CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE can race well (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
As the holiday name would suggest, it’s a day off for the workers, the battlers and the also-rans and in staying with the theme of Labour Day, there are a few races with some definite blue-collar types.
In fact one of our best bets is a horse that has only one career win to his name in FOLLOW THE KING who resumes after an enforced lay-off in a Class 5 Poly sprint (race 8).
Fortunately for the lightly raced 6YO, the field he meets is very weak and he has trialled very well suggesting he can win first up with a 4kg claimer in Y Salim on-board.
There are some better races on the card and there is no way CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE could be described as working class.
The 3YO NZ-bred gelding is first-up after winning very well over this trip at his third career start and there is no reason he can’t win in Novice company with Alan Munro up from gate 3 with a nice recent 
trial a pointer to his chances.
Also from the trials, STIRLING gets a chance to knock in an overdue win in KSD Company over 1200m (race 7).
The 5YO has been knocking on the door and a strong recent trial coupled with a good gate suggests Danny Beasley can get the job done for Laurie Laxon.
Best Bets: (STIRLING race 7, win), (FOLLOW THE KING race 8, win) and (CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE race 5, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (9 and 12), race 9 (1, 2, 6 and 9), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 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 5
Selections; 2 CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE – 7 WAR CITI – 3 MARK ECLIPSE – 4 URASHIMA TARO
A Novice over 1200m sees the return of the promising CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE who is resuming after a strong Maiden win. The 3YO’s recent trial was good, the tongue-tie comes off and he can race well fresh. WAR CITI led and fought on well over 1100m in a Graduation on the poly last start, he is having his first turf outing but should give a sight. URASHIMA TARO only battled in a Graduation last start over 1100m on poly; he is better suited here on turf over 1200m and can get in the finish. The stablemate MARK ECLIPSE disappointed last start after his Maiden win, he is speedy and with Michael Rodd up from the good gate, he could make amends. SMART FORTUNE led throughout when resuming and with a 4kg claim can give a sight again. STAR GENIUS only battled last start after his Maiden win, he is well drawn and should be handy throughout. HEAVENLY HAND is an interesting runner. She won a Kembla Grange Maiden from five starts in Australia with all other runs being unplaced efforts at Group and Listed level; she did not show up at her trial, watch the market. In a race of many chances, MISS BLANCHETT won her Maiden in Class 5 but then battled on well in Novice Company subsequently and could show up.
1 SMART FORTUNE ** Led throughout when winning at odds on resuming and with 4kg claim can give a sight again. 8.00
2 CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE *** Tongue-tie off. Resuming after strong Maiden win. Recent trial was good and can race well fresh. 4.00
3 MARK ECLIPSE *** Disappointed last start after Maiden win. Speedy and with Rodd up from the good gate could make amends. 5.00
4 URASHIMA TARO *** Only battled in Graduation last start over 1100m on poly. Better suited here on turf over 1200m. Can get in the finish. 5.00
5 PRATT STREET * Has struggled since Maiden win on poly. Improvement needed. 33
6 RED GENERAL * Blinkers on. Has struggled since Maiden win. Recent trial was good and could show up. 14
7 WAR CITI *** Led and fought on well over 1100m in Graduation on poly last start. Having first turf outing but should give a sight. 8.00
8 HEAVENLY HAND * Won Kembla Grange Maiden from 5 starts with all other runs being unplaced efforts at Group and Listed level. Did not show up at trial. Watch market. 16
9 STAR GENIUS ** Only battled last start with support after Maiden win. Well drawn and should be handy throughout. 12
10 MISS BLANCHETT ** Won her Maiden in Class 5 but then battled on well in Novice company subsequently. Could show up. 16
11 SATELLITE POWER * Maiden who faded over 1000m on poly last start. Tested. 33
12 BROTHER WIND * Former Peter Moody runner who had three starts in Victoria without showing up. Did nothing in trial. Looks tested. 33
13 LADY LIBERTY ** Racing soundly in Maiden company but will find this harder. 33
Race 6
Selections; 3 SUPER EIGHT – 1 ANAK PENANG – 5 BROWNE’S ANATOMY – 6 JACK OF HEARTS
Another very poor Class 5 gives SUPER EIGHT another chance. The 4YO is rarely far away and his only win was on turf at this trip. In fact Oscar Chavez should have him handy throughout and he looks hard to beat in this weak field. Who can beat him? ANAK PENANG is still a Maiden and has been battling over longer but may be better suited here; Vlad Duric stays on and he can be on the speed throughout. BROWNE’S ANATOMY disappointed last start and is far from reliable but he can run on and could be closing late. JACK OF HEARTS has been struggling on the poly but does have turf form in Malaysia and could surprise. None of the others have mentionable form but it is such a weak race that any could win without causing a shock.
