Stepitup and Ivaldo Santana made it four wins from five starts on Friday, 22 February 2013 (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
The Colonial Chief Stakes is the last feature of the 2013 season and fittingly, the Singapore Group 3 event looks a very even affair on paper. Over 1700m on the Polytrack, the Colonial Chief Stakes also looks the perfect vehicle for some of Singapore’s best middle distance horses who haven’t been at their very best of late, to find some winning form heading into next season. Case in point is the exciting STEPITUP for trainer Sonny Yeoh. After clean-sweeping the 3YO series and having a career record of seven wins from just eight starts, STEPITUP has been unplaced at two runs this campaign – albeit at Group 1 level in the Kranji Mile and the Raffles Cup over 1800m. A suitable race, the return of his regular rider, Ivaldo Santana, and a nice gate (3) suggests the planets have aligned and we may see the best of STEPITUP on Sunday. Also looking for some winning form is FLYING FULTON, who easily won this same race last year when in super form. And while he has not been traveling as well in the latter stages of 2013, his recent eyecatching run over 1200m on this surface suggests a big run in this Polytrack feature is on the cards. Three others with genuine winning hopes – STREET LEGAL, TRUDEAU and GOLIATH – all have recent good wins to their names and could easily cap off the year with a Polytrack feature on their respective CV’s.
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Best Bets; STEPITUP (race 9, win), RUSTY BROWN (race 8, win) and TEOCHEW BARRISTER (race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12), race 9 (2, 3, 4, 5 and 12), race 10 (1, 2 and 4), race 11 (2, 3, 4, 5 and 10).
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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 7
Selections; 4 DOUBLE HOCK – 6 TRIPLE GOALS – 1 VITALICO – 2 CHEVY
Obviously it’s hard to be confident about some of these horses given the Class but a few solid options in VITALICO, CHEVY, DOUBLE HOCK and TRIPLE GOALS should fill the majority of the exotic combinations. Trying to find the winner looks a tough ask but DOUBLE HOCK did enough last start to think he breaks his maiden status sooner than later. The fact he has drawn better than most of the fancies in gate four is definitely a factor and he should get every chance for Class 5 specialist, trainer Sam Chua. TRIPLE GOALS on the other hand has drawn very awkwardly in gate 10. That often means trouble over the mile on the tight Poly track but given the race has no depth, Rehaizat should push forward and if he gets an early position, he could be hard to beat. The two others with winning hopes, VITALICO and CHEVY have also drawn awkwardly in gates eight and seven respectively but again, with luck in running they play a big part in this finish. DOS EQUIS may add value to exotics but hard to make a case for the rest.
1 VITALICO *** Excuses last start not to finish closer and should figure here. 3.00
2 CHEVY *** Did it tough last start and pay to follow in this type of race. 5.00
3 DOS EQUIS ** Had a few excuses of late so worth another looks from the ace. 12
4 DOUBLE HOCK *** Close-up finish in similar affair last start has him one of the main hopes. 4.00
5 QUALITASE * Just battling away of late. 33
6 TRIPLE GOALS *** In-form and can win with any luck in running from awkward gate. 3.50
7 SOCIAL NETWORK * Hard to have on recent form but the ace helps as will Vagner Leal. 33
8 MAHA VEERAN * Struggling. 50
9 ROLLTHEDICE * Upgrade to blinkers but hard to have. 50
10 TRAP * Coming off a rare good run but still easier to ignore. 50
11 WIN THE DAY * No. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 2 RUSTY BROWN – 5 DAAD’S THE WAY – 9 WINNER’S SMILE – 3 CALIFORNIAN JET
This race might not be as cut and dried as punters will make it but as it stands, RUSTY BROWN is the on-top pick. The Darci Brahma 3YO hasn’t done a lot wrong winning twice and placing twice from five starts and looks very well placed stepping up to the mile on the Polytrack. But you could make a case for a few others and the value might be found in the likes of DAAD’S THE WAY or WINNER’S SMILE. DAAD’S THE WAY is always a show in races like this – he has won five times over the mile on the Poly – and given he is one of those horses who is always thereabouts, he might get out to OK odds. WINNER’S SMILE has had no luck in a few runs in his nine-start career and with luck today, he could win without surprising. Throw in BANNISTER over the mile, CALIFORNIA JET at odds and TAKIS who looks very well-placed from gate one down in the weights.
