My Lucky Strike – looks a cracker in Race 7
While there are a few Class 5 raffles punters have to deal with, the majority of this Sunday card looks a beauty with some quality races late in the meeting including a Kranji Stakes A turf mile and a Benchmark 97 Poly sprint.
The sprint (race 7) in particular looks a cracker with MY LUCKY STRIKE heading the ratings and weights. The 4YO hasn’t managed a win in 2016 but with six of his eight Poly wins being over 1000m, this race is obviously ideal to get a much-deserved result.
SEBAS and KAM’S COMET resuming look the dangers but from gate 2 with Manny Nunes up, MY LUCKY STRIKE is the one punters will be on. In the KSA mile (race 9), the field is as strong as most features seen of late.
Two Gold Cup winners – QUECHUA and COOPTADO – certainly add the class to the race but two bang-in-form horses in BEST TOTHELIGN and SPANISH BAY should be the punters picks over the 1600m. In saying that, there could be a very good value option in GOLD RUTILE and in a very even race, she could be the one doing best work late in what is a very suitable race.
Sunday 17 July
Best Bets: (ROYAL RULER race 11, win), (NO SMOKING JEFF race 8, value) and (GOLD RUTILE race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11), race 9 (3, 6 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10) and race 11 (3).
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.
Race 5
Selections; 2 ALIBI – 1 CONILAD – 3 STAR GENIUS – 5 MR CROWE
A small but good Graduation field over 1200m. ALIBI won a Graduation two starts back and just got nabbed in a BM67 last start; he should be prominent throughout. CONILAD had a recent quiet trial but won a Novice at his previous start; he has plenty of ability and should be hard to run down. Blinkers are off STAR GENIUS who is racing soundly and has placed in this grade at his past two starts; he trialled well recently and will be in the finish again. HEAVENLY HAND won a Maiden at Kembla Grange and showed improvement in Class 4 last start, this is harder but she could show up. MR CROWE had excuses last start and will work into this late at odds while LONGHU and MOONRAKER are recent Maiden winners who will find this harder but could improve.
1 CONILAD *** Recent trial was quiet but has plenty of ability and should be hard to run down. 3.00
2 ALIBI *** Won a Graduation two starts back and just got nabbed in a BM67 last start. Should be prominent throughout. 2.50
3 STAR GENIUS *** Blinkers off. Racing soundly and has placed in this grade at past two starts. Trialled well recently and will be in the finish again. 3.00
4 LONGHU * Won Maiden on poly two starts back but might find this harder. 33
5 MR CROWE ** Won Maiden two starts back and plenty of excuses last start. Keep safe with best work expected late. 20
6 HEAVENLY HAND ** Won Maiden at Kembla Grange and showed improvement in Class 4 last start. This is harder but could show up. 10
7 MOONRAKER ** Broke through in Initiation last start but this is harder. 33
8 ASTAIRE * Blinkers off. Resuming after long break. Tested. 50
Race 6
Selections; 5 I-SCREAM NOW – 2 MAJOR GREEN – 9 ALWAYS A WINNER – 1 BANKERS CALL
The usual unreliables get to battle out an 1100m Class 5 on the polytrack. I-SCREAM NOW finds it hard to win but is often thereabouts in this grade; Manoel Nunes can help. The maiden MAJOR GREEN was well supported when resuming and just missed; he should be handy throughout. ALWAYS A WINNER has won three times at the trip and is always a threat in these, winkers go on and with Glen Boss up he will be prominent throughout. BANKERS CALL is suited in this class, the claim will help and while he may prefer 1200m, he should be in the finish. CASSIS OOLONG and KAISER BRIGHT are always capable of showing up in these moderate affairs. If the emergency SIMPANG gets a start, he can be hard to hold off.
1 BANKERS CALL *** Suited in this class and claim will help but would prefer 1200m. Should be handy throughout. 4.00
2 MAJOR GREEN *** Well supported when resuming and just missed. Still a Maiden but should be handy throughout with blinkers added. 5.00
3 LION WAVE * Won twice in NZ but yet to show up in 17 Singapore outings. May improve for Duric. 20
4 TRIGGER MAN * Has shown nothing in six outings. 50
5 I-SCREAM NOW *** Often thereabouts in this grade and will be handy throughout. 4.00
6 KAISER BRIGHT ** Best efforts have been on turf but is usually thereabouts in this grade. 12
7 PISTA * Tested. 33
8 TOP OF THE TOWN * Needs to improve. 33
9 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Winkers on. Has won three times at the trip and is always a threat in these. Will be prominent throughout. 3.50
10 SPECTA DILEMMA * Only wins have been on turf but can be running on. 33
11 CASSIS OOLONG ** Blinkers off. Far from reliable but can go forward and give a sight. 25
12 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * Showed some speed before being run down last start. Yet to place in 15 outings. 33
13 FLYING NEKO ** Broke through in this grade two starts back. Could show up. 25
14 SIMPANG *** Ran on late last start and always a chance in this company on the Poly. 6.00
Race 7
Selections; 1 MY LUCKY STRIKE – 5 SEBAS – 2 KAM’S COMET – 3 ITALIAN JOB
A strong bunch of poly sprinters compete over 1000m. MY LUCKY STRIKE has a great poly record and has won six times at the distance; with regular rider Manoel Nunes up he will be hard to beat. The stablemate KAM’S COMET is resuming after a couple of turf runs, he is better suited here and can run on late. SEBAS loves this trip; he will go forward and give a sight. GREAT SUN is racing well since resuming, has a good record at this distance and will enjoy 50kg. The rest are out of form though ITALIAN JOB, GOAL KEEPER and SOUTHERN BOSS have good records at the distance when in their prime.
