Kiwi Karma’s recent trial suggests she should be hard to beat (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
After the extravaganza that was the Longines Singapore Gold Cup weekend, an all Polytrack Friday meeting is on offer but plenty of good races to keep punters well and truly interested.
Case in point is the return of one of Singapore’s sprinters stars, KIWI KARMA, in race 7 on the card.
The now 4YO was in top form last campaign which included a super effort when finishing fourth in the International Group 1 KrisFlyer Sprint behind the Hong Kong star, AEROVELOCITY.
In fact her last five runs were in Group races and given she now find herself first up over 1100m in BM89 company, she should be too good with a very strong recent trial and a 4kg Kif Toh claim in her favour.
On the other end of the scale a maiden in CONFLIGHT might also be a good thing in race 2 on the card.
The 3YO has been close up at two career starts and finds himself in a very weak Restricted Maiden over 1000m which looks on paper like his to lose.
The race is so weak that unless there is stable money on one of the three newcomers, CONFLIGHT might start at a very short quote – perhaps the shortest – but will be extremely hard to beat.
Friday 20 November
Best Bets: (CONFLIGHT race 2, win), (KIWI KARMA race 7, win) and (RUAPEHU race 3, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (Field), race 7 (1), race 8 (2 and 12), race 9 (1, 4, 5, 8 and 10).
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; 2 CLERMONT CLUB – 1 ADRENALINE – 5 RON – 10 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ
A lot of slow horses in this race and hopefully we can narrow the winning hopes to just three with CLERMONT CLUB, ADRENALINE and RON the one’s to follow. CLERMONT CLUB is the most honest of the trio and does look ready to win in this company. Nunes from gate 7 looks a good combination and he is the benchmark on recent Class 5 form. ADRENALINE drops to Class 5 for the first time and that has him under serious notice. Although never winning on the Poly, he does handle the surface and his last start effort in better company than this suggests he can win without surprising. RON is the other that wins in this company sooner than later and gets to jump from gate 3, which is handy. The second emergency – RIGHT IS RIGHT – is the only other that can win on recent form.
1 ADRENALINE *** Yet to win on the Poly but in form and could be hard to beat dropping to Class 5. 5.00
2 CLERMONT CLUB *** Hoof on the till and the one to beat. 2.80
3 VOLCANO * Dormant. 100
4 ZAC BENEVOLENT ** Disappointing last start but run two back in this company was good. 8.00
5 RON *** Always a show in a race like this with gate 3 in his favour. 4.00
6 OVER EASY ** Not at his best last start but can run a very forward race at value. 12
7 JIM * Not at his best of late and wide gate makes this tough. 20
8 PINYIN * Struggling. 33
9 WINNING SUCCESS ** Will go forward from wide gate and another that can run a cheeky race at odds. 20
10 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Ran on well last start and goes good enough on his day to keep safe. 12
11 CLASSIC THUNDER * No. 33
12 NORTH STAR * No. 50
13 HAPPY JOY * No. 100
14 RIGHT IS RIGHT *** Racing in good form and should win one soon. 26.00
Race 2
Selections; 6 CONFLIGHT – 9 THE WIND – 10 SUN HANCOCK – 8 RIVER OF GOLD
While this race is not a good punting option, you have to think the connections of CONFLIGHT are planning on how best to spend their winning cut of the prizemoney. The 3YO has only found one better at both race starts and those efforts were on the back of some solid trials. He is horse to follow and given that he meets a bunch of battlers, he could start at the shortest possible win dividend ($1.20). Hard to see who beats him but the market might be a good guide with the likes of two newcomers in RIVER OF GOLD and the Japanese-bred 2YO, SUN HANCOCK. But to be honest, in a better field they wouldn’t get a serious mention so THE WIND, with two solid runs under his belt, could be the one to keep the odds-on fave honest but it would be a surprise if he does beat him. Odds-on look-on??