1 IRISH FLASH ** Always a hope but will get back from wide gate so needs race to suit. 6.00
2 RUSTY BROWN *** Won well over 1400m last start this company and the mile looks ideal. Big show. 2.50
3 CALIFORNIAN JET *** Form reads only fair but run two starts back this trip OK and recent trial solid. Keep safe. 12
4 TAVAN BOGD ** Blinkers straight off after disappointing run and expect improvement. 33
5 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Awkward draw a concern but appreciates being back on the Poly and can win. 9.00
6 NO NONSENSE ** Improves lengths stepping to mile with Singapore debut under his belt. 33
7 BANNISTER *** Name suggests mile suits as does form. Big show. 5.00
8 SPRING THUNDER ** Not far away two starts back in similar affair to this and pay to include somewhere. 12
9 WINNER’S SMILE *** Bad draw a concern as he can find trouble but can win stepping up to the mile. 12
10 MY NEW BOSS * Excuses last start and could be the closer at odds with blinkers removed. 33
11 RON ** Form obviously patchy but maiden win this trip and surface. 33
12 TAKIS *** Excuses last start and very much appreciates being back on the Poly with gate one a bonus. Value. 20
13 TRADING GOLD ** Not the worst in what is a suitable race if he gets a start. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 5 STEPITUP – 2 FLYING FULTON – 4 STREET LEGAL – 3 TRUDEAU
An interesting Group race with only one last start winner in the field and a few fancies coming off less than impressive runs. GOLIATH is the only horse with winning form and given he has won at his last four runs on this track over a similar distance, he must rate a serious light-weight hope. The concern is that he faces some quality horses but hard to fault his form and he looks well-placed at the race conditions with 52.5kg. One horse with no such query on class is STEPITUP who very much appreciates two tough runs back this campaign – both at Group 1 level – and looks perfectly placed here. From gate three on a surface he very much enjoys, STEPITUP can get straight back into the winners circle and add to his already impressive CV. But some tough old horses in STREET LEGAL and FLYING FULTON also appeal. STREET LEGAL could be excused for his unplaced Gold Cup run and pay to keep him very safe on his previous outstanding form with FLYING FULTON coming into this after a nice 1200m “trial” that has him well and truly under notice. Throw in the sneaky TRUDEAU into winning calculations as he was never involved last start as 1700m could be what he is looking for.