1 ANAK PENANG ** Still a Maiden. Has been battling over longer but may be better suited here with Duric up. Can be on the speed throughout. 4.00
2 SPIRIT OF SPEED * Has been battling and only win was on poly. 33
3 SUPER EIGHT *** Rarely far away and should be in the finish. Only win was on turf at this trip. 2.60
4 BLACK BEAN * Battled on last start and won over this trip five starts back. Only wins have been on poly. 16
5 BROWNE’S ANATOMY ** Disappointed last start and far from reliable but can run on and could be closing late. Only wins have been on poly but has placed twice on turf. 6.00
6 JACK OF HEARTS ** Has been struggling on poly. Only wins have been in Malaysia on turf. Could surprise. 10
7 SECONDWAVE * Form ordinary. Tested. 33
8 LAM EDITION * Maiden and yet to place in seven turf outings. 16
9 STATE TROOPER * Highly unreliable and best efforts have been on poly. 20
10 GREENBACK ** Hasn’t won for a very long time but could show up in this weak field. 10
11 YUE YUAN ** Could be handy throughout with no weight from the good gate. 20
Race 7
Selections; 3 STIRLING – 4 STORM TROOPER – 1 SOUTHERN CHIEF – 7 SOON YI
A KSD over 1200m on the polytrack in which there should be plenty of speed. STIRLING trialled well recently and is suited this grade. The 5Y0 should be handy throughout and hard to hold out. SOUTHERN CHIEF won a Maiden three starts back and has battled since in a Class 4 and Graduation; he is better suited here and can be on the speed throughout. BLUE MOON battled on well in this grade after his Maiden win over 1000m; 1200m may test but from the good gate he should be prominen. The hot speed should suit STORM TROOPER, who ran on well when resuming, will enjoy the extra distance and will again be closing late. Amongst the others SOON YI likes this distance and placed in Class 4 over 1100m last start and might find this easier. RACER KING did nothing when resuming but drops in grade, he rarely wins but often places and can show up.
1 SOUTHERN CHIEF *** Won Maiden three starts back and has battled since in Class 4 and Graduation. Better suited here and can be on the speed throughout. 5.00
2 BLUE MOON ** Battled on well in this grade after Maiden win over 1000m. Should be prominent throughout from the good gate. 1200m may test. 8.00
3 STIRLING *** Trialled well recently and suited this grade. Should be handy throughout. 4.00
4 STORM TROOPER *** Ran on well when resuming and extra distance should suit. Will be closing late. 5.00
5 INVINCIBLE MAN ** Has been just battling but Duric back on the Poly may help. 14
6 RACER KING ** Disappointed when resuming and drops in grade. Finds it hard to win but can be handy throughout. 10
7 SOON YI ** Placed in Class 4 over 1100m last start and might find this easier. All three wins have been at this distance. 8.00
8 ARLO * Broke through for Maiden win in Class 5 last start. This is harder but 3kg claim may help. 20
9 EXQUISITELY SWEET * Battling at recent outings but trial was fair and has won twice at the distance. Could show up sans blinkers. 16
10 LEADERSHIP * Battling and only win was on turf. 33
11 LET’S TALK NOW ** Finds it hard to win but regularly places and in this a long way. 16
12 GOLDEN PASTURE * Wants easier. 50
Race 8
Selections; 9 FOLLOW THE KING – 12 RIO DE JANEIRO – 7 TROPICAL FOREST – 3 MR PATRON
Labour Day is all about the battlers and this race certainly falls into that category. In fact most of these struggle to even be competitive so expect a few stragglers in what is an ugly race at best. The horse with the best recent form is RIO DE JANEIRO. He has drawn wide but Dan Beasley up in this weak field suggests he starts favourite and is the benchmark. However, FOLLOW THE KING could be a good thing here. Yes, the 6YO has only one career win to his name and is resuming after a bleeding attack, however, he is trialling very well and given the form he showed before his enforced spell, he can win this. Nothing else appeals but TROPICAL FOREST is in solid form while MR PATRON and HIGHLIGHT should be doing better in this company. Keep the emergency, ZAC GALLANT, very safe as he wins without surprising.