1 SPACE ODDITY * Resuming after two poor runs and prefer to watch. 33
2 PERFECTLY ECLIPSE * No. 50
3 GLORIOUS WEALTH * Struggles. 100
4 CAPTAIN CLASSIQUE ** Struggles as a rule but gets blinkers and this race is weak. 20
5 SHARP KNIGHT * Hard to have. 33
6 CONFLIGHT *** Close up at two race starts and looks extremely hard to beat in this field. 1.20
7 EASTERN TOWKAY * Hard to have on exposed trial form. 50
8 RIVER OF GOLD ** Just OK at Official trial but that might be good enough to include in exotics in this field. 20
9 THE WIND ** Solid at both race starts and could keep the fave honest. 6.00
10 SUN HANCOCK ** Japanese-bred 2YO who comes under exotic notice with no weight from gate 1. 12
Race 3
Selections; 2 RUAPEHU – 1 ASPREY – 7 SUGAR MAN – 5 FANTASTIC MAN
A nice Class 4 field gets the racing back on track and it should be a good punting affair with two strong last start winners and two smart enough types resuming keeping it very interesting. RUAPEHU resumes with a very nice trial under his belt and while his form from his previous campaign was poor, he drops in Class, which is in his favour. So while his form reads badly, his Poly record good enough to win in Class 4 but he will need some luck from the wide alley. FANTASTIC MAN is the other horse resuming that comes under notice especially given his Poly form is excellent and the tote may be a good guide. ASPREY won nicely last start and while that was over 1200m on the turf in Kranji Stakes D company, it was at his third start in Singapore and he can go on with the job. SUGAR MAN is the other last start winner and has to be respected on his sweet run of recent form. Pun intended.
1 ASPREY *** Won well last start in KSD company and will play a part in this finish. 5.00
2 RUAPEHU *** Resuming after a poor run of form but recent trial was excellent and will appreciate drop to Class 4. 3.00
3 MIGHTY CREATION ** Appreciates first-up run for new trainer and look for improvement at odds. 33
4 MILLION ROUND * Has won on the Poly but might need longer than this. 12
5 FANTASTIC MAN *** Resuming after poor turf run but Poly form prior was excellent so keep safe. 7.00
6 THE RAID * Newcomer from Australia and prefer to watch on trial form. 33
7 SUGAR MAN *** In terrific form and looks well placed with 53kg to win again. 4.00
8 LADY ROULETTE ** Gets a tongue-tie after a poor showing and some hope on previous form. 20
9 LIM’S SINCERE ** Resuming after finding the Juvenile Championship too tough and market best guide. 20
10 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE ** Not a mile away two starts back in similar affair and can include in exotics. 20
11 ORIGIN FAST * Can run a cheeky race but usually found out late. 33
12 SMART INVESTMENT ** Improving with each run and recent trial suggests we can include in exotics at odds. 20
Race 4
Selections; 3 MIGHTY EMPEROR – 4 SUN DANCE – 5 DOUBLE JEOPARDY – 2 GO LANCE
Four or so horses look ready to break their repetitive maiden status and it may be a case of whoever gets the luck in running between MIGHTY EMPEROR, SUN DANCE, DOUBLE JEOPARDY and GO LANCE wins. Of the quartet, MIGHTY EMPEROR has both race and recent trial form to think he is ready to win. He has drawn awkwardly in gate 11 but Noreesh Juglall should ride him very positively and he might be hard to hold out late. Likewise, SUN DANCE is in fine form without winning and gets another chance in what is a suitable race. DOUBLE JEOPARDY is perhaps overdue which is a concern but looks the benchmark with Nunes up from gate 4 while GO LANCE is coming off a shocker but did look due prior.
1 ZARULES ** First time on the Poly at the races but flashed home two starts back and pay to keep safe. 20
2 GO LANCE *** May pay to put a line through his poor last start effort as form prior has him having a say back in Maiden company. 6.00
3 MIGHTY EMPEROR *** Starting to hit form and recent trials suggest he can win this. 4.00
4 SUN DANCE *** In form and will win a race like this sooner than later. 3.00
5 DOUBLE JEOPARDY *** Long-term maiden who went close last start and gets his chance from gate 4. 4.00
6 FLYING WINNER ** Drawn badly but usually thereabouts and can be value. 20
7 ALLEZ ** Query on the Poly but has to be respected on good form. 15
8 FRENCH VINTAGE * Going along in good order on the turf but Poly form a real concern. 20
9 HUMMING BIRD * Disappointing and not sure the mile suits. 50
10 SHUYING XIAOXIAO * Needs to find a few lengths. 50
11 CLEVER BRIGHT * Struggling. 50
12 VOY ** Form terrible but has trailed OK lately so may improve at very long odds. 50
13 ZENZERO ** Blinkers off after a poor run of form and could improve. 33
14 BANK ON ME * No. 200
Race 5
Selections; 1 MR FANTASTIC – 4 HOST THE NATION – 7 CACTUS JACK – 9 KEVIN ELEVEN
MR FANTASTIC looks very well placed in Class 4 on the Poly to knock in his third career win. The South African-bred 4YO looks a progressive type and given he just missed two starts back in Class 3 on the Poly, he should find this weak Class 4 field to his liking. His biggest dangers are two last start winners in HOST THE NATION and CACTUS JACK. HOST THE NATION in particular has hit a rich vein of form after taking an age to break his maiden status and another win here would not surprise with the 4kg claimer, R Hasri, staying onboard. CACTUS JACK is the interesting runner. The 4YO had a long break after a poor debut and resumed with a tongue-tie and a win. Da Silva stays onboard and expect support.
