Emperor Max wins in Singapore on 01-06-2014
Just how good is EMPEROR MAX? The star of the Stephen Gray stable is certainly better than most winning six of ten since arriving in Singapore from Australia in 2013.
But it perhaps his second placing behind LUCKY NINE in the KrisFlyer International Sprint that has him earmarked as worthy of a shot at the Hong Kong Internationals in December and perhaps Dubai early in 2015. If he was to play a part in those carnivals – indeed even be worthy of getting on the plane –
he really needs to wins races like the Saas Fe Stakes (race 9) and no reason to think he doesn’t.
His first-up run was good when giving weight to the smart FAALTLESS and although carrying the top-weight again, he looks in well at the race conditions and it may be a case of whoever beats him, wins. Those with some hope include the exciting SLEW OF LODE – who resumes after a Group placing in July – and the reliable pair of CAVALLO and BORN TO FLY who will certainly make EMPEROR MAX earn his win. Elsewhere on the card, KISS ME looks well placed in race 10 on what could be a leaders track and certainly appreciates the company and the nice alley.
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Best Bets; (EMPEROR MAX race 9, win), (IDEAL GUIDE race 11, win) and (KISS ME race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4 and 6), race 9 (1), race 10 (1, 2 and 5), race 11 (2, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 13).
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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; 2 CALLIDE RIVER – 6 BLACK BEAN – 1 DAAD’S THE WAY – 4 RON
Another KSD over the poly mile without much depth. CALLIDE RIVER charged home to win at first start for new stable, he likes this trip and will be hard to beat again. BLACK BEAN tries very hard and will lead and be hard to run down, and worth noting his only wins have been at this distance. RON is well drawn and his only two wins have been at 1600m; from the ace he could go forward and be hard to run down. The old boy, DAAD’S THE WAY, drops in Class and is always a danger in these. Not many of the others offer much though SUPERMART and CHEETAH KING could show up.
1 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Drops in Class. Veteran who is always a danger in these. 4.00
2 CALLIDE RIVER *** Charged home to win at first start for new stable. Likes this trip and will be hard to beat again. 3.50
3 DAHLHAUS * Needs to improve. 20
4 RON *** Well drawn. Could go forward and be hard to run down. 4.00
5 SUPERMART * Enigmatic galloper who often runs on but rarely wins. Only wins have been on turf. 20
6 BLACK BEAN *** Tries very hard and will lead and be hard to run down. Only wins have been at this distance. 3.60
7 CHEETAH KING * Blinkers off. Best form is on turf. 25
8 NOT SIMPLE * Often supported but rarely wins. Take on trust. 20
9 VOY * Needs weaker. 33
10 FANTASTIC BOY * No. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 1 EMPEROR MAX – 8 SLEW OF LODE – 6 BORN TO FLY – 5 CAVALLO
The Saas Fee over 1400m and we get to see whether EMPEROR MAX can make amends for his first-up defeat by FAALTLESS. There has been a gear change with the visor going on and his recent trial was sound; if he is to be a candidate for Hong Kong races later this year, he needs to put these away. One of his main dangers could be his stable mate BORN TO FLY who is very honest and for once has drawn a good gate; he will be finishing off well. SLEW OF LODE is a talented galloper resuming after numerous barrier trials, he too will close off late. Sam Chua has an interesting pair, NANDOWRA may lead and if left alone can be hard to pass whilst CAVALLO will want a solid tempo so he can finish off strongly. HOT GOLD was outclassed last start but will much prefer the 1400m. But if EMPEROR MAX brings his “A” game, he wins.