1 DE WANTED ** Resuming after a terrible run of form but recent trial OK so could improve at long odds. 33
2 TIM ** Disappointing last start and drawn wide for this but should be competitive in this company. 12
3 MR PATRON *** Also only fair last start but this type of race is his caper and could show up. 6.00
4 HIGHLIGHT *** Another who has showed little since dropping o Class 5 but goes close if near his best. 20
5 SPACE ODDITY * Struggles as a rule but may appreciate this weak field. 33
6 KAISER BRIGHT * Ran on OK late last start but easier to ignore. 33
7 TROPICAL FOREST *** Veteran who is in solid form and looks the benchmark. 6.00
8 MR DE NIRO * Gets a tongue-tie but more Fokker than Bickle. 50
9 FOLLOW THE KING *** Resuming after bleeding attack and trials suggest he is hard to beat with blinkers removed. 3.00
10 BONJOUR BOB * No. 33
11 MR BLOSSOM ** Form hopeless but recent trial OK so could improve sans blinkers. 50
12 RIO DE JANEIRO *** One of the few horses with any sort of form and looks the benchmark. 3.00
13 ZAC GALLANT *** In form and one of the leading winning hopes if he gets a start. 4.00
Race 9
Selections; 1 FELAROF – 9 DAVINCI – 2 GOLD PEREGRINE – 6 SMART LAD
One of the better races on the card and the finish could be a busy one. In fact with a solid clip out front courtesy of POLE PARADISE, everyone should get a fair crack on a fair Course (C) and it will get interesting late. So who has the edge to win? FELAROF had excuses last start in a similar affair to this and he can win with more luck in running. Likewise his stablemate GOLD PEREGRINE is in form and given he is often value, he is always one to follow. Also with odds in mind we will keep DAVINCI involved. The 4YO has taken a few runs to show the form that has him winning races like this and hopefully he is ready to get a result this campaign. SMART LAD the other to watch as he drops back in trip and go even wider in exotics in what is a great race.
1 FELAROF *** Had excuses not to be right in the thick of the finish last start and can win this. 4.00
2 GOLD PEREGRINE *** Underrated type who is often value so always worth a look. 6.00
3 HIGH BLADE * Shown glimpses but may be a better option on the Poly. 33
4 IDEAL GUIDE ** Showed a return to some form last start in similar affair and pay to keep safe. 12
5 CLUTHA LAD * Usually honest but showed last start why is a query on the turf at this level so take on trust. 20
6 SMART LAD *** Back in trip but gets the ace and will make his presence felt late. 8.00
7 CHASE ** Over a year since his last win but in very consistent form and will be flying late. 6.00
8 POLE PARADISE ** Can lead and will be in this a very long time. 6.00
9 DAVINCI *** Getting his act together and ready to win again in a race that suits. 6.00
10 ZEUS ** Turned some good form into a much deserved win in Class 4 and pay to follow. 12
Race 10
Selections; 3 BATTLE KING – 2 VRAAD – 1 PERFECT CHALLENGER – 4 ROYAL EASTER
This race is probably as good as a KSD (division 2) field as you would get over a mile with most more than competitive in Class 4. BATTLE KING is a progressive type and from gate 2 with blinkers off and winkers on, he looks well placed stepping up to the mile to win. VRADD also looks well placed stepping up to the mile after having excuses last start. He gets to jump from gate 1 and it may be whoever gets the better run wins. PERFECT CHALLENGER did it tough enough to place last start to also be a strong winning chance in this and he should be the one doing best work late. Throw in last start winner PANACHE while ROSEGOLD and ROYAL EASTER win without surprising.