1 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** Top polytracker who has won 6 times at the trip. With Nunes up will be hard to beat. 2.50
2 KAM’S COMET *** Resuming after a couple of turf runs. Better suited here and can run on late. 3.50
3 ITALIAN JOB ** Only battled when resuming. Smart when right and could show up. 12
4 ACCOMPLISHED * Resuming after a long break and change of stables. Talented when right but may want longer. 20
5 SEBAS *** Loves this trip. Will go forward and give a sight. 5.00
6 GOAL KEEPER * Former top polytracker who hasn’t won for some time. Needs to show improvement. 25
7 GREAT SUN ** Racing well since resuming. Has a good record at this distance and will enjoy 50kg. 6.00
8 SOUTHERN BOSS ** Has won seven times over this distance and will give a sight. 25
9 SUPERSONICSURPRISE * Distance suits but can find easier. 33
Race 8
Selections; 6 ASHQAR – 2 NO SMOKING JEFF – 4 MOLLY BROWNE – 1 ALFONSO
A dead-set raffle with plenty of horses dropping to Class 5 who improves lengths and others in solid form that win sooner than later. As it stands a maiden in ASHQAR might find Class 5 to his liking. Manny Nunes stays on after placing at long odds on the 3YO in maiden Company and given that was over the mile, he gets his chance here. Another maiden in SILVER TYCOON is also due and while not in our top picks; he also gets a chance to break through in Class 5. And while the tote will be a good guide, the likes of NO SMOKING JEFF, MOLLY BROWNE and ALFONSO all improve back in Class 5 while AUREUS, BIG GUARDIAN and ACROSS THE SEA all win without surprising. Good luck if you find this one.
1 ALFONSO *** Nothing last start but OK two back and comes into contention with drop in Class and senior hoop. 12
2 NO SMOKING JEFF *** Will find this company to his liking and expect very forward showing. 6.00
3 SILVER TYCOON *** Maiden who looks ready to win a race like this and must go close. 4.00
4 MOLLY BROWNE *** Not far away last start and must be respected back to recent winning Class. 8.00
5 ARCHER COMPANY ** Disappointing this company last start but only win was over this trip. 20
6 ASHQAR *** Maiden who placed at long odds last start and happy to follow at first start in Class 5. 6.00
7 DUAL IMPACT ** Coming off a shocker on the Poly but previous efforts good so give another chance. 20
8 AUREUS *** Issues last start and pay to follow on form prior. 10
9 SATELLITE LEGEND ** Improving maiden who should enjoy Class 5 so pay to keep safe. 20
10 BIG GUARDIAN *** Showed last start Class 5 is his caper and pay to follow with G Boss staying on. 6.00
11 ACROSS THE SEA *** Forget last start and right in this with luck in running from wide gate. 12
12 JOY AND HAPPY * Will enjoy being back on the turf and can improve at very long odds. 100
13 ZAHIR * Battles away but this is a strong Class 5 field. 33
14 JIMTOWN * No. 100
Race 9
Selections; 7 GOLD RUTILE – 3 BEST TOTHELIGN – 6 SPANISH BAY – 1 QUECHUA
Rare we leave out the top rated horses at the race conditions of any Kranji Stakes A events but with the likes of QUECHUA and DANIEL not at their very best of late, we have looked elsewhere for the winner. And while most pundits will stick with the two benchmarks on form in BEST TOTHELIGN and SPANISH BAY, GOLD RUTILE might be a good value option and worth a long look. The 8YO mare looks like the mile and the Short Course (D) will suit her swooping style and her form of late has her having a big say. And there should be a fair pace out front with SPANISH BAY likely to cross from the wide gate to race on the pace with BEST TOTHELIGN to be sure to make use of gate 2 to race in a more than handy position. Don’t discount the good horses like QUECHUA and even the bottom weight TWICKENHAM over his best trip.
