Street Legal cruises to victory under Joao Moreira on October 6
The Longines Singapore Gold Cup race meeting is one of the best of the year and the big race itself should live up to the hype. Worth a staggering SGD $1.35 million, the Gold Cup has been run in one form or another since 1924 and winning the race ensures the horse, trainer, jockey and owner’s names are forever etched in Singapore racing history. Of the trainers, only Laurie Laxon (Raul and Recast), Hideyuki Takaoka (El Dorado x 3 and Better Life) and Steve Burridge (Risky Business) have tasted success in the race and all have live chances to add to their tally. The old-master, Laxon, has three runners – MARTIN, DUJARDIN and ORAKEI KORAKO – and all three look to have the recent form on the board to win. Takaoka – who has made this race his own in recent years – only has the one entry, MUSKETEER, but given the Big Valley-owned stayer has won his last two starts, he can make history by giving the affable Japanese-trainer an unprecedented five wins in the last six years. Burridge has WILD GEESE and the horse that arrived in Singapore as a raced maiden from Ireland earlier this year, could make the headlines knocking in his third career win in this Classic race. But the story waiting to be written is how a one-time Class 5 battler in STREET LEGAL, beat the best stayers in Singapore as an 8YO to win the Cup. Transferred from Malaysia to Singapore and trainer John Meagher in 2009, STREET LEGAL battled away in mostly Class 4 company before moving to Basil Marcus’ stable for the 2011 season. Again, he battled away in Class 4 or thereabouts before Marcus, like Meagher before him, left Singapore and the horse – who would have been just paying his way – was moved to Bruce Marsh. A canny Kiwi, Bruce got him quickly to Class 5, where he won with support just over one year ago. Twelve or so months and five wins later, the Street Cry gelding jumps from gate one with support likely in a million dollar plus Group 1 race. You have to love this racing game!
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Best Bets; MR BIG (race 9 , win), STREET LEGAL (race 11, win) and OM (race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (2), race 10 (5 and 13), race 11 (Field), race 12 (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; 5 OM – 1 GOLD RUTILE – 4 LISTEN – 3 NATURE IS NATURE
On Gold Cup weekend, OM might do what his much celebrated half-brother couldn’t do – win on arguably the best local meeting of year. Of course his close relation – BETTER THAN EVER – was chasing his thirteenth straight win in the big race with top-weight, but still, a win is a win and OM can do just that. He has found a very strong Class 3 field, but given the Darci Brahma 4YO was in sparkling winning form at his previous campaign and has a strong first-up run under his belt, he should go super close here over what looks his best trip. The competition is strong though and the mare, GOLD RUTILE, looks the benchmark. Her recent form has been very strong without winning but given she had excuses last start in a similar affair, she can win this. NATURE IS NATURE beat her on that occasion and given he has won his last three, he also looks a strong winning hope. LISTEN is also right in the mix as is BENJI’S EMPIRE but to be fair, you could make a case for most of the field. Good luck!
1 GOLD RUTILE *** Looked a very good thing beaten last start given no run in straight and hard to beat in this. 4.00
2 BENJI’S EMPIRE *** Broke a long runs of outs with a good win with support and pay to follow. 10
3 NATURE IS NATURE *** Took a while to break maiden status but has grown the proverbial leg since. Can win again. 4.00
4 LISTEN *** Always a chance in races like this and pay to keep safe with blinkers removed. 10
5 OM *** First-up run good and 1400m looks ideal. Goes mighty close. 8.00
6 WHITE COFFEE ** Another who appreciates first-up run and will be competitive. 33
7 BEAUTY SUPREME ** Drawn wide but wins a race like this sooner than later. 10
8 EMPEROR’S BANQUET ** Dead-heated last start in Class 4 and while this is tougher, pay to respect. 8.00
9 MEAISIN ** Appreciates gate one and looks a solid each-way option. 10
10 CHINESE CULTURE ** Will race handy and in this a long way at value. 20
11 SPYDER ** Resuming after a good run of form but has struck a very good field. 33
12 FARETTI ** Placed last start behind Benji’s Empire and in the exotic mix. 33
13 PHANTOM KNIGHT * Needs longer and easier. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 2 MR BIG – 6 GOAL KEEPER – 3 SPEEDY CAT – 7 HUKA FALLS
You have to love condition weight races. As the conditions for this Open Sprint have a International Group 1 place-getter in MR BIG – arguably Singapore’s best sprinter – on a very winnable 55kg. A winner of 11 races from 27 starts, MR BIG has been in good form carrying weight over slightly longer trips and back to 1200m looks ideal with Manoel Nunes on-board. Also very well-placed with a rating of 109 and only 51kg to carry is GOAL KEEPER. The star of the Theo Kieser-stable, GOAL KEEPER certainly is up to winning a race like this and with the low weight, he might not get a better chance. SPEEDY CAT also looks well placed and while his form doesn’t read as good as the other fancies, he will appreciate dropping back to 1200m and a recent strong trial suggests he could win without surprising. The Malaysian raiders – both trained by Shane Edwards – bookend the weights but should be outclassed with HUKA FALLA and EL MILAGRO the only other two with any hope.