1 MR FANTASTIC *** Will win in this company sooner than later and switch to Poly looks a very good move. 2.70
2 FARETTI * Disappointing when resuming and have to take on trust. 33
3 ZHUHAI * Blinkers off but easier to ignore. 50
4 HOST THE NATION *** Drawn wide but form too good to ignore. 4.00
5 INVINCIBLE MAN ** Rarely wins but rarely runs a bad race. Exotics. 12
6 MEGATHINK * Resuming and no. 50
7 CACTUS JACK *** Backed up good trial with nice enough maiden win and pay to respect. 5.00
8 KAISER ** Form better than it reads and often value in a race that suits. 20
9 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Just missed last start on the turf and pay to keep safe. 12
10 STORM TROOPER ** Resuming and having first start on the Poly with market a good guide. 12
11 DRAGON KING * Drawn badly and might be looking for easier company. 50
12 HIGHLIGHT ** Have to respect winning form but that was in Class 5. 12
13 KAISER BRIGHT * No. 100
14 KLEVER WARRIOR * No. 100
Race 6
Selections; 4 TIME ODYSSEY – 6 WINNING GOOD – 11 LA FONTANA – 5 VERGLATICA
Oddly for a race of this nature, there only looks two horses – TIME ODYSSEY and WINNING GOOD – that appear genuine inning hopes. Sure, plenty of others are coming off good runs including a last start winner in KING SAVINSKY, but on recent form in this type of race these two stand out. Of the two, TIME ODYSSEY looks due to knock in his overdue second career win and looks well placed with blinkers removed over this trip in Class 4. And while WINNING GOOD only broke his maiden status last start, his form prior suggests he handles this company and the Poly. Most others have a chance on best form including DANNY who goes well for Manny Nunes, VERGLATICA who looks suited in this company on the Poly and LA FONTANA who went close last start.
1 MATA MATA ** Not a mile away last start at long odds and gets the ace today. 33
2 SUNNY * Happy to ignore on the Poly. 33
3 DANNY ** Recent form reads badly but goes well for Nunes so keep safe. 8.00
4 TIME ODYSSEY *** Needs a result while in form but this looks suitable with blinkers off and can win. 3.00
5 VERGLATICA ** Form reads badly but this race suits so look for improvement at odds with blinkers removed. 33
6 WINNING GOOD *** Broke through for maiden win last start and handles the Poly so has to be some hope. 4.00
7 HUMOR TOWN * Appreciates extra distance but not at his best of late. 50
8 TANGIBLE ASSETS ** Almost pinched one at long odds in similar affair last start and pay to keep safe. 12
9 BILLY BRITAIN ** Competitive on his day but having first start on the Poly so market best guide. 12
10 KING SAVINSKY ** Won over the mile last start in KSD company and handles the Poly so should be thereabouts. 10
11 LA FONTANA ** Drawn badly and not the type to win out of turn but loves the Poly and could surprise. 8.00
12 GENERAL CONATUS ** Thereabouts last start and recent win was on this surface so has to be respected. 12
13 TOP OF THE TOWN * Struggling but does enjoy the Poly. 100
14 DASHING JACK * No. 200
Race 7
Selections; 1 KIWI KARMA – 5 KAM’S COMET – 3 BELLWETHER – 4 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS
The punters might go after the mighty mare KIWI KARMA in this BM89 Poly sprint and we should expect a very short price. She is resuming but it’s hard to see her getting beaten in a race like this given a very nice recent trial and her race record speaks for itself. The 4kg claim for Kif Toh looks a bonus and she should add to her winning tally that currently sits at six from 14 career starts. But while TOTALITY and SECRET MISSION look no hope at all, you have to respect the rest including last start winners BELLWETHER and MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS, the smart Poly sprinter KAM’S COMET and the speedster, SOUTHERN BOSS. But KIWI KARMA very hard to beat.
