Spanish Bay looks good in race 9
Some solid racing without being spectacular on Sunday from Kranji and as such one of the better races and indeed bets on the day might be in a Maiden.
The race in question is the Initiation even over 1200m on the turf (race 6) and the horse in question is FITZROY.
The well-bred Kiwi 3YO had two starts in Australia for a place at Kembla Grange but showed his intentions at his Singapore debut when having excuses not to win.
He was beaten half-a-length by the aptly named Awesome on that occasion and given that horse has gone onto win again, the form should hold up in this maiden.
For punters who steer clear of making maidens their best bet, SPANISH BAY resumes in race 9 and given his CV which includes a Group win and placing, he should win in BM89 Company with only RAISE NO DOUBT looking a danger on paper.
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Sunday 13 March
Best Bets: (FITZROY race 6, win), (SPANISH BAY race 9, win) and (GOLD LINE race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 7 and 11), race 9 (2 and 3), race 10 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 12), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 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 5
Selections; 2 DRAGON KING – 9 RIO DE JANEIRO – 12 GENUINE BARGAIN – 14 CASSIS OOLONG
Some very ordinary horses go round in this Class 5 over 1100m on the polytrack. DRAGON KING was supported but dropped out two starts back with Dan Beasley aboard; he takes the reins again and gets a chance to make amends from the good gate. RIO DE JANEIRO has shown improvement at recent outings and won’t get one much weaker; he should be in the finish. The rest are very average, DRAGON GOLD showed some improvement last start and could give some cheek; GENUINE BARGAIN is resuming, he is often on the speed but gets found out late. JACK OF HEARTS could show up on his best Malaysian form and both the emergencies CASSIS OOLONG and LOYALTY’S ANGEL have chances if they get a start, particularly the former.
1 BALESTRA * Resuming and showing little at trials. Only win was on poly over 1000m in October 2013. 20
2 DRAGON KING *** Was supported but dropped out two starts back with Beasley aboard. Gets a chance to make amends from the good gate. 3.50
3 MR DE NIRO * Has shown little in six outings. Improvement required. 20
4 RISING STAR * Yet to place in six outings. Improvement required. 33
5 WESTERN BOSS * Well back at all eight outings. 33
6 DASHING * Well back at all seven outings. 33
7 DRAGON GOLD ** Showed some improvement last start. Could give some cheek. 6.00
8 NOTNOWTOMORROW * Resuming. Trials have been ordinary. Shown little in 14 outings. 33
9 RIO DE JANEIRO *** Has shown improvement at recent outings and won’t get one much weaker. Should be in the finish. 3.00
10 CAPTAIN CLASSIQUE ** Has had some support from time to time but yet to place in 13 outings. 12
11 JACK OF HEARTS * Has shown little since coming from Malaysia but this might be weak enough. Could show up. 12
12 GENUINE BARGAIN *** Resuming. Often on the speed but gets found out late. Could show up fresh but gate no help. 8.00
13 LOYALTY’S ANGEL ** Yet to place in 12 outings but recent efforts have been fair and trial was solid. Can show up. 12
14 CASSIS OOLONG *** Has won at this distance. Can go forward and give a sight. 8.00
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Race 6
Selections; 6 FITZROY – 4 SWINGLOWSWEETJACKY – 3 MR JACKSON – 2 WHAT IFF
An open Initiation over 1200m on turf and FITZROY could be hard to beat. The 3YO was held up on debut and that effort was on the back of placing at Kembla Grange; he will benefit from the experience and should get a good run throughout. SWINGLOWSWEETJACKY gets another chance to break through; he was run down late in similar company here last start when coming from wide gate and should get a better run here. SPECIAL FORCE is resuming, he is trialling well and HK Tan can get them ready first-up. WHATIFF had support and was fair when resuming before tiring; he should be improved and can be on the speed throughout. MR JACKSON ran on well when resuming over 1000m on the poly, he too should be improved and can get in the finish. STREET TAIPAN placed at both outings in Ireland over 1408m and has had a quiet trial. LIM’S SAMURAI is a Japanese-bred in the care of Laurie Laxon: watch the market.
