start with a good second; Class 5 suits and he will be coming late from a long way back. The blinkers and tongue tie go back on INCREDIBLE HULK he too is a solid one-pacer who has won twice at this trip and will be there late. ARABIAN NIGHT is poorly drawn and will get back; however he is up to a suitable distance, back in Class and should be running on at the business end with Barend Vorster and significant jockey change.
1 ARABIAN NIGHT *** Poorly drawn and will get back; up to a suitable distance and should be running on at the business end. 10
2 BY LAW *** Returned to form last start; suited this company and will be coming late from a long way back. 5.00
3 GOLDEN FRIENDS *** Won with this rider three starts back, has won twice at the journey; not the most reliable but should get a good run from inside gate. 4.50
4 CONAN * Five start maiden 3YO by O’Reilly; up in trip and due to show something. 33
5 INCREDIBLE HULK ** Blinkers and tongue tie back on; solid one-pacer who has won twice at this trip; will be there late. 10
6 NATURAL AHEAD * Seven start 3YO maiden bred for this trip; yet to show up at the races. 33
7 GIVE ME STRENGTH *** Solid on-pacer who is never far away; suited the distance and gets Moreira which may make the difference. 4.00
8 IDEALISTIC MOMENT * One-paced 3YO whose only win was over a mile on turf; battles away and should be thereabouts. 20
9 CHAPTER AND VERSE ** Eight start maiden who battles away and should be suited by the distance. 14
10 DRAGON PLAYER *** Last two turf efforts have been very good but must be taken on trust on the polytrack; suited by the distance. 5.80
11 SUPER LUCKY ** Last two efforts poor but improves over this trip. 33
12 SUPER VELOX * Has been placed 9 times from 19 starts on the poly yet remains a 27 start maiden; ran 3rd at this journey last start and has claims again. 25
13 WO AI NINN ** Battles away, supported last start and always a chance in these. 16
14 THINK AHEAD * Poor effort last start; this distance suits but can be very one-paced. 25
.
Race 5
Selections; 3 HILLBILLY BEAR – 7 WINNER’S SMILE – 2 PACINO – 5 ASCLEPIUS
A Class 4 over 1200m on the polytrack where most of the main chances are closers. HILLBILLY BEAR ran on nicely behind PERFECT CHARGER last start when resuming; there is no one like that in this field and with Joao Moreira up he should be hard to beat. WINNER’S SMILE raced wide over 1400m on turf last start and won over this distance at his only poly start; from the inside draw he should get a good run and finish off strongly. ASCLEPIUS came from a mile back last start and if ridden more handy should be hard to beat. PACINO is an honest old-stager down in grade; from barrier 3 he should get the gun run with Corey Brown up and is always competitive in this Class. SUPERB SUCCESS gets back and runs on late; he put in a good effort when resuming and if Verenzuela rides him closer he may be hard to hold out. CATCH ME NOW’s last two runs have been his best for some time, with KB Soo on top he should get a positive ride and be handy all the way. PURE TACTICS had respiratory problems on return last start, his previous form was sound and if fully recovered he could give a good account of himself. CATCH ME NOW, ROBERT E, ATLIXCO and a freshened FLYING ZERO all have chances in a very even race.
1 FLYING ZERO ** Pacifiers off; resuming, was tried over longer last preparation but does have a win at 1200m and could sprint well fresh. 12
2 PACINO *** Veteran down in grade; should get the gun run with Corey Brown up and always competitive in this Class. 6.00
3 HILLBILLY BEAR *** Ran on nicely last start when resuming; has Moreira and should be hard to beat. 4.50
4 SUPERB SUCCESS *** Gets back and runs on late; good effort when resuming (jockey questioned) and if ridden closer may be hard to hold out. 10
5 ASCLEPIUS *** Came from a mile back last start and if ridden more handy should be hard to beat. 6.50
6 CATCH ME NOW ** Last two runs have been best for some time; with KB Soo on top he should be running on late. 10
7 WINNER’S SMILE *** Raced wide over 1400m last start; won at only poly start over 1200m, should get good run from inside draw and finish off strongly. 5.50
8 PURE TACTICS ** Had respiratory problems last start, previous form was sound and if fully recovered he could give a sight. 12
9 ROBERT E ** Speedy and goes best when ridden on the pace; not far away last start and 1200m suits. 12
10 ATLIXCO ** Close up last four starts but only win was in Class5. 14
11 ZAC WARRIOR * Looking to get back to Class 5. 20
.
Race 6
Selections; 3 LORD BROMPTON – 1 GOODPACK – 2 ITISWHATITIS – 4 CANNON HILL
What a good race. Four last start winners and a few at the top of the weights that look due. And while we have to respect the recent winners – CANNON HILL and STREET LEGAL are right in this – the likes of GOODPACK, ITISWHATITIS and LORD BROMPTON can win. Of the three, LORD BROMPTON gets a few ticks with a nice gate and the in-form Corey Brown on-top. His last run behind RAZIYYA OF SYDNEY was very good late and given he can race handier in this small field, he might be too good. But GOODPACK probably leads from gate one and with Harry Kassim claiming 2kg, he might be very hard to run down. The fact he has been in some good company of late helps his cause as this looks suitable. No reason needed to put ITISWHATITIS in the top three; his consistent form is well documented and wins again sooner than later. A small field but expect a busy finish.
