SPECIAL ID looks the most progressive (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
It safe to say this meeting provides some opportunities for some of the lesser rated horses to pay for their upkeep for another year or so and with a Restricted maiden with only six runners, a chance for a newcomer to make a winning start to their career.
However, it is Canada Cup night at Kranji – always a fun affair at the track – and the race in question (race 7, a BM67 over 1400m) looks a beauty with no less than four last start winners up against another four with their hoofs on the till.
Of the last start winners, SPECIAL ID looks the most progressive and the fact he rarely runs a bad race makes him punters pal.
But it might be one of the horses coming off promising runs that test the 4YO with FORTUNE WINNER one that looks destined for better races than this and certainly up to winning this.
Like SPECIAL ID, the 4YO mare is also super honest and given what she showed first up after a spell, 
she could very well be the testing material.
The race does have depth though with WHITE HUNTER certainly one to follow and MY BROTHERS KEEPER likely to get plenty of support and no reason why he won’t run accordingly.
A great night and a great race.
Best Bets: (STIRLING race 8, win), (GOLDEN BOBO/SHAQRAA race 2, forecast) and (ROYAL WARRIOR race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2 and 11), race 7 (2, 4, 6 and 7), race 8 (1, 2 and 3), race 9 (1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8).
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 KING SAVINSKY – 3 GIORGIO – 1 BLACK FRIDAY – 5 READY FORTUNE
A solid Class 5 where most of the fancies have drawn to advantage, which should make for a fair race. KING SAVINSKY is the interesting runner. The 5YO certainly doesn’t win out of turn but finds himself back in Class 5 over a suitable trip and more importantly gets blinkers added to his racing gear for the first time which could see him hard to beat. Coincidently, blinkers have been the key to GIORGIO’s recent run of good form and he can break his maiden status with Kif Toh up. The horse they may both have to pass late to win is BLACK FRIDAY who like a few of these runners, finds himself in the right grade and race with gate 1 in his favour. Throw in READY FORTUNE as a winning hope – again in the right grade and race – and he may be the value on exposed recent form.
1 BLACK FRIDAY *** Right grade and will be prominent throughout with gate 1 a bonus. 4.00
2 EASTERN TOWKAY ** Shown little this far but should appreciate Class 5 and could run a cheeky race at odds. 33
3 GIORGIO *** Foot on the till since blinkers were added three starts back and looks very well placed here. 3.00
4 KING SAVINSKY *** Form better than it reads and could be hard to beat on best form with blinkers added. 4.00
5 READY FORTUNE *** Another who finds himself in the right race and grade so ignore recent poor form and follow. 8.00
6 CANNON KING ** Very green but goes well enough when he has his act together to win a race like this. 8.00
7 HUMOR TOWN * Struggle street. 100
8 KLEVER WARRIOR * Impossible on recent form. 50
9 NATURAL WATER * Struggles as a rule but improved effort last start has him under notice in Class 5. 33
10 SUN DANCE ** Always thereabouts without threatening but a must for exotics. 8.00
Race 2
Selections; 3 GOLDEN BOBO – 4 SHAQRAA – 6 HERACLES – 1 BULLISH LUCK
An odd small field for this Restricted maiden with three newcomers and two horses dropping back from the mile making the form difficult. Of the raced horses, only BULLISH LUCK with blinkers added might be worth watching but his race form is just fair so he would need to lift dramatically. So the newcomers are the horses to watch and GOLDEN BOBO will be the one punters jump on to win. The 3YO has trailed well enough in both Australia and Singapore to win a race early in his career and this weak field suggests he wins on debut. SHAQRAA has also trialled solidly and looks the only danger on paper. In fact he looked to be doing it easy enough at his first Official Trial to think he plays a part in what could be a two horse race. HERACLES comes off a quiet trial so pay to keep safe with one eye on the billy goat.