1 STREET TAIPAN ** Placed at both outings in Ireland over 1408m, once on turf. Had quiet trial. Watch market. 12
2 WHAT IFF *** Had support and was fair when resuming before tiring. Should be improved. Watch market. 6.00
3 MR JACKSON *** Ran on well when resuming over 1000m on poly. Should be improved and can get in the finish. 6.00
4 SWINGLOWSWEETJACKY *** Run down late in similar company here last start when coming from wide gate. Should get a better run here. 5.00
5 GOLDEN FORTUNE * Needs to improve on efforts to date. 50
6 FITZROY *** Was held up and debuted well on back of placing at Kembla Grange. Should get a good run throughout. 5.00
7 BORN A FIGHTER ** Ran on strongly last start. Might want longer but should be closing late. 12
8 SPECIAL FORCE *** Resuming. Trialling well and trainer can get them ready first-up. Watch for support. 6.00
9 DOMINATE * By Star Witness. Half-brother to Listed winner So Anyway and three other winners. Has had numerous trials. Watch market. 20
10 SHAQRAA ** Had support and excuses on debut. Could improve. 16
11 VRAAD ** Tongue-tie on. Had support but did nothing at debut after good trials. Watch market. 25
12 LIM’S SAMURAI ** Japanese-bred trialling solidly. Watch for support. 16
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Race 7
Selections; 4 PINYIN – 2 BIGCAT RHAPSODY – 5 RAINBOW WARRIOR – 3 SPEED CRAFT
A Class 5 for the journeymen Class 5 battlers over 1800m. PINYIN has won twice at this trip and should be hard to hold out on recent efforts at a mile. BIG CAT RHAPSODY is suited this class and distance, he should get a good run throughout and the claim helps. SPEEDCRAFT has shown little but is bred for the trip and gets Manoel Nunes and RAINBOW WARRIOR may also enjoy the journey. BIG BANKER, GRAND PARIS and JOHNNY HATES JAZZ round out the usual suspects. URBAN LEGEND has been freshened by recent trials, he is suited this class and distance, can be running on late and this race may be weak enough.
1 BIG BANKER ** Maiden whose better efforts have been over a mile and may be suited here. Could show up. 14
2 BIGCAT RHAPSODY *** Suited this class and distance. Should get a good run throughout. Claim helps. 5.00
3 SPEED CRAFT ** Only placing has been poly mile. Gets tongue-tie and Nunes. Could improve. 12
4 PINYIN *** Has won twice at this trip and should be hard to hold out on recent efforts at a mile. 3.50
5 RAINBOW WARRIOR *** Maiden who battles away and this distance could suit. 6.00
6 PEREGRINE FALCON ** Best efforts have been on turf and this distance could test. 25
7 SUPER SPUR * Needs to improve on recent efforts and being tried for first time beyond a mile. 33
8 GRAND PARIS ** Recent form ordinary but only win was at this trip and could show up. 12
9 NOVEMBER SUCCESS ** Often thereabouts but has placed only once in 23 starts. Others preferred. 20
10 URBAN LEGEND ** Resuming. Freshened by recent trials. Suited this class and distance. Can be running on late. 4.50
11 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ * Recent efforts ordinary but has won twice at the trip and can show up. 33
12 LEGACY * 10YO who placed in a weak one last start but is yet to win beyond a mile. 25
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Race 8
Selections; 2 DOUBLE CASH – 4 JOE – 1 ANGRY CAT – 7 HEE’S EGO
Another Class 5 raffle and to be honest it will probably be smart to see who gets support on that day as most need to improve to win. In saying that we do love a horse dropping in Class as they usually improve straight away. From the top, ANGRY CAT, DOUBLE CASH, DRAGON RUBY, JOE and MILLION ROUND will all find Class 5 to their liking and any can improve enough to win. DOUBLE CASH probably had the best form in better Poly races than this and with a 4kg claim we can expect a bold showing over 1100m. JOE might be value given he resumes but the race looks suitable and he too gets get a handy 2kg claim although he is drawn awkwardly. Of the rest, HEE’S EGO and last start winner BAIL OUT pick themselves on Class 5 form but again, it’s a raffle.
1 ANGRY CAT *** Right grade an right trip so should give a sight. 12
2 DOUBLE CASH *** Will find this company/trip/track to his liking and form suggests he can win. 4.00
3 DRAGON RUBY ** Drawn wide and coming off two ordinary runs but pay to keep safe back in recent winning Class and trip. 12
4 JOE *** Resuming. Disappointed last start but will grow a leg dropping to Class 5 with nice recent trial a pointer. 8.00
5 MILLION ROUND ** Another whose recent form looks ordinary but significant drop in Class has him under notice. 12
6 ALWAYS AHEAD ** Around the place similar affairs of late and a must for exotics. 12
7 HEE’S EGO *** Drops back from the mile but drawn well and is due. 5.00
8 ROCK OF AGES ** Will battle away and a must for exotics. 6.00
9 CAPTAIN MCCAW ** Super disappointing last start but was due previously and should appreciate senior hoop. 12
10 ELEGENT * Disappoints more often than not. 33
11 BAIL OUT *** Turned around some poor form to win last start at odds and have to respect. 10
12 FLYING MISSION * Struggling. 100
13 SACRED CROWN ** Always in the mix and a must for exotics. 20
14 SPECTA DILEMMA ** Another that is always thereabouts in this type of race. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 2 SPANISH BAY – 3 RAISE NO DOUBT – 8 THE GENERAL – 10 VON KRUMM
While there might be a few owners and trainers who disagree, this OB89 sprint looks a race in two between SPANISH BAY and RAISE NO DOUBT. Obviously not much seperates the pair but SPANISH BAY was racing in very good company last campaign which included a Group win in the 3YO Classic. Add a recent win over Jimmy Rea and some close up open Group runs and he might just be better than this company. RAISE NO DOUBT has the recent form on the board with race fitness obviously in his favour. In fact his two placings this campaign behind Kiwi Karma suggest he has plenty to offer and wins this without surprising. Don’t forget the rest but they do look like fighting it out for the minors.
