Rite Of Spring (Manoel Nunes) makes it two from two in style in September
Barring some slow horses going round in what looks a very weak Class 5 (race 9), there looks some terrific racing on Sunday afternoon from Singapore and some good horses to follow. Case in point is race 8 on the card – a Class 3 over 1200m – that boasts a field that includes the exciting RITE OF SPRING, Singapore debut winner EMPEROR MAX and the classy LISTEN. All will have loyal followers with RITE OF SPRING likely to start favourite as he tries to knock in win number three from just his fourth career start. But while RITE OF SPRING – who would have lost few friends going down narrowly to DANIEL at his last start – is the one to beat, it is the return of OM that makes this race one not to be missed. The half-brother of BETTER THAN EVER, OM had big shoes to fill and while having a relatively slow start to his racing career, he certainly got is act together winning three out of his last four. His recent trial suggests he is ready for a race like this first-up after a well-deserved spell and might be the one closing late to give RITE OF SPRING supporters a scare. With the Singapore Gold Cup only two weeks away, race 10 also looks one to watch with the Laurie Laxon-trained pair of MARTIN and DUJARDIN both having their final “prep runs”. But while DUJARDIN definitely needs longer than 1400m, MARTIN did show enough first-up in the Saas Fee to think he could take winning form into the Gold Cup, although you would think connections would be happy with another eye-catching effort. The Saas Fee form should hold up though, so BOUNDLESS GLORY does look a good winning chance and given the depth of the the race, he should go round at each-way value. Down in the weights, IRISH COFFEE will also have admirers and looks another solid chance for Manoel Nunes as he heads towards his century of winners.
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Best Bets; RITE OF SPRING (race 8 , win), DRAGON (race 11, win) and BOUNDLESS GLORY (race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2, 3, 9 and 10), race 10 (Field), race 11 (2, 4, 6 and 9), race 12 (4, 5 and 6).
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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; 6 RITE OF SPRING – 4 OM – 7 EMPEROR MAX – 3 LISTEN
A terrific race and while there will be plenty of support for the only 3YO in the field, RITE OF SPRING, there are too many live hopes to make him a good thing. In saying that, the NZ-bred gelding would have lost no friends when he narrowly went down to DANIEL at his most recent outing and given that form was more than franked in the “More Magic” 3YO series, RITE OF SPRING looks capable of going through the grades. The two last start winners in the race – OM and EMPEROR MAX – look the main dangers. OM is resuming after finding some terrific form last campaign when winning three of his last four starts. The half-brother to Better Than Ever looks better than Class 3 and given he trailed very well recently, 1200m first-up looks ideal. EMPEROR MAX beat what looked like a good Class 4 field at his Singapore debut and the former Aussie will certainly have admirers to win in this company. Hard to leave LISTEN and LUWAK COFFEE out of the top three selections with TOTALITY and MR MANI the improvers.
1 TOTALITY ** Blinkers on dropping back from the mile and pay to keep safe this company. 12
2 KAISER * Blinkers off and hard to have on recent form. 50
3 LISTEN ** Did it tough last start and form prior has him in the mix. 8.00
4 OM *** Resuming after finding form last campaign and recent good trial suggests he runs a big race. 5.50
5 LUWAK COFFEE ** Placed this company last start and will be right in this. 6.00
6 RITE OF SPRING *** Very smart youngster who lost no friends when lowering his colours for the first time last start. Hard to beat. 2.50
7 EMPEROR MAX *** Very impressive winning at Singapore debut and certainly one to follow. 3.50
8 MR MANI * Appreciates first-up run and can include in exotics at odds. 33
9 WARSPIRIT * No. 200
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Race 9
Selections; 3 SMITTEN KITTEN – 1 MAGIC DIVA – 9 GYPSY MAGIC – 2 RICHEAST
There doesn’t look to be many horses with any good form to go on so it will pay to concentrate on the likes of last start winner, RICH EAST, a last start place-getter in SMITTEN KITTEN with MAGIC DIVA and GYPSY MAGIC the only other two with winning hopes. Obviously, RICH EAST will get support given he has drawn the ace so must be a huge show again. But he can be tardy at the starts so could be a risk at the short quote expected. Likewise, SMITTEN KITTEN is a risk given she will get back and be running on but back over 1200m looks a very good move and with luck she might just win this. GYPSY MAGIC did look due and expect a positive ride from Lisa Allpress from the wide gate with MAGIC DIVA also looking a chance given she is back on the Poly.
1 MAGIC DIVA *** Form reads badly but suited back on Poly and could be the improver. 8.00
2 RICHEAST *** Did it his way to win last start and goes close if he gets away from gate one. 3.00
3 SMITTEN KITTEN *** Back in trip in her favour and will be motoring late. 4.00
4 WORLD OF FAME * Saddle-slipped last start but struggles as a rule. 100
5 DAMAIPURI ** Excuses last start and previous form suggests he will win a race. 8.00
6 DRAGON LUCK * Improved effort last start but still needs to lift. 50
7 MR BEAN ** Exotics if having a good day. 12
8 PLAY ON * No. 200
9 GYPSY MAGIC *** Form from last few better than it reads and pay to watch for stable support. 5.00
10 MACAU ROULETTE ** Draw a concern but back in trip a good move and should go OK. 20
11 ZAC WARRIOR * Disappointing of late and happy to leave out. 12
12 NATURAL AHEAD * No. 100
13 BULLDOZER * The type that could add value in the skinny end of exotics. 100
14 ROLLTHEDICE * No. 100
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Race 10
Selections; 4 BOUNDLESS GLORY – 10 IRISH COFFEE – 7 MATTERHORN – 5 NATURAL NICE
A tough race for pundits in the fact that a couple of horses in MARTIN and DUJARDIN – both from the Laxon stable – look live chances but you have to be thinking the staying pair have one-eye on the Gold Cup in two weeks time. MARTIN’s first run back in the Saas Fee over 1400m was good enough to think he could go close here but again, he will be better in two weeks for the effort he puts in on Sunday. The form from the Saas Fee will hold up though so BOUNDLESS GLORY, third in the Group race, looks every chance in this. Although seven of his eight wins have been on the Polytrack, his last start placing showed he can knock in another turf win and certainly right in this. IRISH COFFEE with just 50kg could be the surprise packet. Class-wise it is a big leap of faith but with just 50kg over what is a suitable trip, he might run the race of his life. Of the rest, MATTERHORN and NATURAL NICE look solid each-way hopes in what could be a busy finish.
