WELL DONE in cracking form and hard to beat (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
While there are some very ordinary races early on Friday’s card, the meeting finishes with some cracking races including a Class 3 mile (race 7) that could see a Derby contender or two show their best.
WELL DONE tried his hand over the Derby trip (2000m) in nice company last start and his effort to place behind BLUE DANUBE suggests he is up to the task.
Dropping back to the mile shouldn’t be an issue given he should appreciate the company and can continue his recent winning form with Nunes up from gate 2.
He won’t get it all his own way though and a couple of other 4YO’s who will be following WELL DONE on the Derby trail in NEWLANDS and FELAROF more than keep him honest while RISKY ROCKEFEELER and GOLD PEREGRINE are in the type of form that has them winning races like this.
In the very next race on the card, Manny Nunes can make it a race-to-race double with JAY EFF EXPRESS first-up after a spell.
The 4YO won four-in-a-row on the turf before two unplaced but good Poly runs at his last campaign and this race looks ideal resuming with gate 1 in his favour.
Best Bets: (JAY EFF EXPRESS race 8, win), (ALPHANOVA race 2, each-way) and (BANDIDO race 4, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 3, 8 and 12), race 7 (2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10), race 8 (2, 3 and 4), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4 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; 3 DAAD’S THE WAY – 4 RON – 2 OVER EASY – 5 WONDERFUL ERA
A raffle of the highest order opens Friday’s card and while we should know better, the veteran DAAD’S THE WAY will get our each-way money. The 10YO never looked likely last start in a similar affair to this but his form over this trip on the Poly has him winning again in this company before he finds a nice retirement home. He should get a gun run too with RON and OVER EASY – two horses that can lead – are drawn in and around him so no excuses for CC Wong. RON gets gate 1 and can lead and win while OVER EASY could give a sight if he gets a flyer from gate 5. BLACK FRIDAY can also go forward but will need some favours from gate 9 while WONDERFUL ERA looks a good value option on good form prior to having excuses last start. Blanket over the rest.
1 BLACK FRIDAY *** Did it tough last start so pay to ignore as will win soon in this company. 6.00
2 OVER EASY *** Appreciates step up in distance and can give a sight. 7.00
3 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Not at his best last start but love step mile and always an each-way show. 5.00
4 RON *** Should get the favours from gate 1 and another that will give a sight out front. 6.00
5 WONDERFUL ERA *** Form reads patchy at best but excuses last start and could surprise at odds. 20
6 DASHING JACK ** Placed at odds last start and pay to include in exotics. 12
7 READY FORTUNE ** Wide draw not a concern as will get back and run on strongly. 12
8 TONGARIRO ** Not the type to win out of turn but yet another who plays a part with luck in running. 20
9 ANAK PENANG ** Disappointing last start with support but some hope on form prior. 8.00
10 SUPERB SEVEN ** Trying the mile again after some better efforts over shorter so take on trust. 8.00
11 NOVEMBER SUCCESS ** Not far way at his last couple but struggles to finish on the podium. 12
12 STANZOUT * Nearing pension age and form not up to this. 100
Race 2
Selections; 2 ALPHANOVA – 11 MISS STREISAND – 1 THE RAID – 9 SMIDDY BYRNE
Races don’t come much worse than this maiden with a last start seventh the best recent race form we can find. So looking for horses that improve with the trials a good place to start, ALPHANOVA and THE RAID both appeal. ALPHANOVA in particular looks a good winning option given the 4YO had support when running poorly (did return with a cut leg) on debut and has trialled well subsequently. CS Chin claims 4kg and from gate 3, he could be the one to beat. MISS STREISAND also comes off a shocker over 1400m but her form prior was easily good enough to win this and she should give a sight if she shows her best. THE RAID has hopeless race form but like ALPHANOVA, he come into this freshened after a couple of nice trials and happy to think he gives this a shake. No one else appeals but the newcomer SMIDDY BYRNE has done nothing wrong at the races and won’t find one easier than this.
