Flash Gift and Greg Cheyne combine for their third straight win on Sunday, 5 August 2012
There is no doubt MR BIG is in the top one or two sprinters in Singapore. But the eleven time winner – who can also boast a credible fifth in International Group company in Dubai – has a mountain of weight to carry in Sundays feature, which should be his undoing. At the handicap conditions of the EW Barker Trophy (race 9), MR BIG gets 58kg while the rest of the field – headed by MAKKURA at the ratings – have only 50kg to carry. So an in-form HOLY EMPIRE might prove very hard to beat. The 4YO grey-entire has won his last three – one at Group level – to take his impressive career record to six wins from just 10 career starts. And while there is plenty of good form in the race and an exciting 3YO in DANIEL to keep things interesting, HOLY EMPIRE should win and add another trophy to his connections mantlepiece. If you are playing the Jackpot (or Quaddie), it might pay to go wide in the last two races where there looks to be plenty of winning hopes but FLASH GIFT could be another banker in race 8. Although not being able to find a win at his last four starts, the 4YO American-bred gelding looked in good order at a recent trial and should be able to turn his good form into another win.
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Best Bets; FLASH GIFT (race 8 , win), HOLY EMPIRE (race 9, win) and WINNER’S SMILE (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (4), race 9 (4), race 10 (Field), race 11 (Field).
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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; 4 FLASH GIFT – 3 BOARD WALK – 5 SUPER GOOD – 1 AROWANA DOT COM
FLASH GIFT might have only Poly wins to his name but he showed last start he more than handles the turf and his recent good trial suggests he can win this. Nunes stays on-board and given the pair should have learned a little from each other when placing second last start, they might be hard to beat. But BOARD WALK is in super form winning three of his last four. The fact he beat BOURBON GOLDMAN at his last start and that same horse beat FLASH GIFT at his most recent run, suggests he gets support and no reason why he isn’t in this finish. These two should dominate the betting but it will pay to keep SUPER GOOD safe who, while disappointing last start, goes good enough on his day to win a race like this. For value, AROWANA DOT COM should be doing better in this grade and the one to keep safe as a cheeky race is expected.
1 AROWANA DOT COM *** Very disappointing dropping to this grade last start but pay to keep safe as could pinch this. 10
2 ECLAIR FLYER * Disappointing last start and needs to lift. 50
3 BOARD WALK *** In super form and has to be a major player in what is a suitable race. 3.00
4 FLASH GIFT *** Ready to win again and the one to beat with nice recent trial under his belt. 2.00
5 SUPER GOOD *** Very disappointing last start but previous form had him winning races like this with blinkers removed. 8.50
6 LUXURIOUS CHOICE * Resuming with blinkers but might need longer and Poly. 20
7 SPRING THUNDER ** Two career wins over 1400m but certainly one to follow. 6.00
8 BUKIT ROSE WOOD * Not suited. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 4 HOLY EMPIRE – 9 DANIEL – 2 MAKKURA – 5 TRUDEAU
A terrific race and with Singapore’s top-rated sprinter, MR BIG, compressing the weights, it will indeed be the charge of the “light-weight” brigade. And heading the pack on those horses on the minimum, is the exciting HOLY EMPIRE. The fact the grey-entire has won his last three has him well and truly under notice but his progression through the ranks has been more than impressive and his last start Group win has him ranked very highly. His stablemate, MR BIG, has probably done him favours keeping him on a light-weight but regardless, he would probably be hard to beat. His main danger looks to be the only 3YO in the field, the exciting DANIEL. One of three in the race for perennial champion trainer,Laurie Laxon, DANIEL burst into Group contention when giving the smart WAR AFFAIR a scare at their recent meeting. While tested at open Group level, DANIEL is one to follow with support likely. Of the rest, MR BIG has to be respected with MAKKURA and TRUDEAU two that play a part.
