MR FANTASTIC looks the benchmark (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A very rare Saturday meeting with a late call to postpone Friday’s card due to the sad passing of the former President of Singapore and Turf Club Patron, SR Nathan.
And while Poly races dominate the day, our best bet comes in the lucky last – the only turf race on the nine race card.
SPLICE is the horse we want to win and given the 7YO came in for heavy support when he just missed over this trip in BM67 company last start, he does look well placed in Class 4 and will be hard to beat.
The field does have depth though and SPLICE will need to show his best with LIM’S SPRINT, GOLD CROWN and even SONG TO THE MOON – who looked handy enough when breaking his maiden status in Class 5 at his last start – all some hope.
Elsewhere on the card, two divisions of a Class 3 Poly sprint over 1200m will keep punters interested.
Pat Shaw plays a big part in both races and the in-form South African trainer may very well win them both with MR FANTASTIC and ROYAL RULER looking hard to beat in races five and seven respectively.
They are up against plenty of in-form horses so the pair will have their work cut out but they can win and continue Shaw’s terrific winning strike-rate in 2016.
Saturday 27 August
Best Bets: (MR FANTASTIC race 5 win), (SPLICE race 9, win) and (CASTOR race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 4, 5, 9 and 10), race 7 (1, 2, 3 and 7), race 8 (1, 2, 4 and 5), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 7 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 3
Selections; 1 MIGHTY KENNY – 2 LIM’S BATTLE – 4 XZUBERANCE – 3 VERTICAL START
It would be nice to have the ear of two trainers in this race with Pat Shaw and Steve Burridge holding all the aces. Both trainers have two runners each – MIGHTY KENNY and VERTICAL START for Shaw and LIM’S BATTLE and XZUBERANCE for Burridge – and that quartet should be the horses in the mix at the business end. But we were on MIGHTY KENNY when he won at nice odds last start and after a good subsequent trial, no reason to jump off. His stablemate VERTICAL START was supported in that same race and he has to be respected again with a subsequent run over 1200m under his belt. Of the Burridge pair, XZUBERANCE probably starts favourite and gets every chance for G Boss from gate 2 while LIM’S BATTLE is the big improver at odds as he finds himself down in grade over the right trip with blinkers added. MR CONNERY for Laurie Laxon keeps the all honest.
1 MIGHTY KENNY *** Won well last start similar affair and subsequent trial good so hard to beat. 2.50
2 LIM’S BATTLE *** Ignore recent form as gets blinkers over the right trip in a very winnable grade. Big show. 10
3 VERTICAL START *** Always a hope in races like this so keep very safe with blinkers back off. 10
4 XZUBERANCE *** Showed last start why the Poly mile is has caper and gets his chance from gate 2. 2.50
5 MR CONNERY *** Improved lengths at odds last start when back on the Poly and keeps them honest. 12
6 SILK ROUTE * Gets tongue-tie and gate 1 but recent form only fair. 33
7 HAPPY SAGA * Will enjoy the Poly but like to see in Class 5. 20
8 DEAUVILLE ** Yet to win on the Poly but in solid form and can include in exotics. 12
9 ADRENALINE * Going along OK but eligible for much easier than this. 20
Race 4
Selections; 8 PRESENTING WIN – 7 ONE FOR ALL – 6 CONDADO – 3 MR NO PROBLEM
An interesting maiden with a few horses looking for a result after coming in for heavy support of late without winning. The obvious one there is ONE FOR ALL who missed a place when starting at $1.60 on debut. At that short price you would have to be disappointed but punters might follow him given he should improve for the experience. A safer bet might be PRESENTING WIN. SMIDDY BYRNE has also had support of late and while disappointing last start, he gets a tongue-tie and gives this a shake on best form. A safer option might be PRESENTING WIN. The 4YO just missed on debut after a solid trial and a subsequent nice hit out suggests he gives this a shake. CONADO is resuming and certainly worth a look on what he showed on debut while MR NO PROBLEM showed more than enough last start at odds to keep safe.