1 THE RAID *** Form reads badly but freshened by some nice trials and look for improvement. 5.00
2 ALPHANOVA *** Resuming after poor debut with support but has trialled well subsequently and can win. 3.00
3 CALMBEFORETHESTORM * Gets winkers after looking like having issues at debut. Watch market. 12
4 SMART FORTUNE * Resuming and no. 200
5 FULL BET ** Tries turf for first time after two poor Poly runs. Keep safe on debut effort. 12
6 ABOVE THE MILLION * Appreciates debut run and gate 1 but debut was only average. 12
7 HACKER * No. 200
8 BALKAN CHALLENGER * Needs to lift. 100
9 SMIDDY BYRNE ** OK at a couple of trials and has found a weak maiden to debut. Watch market. 8.00
10 TRIGGER MAN * Needs to find more. 100
11 MISS STREISAND *** Back in trip after a poor run over 1400m but wins this on some previous good form. 3.00
12 FIGHTING QUEEN ** No support when he lost rider on debut but the odd trial OK so keep safe in exotics. 50
Race 3
Selections; 2 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE – 1 CONFACET – 6 FLYING WINNER – 10 ZAC GALLANT
A couple of maidens look due in this Class 5 sprint and the connections of CONFACET and FLYING WINNER would have one eye on the champagne room as the runners head out to the start. CONFACET is certainly due and gets to jump from gate 2 but he is desperate for a result for the support he gets. FLYING WINNER has had 16 starts for no result but is due and while drawn awkwardly in 9, E Chaves should give him every chance. But FRAGRANCE EMPIRE is the one to beat. The 6YO has two wins under his belt and a recent drop to Class 5 has him winning sooner than later with gate 4 ideal. The regular suspects in ZAC GALLANT, TROPICAL FOREST and DR OCTOPUS have to be considered.
1 CONFACET *** Becoming costly for followers but breaks maiden status soon. 4.00
2 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE *** Wins in this Class sooner than later and looks very well placed on the Poly over 1000m. 4.00
3 MR TRY * Appreciates company but maiden win was over the mile and may need longer than this. 20
4 BLOOD ROYAL * No. 100
5 DR OCTOPUS ** Frustrating horse to follow but issues last start (roarer) and was due. 8.00
6 FLYING WINNER *** Sixteen start maiden but foot on the till and must go close. 4.00
7 TROPICAL FOREST ** Nine-year-old who has found some solid form and pay to follow each-way. 12
8 SMART INVESTMENT * Blinkers off but hard to have. 100
9 ZAC APPEAL * Resuming after long spell. No. 100
10 ZAC GALLANT *** Very honest and gets his chance from gate 3 with C Brown up. 6.00
11 SPECTA DILEMMA ** Has enough speed to make use of the ace and give a sight. 12
12 BIG BANG KING * No. 200
13 LUCKY COME ** Form only fair but back in trip fresh may help. 20
14 CASSIS OOLONG ** Always pay to keep safe in exotics in this type of race. 20
Race 4
Selections; 5 BANDIDO – 6 PALTROW – 3 WARPATH – 1 NOVA STAR
A very interesting KSD and while BANDIDO has only won once on the Poly and is coming off an unplaced run, he could the one to be on at value. The 3YO broke his maiden status two starts back and his effort at odds in the Dester Three-Year-Old Classic was better than the result in the book. The form from that race will obviously hold up in KSD company and while he will need luck from gate 14, he could win. PALTROW broke her maiden status last start and that effort at her first attempt over 1400m suggests this trip and further is her caper. Plenty of others that win without surprising including NOVA STAR, WARPATH, Q NINE MAGIC and the honest KNOW EACH OTHER.
1 NOVA STAR *** Not far away over the mile last start this company and goes close. 8.00
2 Q NINE MAGIC *** Doesn’t win out of turn and drawn badly but does look due. 6.00
3 WARPATH *** Will find this easier than Class 4 and has be a big show on form similar affairs prior. 6.00
4 BRIEFNESS ** Gets winkers after excuses last start this company and pay to keep safe. 10
5 BANDIDO *** Drawn badly but coming off a very solid run at odds in the Three-Year-Old Classic and that form should hold up here. 12
6 PALTROW *** Broke maiden status last start stepping up to this trip and pay to follow. 4.50
7 GINSENG * Resuming after long break sans blinkers and market only guide. 50
8 HAMMER DOWN * Lost rider last start and loses blinkers for this. Needs to lift. 50
9 KNOW EACH OTHER *** Rarely runs a bad race and should figure in this finish. 5.00
10 LEADERSHIP ** Usually thereabouts but won’t win out of turn. 20
11 ACROSS THE SEA ** Appreciate the company and should be running on late. 20
12 HUMOR TOWN ** Might need Class 5 to win but not a mile away last start and can add value to exotics. 33
13 RAVOUX ** Will find this harder than Class 5 but claim looks a good move and another to keep safe. 20
14 MASTER BANGER * Eligible for easier. 50
Race 5
Selections; 10 SUPER VELOX – 6 PINYIN – 2 GENERAL CONATUS – 5 BIGCAT RHAPSODY
It’s safe to say we at Kranjiracing.com have never been shy about jumping on a bandwagon and there is no bigger bandwagon than the cult horse that is SUPER VELOX. Yes, he did his legendary status no good by breaking his maiden at start 71 but like a few before him, he might just like this winning caper and can go on with the job in what is weak Class 5 field. In his favour – apart from Nunes and a good gate – is the fact nothing jumps off the page to win although you could make a case for GENERAL CONATUS, HAPPY JOY, BIG BANKER, BIGCAT RHAPSODY, PINYIN and REAL GOODMAN.