1 BULLISH LUCK ** Drops back from the mile but gets blinkers/pacifiers and could be competitive. 6.00
2 SHARP KNIGHT * Also drops back from the mile and should battle. 10
3 GOLDEN BOBO *** No star but trialed well enough in Singapore and Australia to win this weak maiden. 2.00
4 SHAQRAA *** Trials have been solid and looks a leading hope in this small field. 3.00
5 SUPER TRIPLE ACE * Impossible on what we saw on debut. 50
6 HERACLES ** Had a quiet trial and worth watching market on debut. 6.00
Race 3
Selections; 3 STICK SEEKER – 1 LIM’S SPRINT – 4 GUILTY PLEASURES – 7 MOTHER NATURE
A few horses look ready to win on recent form but what will make the punt interesting is the fact a few of them – including the likely favourite GUILTY PLEASURES – have been on the Poly of late and that could be their caper. In saying that, GUILTY PLEASURES does handle the turf and should figure in this finish with J Powell up. STICK SEEKER looks a more solid option. The 4YO has had excuses for his only two poor runs in Singapore and this does look the perfect race for him to knock in another early win in his Singapore career. LIM’S SPRINT also looks well placed in this company but given his only win was over 1400m, he may want a tad longer than this to show his best. Of the rest, MOTHER NATURE has never raced on the turf but comes off a last start maiden Class 5 win so it will pay to keep safe.
1 LIM’S SPRINT *** Only win was over 1400m but will find this company to his liking and should go close. 4.00
2 Q NINE MAC ** Will improve with racing and could run another cheeky race with tongue-tie added. 12
3 STICK SEEKER *** Did it tough last start and happy to think this is the type of race he will win. 5.00
4 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Honest and does look due to knock in another win. 3.00
5 SOON YI ** Another that looks due and can be each-way value. 6.00
6 DREAMCATCHER * Rarely seen on the turf and perhaps a better option on the Poly in this company. 20
7 MOTHER NATURE ** Broke through for maiden win in Class 5 last start on Poly and query at first start on the turf. 8.50
8 FORTUNE SPIRIT * Not a mile away last start but might be better suited on the Poly in Class 5. 20
9 SUPERMART ** Blinkers off. Usually competitive but eligible for easier. 20
Race 4
Selections; 1 AUREUS – 11 GOLDEN JADE – 8 GALLANT HEIGHTS – 4 SPEED CRAFT
If you are thinking about grabbing a bite to eat we would suggest right about now is as good as time as any. Why? For starters it’s division 2 of a Class 5 plodders affair but also our top two picks in AUREUS and GOLDEN JADE have jockeys who have yet to bother the scorer in 2016. In saying that, I Saifudin is an experienced jockey who will win his fair share this year and from gate 3, he should give the in-form GOLDEN JADE every chance. WT Chung on AUREUS has an awkward draw to contend with but the horse looks very well placed on the Poly in this company and his 3kg claim could do the trick. A more solid option could be GALLANT HEIGHTS who is always a show in races like this while SPEED CRAFT will break his maiden status sooner than later and might be value. I recommend the fish.
1 AUREUS *** Not a mile away last start and better suited back on his winning surface. 5.00
2 BIG BANKER ** Should find Class 5 to his liking and not the worst with upgrade to blinkers. 10
3 GENERAL CONATUS ** Always worth including in exotics in what is a suitable race. 10
4 SPEED CRAFT *** Maiden but has showed more than enough on occasion to think he wins a race like this soon. 8.00
5 GREAT LIGHT ** Returned to some form last start when headgear was removed but have to take on trust. 10
6 OCTIVIA ** Nothing last start but goes OK on her day. 12
7 BIGCAT RHAPSODY * Just struggling of late. 12
8 GALLANT HEIGHTS *** Down badly but back in right company over suitable trip so should figure late. 10
9 ZAC BENEVOLENT ** Tough to follow and yet to win in Singapore but goes close on his day. 6.00
10 DRAPPIER * No. 100
11 GOLDEN JADE *** Wont win out if turn but has better recent form than most and must go close. 5.00
12 VITALLY SECRET * Has been disappointing this campaign but this is the type of race he should be competitive in. 33
Race 5
Selections; 6 BARNATO – 7 SUPER BRILLIANT – 5 KATAGAS – 1 KEEN DRAGON
A very open race with not much separating the top six or seven picks so we can expect a solid betting affair. BARNATO is often value but his first up run was good and the fact he has subsequently trialled well he might come in for support. The 4YO won’t win out of turn but has looked due and his hoop, apprentice MM Firdaus, is in career best form. SUPER BRILLIANT broke his maiden status in fine style last start and while this is obviously tougher, that win certainly has him stamped as one to follow and the Poly track does look his caper. KATAGAS will also enjoy being back on the Poly after having excuses last start on the turf and has won in this company so has to be a show. KEEN DRAGON, Q NINE MAGIC and MR NEVERMIND three others that win without surprising.