1 NANDOWRA ** Changed stables after issues last two runs. Chance if anywhere near his best with winkers off. 20
2 FLYING FULTON *** Hit the line very well over 1200m last start and this race does look suitable to return to his best. 4.00
3 TRUDEAU *** Coming off a disappointing run over 1200m but previous form excellent and this trip may suit. 4.00
4 STREET LEGAL *** Never looked likely in the Gold Cup but happy to think he can show his best here. 8.00
5 STEPITUP *** Loves the Poly, trip not an issue and right in this with gate three a bonus. 5.00
6 ILUMINADO * Battled away OK last start but that was in easier company. 33
7 CANNON HILL * Freshened after a shocker and prefer to just watch. 33
8 FATKID * No. 200
9 DUJARDIN ** Didn’t stay the trip in the Gold Cup so back to 1700m looks ideal. 33
10 IRISH COFFEE ** In good form but slight query this company on the Poly. 10
11 MITRE PEAK * Appreciates first-up run but might find this too tough. 50
12 GOLIATH *** In-form, loves this surface and must rate a genuine light-weight hope. 5.00
13 LORD BROMPTON ** Not disgraced in the Gold Cup and has some OK Poly form to his name. Value. 20
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Race 10
Selections; 1 ADRIEN – 4 TEOCHEW BARRISTER – 2 LUCKY STRATEGY – 7 STAR RAINBOW
No depth to this race with only a few serious winning hopes and most others without a chance of even running a place. Laurie Laxon has kept faith in the Malaysian apprentice R Rueven to get a result or three for his horses asked to carry weight and he might just do that with ADRIEN. The Oscar stable-owned 4YO was disappointing at his last start on the turf but given his two runs prior on the Poly were good, he can win this with gate one a bonus. In a race with no depth, TEOCHEW BARRISTER might be the one to follow at long odds. The 3YO has had excuses at three career starts and might be ready to show his best with a tongue-tie added and senior hoop, Oscar Chavez, to ride. LUCKY STRATEGY looks the other wining hope on his consistent form with Q NINE STAR and STAR RAINBOW the other two with any hope. The tote might be a fair guide.
1 ADRIEN *** Pay to ignore last start where he never looked comfortable as previous two Poly runs has him winning this. 2.00
2 LUCKY STRATEGY *** Did it tough last start and pay to follow as is certainly due. 3.20
3 EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE * Resuming and prefer to just watch. 100
4 TEOCHEW BARRISTER *** Can find trouble but work late on occasion suggests he could pop up at long odds with tongue-tie added. 20
5 MIGHTY HUNTER * Blinkers added but struggles as a rule. 100
6 FINAL COUNTDOWN * Blinkers off and did trial OK sans head-gear but has been disappointing. 100
7 STAR RAINBOW ** Worked home well to place last start and have to include over 1200m. 5.00
8 Q NINE STAR ** Also got home OK last start and looks a must for exotics. 6.00
9 VIRGIN GALACTIC * No. 100
10 GOOD SUGGESTION * No. 100
11 WORLD OF FAME * No. 100
12 CHINESE TYCOON * No. 100
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Race 11
Selections; 4 MEDIA CAPTAIN – 2 MAPLE STAR – 3 BIG SEQUALO – 10 SARONG
MEDIA CAPTAIN is a very honest Class 4 performer and that might be good enough to get over the line in a race with no stand-out. In fact, given the 5YO races on the pace and very much enjoys the surface and trip, he should be in the mix for a long way with Barend Vorster an able replacement for regular hoop, Manoel Nunes. One that doesn’t have the exposed form as MEDIA CAPTAIN but could show up (hopefully at odds) is MAPLE STAR. At two Poly runs since an long-break due to a bleeding attack, he has shown enough to think we can ignore his last start failure and seriously consider in what looks a suitable race. Of the rest, BIG SEQUALO backed up his good maiden win with a solid run in a similar race to this so has to be respected with the bottom rated filly, SARONG, also looking some hope at value. Throw in JUST GOOD as a winning hope and keep an eye on the tote in what looks a tricky punting race.
1 TIM * Struggling at the minute. 10
2 MAPLE STAR *** Pay to ignore last start as definitely a better option on the Poly. Can win. 8.00
3 BIG SEQUALO *** Backed up maiden win with a nice effort from wide gate and can follow in what is a suitable race. 4.00
4 MEDIA CAPTAIN *** In-form and expect a very forward showing again. 2.50
5 JUST GOOD *** Coming off a good recent trial and race form good enough to win a race like this. 5.00
6 GRAND WOOD PARK * Freshened but hard to have. 100
7 CARNIVAL STAR ** Might need it easier to win but could add value to exotics. 20
8 HAPPY FOREVER * Appreciates light weight but might need easier. 50
9 SIMPANG * Reassess Class 5. 100
10 SARONG *** Eligible for easier company but has speed and pay to keep safe in race with no stand-out. 8.00
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