Stepitup holds off Super Ninetyseven to claim the third Leg of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Series, the Group 1 Singapore Guineas. 17-05-2013
While there is the odd good supporting race, the 2014 Patron’s Bowl is well worth admission price alone. The second-leg of the Four-Year-Old Challenge is run over the metric mile and some of the elite Derby bound horses in STEPITUP, WALL STREET BOY and BENDICION join the only two horses that “survived” the first leg, JOHNNY GUITAR and CAVALLO.
Of the two horses that did run in the Steward’s Cup over 1400m, JOHNNY GUITAR showed he didn’t have much of a hang-over from an ambitious run in the Singapore Airlines International Cup by finishing in the placings – some two lengths from the ultra-impressive, EMPEROR MAX. And with “Max” having a well earned rest with an eye on some sprint races both here and abroad, the Pat Shaw-trained JOHNNY GUITAR might be the one the others have to beat.
The Argentinean-bred gelding is a versatile type and given his Group win in Singapore was over this trip after winning at his previous start over 1400m, his preparation looks ideal. The “stayers” that have joined the 4YO Challenge fray include WALL STREET BOY who comes into this in fine form with an eye-catching second to MARTIN over a mile at Kranji Stakes A level.
The handsome chestnut looks a genuine Derby chance and you would expect the Australianbred gelding to be the one coming into the winning mix late in what could be a busy finish. Obviously you can’t leave out the Champion 3YO – STEPITUP – who should be ready for a big run given he missed the International weekend, with his trainer having one-eye on the iconic Derby trophy.
The wildcard is SPALATO and his presence in this field after just two career starts suggests connections have a very high opinion of this New Zealand-bred gelding. And why not after SPALATO destroyed his rivals on debut before winning “super” again over 1400m on International day.
The punters won’t miss him and he might even push for favourtism which would be remarkable in itself given the quality of this field. A great race and make sure you also have a ticket booked for the Emirates Singapore Derby on July 13.
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Best Bets; (ASTROSTAR race 10, win), (JOHNNY GUITAR race 9, win) and (NOVEMBER GOLD race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (Field), race 9 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8), race 10 (1), race 11 (3, 4, 5, 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 DANGER ZONE – 7 FLIGHT OFTHE SAKER – 2 MR ARMSTRONG – 3 CORDOBA
I think it’s safe to say that this race is so wide open you could pick three or four and not get a result for your efforts. And while DANGER ZONE is fast becoming a cult horse given he can’t win but doesn’t run a bad race, he might just break through in this. Munro stays onboard and with 51.5kg over 1800m, why not? Also on 51.5kg is FLIGHT OFTHE SAKER and he too looks a winning hope. In his favour he won last start so at least knows where champagne is kept cold and while he drops back from 2000m, he will be right in this late. It is a raffle though and any of the other eight horses in the field can win so obviously go wide in exotics.
1 FUJIN BRIGHT *** Showed plenty of cheek last start over the mile and looks well placed here. 12
2 MR ARMSTRONG *** Coming off a good run over same mile as Fujin Bright and goes close with tongue-tie off. 6.00
3 CORDOBA *** Query at the trip but will find this easier than Stewards Cup. 8.00
4 MAGICAL TALENT *** Ran on well over the mile last start so 1800m no issue. Goes close. 8.00
5 BEE AHEAD ** Disappointing last start but usually thereabouts over this type of race. 20
6 DANGER ZONE *** Incredibly placed at last ten starts and must go close again with an upgrade to blinkers. 4.00
7 FLIGHT OFTHE SAKER *** Out-and-out stayer who comes into this with a nice win over 2000m. Big show. 4.00
8 IZNATE ** Excuses last start so effort to place was excellent so can follow. 12
9 ALFONSO ** Honest and have to include somewhere with blinkers off. 12
10 GOLD HILL ** Placed over the mile last start and in the mix in what is a race with depth. 12
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Race 9
Selections; 2 JOHNNY GUITAR – 4 WALL STREET BOY – 6 SPALATO – 1 STEPITUP
It’s not often the top rated horse in WFA or set-weight races get left out of the top three picks and even more rare that the horse left out is the 3YO champion, STEPITUP. And while he can win, STEPITUP might just need a tad longer than 1600m to win in this company and happy to look elsewhere. JOHNNY GUITAR ran second to EMPERORS MAX last start in the STEWARDS CUP and that form at set-weights holds up here. In his favour is that he is stepping up from 1400m and he could be hard to beat. WALL STREET BOY’ s effort – albeit at KSA weight conditions – behind MARTIN was very good at his last start and certainly has him under notice over this trip and longer. The flashy chestnut will be storming late and given there should be a solid clip early, his style should be suited. The interesting runner is SPALATO. Trainer John O’Hara has had no hesitation throwing the impressive two-from-two winner into Group company and he might get support and run a huge race. The mare BENDICION another to watch and she might just be the value.