1 KEEN DRAGON *** Due and should figure in this finish with a 4kg claim. 6.00
2 Q NINE MAGIC *** Always an each-way hope in races like this. 10
3 FAITHFULLY ** Nothing last start but the type who could show up at odds if having a good day. 33
4 MR NEVERMIND *** Progressive type who looks well placed back on the Poly in this company to win again. 8.00
5 KATAGAS *** Excuses last start and could be hard to beat back on his only winning surface. 4.00
6 BARNATO *** Resumed with very good effort and has trailed well since. Big show. 4.00
7 SUPER BRILLIANT *** Broke maiden status in fine style last start and pay to follow. 3.50
8 MY REACH * Coming off a shocker but appreciate being back on the Poly. 33
9 NO SMOKING JEFF * Resuming and maiden win was on this surface. 20
10 NOBLE CRAFTSMAN * Back in trip and no. 100
Race 6
Selections; 1 RON – 2 PEREGRINE FALCON – 11 WINNING SUCCESS – 3 STREET CHAMP
Now, if you didn’t like the fish (see chef recommendations race 4), try the steak or even grab a drink with friends, as this race looks impossible to find the winner on exposed form. Hopefully the ratings tell a story and RON get this chance to knock in another win for connections. His form is probably better than it reads and gate 1 has to be a factor in a race like this. PEREGRINE FALCON has struggled on the Poly previously but is in good enough form on the turf to think he can turn that around in this weak field. Down in the ratings, WINNING SUCCESS is also worth a look. The 9YO was disappointing last start on the back of a good trial and race but should run a prominent race with Vorster from gate 5. Blanket over the rest.
1 RON *** Should win races like this with gate 1 a factor. 3.00
2 PEREGRINE FALCON *** Better record on the turf but in solid form and this race is weak. 3.50
3 STREET CHAMP ** Gets winkers and appreciates being back on the Poly and should be closing late. 12
4 NOVEMBER SUCCESS ** Solid on his day but long-term maiden status a concern. 20
5 GYPSY STAR ** Form reads badly but suited this trip and will work into this late. 20
6 STANZOUT ** Veteran who is always some show in races like this. 20
7 BUZET ** Hasn’t won for a long while but always thereabouts and this race is weak. 7.00
8 GODS SPEED * Trip suits but coming off a shocker and have to take on trust. 33
9 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Also coming off a shocker but previous form has him involved late. 12
10 LEGACY ** Form reads badly but drawn well and could figure. 12
11 WINNING SUCCESS *** Very disappointing last start but worth another look on good run two back and recent trials. 10
Race 7
Selections; 2 FORTUNE WINNER – 4 MY BROTHERS KEEPER – 6 WHITE HUNTER – 7 SPECIAL ID
The Moose Head will be flowing on Canada Cup night and the feature on the day looks a beauty with most having a winning show on best form. In fact when you consider that there are four last start winners in the race and the other four runners come off close up placings, it is a raffle. But a good raffle and hopefully FORTUNE WINNER can show he is a horse that will be more than competitive in better races than this. His career record of three wins and seven places from only 14 starts speaks for itself an his first up run behind Red Dawn over 1200m good enough to think he can win this. You can make a case for all others including MY BROTHERS KEEPERS who had support and ran accordingly last start and a couple of progressive types in WHITE HUNTER and SPECIAL ID.