1 GOLDEN SAND STEED ** Resuming after a poor run of form but recent trial suggests he is ready to show something. 20
2 SPANISH BAY *** Resuming after a terrific campaign at the top level. Could be too good for these. 2.00
3 RAISE NO DOUBT *** Super honest and recent efforts behind Kiwi Karma have him having a big say in this. 4.00
4 SOUTHERN BOSS * Super cheeky run last start but 1200m will test. 33
5 SEBAS * In winning form but the Poly is his caper. 33
6 FLAK JACKET ** Resuming after poor run but previous efforts suggests he gives them something to catch. 12
7 GHOST ** Better than what he has showed at last two and pay to keep safe in exotics. 20
8 THE GENERAL ** Extremely honest and should figure somewhere in the finish. 6.00
9 LIM’S RALLY * Blinkers off and may need a tad longer and a tad easier. 20
10 VON KRUMM ** Progressive type resuming and should be prominent throughout. 12
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Race 10
Selections; 2 SINGSURAT – 12 GOLD LINE – 4 HONGCHEN – 1 GLORIOUS PROSPECT
Three last start winners head to the start in this KSD event and while we have to respect TIGER BAY and to a lesser extent HUMOR TOWN, both won in Class 5 and both have drawn badly for this. So with gate 3 and a last start win in this company to his credit, SINGSURAT looks hardest to beat and happy to have the Arexevan runner on top. In saying that, HONGCHEN comes through the same race and will certainly keep him honest while GLORIOUS PROSPECT looks an improver and gets his chance on the poly with Nunes up from gate 3 a good combination. One to watch down in the ratings is GOLD LINE who gets to jump from gate 1 sans blinkers and his recent run and trial has him under notice.
1 GLORIOUS PROSPECT *** Improving with each run in Singapore and could show up at first poly start. 6.00
2 SINGSURAT *** Showed last start why the poly is his caper and has to be a show. 4.00
3 MONEY KING ** Thereabouts last start and can pop on occasion. 20
4 HONGCHEN *** Looks due to break his Poly duck and pay to follow. 5.00
5 DANNY ** Placed on the Poly two back but needs to lift. 20
6 TIGER BAY *** Broke maiden status in Class 5 last start and should be up to this company. 6.00
7 BATTLE BOY ** Maiden and may need a tad easier to win. 12
8 CHRISTMAS * Needs to lift on recent outings but senior hoop should help. 20
9 HUMOR TOWN ** Turned some poor form into a surprise win in Class 5 and have to take on trust. 20
10 SCHILTRON * Might be looking for Class 5. 33
11 VERGLATICA * Poly is his caper but struggling of late. 33
12 GOLD LINE *** Backed up good trial with solid effort and could show up from the ace with blinkers removed. 6.00
13 TANGIBLE ASSETS * Prefer in Class 5. 33
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Race 11
Selections; 1 BAHANA – 8 EN CIVIL – 2 ELUSIVE EMPEROR – 4 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR
I think it’s safe to say that BAHANA goes OK. The 4YO made a solid debut before winning two on the trot and given his most recent win was in Class 4 and with a claimer onboard he carries 0.5kg less than that win, he should be hard to hold out. But it’s a good field and there was a bit to like about EN CIVIL’s Kranji debut. That effort and the step up to what looks a suitable trip could see him improve enough to win. Most others have some say on best form including ELUSIVE EMPEROR, NINETYSEVENEMPEROR, CORDOBA and HORSE WARRIOR at each-way odds.
1 BAHANA *** Progressive type resuming after back-to-back wins and looks a big show with a handy 3kg claim. 4.00
2 ELUSIVE EMPEROR *** Two runs this campaign have been solid and step up to 1400m looks ideal. 8.00
3 LIM’S SPRINT *** This is harder than last start win but 1400m suits and should be in the finish. 4.00
4 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR *** Disappointing last start but freshened by recent good trial and pay to keep safe. 12
5 CORDOBA *** Not far away last start similar affair and in this a very long way. 8.00
6 DYLAN ** Each-way all the way. 20
7 HORSE WARRIOR *** Always in the mix and could run a very cheeky race from gate 3. 12
8 EN CIVIL *** Singapore debut was good with support and extra distance suits. 6.00
9 GOLD CROWN ** This is harder again but hard to fault form. 20
10 IN BOCCA AL LUPO ** Tough race but the type that could show up in exotics at odds. 33
11 LIM’S BATTLE ** Not a mile away in Novice company last start and appreciates the handicap conditions here. 20
12 LIKA TIGER ** Normally seen on the Poly and might be looking for easier with blinkers off for this. 33
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