1 REBEL FURY * Malaysian raider who has to carry the visitors weight. Market only guide. 33
2 MR BIG *** Top sprinter who looks very well placed with 55kg. Hard to beat. 3.00
3 SPEEDY CAT *** Top-liner who looks suited back to 1200m with very good recent trial under his belt. 5.00
4 EL MILAGRO ** Resuming after good Derby campaign and pay to respect with blinkers back on and suitable weight. 12
5 KEEP AWAY * Hard fault form but might find a couple of these too good. 33
6 GOAL KEEPER *** In-form and looks extremely well placed at the race conditions with just 51kg. 3.00
7 HUKA FALLS ** Very much appreciates 51kg and should figure prominently throughout. 12
8 MASTHEAD * Blinkers off and would need to find a length or two to bother a few of these. 20
9 BOUNDLESS GLORY * In-form and super honest but tested this company. 20
10 PETRENUI * Another in-form but tested in top company. 33
11 LET’S SEE ACTION * Goes OK on his day but a big ask at race conditions. 33
12 NICEONE * Malaysian raider that bookends the top weight but looks no hope. 100
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Race 10
Selections; 5 PIONEER SEVEN – 13 PEACE NO WAR – 2 HAMMER DOWN – 4 KLEVER MAN
On any other day than this, a horse like PIONEER SEVEN might be a very good thing. Resuming after winning his last three starts, the 4YO gelding was obviously flying last campaign and a recent strong trial suggests he has lost nothing over the break. But he has drawn awkwardly in 13, hasn’t won on the turf and is up against a very strong field; so it certainly won’t be a walk in the park. One that might worry him is the 3YO, PEACE NO WAR. A winner of three from seven career starts, PEACE NO WAR grew a proverbial leg after being gelded when winning last start and it will pay to follow with visiting hoop, Craig “Froggy” Newitt on board. HAMMER DOWN is also one to watch after showing more than enough first-up after a enforced lay-off. Corey Brown is on-board and the 6YO gelding is easily up to a race like this on his day. KLEVER MAN is the other serious threat as he is flying and this looks suitable with a blanket over most other runners in what is field with depth.
1 NATURAL NICE ** Best trip does look 1400m but recent win was over this trip. Keep safe. 16
2 HAMMER DOWN *** First-up run was solid and could easily win a race like this with blinkers added. 8.00
3 BAHEN ** Excuses last start and can include in exotics on turf win two starts back. 33
4 KLEVER MAN *** In super form and more than up to a race like this. 6.00
5 PIONEER SEVEN *** Very smart type resuming and recent trial suggests he will be hard to beat. 2.80
6 EXCAVATOR ** OK work late last start suggests he is starting to find form. Value. 50
7 PEACEFUL WARRIOR ** In terrific form and gets al the favours from gate one. 12
8 SUPER KENNY *** Won both starts this campaign and has to be a big chance to make it three-in-a-row. 6.00
9 INDICIO ** Back to a suitable grade and certainly in the mix if having a good day. 33
10 BM WIN * In form but tested on the turf in this company. 50
11 LOYAL FRIENDS * Late JET STREAM. Resuming after long break and market only guide. 50
12 MAPLE STAR ** Form better than it reads and will add value to exotics. 50
13 PEACE NO WAR *** Smart youngster who won well after being gelded. Follow. 5.00
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Race 11
Selections; 5 STREET LEGAL – 6 WILD GEESE – 11 MUSKETEER – 3 MARTIN
Forget the history, forget the $1.35 million in prizemoney and this race just looks a very good staying handicap that most can win. And while that might make finding the winner tough, it does look a case of 5-1 the field so expect some value for your pick. STREET LEGAL is one we are on. The one-time Class 5 plodder has gone from strength-to-strength since moving rather fortuitously for connections to trainer Bruce Marsh. His form leading into this race has been top-quality and given he came from such a low rating this time last year, his recent winning form (and a solid Raffles Cup run) still only has him with 51.5kg in this and that looks a winning weight. You can take your pick of the rest – from the topweight SUPER NINETYSEVEN to the two lowest rated horses in LORD BROMPTON and ORAKEI KORAKO – they could all win without surprising but a couple that do look well placed on the minimum are WILD GEESE and MUSKETEER and they should figure prominently. Enjoy.