1 ARIEL ** Aussie maiden who has one placing from three starts. Recent trial OK. Market only guide. 20
2 SMIDDY BYRNE *** Gets tongue-tie after having issues when supported last start but well worth another look. 5.00
3 MR NO PROBLEM *** Wide draw a concern but beaten just under a length last start at odds and can figure here. 12
4 AMERICAN SNIPER ** Start very costly on debut and should improve lengths at long odds. 33
5 BRISTOL DIAMOND ** Jockey reported issues on debut but run good enough to follow. 20
6 CONDADO *** Resuming after being hampered and running on nicely at debut. Trainer can get them ready first-up. Nicely drawn. Watch market. 8.00
7 ONE FOR ALL *** Looked to have excuses when missing a place as the odds-on pop on debut and pay to keep safe. 4.00
8 PRESENTING WIN *** Ran well when placing on debut and subsequent trial was good. Big show. 3.00
9 GRIZABELLA MEMORY ** Resuming with blinkers added and pay to respect on solid debut with gate 1 a bonus. 12
10 GREAT WARRIOR ** Solid without being a threat at his last two and can include in skinny end of exotics. 20
11 SUPER RED * Returned lame last and have to take on trust. 50
12 CAPTAIN ROYAL * Gets blinkers after two poor runs but hard to have. 50
Race 5
Selections; 1 MR FANTASTIC – 5 SUN PIONEER – 2 GHOST – 7 RICH FORTUNE
An extremely tough race with most having a winning hope on best and recent form. Starting at the top, MR FANTASTIC looks the benchmark. The South African-bred 5YO resumed with a very good turf run and given his honest and winning form prior, he could be hard to beat. SUN PIONEER is another that ran well on the turf last start and given his better form is on the Poly, he wins without surprising. GHOST appreciates a better gate this time in and is always a show over this trip on the Poly and with so much depth to this race, he might sneak out to value. Another that is often each-way odds is EATONS GOLD and he is worth a look while last start winner HIMALAYA DRAGON picks himself. Throw in RICH FORTUNE as an improver back on the Poly and go even wider in exotics.
1 MR FANTASTIC *** Resumed with very good run and this race very suitable. 3.00
2 GHOST *** Very much appreciates good gate and right in this. 5.00
3 HIMALAYA DRAGON *** In excellent form this campaign and pay to keep following. 5.00
4 EATONS GOLD *** In very solid each-way form and gets his chance. 10
5 SUN PIONEER *** Not a mile away last start on the turf and a better winning option on the Poly. Big show. 5.00
6 BOARD WALK ** Will work into this late but should need easier. 33
7 RICH FORTUNE *** Ignore last start on the turf as another who very much appreciates being back on the Poly. 12
8 GATO NEGRO ** Can be tough to follow but in form and often value. 12
9 HADES ** Nothing last start over 1400m and have to take on trust. 20
10 DESERT FOX * Blinkers off and maybe looking for easier. 50
Race 6
Selections; 4 SUPER SPUR – 5 GODS SPEED – 1 ELEGENT – 9 RAINBOW STAR
Absolutely nothing to get excited about in this very weak Class 5 (division 2) field and as such you have to go with a last start winner in SUPER SPUR. The 8YO can mix his form but showed more than enough winning well last start to keep following. Who beats him? GODS SPEED’s better form is over longer but showed last start over 1000m that he has something to offer in this weak field. Throw in a few maidens in ELEGENT who is very consistent, RAINBOW STAR and LAM EDITION. Tote will be a good guide or perhaps just head to the bar and wait for the next race!
1 ELEGENT *** Maiden who is usually thereabouts and should win sooner than later. 4.00
2 MILLION ROUND * Just battling of late and have to take on trust. 20
3 ZAC BENEVOLENT * Resuming and should need longer. 33
4 SUPER SPUR *** Mixes his form but showed last start what he can do when on song. 3.00
5 GODS SPEED *** Best form over longer but showed enough last start over 1000m to give this a shake. 4.00
6 MAGIC PAINT * Can run the odd cheeky race but yet to place in twelve starts. 20
7 MR BLOSSOM ** Race form very ordinary but was pushed out when running OK at recent trial so look for improvement at odds. 20
8 NATURAL WATER * Easier to ignore. 100
9 RAINBOW STAR *** Twenty-five start maiden but placed in this grade last start and that form will hold up in this weak field. 7.00
10 LAM EDITION *** Excuses last start and another long-term maiden who can win in this field. 8.00
Race 7
Selections; 1 ROYAL RULER – 2 NINETYSEVEN GOLD – 3 CASTOR – 7 GUILTY PLEASURES
The second of the Class 3 poly sprints and once again it looks a field with plenty of depth. And once again Pat Shaw has the top weight who is hard to beat. This time it’s ROYAL RULER who is in cracking form both on the racetrack and at the trials and it does look a case of whoever beats him wins. In saying that it’s hard to fault the form of NINETYSEVEN GOLD who broke through last start after some very good form. The 5YO certainly looks a horse to follow through the grades and will win again sooner than later. These two should dominate the betting but CASTOR cannot be discounted on the Poly and showed two starts back that he can win over 1200m. GUILTLESS picks himself on honest form and a few others have a say if showing their best on the day.