1 IKING ** Versatile type who is knocking in some well deserved wins of late and have to respect. 8.00
2 FORTUNE WINNER *** Progressive type who resumed with very nice effort and can win this. 6.00
3 TERMS OF REFERENCE ** In form but remains a query on the turf at this level with blinkers removed for this. 6.00
4 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Supported and showed last start why this trip is his caper. Big show. 4.00
5 POLE PARADISE ** Honest and often provides excellent each-way value in a race that suits. 12
6 WHITE HUNTER *** Has shown more than enough at four Singapore starts to follow in races like this. 5.50
7 SPECIAL ID *** Will find this tougher than Class 4 but hard to fault honesty and form so pay to follow. 5.00
8 ARES ** Broke through for maiden Singapore win last start and worth thought. 8.00
Race 8
Selections; 1 STIRLING – 3 FAST EDITION – 2 ALOHA – 6 KEVIN ELEVEN
We backed STIRLING last start at decent odds dropping slightly in grade and while not winning, he showed more than enough in KSD company from a wide gate to think he wins one soon. Danny Beasley takes over from Manny Nunes and from gate 2 he should have less work to do early and should be hard to beat. The field has no depth whatsoever so don’t expect odds this time though. Who beats him? FAST EDITION resumed from a spell in a similar affair to this and was supported. He appreciates the run and certainly keeps STIRLING safe. Not many others appeal but ALOHA is better than what he showed last start and he will very much appreciate KSD company.
1 STIRLING *** Just missed last start in similar affair and hard to beat with gate 2 a factor. 2.00
2 ALOHA *** Disappointing last start but will find this company to his liking and maiden win was this trip/track. 10
3 FAST EDITION *** Appreciates solid first-up run where he had support in similar affair. Follow. 3.00
4 MAPLE STAR * Veteran with one eye on his pension. 50
5 JUBILATION * Needs to lift on recent form. 20
6 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Very disappointing last start but company and race suits so can improve. 20
7 MORALES * Struggling. 50
8 SCIENCE FICTION * Excuses last start (roarer) but have to take on trust. 20
9 FANTASTIC MAN ** Recent poly form OK but query on the turf with blinkers off for this. 12
10 SEASONS ECHO ** Ran on well late last start at long odds but should need longer to show his best. 20
11 KAISER BRIGHT * Needs easier. 33
Race 9
Selections; 5 ROYAL RULER – 7 JELLY BEAN – 2 RED ANT – 1 HOST THE NATION
A very good race to finish the night and hopefully the winner will be value given the depth of the field. You could make a case for at least eight of the 11-horse field and while ROYAL RULER is coming off a shocker, he could be the testing material. In his favour is that his last start was on the turf and he does look a better option on the Poly and a good recent trial suggests he is over any issues he may have had on that occasion. He has drawn wide but so has JELLY BEAN who also had excuses last start. If J Powell can find his own luck from gate 10, he also gets his chance to knock in a another win. RED ANT also did it tough last start with support and looks well placed here from gate 5 with Dan Beasley up to win. HOST THE NATION, YOU DA ONE, WAKINO NEXUS, CASTLE QUEEN and the newcomer, EN CIVIL, the others to watch.
1 HOST THE NATION *** In terrific form and continues to offer each-way value. Follow. 6.00
2 RED ANT *** Did it super tough when supported similar affair and must go close here. 4.00
3 EN CIVIL ** Former French via HK galloper who has trialled well but should need longer. 20
4 MR WHITAKER * Not at his best of late and like to see more. 33
5 ROYAL RULER *** Looked to have issues last start so pay to ignore and very much appreciates being back on the Poly. 7.00
6 YOU DA ONE *** Not the type to win out of turn but in cracking form and pay to follow. 6.00
7 JELLY BEAN *** Excuses not to win last start and could be hard to hold out with more luck in running. 4.00
8 WAKINO NEXUS *** Looks ready to win and should be value in this field with a tongue-tie added. 8.00
9 CASTLE QUEEN ** Will find this tougher again than last start but in form and pay to respect at odds. 20
10 SMART SUPREME * Last start Class 5 winner who will be better suited there. 33
11 ANGRY CAT * Ran on well late last start but should need easier than this. 33