1 PERFECT CHALLENGER *** Just missed last start behind Damon after doing it tough so can win this. 3.00
2 VRAAD *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and happy to follow stepping up to the mile. 6.00
3 BATTLE KING *** In form and recent trial suggests step up to the mile could see a result with blinkers to winkers. 5.00
4 ROYAL EASTER *** Showed last start he wins races like this and will be hard to hold out. 6.00
5 NOVA STAR ** Issues last start and may pay to ignore as form prior was solid and recent trial OK. 20
6 PANACHE *** Turned some good form into a last start maiden win and pay to follow. 8.00
7 ROSEGOLD *** Will find this easier than last start and form in similar affairs have him under notice. 12
8 ABOVE THE HORIZON ** Blew the start and his chances last time out but another to keep safe on form prior. 20
9 NOMERCY * Struggling. 100
10 DANNY ** Form reads badly but this type of race should be his caper. 50
11 LIKA TIGER ** Placed at long odds last start and worth another look. 12
12 PETITE VICTOIRE * Eligible for easier. 100
Race 11
Selections; 8 SIAMESE CAT – 3 LIM’S ELUSIVE – 2 THE COSMOS – 1 CLIP THE TICKET
Another field with just too many winning hopes to be confident and as such it might be worth a look at a newcomer who may be value. The newcomer in question is SIAMESE CAT who raced twice in Argentina for a one win and one second placing. The 4YO mare has looked very good at a couple of local trials and with Corey Brown riding for Pat Shaw, she could show up at he Singapore debut. Also from the trials we will have along look at LIM’S ELUSIVE. The 4YO is resuming with a tongue-tie and he looks well placed over 1200m first up to show his best. Of the rest, THE COSMOS picks himself (he is overdue!!), CLIP THE TICKET will appreciate the drop in Class with the each-way blanket over POWER LIN, SATELLITE BOY, FLYING SHADOW, IN BOCCA AL LUPO and the first emergency, THE DODGER.
1 CLIP THE TICKET *** Nothing last start but usually honest and back to winning Class has him under notice. 12
2 THE COSMOS *** Refuses to run a bad race but also refuses to win. 3.00
3 LIM’S ELUSIVE *** Resuming over suitable trip and trials like he is ready first-up with tongue-tie added. 5.00
4 LIVELY DRAGON ** Another super honest conveyance but needs a result for the effort. 6.00
5 TOP GUN ** Not a lot when resuming but has won second-up previously so keep safe. 20
6 POWER LIN *** Drawn wide but showing plenty at odds of late and pay to follow each-way. 12
7 SATELLITE BOY *** Returned not striding after cheeky Singapore debut and would give this a shake if right. 12
8 SIAMESE CAT *** Former Argentinean mare who has trialled very well and can win at Singapore debut. 8.00
9 FLYING SHADOW *** Will find this easier than Graduation Company and worth a look at each-way odds. 20
10 IN BOCCA AL LUPO *** Not a mile away last start at long odds and back on his only winning trip/track has him under notice. 12
11 PINT SIZED PRINCE * Reassess over longer. 100
12 GO LANCE * Maiden who goes OK but should need easier. 33
13 THE DODGER *** Another back to winning track and trip and goes close from gate 1. 12
14 CLERMONT CLUB * Needs longer. 50