1 ROYAL RULER *** Racing and trialling well and hard to beat. 3.00
2 NINETYSEVEN GOLD *** Turned some every solid form into a good win and right in this. 3.00
3 CASTOR *** Yet to win this trip but did go very close two starts back and always a hope on the Poly. 12
4 LUMINIFF LAD ** Drawn awkwardly but bounced back to form last start and worth following. 8.00
5 RUAPEHU ** Appreciates first up run and subsequent good trial and should figure somewhere. 8.00
6 SURE WIN * Has speed and loves the Poly but 1200m may test. 50
7 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Loves the Poly and too honest to leave out of winning calculations. 8.00
8 ELISE * Recent wins on the turf and may be better suited there. 33
9 HOST THE NATION ** Runs on well when in the mood and pay to keep safe. 33
10 POWER LIN ** Coming off a nice Class 4 win and should be competitive with no weight. 12
Race 8
Selections; 5 BIG GUARDIAN – 2 GURU-GURU – 1 BRAHMS AND LISZT – 4 MIGHTY GLORY
An interesting race where a few at the top of the ratings look well placed in KSD company over the Poly mile to turn some solid form into a win and a couple of last start Class 5 winners who won too well not to be a show. Of those two last start winners, BIG GUARDIAN looks to have the most upside. The 4YO broke his maiden status in fine style and that form will hold up in this race. DAAD’S THE WAY was the other last start winner and while the 11YO bolted in, that race was weak and that company is probably his lot in life. Those ready to win include BRAHMS AND LISZT and GURU-GURU who are both consistent and get their chance in this company. MIGHTY GLORY the other that wins without surprising.
1 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Super honest and gets his chance down in grade over suitable trip. 4.00
2 GURU-GURU *** Racing very well without a result but upgrade to blinkers could change that. 3.00
3 HIGH BLADE ** Wide gate a concern but placed at odds last start in similar affair so keep safe. 12
4 MIGHTY GLORY *** Just fair last start but happy to follow on this surface. 8.00
5 BIG GUARDIAN *** Broke maiden status in fine style last start in Class 5 and can go on with the job. 3.00
6 DANNY * Happy to wait for Class 5. 33
7 LUCKY COIN * Battles away and another that should need easier. 33
8 BATTLE BOY ** Maiden who goes OK on his day and can include in exotics at value. 33
9 DAAD’S THE WAY ** Veteran who bolted in last start in a weak Class 5 field and may need a tad easier than this. 12
10 SILENT CONNECTION * No. 200
Race 9
Selections; 1 SPLICE – 3 GOLD CROWN – 7 SONG TO THE MOON – 2 LIM’S SPRINT
The only turf race on the card to finish what hopefully has been a fair day for punters and the top-weight SPLICE might be the horse to beat. The 7YO was supported in a BM67 last start over this trip and he might be very hard to beat in this company. GOLD CROWN could be the benchmark though. Like most Gold stable-owned horses, GOLD CROWN loves 1400m and showed last start he wins again sooner than later. Two last start maiden winners also appeal. SONG TO THE MOON won nicely over this trip last start and gets every chance to win again with blinkers added for good measure. MURDOCH is the other last start winner and a market watch is in order given he is resuming. Of the others, LIM’S SPRINT wins without surprising and go even wider in exotics.
1 SPLICE *** Backed and just missed last start and this might be easier. Big show. 3.00
2 LIM’S SPRINT *** In solid form over this distance and looks well placed here to win. 5.00
3 GOLD CROWN *** In fine form this campaign and 1400m is his caper. 4.00
4 RETURN TO JUSTICE ** Former Australian who did what Ivan Lendl couldn’t do at only win Down under and local trials suggest a market watch in order. 12
5 SAVAGE STORM ** Normally seen on the Poly but solid on the turf and might be value. 20
6 SIAM THE TRIUMPH * Resuming after poor debut and prefer to just watch. 50
7 SONG TO THE MOON *** Broke maiden status in fine style and looks up to this with upgrade to blinkers. 6.00
8 VALUE OF JUSTICE ** Singapore debut poor but gets blinkers and appreciates step up in distance. 33
9 MURDOCH *** Resuming after nice maiden win this trip and happy to follow. 12
10 INVINCIBLE MAN * Struggling at the races but recent trial was an improvement. 33
11 SUGARTIME JAZZ ** Like to see in something easier but in very solid form and a must for exotics. 20