1 RAAJPOOT * No. 100
2 GENERAL CONATUS *** Placed last start over 1700m and this is a very weak field. Can win. 5.00
3 HAPPY JOY *** Hard to catch but broke maiden status two back in similar affair so pay to keep safe. 8.00
4 BIG BANKER *** Maiden who is usually thereabouts and could make use of gate 1. 6.00
5 BIGCAT RHAPSODY *** Looked to have issues last start when he flopped with support but can win on form prior. 6.00
6 PINYIN *** Has looked due and must be a winning hope in this field. 6.00
7 ADRENALINE * Not at his best of late and wide gate doesn’t help. 33
8 REYSHA * Has won trip and track but recent form poor. 50
9 SUPER SPUR * No. 50
10 SUPER VELOX *** Broke maiden and cult status at start 71 and can go on with the job. 4.00
11 REAL GOODMAN *** In form and mile suits. Can win. 10
12 YUE YUAN ** Solid without being a threat of late and exotics look best. 33
Race 6
Selections; 1 PANACHE – 3 WARSHIP – 12 AMISTAD – 9 SUN DANCE
While we will include a couple of horses in honest form – SUNDANCE and AMISTAD – safe as winning options, the winner should come from either PANACHE or WARSHIP. Both look to have fair careers ahead of them once they can break their respective maiden statuses and this field is weak enough to think one does. PANACHE has drawn wide but gets the in-form Vlad Duric and given he will go forward, he should have no excuses. WARSHIP is coming off a shocker – that is a slight concern – but his form prior has him winning this if near his best. Gate 6 and Vorster looks a good combination. As mentioned, SUNDANCE and AMISTAD will keep them honest but the rest have to improve to win.
1 PANACHE *** Drawn wide but should go forward and in the a long way. 3.50
2 NUMERO UNO ** Hard to catch but goes good enough on his day to follow. 12
3 WARSHIP *** Coming off a shocker with support but previous form has him under notice. 4.00
4 SCIMITAR ** Showed last start the mile could be his caper and pay to keep very safe. 8.00
5 RAINBOW FISH ** Battles away and will very much appreciate the ace. 20
6 DOUBLE JEOPARDY ** Long-term maiden who has been tried over most distances with best work expected late. 12
7 SPUR ME ON ** Not a mile away last start and subsequent trial was good. Keep safe. 12
8 MANHATTAN DREAM * Blinkers back on but hard to consider. 50
9 SUN DANCE *** Honest and hopefully gets a result sooner than later. 6.00
10 VICTORY COMMANDS ** Improved at two runs this campaign and cheeky run expected. 20
11 MR BLOSSOM * Freshened after poor run over the mile but easier to ignore. 100
12 AMISTAD *** Disappointing last start but looks a wining hope on form prior. 12
13 GANNA * No. 200
Race 7
Selections; 2 WELL DONE – 10 NEWLANDS – 8 RISKY ROCKEFELLER – 4 FELAROF
I think it’s fair to say after a very slow start to this meeting, this race steps the excitement meter up a notch or three. And given a few of the top picks in this Class 3 mile would be thinking of a crack at the Derby in July, it is a must watch affair. One of the 4YO’s that must be looking at feature races in the future is WELL DONE. The Kiwi-bred gelding showed last start that 2000m is not an issue and no problem dropping back to the mile in this company. NEWLANDS is another progressive 4YO who won impressively when resuming in Class 4 but looks more than up to this with Vlad Duric retaining the ride. FELAROF is the other 4YO that looks a winning hope on terrific recent form but plenty of other hopes in this field including RISKY ROCKEFELLER, GOLD PEREGRINE, CLUTHA LAD and even ALPHA CENTAURI in the right race.