1 EMPEROR MAX *** Visor on. Recent trial was sound. Class galloper who is expected to make amends for first-up defeat. 1.80
2 GOLIATH * Better on poly over longer. 50
3 DAVIDE * Honest but yet to win beyond 1200m. 20
4 NANDOWRA ** Could run a cheeky race if allowed to bowl along in front. 14
5 CAVALLO ** Always dangerous in these and if there is a solid tempo, could be finishing better than any of them. 8.00
6 BORN TO FLY ** Blinkers on. Very honest. Has got a nice gate and will be closing late. 8.00
7 BOUNDLESS GLORY * Honest but looks outclassed. 33
8 SLEW OF LODE ** Resuming with tongue tie off. Talented galloper who is trialling well
enough to make his presence felt in this. 4.00
9 HOT GOLD ** Outclassed by SPALATO last outing. This distance is more suitable and could surprise. 14
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Race 10
Selections; 5 KISS ME – 1 SATELLITE KING – 2 SUPER VICTORY – 7 LION MASTER
A KSD over 1200m of dubious quality on the turf. KISS ME was slowly away last start and blew his chances in what looked OK Class 4 company. From gate 3 he could race handy and his form around some good horses should hold up here. SUPER VICTORY is resuming after having changed stables and dropping in Grade; his trial indicates he could race well fresh and with Barend Vorster riding, a market watch is in order. SATELLITE KING goes up only 1.5kg for his poly win over 1200m in this company last outing, he handles turf and should be in the finish. Most of the others are either non-winners or better on the poly. LION MASTER has speed and the ace but has been found wanting at his two turf outings. The professional place-getter GOOD BUDDY is the only other one with credible turf form though one never knows what TROPICAL FOREST will do.
1 SATELLITE KING *** Goes up 1.5kg for poly win over 1200m in this company last outing. Handles turf and should be in the finish. 3.00
2 SUPER VICTORY *** Resuming after having changed stables. Trial form useful and could race well fresh. Watch market. 3.00
3 TROPICAL FOREST * Rarely wins but should be closing once again. Best form is on polytrack. 14
4 GOOD BUDDY ** Professional place-getter who has blotted his copybook since recording a rare win on turf in this grade. Should be thereabouts. 8.00
5 KISS ME *** Slowly away and never a factor last outing. Only win was at this journey and has recent form in better company than this. 6.00
6 MACHFIVE * Has speed but has weakened at recent turf outings. 14
7 LION MASTER ** Leads but has been found wanting at only two turf outings. 12
8 NOBLEMAN STAR * Maiden whose only placing was on turf. 20
9 BIG HARVEST * Honest but wants longer than this. 33
10 ANODOUBT * Needs Class 5. 50
11 NINTH AVENUE * Better in Class 5 over longer. 66
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Race 11
Selections; 2 IDEAL GUIDE – 9 KEVIN ELEVEN – 5 MEAISIN – 11 KAI POWER
A Class 4 over 1400m finishes matters off. IDEAL GUIDE was only able to win once in Australia from 13 starts but under the tutelage of Laurie Laxon he was able to put in a good effort winning in this class and distance at his Singapore debut. He only rises 1kg for the effort and should be in the finish once again. KEVIN ELEVEN will go forward and give a good sight and if he gets any leeway out front, he might be hard to run over. MEAISIN ran well when resuming in an unsuitable poly race, he will go much better in this with Manoel Nunes from a good gate. SAVODAN was caught wide last start after jumping awkwardly; Noh Senari should give him a better run in this and he could be hard to hold off. Of the others, if KAI POWER can handle the drop back to 1400m he will be closing late and if the emergency, NORTH ATLANTIC ICE, gets a run he will be very hard to beat.
1 FLYING AHEAD ** Better suited here but last win was over a mile on the long course. 12
2 IDEAL GUIDE *** Good effort this class and distance at Singapore debut. Only rises 1kg and should be in the finish once again. 3.50
3 MY DANCING DUEL * Wants longer than this. 25
4 CAIYAYA ** Form solid and only turf win was at this trip. Could get in the finish. 16
5 MEAISIN *** Good effort when resuming in unsuitable poly race. Will go much better in this with Nunes from a good gate. 4.00
6 TWODOLLARMUPPET * Gets back and needs luck in running. 16
7 FLAWLESSLY * Only win was over 2200m at Werribee (Victoria). Later and longer. 33
8 FOREVER LUCKY ** Caught wide last start. Claim helps and could be in the finish. 12
9 KEVIN ELEVEN *** Will go forward from wide gate and should give a sight for a long way. 10
10 SAVODAN *** Caught wide last start after jumping awkwardly. Should get a better run in this. 6.00
11 KAI POWER *** Blinkers on. Coming back in trip after strong effort in higher grade over 2000m. Will be running on late. 10
12 KLEVER WARRIOR * Resuming after a let up and may want easier. 25
13 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE *** Held up last outing. With a clear run will be hard to hold out. 7.00
14 FLYING WILD ** Runs on but wants easier. 20
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