Stepitup is set up to steal the show
A cracking days racing that includes two Group races and a bumper undercard that will keep punters extremely busy.
And while EMPEROR MAX returning after another gallant second placing at International level in the KrisFlyer will give race-goers something to cheer about in the Garden City Trophy, it is the “little bulldog” STEPITUP in the Committee’s Prize, who they have come to see.
Small in stature but big at heart, STEPITUP has been the people’s champ since bursting onto the scene under the care of Sonny Yeoh as the Champion 3YO back in 2013.
An ebb and flow later, he finds himself back in irrepressible form as a 6YO for trainer Laurie Laxon and somewhat amazingly, is gunning for four straight victories.
The burning question is; can he carry a whopping 59kg and give the likes of FASTNET DRAGON and DARCI CHARMER some 9kg over what will be a blistering mile?
History says he can – he is as game as they come – but given FASTNET DRAGON just missed upsetting some big guns in the Derby at set weights and DARCI BRAHMA chased home the mighty Spalato at WFA conditions, the pull in the weights looks a tough ask for STEPITUP.
So while he will be the one we will be cheering for, the money will be on the lightly raced FASTNET DRAGON who looks to have some big races in his sights in the future, hopefully starting at Group 3 level on Sunday.
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Sunday 20 September
Best Bets: (THE COSMOS race 8, win), (ANY RUMOUR race 12, each-way) and (PHILANTROPIST race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2 and 3), race 10 (1, 9 and 11), race 11 (1, 3 and 4), race 12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7).
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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 THE COSMOS – 7 LINCOLN ROAD – 1 MEDIA CAPTAIN – 2 BLUE DIAMOND
Trainer Mark Walker looks to have some handy former Kiwi gallopers on his books of late and THE COSMOS is another that can win on his Singapore debut. The 4YO had one win and a couple of places from six starts back in NZ and has showed more than enough at a couple of local trials – his first in particular – to think he has settled in very well and hard to beat in what is a moderate Class 4 field. His compatriot, LINCOLN’S ROAD, is also making his Singapore debut and while he is still a maiden, his trial with blinkers suggests he goes super close and may be the value of the two. Of the rest, MEDIA CAPTAIN and BLUE DIAMOND find themselves back in winnable company so while some recent form looks ordinary, they could and should improve lengths and be in the winning mix. RIKIOH has his foot on the till but the fact he finds it tough to win races is a concern so exotics may be his best option.
1 MEDIA CAPTAIN *** Recent form only fair but finds himself in the right company on the right surface and trip. 6.00
2 BLUE DIAMOND *** Showed glimpses last start and another that could grow a leg back in Class 4. 6.00
3 MAPLE STAR ** Resuming after good spell and would give this a shake on best form. 10
4 RIKIOH ** Finds it hard to win but in form and has the ace so must be respected. 8.00
5 THE COSMOS *** Former Kiwi who has trialed very well and could easily win at Singapore debut. 3.00
6 CHEYENNE WARRIOR ** Gets blinkers after working home well after slow start last time out. Keep safe. 20
7 LINCOLN ROAD *** Kiwi maiden making Singapore debut but trial with blinkers was very strong and must be respected. 8.00
8 RACER KING ** Always a show in races like this and might sneak out to value. 12
9 NATURAL NINE ** Maiden who goes well enough to consider in exotics but should need easier to win. 20
10 GADAWON ** Form reads only fairly but shown enough to include in skinny end of exotics with no weight. 33
11 JET MAN ** Another who probably needs easier to win but has to be considered in exotics. 33
12 XIN TREASURE * Hard to follow and might need easier. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 1 HEE’S A MAVERICK – 2 DRAGON HIGHNESS – 3 THE BLACK KNIGHT – 4 JOYOUS
The calm before the Group 3 storm and while this maiden field doesn’t throw up any potential top liners, HEE’S A MAVERICK goes better than most and can win first-up after a spell. The 4YO last raced in February and his form in that campaign looked good enough to win a race like this. He looked very comfortable at a recent trial and with Michael Rodd booked, he should race very well. The two horses that look the main dangers – DRAGON HIGHNESS and THE BLACK KNIGHT – both race second up and both will improve for the runs. Coincidentally, DRAGON HIGHNESS gets blinkers and that looks a good move on trial form with headgear while THE BLACK KNIGHT will have his blinkers removed which also looks a smart move. He does get a tongue-tie suggesting the stable thinks that may help what was a late fade out last start and he might be the testing material. These three should dominate the betting but plenty of others could be included in the skinny end of exotics.