1 STEPITUP *** Champion 3YO and while a big show, the mile is as short as he wants. 6.00
2 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Ran on well in the Stewards Cup and this looks perfect to get back into the winners circle. 4.00
3 CAVALLO ** Also ran on well late behindEmperors Max in the Stewards Cup and a must for exotics. 16
4 WALL STREET BOY *** Showed more than enough over the mile last start to think he is right in this late. 5.00
5 VALBUENA ** Supported and went OK last start and could be a horse to follow over more ground. 12
6 SPALATO *** Huge leap of faith but bolted in at two career starts and could be one out of the box. 3.00
7 FLYING TEMPO * Honest but should be outclassed at set-weights. 33
8 BENDICION *** Smart mare who should be right in this finish. 10
9 EMPRESS WU ** A big test but should be more than competitive on solid recent form. 14
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Race 10
Selections; 1 ASTROSTAR – 2 CORONET PEAK – 7 STRUBELI – 4 MY SHINE
ASTROSTAR looks better than most in this KSC Poly sprint and happy to think he gets back into the winners circle here. And given the 3YO has had six starts on the Polytrack for fours wins and two “bee’s appendage” seconds, he looks very very hard to beat. Also in his favour is that he bounced back to OK form last start after being outclassed in the Group 3 3YO Sprint and obviously being back on his winning surface is a bonus. A few horses keep him honest and CORONET PEAK will go very close to winning this. The 6YO has been in very good form of late and easily up to a race like this on best behaviour. The other two that could win are MY SHINE – who is always a threat in races like this – and STRUBELI who looks well placed from gate two with a handy 2kg claim. But ASTROSTAR the one to beat and hopefully he doesn’t start in the red.
1 ASTROSTAR *** OK last start after ambitious Group run and should win back int his company on the Polytrack. 2.00
2 CORONET PEAK *** In-form and right in this finish. 5.00
3 DRAGON KING ** Freshened after a good run and worth thought from gate 1 with winkers. 8.00
4 MY SHINE *** Always a show in races like this and keeps them all honest. 6.00
5 BOARD WALK ** Blinkers on as he drops back in trip and have to take on trust. 13
6 HARDEN UP * Shown nothing at two runs back. 100
7 STRUBELI *** Honest and in the mix when it counts in this field. 8.00
8 MIGHTY CREATION ** In-and-out runner and will make ground late if right. 20
9 MY FRIEND JO * Needs longer. 100
10 MACHFIVE * Goes OK on his day but prefer in easier. 33
11 SACRED EMBLEM * Form reads badly but the type who can surprise at odds. 100
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Race 11
Selections; 4 MISTER CANDY – 3 NORTHERN GOLD – 7 MY TRICIA – 5 KINGSLEY
A tough race to finish with no stand-out and a few horses showing enough late at their last starts to follow. Of those who put in eye-catching efforts, KINGSLEY looks ready to show his best and will very much appreciate jumping from a fair gate. BEAT TO QUARTERS also showed plenty over 1100m so this trip will suit and both might be value. But the horse they have to beat is MR CANDY who finally broke through at his last start. But given he did everything bar win at plenty of starts prior to winning, he can go on with the job with Pat Shaw keeping with the winning hoop, Davey Flores. NORTHERN GOLD is also one to follow on what he showed first-up after a break and trainer Cliff Brown has a great record over 1400m as does the “gold” horses. The other obvious pick is MY TRICIA who showed last start he more than handles Class 4 company might even starts favourite in what is an even affair.
1 JIMTOWN ** Ran on OK at first run in Singapore and improves over 1400m. 12
2 AMBER SHADE ** Former Japanese galloper who will improve over longer but trail suggests he could go OK first-up. 20
3 NORTHERN GOLD *** Had plenty of excuses first run back and that effort good enough to follow. 6.00
4 MISTER CANDY *** Broke through for overdue maiden win last start and can go backto- back. 3.50
5 KINGSLEY *** Best work late last start has him under notice and goes close if he can make use of better gate. 6.00
6 CLERMONT CLUB ** Back in trip after over-racing with blinkers added last start. Keep safe. 12
7 MY TRICIA *** Loves the trip and showed last start he can win this company. 3.50
8 BEAT TO QUARTERS *** Excellent work late over 1100m last start has him under notice over this trip. 8.00
9 PALOMBARO * Prefer on Poly. 50
10 ZAC VELOCITY * Coming off a shocker and needs Class 5. 50
11 BIG BANG KING * Needs easier. 100
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