1 ALPHA CENTAURI ** Gets blinkers and stepping up to suitable company has him under notice. 20
2 WELL DONE *** In cracking form and hard to beat back in this company from a good gate. 3.00
3 CLUTHA LAD *** In very solid form and looks a strong each-way hope. 12
4 FELAROF *** Ran on well over the mile in nice company last start and pay to follow. 8.00
5 IDEAL GUIDE ** Just struggling of late but this is the type of race he would show up in if on song. 20
6 WAR TIME ** Did it tough last start and could run bold race here at odds. 20
7 GOBI RANGER ** Did it tough last start and another to include at value in exotics. 33
8 RISKY ROCKEFELLER *** In terrific form and can win over the mile with blinkers removed. 3.50
9 GOLD PEREGRINE *** In excellent form and is often excellent value. Follow. 12
10 NEWLANDS *** Very progressive type who resumed with very nice win and looks up to this. 5.00
Race 8
Selections; 2 JAY EFF EXPRESS – 4 LIM’S RALLY – 3 FLAK JACKET – 5 REACH FOR THE SUN
This race looks a tad top-heavy so hopefully we will be able to put a line through most and concentrate on three horses – JAY EFF EXPRESS, FLAK JACKET and LIM’S RALLY – in exotic combinations. Of the trio, JAY EFF EXPRESS looks hardest to beat back on the turf. The 4YO resumes after two unplaced Poly runs but given he put together four straight turf win prior, he can win again. He will be short in the betting and FLAK JACKET showed enough when resuming to think he is back in fine form and can win while LIM’S RALLY won well enough last start over 1400m to follow and expect best work late back in trip. DARCI CHARMER, REACH FOR THE RUN and the 3YO, RAFAELLO, keep the top trio honest.
1 DARCI CHARMER ** Coming of a shocker but that should be an anomaly and will figure late. 10
2 JAY EFF EXPRESS *** Resuming after two unplaced Poly runs and won last four on the turf. Hard to beat. 2.00
3 FLAK JACKET *** First-up run a beauty and will be in this a very long time. 8.00
4 LIM’S RALLY *** Coming off strong win over 1400m and should make his presence felt late in this. 4.00
5 REACH FOR THE SUN ** Always a show in races like this and will keep the top fancies honest. 8.00
6 HIGH BLADE * First-up run was good but maybe a better Poly option. 50
7 DESERT FOX * Just battling of late. 100
8 RAFAELLO ** Progressive 3YO who will work into this late but might need longer. 20
9 SPRING THUNDER * OK when resuming but this is top-heavy field. 33
10 TERMS OF REFERENCE * Gets blinkers but like to see on the Poly at this level. 20
11 IKING * Versatile and honest but should need easier. 33
12 GOLD STOCK * Reassess in Class 5. 200
Race 9
Selections; 1 RAZZOSTELLA – 3 EAGLE STORM – 2 WONDERFUL – 9 QUEEN’S SEVEN
A terrific race to finish the card and you could make a good case for a few of these and even find some value if you look hard enough. The obvious choices are at the top of the ratings in last start winner RAZZOSTELLA and the desperately unlucky WONDERFUL. RAZZOSTELLA did win in KSD company but has won recently in Class 4 so this race looks no issue with the 4kg claimer in H Syafiq retaining the winning ride. WONDERFUL probably starts favourite and while not winning in Singapore, he has gone very close and it is just a matter of time. The value could be EAGLE STORM. The 6YO show last start he wins again soon in Class 4 and could very well make every post a winner. ZIPPY GENERAL grew wings last start and will have admirers to do so again while QUEEN’S SEVEN could be a very good value option so keep very safe.
1 RAZZOSTELLA *** In winning form and showed previously he is up to Class 4 company. 3.00
2 WONDERFUL *** Has done everything bar win at five Singapore starts. Goes close again. 3.00
3 EAGLE STORM *** Showed last start he will win one soon in Class 4 with nice gate in his favour. 8.00
4 ZIPPY GENERAL *** Will be flying late and goes close if the race run to suit swoopers. 6.00
5 CORDOBA ** Usually seen over 1400m but should be prominent throughout. 20
6 ALAN * Resuming and should need easier than this. 33
7 MAPLE STAR ** Excuses not to finish closer last start and will add value to exotics. 33
8 ONE MORE ACHIEVER * Prefer on the poly in Class 5. 50
9 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Excuses last start and always an each-way show at value in races like this. 12
10 FREE HAPPY ** Showed last why he is always a value option on the turf. 12
11 GO LANCE ** Maiden resuming and has first up form so could include in skinny end of exotics at odds. 33