1 HEE’S A MAVERICK *** Resuming after a good spell but recent trial was good and can win. 2.50
2 DRAGON HIGHNESS *** Appreciates sold first up run and improves again with blinkers added. 4.00
3 THE BLACK KNIGHT *** Blinkers off after fading late when resuming but should benefit from the run with tongue-tie added. 5.00
4 JOYOUS ** Suffered heat stress when resuming but trial form looked good enough to give another chance. 20
5 TURQUOISE SON * Resuming and no. 200
6 A LOT IN HAND * Not a mile away last start and can include in exotics with winkers added. 20
7 BIMALA ** Coming off a shocker but previous form has him in the exotic mix. 12
8 CLASSIC EFFECT * Excuses last start (saddle) but needs to lift. 100
9 FALCON ** Always thereabouts but another who should find a couple better on the day. 10
10 I-SCREAM NOW ** Recent form better than it reads and not without hope with no weight. 10
11 VOY * No. 100
12 BIG BANG KING * Not a mile away last start but usually disappoints. 33
13 MATOAKA * No. 100
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Race 10
Selections; 11 FASTNET DRAGON – 9 DARCI CHARMER – 1 STEPITUP – 8 CHEETAH ON FIRE
From a racing fans point of view, it’s almost sacrilegious to pick against the “little bulldog” that is STEPITUP. Apart from a recent form line that reads WWW, the 6YO has amazingly only had eight races from 30 career starts out of Group company and he gives no indication that he can’t carry 59kg over the mile and win again although giving nine of the 13 that oppose him some 9kg at the handicap conditions. In his favour is that a few of them are carrying “overs” at the minimum but two of those – FASTNET DRAGON and DARCI CHARMER – look better than that and are the testing material. FASTNET DRAGON does little wrong and his Derby effort at WFA conditions has him earmarked for some feature scalps. Likewise, DARCI CHARMER drops 8kg after chasing home Spalato last start and he looks trained to the minute for this. You can make a case for most others but pay to keep CHEETAH ON FIRE, VALBUENA and A LA VICTORY very safe.
1 STEPITUP *** Asked to carry a good horses weight but he is a very good horse. 4.00
2 BORN TO FLY ** Will be working into this late and always an each-way show. 20
3 FLAX ** Over a year between wins but in form and has to be considered. 12
4 DAVIDE ** Underrated galloper who looks ready for the mile with blinkers off. Value. 33
5 KNIGHT’S COMMAND ** Placed this race last year at long odds and good first up run suggests he can do the same again. 20
6 TRUDEAU ** Blinkers off after poor last start effort but suited here and recent trial was good. 33
7 VALBUENA *** Never looked likely last start and looks well placed on the minimum to go well here. 12
8 CHEETAH ON FIRE *** Not a mile away from Stepitup in the Yew Tee Classic and meets him 4kg for the better. 12
9 DARCI CHARMER *** Chased Spalato home in the jumbo Jet at WFA conditions and must be a huge show with just 50kg. 7.00
10 MARTIN * Not at his best last couple but will be closing late. 100
11 FASTNET DRAGON *** Exciting type who is fresh after a close-up placing in the Derby. Big show. 4.00
12 A LA VICTORY *** Better than just honest and shown last couple he is up to this company at handicap conditions. 10
13 MAJESTIC MOMENTS ** Very progressive type who deserves a crack and will be more than competitive at this level. 12
14 TWICKENHAM ** Fresh after Derby run and recent trial suggests he will do than just make up the numbers. 20
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Race 11
Selections; 3 Q NINE MAGIC – 6 KISS ME – 1 PHILANTHROPIST – 9 IMPERIAL BOY
An interesting Class 4 sprint with not many serious winning hopes and none that jump off the page to win. Case in point is Q NINE MAGIC who resumes after a bleeding attack. In saying that we don’t mind backing horses first-up after an enforced spell and his recent trial with blinkers added good enough to follow. He also looked due to knock in a win last campaign so a good option in this field. KISS ME is also a good option on his very strong win over 1200m on the Poly two starts back. He backed that up with a solid placing over the same trip and while he hasn’t won over 1100m, he should run well. One at value that could surprise is PHILANTHROPIST. A winner of four from 20, the 6YO was finding Class 3 company a tad tough so a drop to a more suitable grade is definitely in his favour. FEDERER, IMPERIAL BOY and HELEN three others that should race well and the market may be a good guide on the day.