1 QUECHUA ** Not at his very best of late but drops back to the mile and has to be respected. 12
2 DANIEL ** Only fair when supported last start but the mile will suit so keep safe. 8.00
3 BEST TOTHELIGN *** In terrific form and look the benchmark with gate 2 a bonus. 3.00
4 COOPTADO ** Improved effort last start and subsequent trial good but query dropping back to the mile for the first time. 10
5 SLEW OF LODE * Very hard to follow of late and have to take on trust. 20
6 SPANISH BAY *** In winning form and mile no issue so hard to beat. 3.00
7 GOLD RUTILE *** Form better than it reads and mile looks suitable with best work expected late. 12
8 WILD GEESE ** Looks a tough ask on recent form but gets blinkers and could run into exotic calculations late at odds. 20
9 TWICKENHAM ** Only poor run of late was over 2000m and mile form has him under notice. 7.00
Race 10
Selections; 1 IMPERIAL BOY – 9 UNSURPASSED – 2 LADY IFFRAAJ – 6 JELLY BEAN
Not a bad KSD Poly sprint with plenty of winning hopes. In fact nothing jumps of the page and the race has so much depth that even the two emergencies – OUR TOUCHE and BELLUS WONDER – both figure heavily if they get a start. But as it stands IMPERIAL BOY has just missed at his last two starts and looks the obvious choice. The punters won’t miss him though and they might not miss UNSURPASSED either who gets headgear back on and more importantly gets back on the Poly with Nunes up. LADY IFFRAAJ gets a tongue-tie and her form suggest she wins a race like this sooner than later with best work expected late while JELLY BEAN also looks due but his wide gate is a concern. Keep RIKIOH, LET’S TALK NOW and SUPER SIX resuming, all in winning calculations.
1 IMPERIAL BOY *** Foot on the till and looks the obvious choice. 3.00
2 LADY IFFRAAJ *** Loves the Poly and will be working into winning calculations late with tongue-tie added. 6.00
3 LUCKY MISSION ** Appreciates company and could be a value option for exotics with blinkers off. 20
4 SUPER SIX *** Resuming after a good run of Poly form and recent trials suggests he can show up. 12
5 FAT POWER * Just fair last start and exotics look best. 20
6 JELLY BEAN *** Awkwardly drawn but in form and must go close with tongue-tie added and a 4kg claim. 8.00
7 RIKIOH *** Showed last start why the Poly is his caper and can win. 13
8 SILVER POWER * Tongue-Tie off but needs to show more. 33
9 UNSURPASSED *** Ignore last start on the turf as goes mighty close with headgear back on the Poly. 5.00
10 LET’S TALK NOW *** Took a drop to Class 5 to win but was solid in this grade prior and gate 1 is a bonus. 8.00
11 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE ** Another last start Class 5 winner who holds his own but wide gate makes winning tough. 20
12 PROBO CHANDROSO * Needs easier. 100
13 OUR TOUCHE ** The type to keep safe in races like this. 20
14 BELLUS WONDER *** Always a winning show on the Poly this trip and pay to follow. 10
Race 11
Selections; 3 ROYAL RULER – 1 FAMOUS ARTIST – 5 RICH FORTUNE – 9 WONDERFUL
Plenty of good form to go on in the lucky last including three last start winners. Of those FAMOUS ARTIST won in this company and that effort coupled with excellent form prior has him one to follow as he goes through the grades. Of the other two last start winners, WONDERFUL broke through in Class 4 last start and is worth following while LEE BANK needed the favours last start in easier company and the wide gate today suggest we can ignore him. But the one they all have to beat is ROYAL RULER. The 4YO loves the Poly – in fact his record on the surface is excellent – and his last start second behind The General will hold up here. Of the rest, RICH FORTUNE has been supported of late and looks due to knock in a win while GHOST is always a show on the Poly and very much enjoys the company.
1 FAMOUS ARTIST *** In cracking form and hard to beat again. 3.00
2 GHOST *** Drawn awkwardly but in form and very much appreciates this company on the Poly. 12
3 ROYAL RULER *** Has an exceptional Poly record and in this a very long time. 3.50
4 CASTOR ** Always a show on the Poly but yet to win over 1200m so take on trust. 12
5 RICH FORTUNE *** Had support of late and showed last start he wins one soon. 8.00
6 LEE BANK * Won well in Class 4 at odds last start but wide gate makes it tough in this company. 33
7 HOST THE NATION ** Placed last start in similar company and a must for exotics. 11
8 KATAGAS ** Not a mile away last start and gets gate 1 but like to see in Class 4. 12
9 WONDERFUL *** Finally broke through after a run of very consistent form and pay to follow. 12
10 EAGLE STORM * Nothing last start this company and might be better suited Class 4. 50
11 SPLICE ** Form OK but rarely seen on this surface of late so have to take on trust. 20
12 BLUE DIAMOND ** Has speed and loves the Poly so cheeky run at odds expected. 33
13 ALASAMO * Gets blinkers and recent trial was good but should need longer. 33
14 CACTUS JACK ** Draw a concern but two wins from three starts on the Poly and worth following. 20