1 GOODPACK *** Found a very suitable race and in this a very long way from gate 1. 12
2 ITISWHATITIS *** Backing up after another good run in a similar affair; follow. 3.50
3 LORD BROMPTON *** Best work late last start and right in this finish; can win. 6.00
4 CANNON HILL *** Bounced back into the winners circle last start and have to respect. 4.00
5 STREET LEGAL *** Flying at the minute and goes mighty close with same weight as last start win. 2.50
6 BOWIE KNIFE ** Beaten a fair way into third last start and place looks very best again. 20
7 CHINA EAGLE * Big step up after Class 5 win and should need easier. 33
8 SAINT VALLEY * Broke maiden status last start and another who should find this company too strong. 33
.
Race 7
Selections; 6 CAVALLO – 3 HAMMER DOWN – 7 DAVIDE – 5 SICHUAN RULER
CAVALLO looks well placed in this BM 53 to get back in the winner’s circle after looking a good thing beaten last start. On that occasion he was just beaten by Peaceful Warrior over 1100m in Class 3 company and given the excuses he had that run, he looks the one to beat in this. But there also looks a lot to like about HAMMER DOWN in what looks a very suitable race. The Bruce Marsh-trained 5YO had excuses last start when blinkers were added and given he got home very well, a big run here would not surprise. Another two that should figure heavily in what could be a very busy finish are DAVIDE and SICHUAN RULER; both in form and both can win without surprising. BAZINGA has to be respected – he has won two form his last three and grows wings late – with the newcomer CALIFORNIAN JET and CASH DOT COM capable of adding interest to exotics.
1 BAZINGA *** Won at long odds two of last three; follow as will be flying late. 12
2 FINDERSKEEPERS ** Backing up after fair effort last start; works into this late. 12
3 HAMMER DOWN *** Excuses last start when blinkers added and pay to follow on good trial form. 8.00
4 BIRTHDAY GIFT * Has been disappointing of late and hard to have. 50
5 SICHUAN RULER *** Honest and pay to follow while in winning form. 4.00
6 CAVALLO *** Looked a good thing beaten last start and wins with any luck in running. 2.50
7 DAVIDE *** Always a chance this type of race and wins soon this campaign. 4.00
8 CASH DOT COM ** Form reads only fairly but certainly worth thought in exotics at odds. 33
9 CALIFORNIAN JET ** Newcomer from Malaysia and while he looks to go OK, this race looks tough first-up. 20
10 DAAD’S THE WAY * Blinkers off and while OK last start over similar trip needs longer/easier. 100
.
Race 8
Selections; 4 LIGHTNING MAC – 1 DYNAMIC VENTURE – 2 ANAVILA – 3 GRIFFIN
Nothing jumps off the card here so an 8YO in LIGHTNING MAC might not get a better chance to knock in another win in what has been a solid career. His recent form from bad gates has been good enough to think he very much appreciates jumping from barrier four and must go close. DYNAMIC VENTURE hasn’t fared as well at the barriers but Harry Kassim should ride a positive race from the wide alley. The fact his two recent wins were after jumping from bad gates is in his favour. The grey, ANAVILA, looked to have every chance last start but his form is solid and wins again sooner than later as does THAT’STHEONE so keep both safe. The value might be the only 3YO in the field, GRIFFIN. His last outing was good considering he had a few excuses so well worth a look.
1 DYNAMIC VENTURE *** Last run better than the result and pay to follow on winning form prior. 4.00
2 ANAVILA *** Looked to have every chance last start but worth another look as was due. 4.00
3 GRIFFIN *** Last start a lot better than it looked and pay to keep safe at odds. 20
4 LIGHTNING MAC *** Has looked due and looks a big show here from good gate. 2.505 GIVE WAY * Struggling. 100
6 THAT’STHEONE ** Always in the mix this type of race and a solid each-way option. 4.00
7 GOOD TOWKAY * Has been doing it tough of late but probably needs Class 5. 50
8 FOUNTAIN ** Very much appreciates good gate so worth including in exotics at odds. 20
9 JUST LIKE THAT * Tongue-tie on but hard to have. 100
10 DIAMOND ON THE BAY * Blinkers back on but not for me. 200
.
Race 9
Selections; 6 DARK PULSE – 5 JET MAN – 1 ARAPUNI – 3 DREAMCATCHER
An interesting Class 4 to close the meeting given there is a maiden who may start favourite and goes very close to winning. The maiden in question is DARK PULSE and given he was backed and had excuses in what looked a good Initiation race at his Singapore debut, the American-bred colt is worth following. Gate one always helps and if he holds his form from that debut run, he can win. The horse he has to beat is another 3YO American-bred colt, JET MAN. The one-time winner has looked very good in this grade since his maiden win and looks a likely type. The value might be ARAPUNI down in grade. The 8YO has won eight times – five on the Polytrack – and given he drops back to Class 4 he might be the one the youngsters have to beat. DREAMCATCHER the other that can win without surprising.
1 ARAPUNI *** Plenty of excuses last start and a solid each-way hope dropping back to Class 4.10
2 BEAUTY SUPREME ** Half brother to Pacino. Former Kiwi who has looked solid at two trial sand suited this Class; market best guide. 8.00
3 DREAMCATCHER *** Plenty of excuses last start and was due prior; can win at odds. 12
4 RISING EXPECTATION ** Just fair of late but winkers on should see improvement. 20
5 JET MAN *** Has been knocking on the door similar affairs since maiden win; big show. 2.80
6 DARK PULSE *** Raced well at Singapore debut in maiden company; this is tougher but can win with gate one a factor. 2.60
7 GREEN JACKET ** Fresh and last start this trip OK but prefer over longer. 20
8 POWER ANGEL ** Improves back on her preferred surface and worth including in exotics at value. 20
9 SERGEANT PEPPER ** Last start winner up in Class but always competitive so keep safe. 12
10 MAGIC OCEAN * Appreciates first up run but needs to show more. 100
.