1 KIWI KARMA *** Star sprinter resuming and recent trial suggests she will be hard to beat. 1.40
2 SOUTHERN BOSS ** Mixing his form of late but can lead and 1000m on the Poly is his caper. 12
3 BELLWETHER ** Showed last start why he is always a winning hope in races like this. 5.00
4 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS ** Found form this campaign and pay to respect although this is obviously tougher. 12
5 KAM’S COMET ** Showed last start his poor effort two back was an anomaly and keeps then all honest. 5.00
6 TOTALITY * No. 100
7 SECRET MISSION * Needs a lot easier than this. 100
Race 8
Selections; 2 FAMOUS ARTIST – 12 NINETYSEVEN GOLD – 1 SEBAS – 4 EATONS GOLD
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” was the mantra with FAMOUS ARTIST after three wins and a second from four career starts. But after over-racing last start when finishing out of the placings for the first time, the blinkers have gone on and we can expect the 4YO to jump right back into the winners circle. One that might be worth a long look to beat him is the former Kiwi NINETYSEVEN GOLD who impressed when winning at his Singapore debut. That was in Class 4 but the win was very good and he looks a very likely prospect for the Brian Dean stable. Like FAMOUS ARTIST, SEBAS was disappointing last start but his previous form was just too good to ignore and he must be kept safe as well. Throw in EATONS GOLD as a winning hope on what he showed last start and most others in exotics is what is a good race.
1 SEBAS *** Never looked comfortable last start and can show his best with 4kg claim with more luck from wide gate. 6.00
2 FAMOUS ARTIST *** Blinkers go on after bad recent run and subsequent top trial suggests he gets back into the winners circle. 2.30
3 MEXICAN GAL * Resuming and might just need the run given wide gate. 12
4 EATONS GOLD *** Gets tongue-tie after showing last start why he always has to be respected in this type of race. 12
5 KEEN DRAGON ** Will find this easier than last start and could be a sneaky hope from gate 1. 20
6 SECRET LIBERTY ** Competitive on his day but might need easier to win. 20
7 LIVELY DRAGON ** Excuses last start so ignore and take on good form prior. 20
8 MEXBOROUGH BOY * Struggled since winning in Class 4. 33
9 Q NINE MAGIC ** Competitive but might another that might need easier to win. 20
10 SING ROULETTE ** Issues early last start and worth another look in this company. 20
11 STAR GENERAL ** Goes very good on his day an gets blinkers but has issues and always seems a risk. 12
12 NINETYSEVEN GOLD *** Former Kiwi who impressed winning at Singapore debut and pay to follow. 6.00
Race 9
Selections; 1 MR WHITAKER – 8 POWER LIN – 4 TOP GUN – 10 JUST NAME IT
MR WHITAKER looks a very progressive 4YO and happy to think he can get back into the winners circle in the lucky last. The NZ-bred gelding has had two wins on the Poly over this trip in eight career starts and after a first up sighter over 1000m he looks perfectly placed to win with gate 3 a bonus. It gets interesting after that but POWER LIN has had excuses of late and must go close here with more luck in running. He has only one win to his name but a plethora of placings suggest he is a solid each-way hope in races like this. TOP GUN also had excuses last start and his recent form has him one of the picks in this field as is MEDIA CAPTAIN with an upgrade to blinkers and JUST NAME IT who is going along in great order but does have a wide gate to contend with.
1 MR WHITAKER *** Very much appreciates first up run and looks hard to beat from gate 3. 2.80
2 HIGH COUNCIL * Looked to have issues last start but have to take on trust back in trip. 20
3 MAPLE STAR ** Veteran who was disappointing last start with support but was starting to find form. 12
4 TOP GUN *** Excuses not to go very close last start and right in this with gate 2 a factor. 4.00
5 MEDIA CAPTAIN *** Gets blinkers and always a show in races like this at value. 8.00
6 WHITE COFFEE * Blinkers on. Last win was in similar affair but hard to have on recent form. 50
7 WEE MONSTER * No. 200
8 POWER LIN *** Had a few excuses of late and can win one of these with luck in running. 8.00
9 QUEEN’S SEVEN ** All good recent form on the turf but is going ell enough to consider. 12
10 JUST NAME IT *** In form and only Poly run was very good so has to be a leading hope. 12
11 FAST JET ** Last start maiden winner who will find this tougher. 12
12 GIORGIO * Gets a tongue-tie but eligible for maiden company. 33
13 GENIUS ** Excuses last start and will be competitive in this company. 20
14 XZUBERANCE * Not sure this is suitable. 100
