Moreira has War Affair clear nearing the line – Singapore Racing 19 May 2013
WAR AFFAIR might not be an Australian-bred horse but he sure knows how to win races sponsored by the Aussie breeding industry. Since being a good thing beaten (isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing) on debut, the NZ-bred has won five races in-a-row and although not eligible for any bonus money put up by the Australian companies, connections won’t complain with nearly half-a-million dollars in prizemoney in their pocket. He can add the major slice of the $150,000 pie on offer in the Magic Millions 2013 More Magic 3YO Championship on Sunday (race 9) and just as importantly, another Group race to his already impressive CV. While racing does throw up surprises (all too often for some punters), WAR AFFAIR does look a good thing stepping up to the mile for the first time and the masses won’t be shy of throwing plenty at the O’Reilly gelding. Who runs second? Unlike a few of the regular beaten brigade, DANIEL hasn’t come up against this crowd or WAR AFFAIR before, so he might not be as gun-shy as the likes of RIKIOH, RAPPOR and SILVER DOLLAR. Also a NZ-bred, DANIEL has been impressive winning three from four career starts and must be some hope of an upset backing-up after a very good win in a Progress event over 1400m. Elsewhere on the card, HUKA FALLS will be hoping blinkers can get him back into the winners circle in race 8. The Align 4YO has been disappointing with heavy support at his past two runs but a recent strong trial with head-gear added good enough to suggest he can carry 59kg and win.
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Best Bets; WAR AFFAIR (race 9 , win), CUSTODIAN (race 12, win) and CAPTAIN McCAW (race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 5 and 8), race 11 (2, 3 and 7), race 12 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 7).
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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.
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Race 8
Selections; 1 HUKA FALLS – 3 DAVIDE – 2 VALEVOLE – 4 SICHUAN RULER
The big question in this race is will blinkers make the winning difference to HUKA FALLS chances? The nine-time winner has been very costly for punters at his last two starts and given he carries 59kg in this Open Poly sprint, he could very well be a risk again. But his recent trial with blinkers was very good and hopefully the 4YO can bring that form with headgear to the races and he can overcome the big weight and win. He will have to improve given the two Pat Shaw runners – VALEVOLE and DAVIDE – both meet him better at the weights than for they did at their respective last starts. DAVIDE beat HUKA FALLS the last time they met and has a 3.5kg pull at the weights in this race so he must be a serious winning show. Likewise, VALEVOLE also gets a nice pull in the weights against HUKA FALLS which is handy as he needs to find a couple of lengths on that effort. Of the rest, RONNIE BROWN could provide nuisance value with a light-weight and SICHUAN RULER is in the type of form that could see him pinch a place at odds.
1 HUKA FALLS *** Becoming costly for followers and has plenty of weight but trail with blinkers very good and can win with headgear added. 2.00
2 VALEVOLE *** Not far away from HUKA FALLs last start and gets closer again at the weights. 4.00
3 DAVIDE *** Beat HUKA FALLS last time on the Poly and also well weighted. Big show. 3.50
4 SICHUAN RULER ** In-form, well drawn and no weight but still needs to be at his best this company. 12
5 BAZINGA * Will be closing late but should be outclassed in this top-heavy field. 33
6 RAPIDO STAR ** Pay to ignore last start where something looked amiss as previous form this type of race OK. 20
7 EXCAVATOR * Needs to find a few lengths. 100
8 RONNIE BROWN ** Speedster who will run a cheeky race on the minimum. 12
9 INDULGE * Tongue-tie off but needs a lot easier than this. 200
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Race 9
Selections; 1 WAR AFFAIR – 2 DANIEL – 3 RIKIOH – 8 BANGLADESH TIGER
With two Group wins and almost half a million dollars in prizemoney to his name, you would think WAR AFFAIR has been around a lot longer at the races than just five or so months. But the champion juvenile has taken all before him winning five of his six career starts and given all and sundry will tell you he will get better over more ground, he looks a certainty in this Group mile. DANIEL is the interesting runner given he comes into this with strong form away from WAR AFFAIR. The NZ-bred gelding has only had his colours lowered once from four career starts and he comes into this on the quick back-up after winning well over 1400m. Is he up to beating WAR AFFAIR? Probably not but it does add some interest to what otherwise looked to be a foregone conclusion with the likes of RIKIOH likely to run an honest race but not up to winning.
1 WAR AFFAIR *** Well and truly has the wood on his own-age rivals. Wins. 1.20
2 DANIEL ** Smart and could be the danger backing up after strong 1400m win. 5.00
3 RIKIOH ** Backed up good maiden win with nice second behind WAR AFFAIR. Exotics. 8.00
4 RAPPOR * Didn’t settle last start over 1400m so query this trip. 50
5 SILVER DOLLAR * Honest but place looks best given what he showed last start in Class 4. 20
6 BOOMARANG DELUXE * Goes OK but query at the trip and in the company so have to take on trust. 33
7 GOLDEN KNIGHT * Blinkers on but looks to be making up the numbers. 100
8 BANGLADESH TIGER * Looked a good thing beaten last start but that was maiden company. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 1 PINT SIZED PRINCE – 2 CAPTAIN MCCAW – 8 SUPER JETSET – 5 ANAVILA
Some nice enough Poly sprinters head to the starter in this KSD and early position into that tight first bend will be crucial. The horses drawn inside – from ANAVILA in one to PINT SIZED PRINCE in four – can lead and with CAPTAIN McCAW and the speedy SUPER JETSET in gates two and three respectively, it could get messy early. PINT SIZED PRINCE has Vorster and the experienced South African hoop may just take a sit behind SUPER JETSET into the corner and given his good form, a soft run would see him hard to hold out late. But conversely, SUPER JETSET might just run them ragged if left to his own devices out front and Moreira can stack them up if needed. Apart from CAPTAIN McCAW first up from a spell and ANAVILA, SHIPPING FORECAST looks to have found a suitable race to break his overdue maiden status and at super long odds, THE STALLONE might run an improved race with headgear added.
