Holy Empire (Alan Munro) hits the line strongly for this third win at Kranji
While there are some nice races from Singapore on Sunday, the Kranji Stakes A over 1200m (race 9) looks a beauty and the one not to missed. Of course the likes of GOAL KEEPER and SPEEDY CAT ensure the field has plenty of class about it but it is a couple of relatively “newcomers” to this company in HOLY EMPIRE and ZAC SPIRIT that will have the punters watching on with interest. It’s a coincidence that the pair are both resuming in this race as, although both are 4YO’s with huge ability, they oddly have never met previously. HOLY EMPIRE has had an outstanding start to his racing career winning six from 11 and only missing out on a place once. Nunes takes over from regular hoop, Alan Munro, and from gate 4 the pair should go very close to starting their racing relationship with a win. ZAC SPIRIT has also started his career in fine fashion with four wins from his first eight starts and like HOLY EMPIRE, has only missed out on a placing once. In another coincidence, Alan Munro jumps on-board ZAC SPIRIT for the first time at the races and he too will be looking at a winning start to what could be a long-term and profitable partnership. The punters might be split between the two on Sunday – perhaps edging towards HOLY EMPIRE – but rest assured, this should be the first of many battles heading towards the lucrative Four-Year-Old series in the coming months.
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Best Bets; HOLY EMPIRE (race 9, win), BENJI’S RULE (race 10, each-way) and BRILLIANT DEAL (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 6, 9, 10 and 11), race 9 (1, 2, 4 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 4, 5 and 10), race 11 (2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8).
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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; 6 STRIDE METEOR – 1 HAPPY FOREVER – 2 RORY – 10 RICHEAST
A couple of last start winners in STRIDE METEOR and RICHEAST look worth following in this Class 5 dash as do some others in form with the likes of HAPPY FOREVER, RORY, MAGIC DIVA and ALWAYS A WINNER ready to win. STRIDE METEOR looks the pick of the two last start winners as he knows how to string the victories together. With four wins to his name – all on the Poly and two over this trip – he is suited, with Nunes from gate six a good combination. HAPPY FOREVER has only one win to his name but given he has a few placings as well from just 10 career starts, he knows what the caper is about and could be better than Class 5. RORY is also a one-time winner but was supported last start and is worth following in what should be a suitable race. The tote may be a good guide in what is an open race.
1 HAPPY FOREVER *** Well beaten into second last start but the intent is there. Follow. 5.00
2 RORY *** Excuses last start with support and worth another look. 5.00
3 FRENCHMAN ** Form hopeless but blinkers on a significant gear change given two wins were with headgear. 20
4 EXCUSEZ MOI * Maiden and while form OK he might be tested over this trip. 33
5 STREET RUFFIAN ** Long-time between drinks but going along OK and can win if race run to suit. 12
6 STRIDE METEOR *** In winning form and pay to keep following. 4.50
7 VASSILAKOS * No. 100
8 SOLID WOOD ** Blinkers back on and while he has won this trip he does need race run to suit. 33
9 MAGIC DIVA *** Showed last start why he is always a hope and gate one helps. 8.00
10 RICHEAST *** Resuming after knocking in a good win so pay to follow first-up. 6.00
11 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Has some toe so appreciates nice gate an din this a very long way. 6.00
12 PRINCIPAL * No. 200
13 GANGNAM STYLE * May appreciate Class 5 company but usually found out late. 20
14 BEST BARGAIN ** Form OK and good gate helps if he gets a start. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 4 HOLY EMPIRE – 7 ZAC SPIRIT – 1 GOAL KEEPER – 2 SPEEDY CAT
The obvious highlight of the days card and the best sprint line-up seen in 2014. GOAL KEEPER heads the ratings and with a handy 3kg claim, looks very well placed to run a very big race. An apprentice has never been on the speedster in a race previously but given the race conditions, 56.5 kg to carry looks a smart move by Theo Kieser and a win would not surprise. The second highest rated horse in the race – SPEEDY CAT – has been mixing his distances of late but he has four wins over this trip and a recent trial good enough to show his best in this. But a couple of lightly-raced 4YO’s in HOLY EMPIRE and ZAC SPIRIT might be the real deals. HOLY EMPIRE has won six from 11 starts and looks top-shelf with ZAC SPIRIT – a winner of four from eight – also looking the goods. Adding to the intrigue is the fact both are resuming but both have trailed well and can win. Of the others, FLASH GIFT with no weight and the newcomer, JOHNNY GUITAR are both worth keeping safe.