1 SUPER NINETYSEVEN *** Raffles Cup winner who isn’t badly off with top-weight. Can win. 5.00
2 CASH LUCK ** Kranji Mile winner who had issues (Respiratory) in the Raffles. Take on trust. 20
3 MARTIN *** Drawn widest and only two runs this preparation but looks ready to show his best and will be finishing strongly. 12
4 BORN TO FLY ** Hasn’t won since February in KSD company but oddly in career best form and is the value runner. 33
5 STREET LEGAL *** Out-and-out stayer in red-hot form. Huge show. 5.00
6 WILD GEESE *** Only has two career wins to his name but going along in very good order and Raffles Cup placing has him right in this finish. 6.00
7 DUJARDIN ** Another Laxon stayer with a limited preparation but stays and will be in this late. 33
8 LITTLEBITOFJOY * Malaysian raider who should struggle. 200
9 TENZING ** Goes OK on his day and comes into calculations with rain about. 33
10 TROPAIOS *** Placed in the Derby and right in this on recent good form. 12
11 MUSKETEER *** Burst into Gold Cup calculations with two recent wins and will have admirers in this. 6.00
12 DRAGONFLY *** Won both races this campaign and recent effort easily good enough for this. 8.00
13 LORD BROMPTON ** Backed up good Derby run with a nice win and has to be respected on that effort. 12
14 ORAKEI KORAKO ** Hard to fault recent form and could surprise at value. 20
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Race 12
Selections; 5 GREEN TRACER – 3 LIVE IN HOPE – 4 SUPER READY – 7 BANNISTER
Let’s hope we are not looking for a get-out-of-jail free card in the lucky last as most, if not all, can win. Four last start winners in the field suggests plenty are in form and there are three or five others with recent runs that have them winning soon. There will be value – hopefully for the winner if you find it – but one eye on stable support on the tote might help. Where to start? LIVE IN HOPE won a drama packed race over 1200m in Novice company last start and must be respected. SUPER READY won nicely at his last start and given it was over this trip and in this grade, he must go close. The other two lats start winners – BANNISTER and NORTHERN GOLD – both come off strong maiden wins and they could easily step up and win in Class 4. Of those ready to win, GREEN TRACER has John Powell and the ace and that combo – plus a solid tempo – are in his favour and he has to win soon. Too many others with winning hopes to mention, so do your very best.
1 CAIYAYA ** Form better than it reads but a better winning option on the Poly. 50
2 DREAM ON ** Resuming and goes OK first-up so keep safe. 20
3 LIVE IN HOPE *** Had a few issues but still won this grade last start and can follow with slight gear change. 4.50
4 SUPER READY *** In-form and last start win in similar race to this. Big show. 4.50
5 GREEN TRACER *** Going to win sooner than later and can win with any luck in running. 8.00
6 COOL CUSTOMER *** Resuming after a bright start to his racing career and can with this. 8.00
7 BANNISTER *** Coming off a strong maiden win and gives this a shake. 6.00
8 NORTHERN GOLD *** Another last start maiden winner who won well enough to follow in this company. 6.00
9 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER *** Goes well and 1400m looks perfect. Each-way. 12
10 LEAVE ME ALONE *** Back in recent winning grade and has to be considered. 20
11 DYNASTY KNIGHT * Solid on his day but might need easier. 100
12 FLYING WILD *** Form better than it reads and might be the value with no weight and upgrade to blinkers. 16
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