1 MARTIN *** Got home nicely first-up in the Saas Fee and good enough to carry 59kg. 6.00
2 ILUMINADO ** Going along OK and 1400m might suit. 20
3 DUJARDIN ** Another Laxon stayer who got home well in the Saas Fee but needs longer. 20
4 BOUNDLESS GLORY *** Placed in the Saas Fee and that form will hold up in this handicap. 5.00
5 NATURAL NICE *** In solid form and always an each-way hope over 1400m. 12
6 FATKID * Fresh but hard to have on recent form. 50
7 MATTERHORN *** Led them up in the Saas Fee and will be in this a very long way. 6.00
8 RUNNING TALL * Not at his best last couple and have to take on trust. 50
9 FREEZEMASTER ** Back in trip but could run a cheeky race with no weight. 33
10 IRISH COFFEE *** In form and looks a winning show with just 50kg. 5.00
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Race 11
Selections; 4 DRAGON – 2 SWEET LODGE – 9 TRADING GOLD – 6 BREAKING VAULTS
This looks a terrific Class 4 field and the form from the race will most likely hold us in good stead for more races to come. With two wins apiece, DRAGON and SWEET LODGE look progressive types and both come into this with form that has them big winning shows. DRAGON was beaten by SWEET LODGE at his last start but given there was not much between them and DRAGON gets a slight pull in the weights, he can make amends. But SWEET LODGE backed up that win with a very good run over the mile in BM67 company and this race over 1800m looks perfect. Of the rest, BREAKING VAULTS put in a beauty last start with excuses not to win and TRADING GOLD returned to racing after a spell in very good order and wins sooner than later. A few others with winning hopes – VANTAGE and WINNING SUCCESS to name just two – so go wide with any exotic combinations.
1 YES BABA ** Not far away last start and should be in this a long way with the visor removed. 8.00
2 SWEET LODGE *** Was doing best work late last start over the mile and looks very placed to win this. 4.00
3 WINNING SUCCESS ** Going along in good order and should be very handy throughout. 12
4 DRAGON *** Just missed behind SWEET LODGE over the mile and this looks perfect. 3.50
5 MAKE A RETURN ** Finally finding some of the form that would have him winning races like this. 20
6 BREAKING VAULTS *** Excuses not to win at odds last start and right in this with blinkers downgraded to a visor. 8.00
7 DISCO ** Disappoints as a rule but hit the line OK last start so may appreciate the step up in distance. 25
8 LION BAROWS * Hard to have on recent efforts. 100
9 TRADING GOLD *** Super first-up run suggests he has returned in the form that has him winning a race like this. 5.00
10 JIM ** Was doing best work on the wire last start but that was in maiden company. Exotics. 20
11 VANTAGE ** Stays like the proverbial and has to be included somewhere with no weight. 20
12 PICTURE * OK last start but might need something easier than this. 33
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Race 12
Selections; 5 SHIPPING FORECAST – 4 HANKS – 6 FAITHFULLY – 1 SELIGI
The usual Class 4 to close proceedings and SHIPPING FORECAST – who until a couple of weeks ago was a 12 start maiden – can make it back-to-back wins. Like a few good horses before him, it took a long-time for the 4YO to get is act together and knock in a win but there was no doubting that that effort – and some prior – had him pegged as a handy horse to follow. The win was in KSD company but certainly good enough to win in Class 4. On the other hand, connections of HANK didn’t have to wait long as the Oscar Stable-owned 4YO won well with support on debut. Things didn’t go so well at his next run – he pulled up lame as the beaten odds-on favourite – but he will certainly bounce back and could easily win this. FAITHFULLY is another horse to follow and given the 3YO hasn’t run a bad race at five career starts, he looks a very solid each-way option and should figure somewhere. Of the rest, keep SELIGI and PALOMBARO safe in a race that suits.
1 SELIGI *** Showed first-up he wins again soon this company and have to follow. 8.00
2 VERTICAL START ** Tongue-Tie added after OK Singapore debut and will improve. 8.00
3 PALOMBARO *** First-up run good enough to follow in what is a suitable race. 8.00
4 HANKS *** Excuses last start and the run with support better than the result. Goes close. 4.75
5 SHIPPING FORECAST *** Took a while to knock in maiden win but that effort was huge and hard to beat in this. 3.00
6 FAITHFULLY *** Rarely runs a bad race and could win this without surprising. 5.00
7 GOLDEN KNIGHT ** Form reads badly but appreciates handicap conditions so look for improvement. 33
8 SPEEDY DWARF ** Certainly up to this on his day and pay to watch for support. 20
9 COOL CAT ** Battled on well last start and can include in exotics. 20
10 DYNAMIC VENTURE ** Not far away last start and another for the exotic combinations. 20
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