1 PINT SIZED PRINCE *** Went every so close last start similar affair from wide gate. Hard to beat from barrier 4. 3.00
2 CAPTAIN MCCAW *** Resuming and won on debut on Poly. Keep safe. 5.00
3 SHIPPING FORECAST *** Should really have won a race by now but gets a chance again. 5.00
4 PERWIRA ** Pulled up lame after close up finish last start similar affair. Chance if right. 12
5 ANAVILA *** Looks due and excuses not to finish closer last start. Keep safe from gate one. 12
6 ZAC HEAVEN ** Honest in these types of races and have to respect on winning form. 8.00
7 VOLKOV ** Better than what he has showed of late but like to see in Class 5. 33
8 SUPER JETSET *** Versatile and could be hard to run down from gate three. 4.50
9 GLOBAL CAST * Resuming sans blinkers. No. 200
10 THE STALLONE ** Form looks hopeless but trial with blinkers OK so look for improvement at odds. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 2 TROPAIOS – 7 DRAGONFLY – 3 RAZIYYA OF SYDNEY – 6 DARIEN GAP
Former French galloper, TROPAIOS, impressed at his first campaign in Singapore where he won at his second start before placing in the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby two runs later. A short lay-off after that gallant effort looks to have done him the world of good given his eye-catching placing in The Committee’s Prize behind SUPER NINETYSEVEN. Although he carries more weight today, he appreciates the step up in distance, the company and the outing and looks hard to beat. He is obviously worth following in the Raffles Cup later this month and the Gold Cup in November. Likewise, RAZIYYA OF SYDNEY backed up a super run in the Derby (fourth) with a solid run over 1400m fresh and looks very well placed to show here best – which is good – here. The interesting runner is DRAGONFLY. The lightly-raced 4YO has won three and placed second three times from just nine career starts and while this is a leap of faith class-wise, his last start Class 4 lesson was too good not to follow.
1 ILUMINADO ** Outclassed in the Committee’s Prize but certainly improves in this company. 10
2 TROPAIOS *** Smart stayer who looks well placed to win this after terrific first-up run. 2.30
3 RAZIYYA OF SYDNEY *** Another top stayer who appreciates first run back after very good Derby effort. Follow. 4.50
4 FREEZEMASTER ** Didn’t go on with the job last start but cheeky run expected with only 53kg. 33
5 ITISWHATITIS ** In-form and honest but not seen enough on the turf to be confident. 10
6 DARIEN GAP ** Good effort last start this trip and well weighted with 2kg claim. 20
7 DRAGONFLY *** Tested this company but impressed with first up win and looks a horse to follow. 3.00
8 SACRED EMBLEM * Recent wins in Class 4 and might be better suited there. 33
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Race 12
Selections; 7 CUSTODIAN – 3 MAC VOLKS – 1 SUPERB SUCCESS – 6 THEOLOGY
Great race to finish the card and with two strong debut winners in the field, the betting should be furious. The fact the two winners – MAC VOLKS and CUSTODIAN – both won by four-and-three-quarter lengths won’t be lost on punters as the wins look easily good enough to win in Class 4. Not much separates the two but CUSTODIAN was heavily supported on debut suggesting the stable knew what they had a good one on their hands and he could obviously win again. He has drawn wide though and those in the MAC VOLKS corner would be hoping Harry Kassim (and his 2kg claim) can make use of gate three and is the one the others have to pass late. Of the regular Class 4 conveyances, last start winner SUPERB SUCCESS will probably have last crack at the pair with THAT’STHEONE and THEOLOGY also coming off nice enough wins and have to be respected.
1 SUPERB SUCCESS *** Did it tough last start so winning effort very good and hard to beat. 6.00
2 PALOMBARO ** Resuming sans blinkers and was in-form last campaign so pay to keep safe. 12
3 MAC VOLKS *** Bolted in at Singapore debut in maiden company this trip and must go close. 3.50
4 ROBERT E ** Did it tough last start so run better than the result. Exotics. 33
5 THAT’STHEONE *** Hard to argue with winning form. 12
6 THEOLOGY *** Won at odds last start and have to respect. 20
7 CUSTODIAN *** Bolted in on debut with support and looks up to Class 4 company. 2.50
8 LUCKY DIAMOND ** Resuming and certainly up to a race like this on his day. 33
9 DORAEMON ** Showed last start he has something to offer but might need easier to win again. 33
10 MAGIC OCEAN ** Came from last to win at odds last start easier company. Include in exotics. 20
11 DANGER MONEY ** In-form easier company, appreciates gate one and could show up. 12
12 DEN * No. 200
13 GOOD SCORE ** Maiden but certainly wins a race sooner than later. 20
14 RORY * Very green last start so blinkers added to gear. Needs easier. 100
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