1 MR BIG ** Super horse and in form but 59kg is a big ask. 12
2 MAKKURA ** In best on the minimum with 99 rating points and could be the value. 8.00
3 DAVIDE ** Looked to have every chance last start but in solid form and have to respect. 8.00
4 HOLY EMPIRE *** Rising star of Singapore racing and extremely hard to beat over perfect trip. 2.50
5 TRUDEAU ** Surprised winning at Group level last start and pay to follow with gate one a bonus. 8.00
6 METEOR MIKE ** Always runs an honest race and pay to keep safe in exotics. 20
7 TOM ** Honest, loves the trip and while up in Class could figure late. 20
8 HOT GOLD ** Another who is up in Class but in-form and could figure. 20
9 DANIEL ** Very promising youngster who will have support on terrific second placing behind WAR AFFAIR. 3.50
Race 10
Selections; 4 STAR ACADEMY – 2 SPOT ON – 6 CHEETAH – 7 SUPER ZUCCA
A few horses in form make finding the winner tough but no doubting STAR ACADEMY and SPOT ON are the two the punters will be on. Nothing much separates the pair but given STAR ACADEMY has recent winning form has him marginally on top. Manoel Nunes – who probably has a 100 winners under his belt by this time on Sunday – is on-board and you can expect a very positive ride on a mare that is chasing her third win from his last six starts. On the other hand, SPOT ON is a maiden and while “due”, he has had his chances of late. The NZ-bred 5YO has placed at his last four runs – all in Maiden company – and not sure he will find this race with 58kg any easier. However, the Brown/Marsh combination is a good one and a win would not surprise. Plenty of other hopes with CHEETAH likely to lead and hard to pass, SUPER ZUCCA a hope with recent winning form, ZAC SEDUCTION coming off a beauty, AMERICAN VISION in-form and SKY STORM some chance at value.
1 BIGCAT RHAPSODY ** Appreciates slightly easier company and improves. 20
2 SPOT ON *** Maiden status a concern but foot on the till and has to win soon. 3.50
3 AMERICAN VISION *** Backed-up dead-heat win with a good on-pace effort and can win this. 6.00
4 STAR ACADEMY *** Hard to fault form and right in this finish again. 3.50
5 SLAYER ** Wide gate a concern but going along OK and only win in similar affair to this. 16
6 CHEETAH *** Will probably lead from the one gate and could be hard to catch. 16
7 SUPER ZUCCA *** Excuses last start and previous form has him figuring somewhere. 8.00
8 ZAC SEDUCTION *** Looks ready to win again but might need some luck from wide gate with blinkers added left side. 7.00
9 MORE THAN WORTHY * Appreciates first up run and should improve. 50
10 SKY STORM *** Placed this trip last start and pay to follow. 12
11 SOARING WIN * Didn’t need the wide gate. 100
12 GOLD HALO * No. 200
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Race 11
Selections; 4 ROOM FOR EXCUSE – 1 MANGATANGI – 3 GLOWNIGHT RACER – 7 WINNER’S SMILE
Races don’t come much tougher than the lucky last but if you don’t like the obvious picks – ROOM FOR EXCUSE and MANGATANGI – there looks to be plenty of value. Case in point will be WINNER’S SMILE who continues to show plenty without much of a result. After winning at his first two starts, the 3YO American-bred colt hasn’t even placed at his next six but some eye-catching efforts has him well and truly under notice at hopefully) juicy each-way odds. GLOWNIGHT RACER might also provide value and while he has been super disappointing not to have won of late, he gets blinkers (right side), is coming off a very good run and has Corey Brown. But the two mentioned earlier, ROOM FOR EXCUSE and MANGATANGI are the popular picks. ROOM FOR EXCUSE backed up a good maiden win with a top effort in Novice company and this looks ideal. MANGATANGI also won nicely at his race debut and gets all the favours from gate one. POT LUCK (also value) and RUSTY BROWN the other two that should figure in the finish.
1 MANGATANGI *** Won well on debut and subsequently trailed well which is a very good sign. Can win. 4.00
2 POTLUCK *** Did it tough last start and won this trip three starts back. Keep safe. 15
3 GLOWNIGHT RACER *** Flying late last start and usually finds an excuse not to win but blinkers right side might do the trick. 5.00
4 ROOM FOR EXCUSE *** Backed up good maiden win with a close-up placing in a nice Novice field. Hard to beat. 3.00
5 TWO M AND M ** Improved last start and should appreciate extra 200m. Value. 33
6 RUSTY BROWN *** Honest but gets support so needs a result with blinkers off a good move. 5.00
7 WINNER’S SMILE *** Continues to show enough late at odds to follow each-way. 20
8 LADY TRIO ** Can be moody but always some show in races like this. Keep safe. 8.00
9 GREYSTOKE * Winkers on back in trip but eligible for easier. 100
10 SEA OF LOVE ** Another maiden runner but certainly shows enough to consider at odds with light-weight. 33
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