1 PHILANTHROPIST *** Significant drop in Class and looks very well placed with handy 4kg claim. 10
2 WARPATH ** Resuming down in Class and recent trial suggests he could show up at value. 20
3 Q NINE MAGIC *** Resuming with blinkers added after bleeding attack and trials like he can win. 3.00
4 FEDERER *** Appreciates first-up run here he led them up with support. Follow. 6.00
5 OUR TOUCHE ** Wide draw a concern but shown enough at three starts in Singapore to keep safe. 20
6 KISS ME *** In very good form and will make his presence felt late. 4.00
7 WEE MONSTER * Former Irish galloper and like to see some support before considering on debut. 33
8 HAPPY HAPPY * Resuming and should need easier. 33
9 IMPERIAL BOY *** In form and enjoys the Poly so has to be a live chance with the lightweight. 13
10 HELEN *** Just missed last start when leading throughout and pay to follow. 6.00
11 JOY AND HAPPY * Maiden who should need easier. 33
12 SUGARTIME JAZZ * Reassess suitable Class 5 affair. 50
13 PROBO CHANDROSO * Goes OK on his day but like to see in something easier. 33
14 FUKU ICHIBAN * Prefer turf. 33
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Race 12
Selections; 4 ANY RUMOUR – 6 ODE TO JOY – 5 BRAHMS AND LISZT – 1 SERPICO
Anyone alive in the “quaddie” or “jackpot” will be hoping they have gone very wide in the lucky last as it does look a dead-set raffle. The tempo of the race will also play a big part in who wins this with some likely leaders in BOB looking in form and ready to win again and plenty of in form swoopers. ANY RUMOUR looks one such horse that will appreciate a solid early pace and his recent form suggests he will be flying late and can win. Throw in ODE TO JOY – who might go back from the wide gate – and he certainly showed enough last start to think he is also flying late if race run to suit. As mentioned it should be BOB whom they have to pass late to win and the 5YO could easily win if given any peace out front. Too many others that can win to mention them all although SERPICO will appreciate the company, INVICTUS finds himself in the right race, BRAHMS AND LISZT is in winning form and BRING MONEY HOME has his foot on the till.
1 SERPICO *** Appreciates first-up run and drop to recent winning grade. Improves. 16
2 BOB *** Got no favours out front last start and effort to place good enough to go close here. 4.50
3 INVICTUS *** Not far way last start in unsuitable race and would be hard to beat on best form in this company. 8.00
4 ANY RUMOUR *** Foot on the till and will make things very interesting late. 5.00
5 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Won at generous odds last start in KSD company and can go on with the job here. 6.00
6 ODE TO JOY *** Excuses not to go closer last start in similar affair and pay to follow. 5.00
7 BRING MONEY HOME *** Yet another with his foot on the till and has to be a huge show from gate 1. 6.00
8 BILLY BRITAIN * Form probably better than it reads but this is a strong field. 50
9 DASHING JACK * Maiden who will appreciate extra trip impossible on form. 200
10 NIGHT FLIGHT ** Another maiden who will appreciate the mile and showed enough last to keep safe at odds. 33
11 RUM N RAISINS ** Can make excuses for some poor runs of late and would be competitive on his day. 33
12 GET GOING ** Improved in easier company last start but another that could be included in exotics at value. 33
13 MASURAO ** Blinkers off but still capable of a cheeky run with no weight. 50
14 LION WAVE * Not a mile away last start but needs easier. 100
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