1 GOAL KEEPER *** Fresh and should run a bold race with handy 3kg claim. 5.00
2 SPEEDY CAT *** Last start better than the result and recent trial looked good. Value. 12
3 FLYING FULTON ** Will be doing best work late but place looks best. 33
4 HOLY EMPIRE *** Exciting youngster resuming and needless to say he goes super firstup. 2.50
5 RAPIDO STAR ** Disappointing last start but won on the turf two back and will be value. 33
6 VALEVOLE * Form not good enough to consider. 33
7 ZAC SPIRIT *** Another up-and-coming star resuming and recent trial suggest he shows his best first-up. 4.00
8 JOHNNY GUITAR ** Former Argentinean who won at Group 1 level over a mile at his most recent start. Trials well but this a tough ask at Singapore debut. 12
9 LET’S SEE ACTION * Competitive on his day but place looks best in this field. 20
10 FLASH GIFT ** Promising type and should be more than competitive stepping up to this grade with no weight. 8.00
11 HAMMER DOWN * Blinkers off and not going well enough to consider in this field. 50
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Race 10
Selections; 4 BENJI’S RULE – 5 COOL CAT – 1 HOPKINS – 10 SPICY CAT
With nothing jumping off the page in this KSD over 1200m, a significant gear change on BENJI’S RULE puts that horse under notice. Although his two wins have been on the Poly, the 5YO handles this surface and with head-gear added, good form under his belt and jumping from gate one, he can win. COOL CAT looks a serious winning hope as well getting back onto his winning surface. The 8YO hasn’t won for a while but given consistent form and the right race and company, he should get support and go very close. Hard to fault HOPKINS form as well and while his recent good runs – including a couple of wins and places – have been on the Poly, he handles the turf and has to be respected. Throw in SPICY CAT as winning hope back on his preferred surface and go wide in exotics.
1 HOPKINS *** Recent good form on the Poly but more than handles the turf. Big show. 3.00
2 TROPICAL FOREST *** Never won on the turf but last start victory very strong and pay to follow. 8.00
3 REAL STEEL ** Another normally seen on the Poly and a definite query this surface. 12
4 BENJI’S RULE *** Form OK but improves with blinkers back on the turf with gate one a bonus. 6.00
5 COOL CAT *** In-form and switch to turf could see a well deserved result. 3.50
6 TWIST OLIVER ** Maiden resuming with OK trial under his belt and market might be best guide. 12
7 D’ARTAGNAN ** Recent form – albeit Poly – good enough to follow. 6.00
8 GOOD BOSS * Excuses last couple but might need it easier. 33
9 BROWNE’S ANATOMY * Battled on OK last start but prefer over longer. 20
10 SPICY CAT *** In the mix two starts after maiden win and pay to follow back on winning surface. 12
11 ZAC APPEAL ** Resuming and while form reads badly his recent trail OK. Improves. 33
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Race 11
Selections; 2 SPRING THUNDER – 8 BRILLIANT DEAL – 4 LUCKY DAPPER – 5 JERAM CLIPPER
Not many tougher races on the card for punters than this with at least half the field with genuine winning hopes. There also looks plenty of early pace and SPRING THUNDER will appreciate a good tempo and looks a solid option. David Flores should get the perfect sit from gate 4 and no excuses on what should be a very fair track. BRILLIANT DEAL has drawn just inside SPRING THUNDER in gate 3 and while he can make trouble for himself, he looks a big show. The booking of Alan Munro could be a winning move and he might even be value given the depth in this field. Nothing separates LUCKY DAPPER and JERAM CLIPPER – both honest as the day is long but find it hard to win – with MAYWEATHER and FAST FAST BOY the other two to watch. Field a good option in skinny end of exotic.
1 LIGHT BRIGADE ** Very much appreciates first-up run and will improve on that effort. 12
2 SPRING THUNDER *** In-form and going to win again sooner than later. 4.50
3 MAKE A RETURN * Form OK and company suits but should want longer than this. 20
4 LUCKY DAPPER *** Lack of winning form a concern but in this a long way with blinkers back off. 5.00
5 JERAM CLIPPER *** Another who will be in this a very long way but needs a result for the good form. 5.00
6 MAYWEATHER *** Hit the line well over 1400m last start and pay to follow as mile looks perfect. 7.00
7 FAST FAST BOY *** Another in-form horse ready to win with mile looking suitable. 8.00
8 BRILLIANT DEAL *** Can be a handful so Munro a good booking and goes close with gate 3 a bonus. 12
9 BRILLIANT POWER ** Not a million miles away last start at very long odds so pay to keep safe in exotics. 33
10 CHEETAH ** Cheeky run expected but should get found out late. 20
11 CAUTION ** Form OK and will keep a few honest but like to see in Class 5. 20
12 DISCO * Blinkers off and last run better than the result but needs easier. 33
13 APRIL’S KNIGHT * Appreciates first-up run and extra distance but might need longer again. 33
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