Sebas (Danny Beasley) claims victory (photo Singapore Turf Club)
Some ordinary fields litter the day but a couple of very interesting races late in the day will keep punters on their toes and on-course. Case in point is the Class 3 Poly sprint (race 9) which has two good last start winners in BLUE DIAMOND and SEBAS up against two handy types in OLYMPIC ATHEM and BRIGHT GENERAL who both resume after bleeding attacks.
Of the two horses in winning form, SEBAS was impressive knocking in his third win from just seven career starts but is up in grade while BLUE DIAMOND was making it back-toback wins with his most recent in this Class. Both OLYMPIC ANTHEM and BRIGHT GENERAL won two starts back and given the pair have looked very good at recent trials, they should race well first-up and both could win.
It will be a speed battle throughout so it would be amiss to leave out a swooper in form in EATONS GOLD. The 6YO resumed with a win in Class 4 before storming home late to just miss behind BLUE DIAMOND in this company last start and has to be a big hope if the race is run to suit. Elsewhere on the card, impressive last start winner RED DAWN looks a horse to follow in the lucky last.
True, the 3YO has struck a very good OB67 field that includes the likes of FASTNET ROCK, GREAT SCOTT and CONVICT – who also come into the race in winning form – but from the good gate his jockey, John Powell, should try to make every post a winner. The turf racing is on the E Course (short) which should help the likes of RED DAWN and with this in mind it will pay to keep the 8YO BENJI’S EMPIRE safe in race 9 as he might just pinch a race that looks very suitable.
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Sunday 24 May
Best Bets; (RED DAWN race 11, win), (REMEMBER ME race 8, win) and (BENJI’S EMPIRE race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 6 and 8), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 6 and 10), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 4), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 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; 1 REMEMBER ME – 8 CHI LIN – 3 ZENZERO – 6 PURE WHITE
A Maiden over 1600m on the poly and once again a race with little depth. REMEMBER ME has been close up at all four outings; with Michael Rodd up he should get every chance. He does give weight all-round but might be better than these. Steven Lam does not train many winners but he has a strong chance with CHI LIN who has been knocking on the door and the experienced Alan Munro retains the mount. ZENZERO struggled on the turf last start and found 1900m too far the start prior; he is better suited here with Manoel Nunes to ride. PURE WHITE is another that is rarely far away and he can give bold sight from the front. Of the rest MR DREYFUSS and RIGHT IS RIGHT could show up.
1 REMEMBER ME *** Not far away at recent outings. Placed at only poly start and should be in the finish once again. 4.00
2 PUERTO COLONIA * Argentinean-bred who has shown little to date after OK debut. May appreciate mile and poly. 25
3 ZENZERO *** Struggled on turf last start and found 1900m too far the start prior. Better suited here and will appreciate senior rider. 5.00
4 MR DREYFUSS ** Visor off. Trialled well recently and only placing was over 1200m on poly. Could improve. 12
5 PIONEER LIU * Needs to improve on efforts to date. 50
6 PURE WHITE *** Not far away at past four outings. Suited this trip and should be prominent throughout. 4.50
7 VIVA RAAJ * Faded when resuming but has run some reasonable races at this trip and could give a sight. 20
8 CHI LIN *** Has been battling away well over longer and this distance should be ideal. Can be in the finish. 4.00
9 YUGIOH * Trip suits but needs to improve. 33
10 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * Has been disappointing. 50
11 RIGHT IS RIGHT ** Only placings have been on poly and could give a sight from the good gate. 12
12 SPARKLING STAR * Gets a long way back but can be running on late. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 1 OLYMPIC ANTHEM – 10 BRIGHT GENERAL – 3 EATONS GOLD – 6 SEBAS
A good Class 3 over 1000m with quite a number in form. The interesting runner is OLYMPIC ANTHEM who is resuming after suffering a bleeding attack. The 4YO was a good sprinter in Queensland and showed plenty at his Singapore debut. He has been trialling quietly in the Freedman manner and could show up fresh. Likewise, BRIGHT GENERAL bled last start after a very strong win the start prior. He has trialed good enough to keep safe as well. Both BLUE DIAMOND and SEBAS have been racing well and can be expected to make their presence felt. There is likely to be plenty of speed so the one running on will be EATONS GOLD; he may like a little longer but he will looming large late. Of the others HIMALAYA GOLD will relish being back on the poly, DRAGON SPIRIT could show up fresh and SECRET MISSION is usually thereabouts.
1 OLYMPIC ANTHEM *** Resuming after bleeding attack. Showed plenty at first Singapore outing and should be in the finish. 5.00
2 BLUE DIAMOND *** