SmilesWithHisEyes
While there are a few months and more than a few metaphorical hurdles before horses get a start in the Singapore Emirates Derby, it will pay to watch those 4YO’s with staying credentials as they step up in distance and Class over the coming weeks. One horse that came to Singapore with the Derby well and truly in mind is a two-time UK winner in SMILESWITHHISEYES. The Marju gelding won twice over the mile before placing over 1986m at his last start in the UK and showed plenty at his first three starts in Singapore before winning at his most recent run. That was over 1700m on the Polytrack but the step up to 2000m in KSC company (race 10) looks ideal and the turf certainly holds no fears. He won’t get it all his own way though with a good pace likely courtesy of the in-form FLYING TEMPO with the 6YO ILUMINADO keeping them all honest. In race 9 on the mixed-surface card, EURO ZONE and WONDERFUL PRINCE both look well-placed at the Graduation conditions with EURO ZONE the pick given he will find this a lot easier than a few recent runs. Those looking for value might want to wait for the lucky last where SINGLE ACT gets his chance dropping to Class 4. With the Laurie Laxon-trained filly, HAPPY PRINCESS, likely to get most of the punter attention, SINGLE ACT – winless at five starts in Singapore – might have the class and runs on the board from back in NZ to win.
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Best Bets; EURO ZONE (race 9, win), PEGASUS VICTORY (race 8, each-way) and SINGLE ACT (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2 and 3), race 9 (1, 3, 4 and 7), race 10 (1, 4 and 6), race 11 (1, 7 and 8).
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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; 2 PEGASUS VICTORY – 1 CALIFORNIA SUN – 3 RORY – 9 SURPASS
Three horses at the top of the weights – PEGASUS VICTORY, CALIFORNIA SUN and RORY – look to have a stranglehold on this race and it will pay to look no further when looking for the winner. No doubt the punters will smash one of the trio but as it stands there doesn’t look much between them on recent form in this type of race and it might be a case of just picking one of the trio in the parade ring. PEGASUS VICTORY has drawn the outside gate but happy to think that encourages a very positive ride from the jump and with no depth to the race, Troy See and his handy 3kg claim should a forward position and be right in this finish. CALIFORNIA SUN has drawn beautifully in gate 2 and has shown a liking to both Class 5 and being sent out by M Yusof with S noh on-board at his last couple, so he plays a big part throughout. RORY has the ace and is in form so he picks himself with daylight to the rest of the field although trainer Michael Clements has a few runners – all with some hope to fill a minor placing.
1 CALIFORNIA SUN *** Coming off two good runs and in this a long way from the good alley. 3.00
2 PEGASUS VICTORY *** Drawn wide but recent form this trip and grade too good to ignore. 3.50
3 RORY *** Another in very good form this type of race and could be hard to beat from the ace. 3.00
4 SALUTE * Excuses – mainly saddle slipping – most start and hard to have. 50
5 POWER ANGEL ** A long time between drinks but thereabouts as a rule. 10
6 VISIONARY ** Appreciates being back in Class 5 but place a good result in this field. 20
7 BARGAIN BID * Excuses not to finish closer last start but wide gate makes this tough. 33
8 CONQUEROR * Has speed but will be found out late. 100
9 SURPASS ** Excuses last couple but would want to be on best behaviour. 20
10 SMART CHOICE * Last start better than the result but easier to ignore. 50
11 CHINESE TYCOON * Good effort last start but this race is tougher. 33
12 LUCKY BANKER * Needs to improve. 33
13 GANGNAM STYLE
14 TRIPLE A PLUS
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Race 9
Selections; 1 EURO ZONE – 4 ALFONSO – 3 WONDERFUL PRINCE – 7 MY BROTHERS KEEPER
This race looks a beauty with two horses with good exposed form – EURO ZONE and WONDERFUL PRINCE – looking extremely well-placed at the race conditions and two newcomers – ALFONSO and DANCING TSURU – well worth a look on debut in Singapore. EURO ZONE has 58kg but given he has been racing in good company, that weight does look a winning one. Alan Munro takes the ride and 1400m looks ideal. It is hard to fault WONDERFUL PRINCE’s form – two from two in Singapore – and he too looks well placed with 55.5kg. He only just got home last start in Class 4 but the step up to 1400m looks a good move and again, the conditions suit. The tote will be a good guide for ALFONSO and DANCING TSURU although ALFONSO has won over the trip with MY BROTHERS KEEPER the only other that looks a winning hope (at odds) at the race conditions.
1 EURO ZONE *** Pay to ignore last run with excuses as form prior has him hard to beat at the race conditions. 3.00
2 SUPERMART * Goes OK and enjoys the trip but a tough ask with equal top-weight at the conditions. 20
3 WONDERFUL PRINCE *** Just got the chocolates as even money favourite last start but looks very well placed with 55.5kg and right in this. 3.00
4 ALFONSO *** Newcomer from NZ who has won this trip and has trailed well. Keep safe. 5.00
5 SACRED CITY ** Last start better than it looks and worth some though although better at handicap conditions. 20
6 SIMPANG * Prefer in Class 5. 33
7 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Honest enough and in well enough with 52,5kg to think he plays a part in this finish. Each-way. 8.00
8 BALESTRA ** Always some show at odds and happy to include somewhere. 12
9 DANCING TSURU ** Maiden newcomer from Japan who is certainly worth a look if supported on the tote. 12
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Race 10
Selections; 6 SMILESWITHHISEYES – 1 ILUMINADO – 4 FLYING TEMPO – 5 RIEDEL
The punters backed SMILESWITHHISEYES into the even money favourite last start and given he duly got the chocolates – albeit just – they will be backing him again. He steps up to 2000m but as he placed over 1986m at his last start in the UK, the trip should be right up his alley. He probably had excuses last start not to win so the effort was better than the margin suggests and given a trouble free run in this, he could be hard to beat. But ILUMINADO – who was a good thing beaten last start – is ready to win again. The seventime winner has raced in some good company so this field should be what he is after and a big run and win would not surprise. Given the race is on the E Course, one horse that may be hard to run down is FLYING TEMPO. The well-named 4YO can dictate terms and expect a very canny ride from the experienced Alan Munro. You can throw a blanket over the others for exotics.
1 ILUMINADO *** Looked a good thing beaten last start and wins sooner than later this company. 5.00
2 ENCOSTA DIABLO ** Two wins in Singapore on the Poly and tested at 2000m but inform. 12
3 MR ARMSTRONG ** Can throw in the odd shocker so pay to ignore last start flop and keep safe. 10
4 FLYING TEMPO *** Can dictate terms and in this a very long way. 5.00
5 RIEDEL ** Upgrade to blinkers and tongue-toe on and should be prominent stepping up in trip. 10
6 SMILESWITHHISEYES *** Turned some solid luckless form into a nice win and 2000m looks ideal. 2.00
7 SILVER STREAK ** Nothing last start but worth thought at odds on effort two back. 20
8 JIM ** Ran on well this trip last start and pay to follow. 20
9 MAKE A RETURN * Can run a cheeky race but will struggle late. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 1 SINGLE ACT – 7 HAPPY PRINCESS – 8 MASTER DRAGON – 5 SCRAPPER WELL
You would imagine that HAPPY PRINCESS did more than enough when winning easily last start to more than prick the punters interest in the lucky last. Add the fact she had excuses for what was a good debut and she starts favourite in this Class 4 field and she could be hard to beat. However, SINGLE ACT drops significantly in grade and while winless at five starts in Singapore, he has shown more than enough in good company to break his Kranji duck. His Kiwi form prior to arriving certainly good enough for Class 4 and happy to think he gives this a big shout with form around ITALIAN JOB more than holding up. Most others are competitive and it will pay to go wide in exotics with MASTER DRAGON one to keep very safe given good recent form and the fact he usually goes around at nice odds.
1 SINGLE ACT *** Significant drop in Class so happy to ignore last start and take on good previous form. 3.50
2 ANGRY CAT ** Disappointing last two but some hope on best form. 20
3 LONESOME ME * Resuming sans winkers and needs longer. 50
4 U GOT IT ** Prefer over longer but showed last start he is competitive in this grade. 20
5 SCRAPPER WELL ** Winkers added after just fair last start but worth a look on solid debut. 4.50
6 THEOLOGY ** Wide gate a concern but two runs this campaign OK. 20
7 HAPPY PRINCESS *** Had excuses on debut and subsequent win very good. Big show. 2.50
8 MASTER DRAGON *** Backed up win in similar affair with a solid effort and looms a good each-way chance. 12
9 BRILLIANT BEAUTY * Resuming after bleeding attack. No. 50
10 POWER AND GLORY ** Backed up Class 5 win with solid effort this grade. Value. 20
11 DANGER MONEY ** Competitive but might need easier to win. 20
12 HORAZ SAMOSIR * No. 100
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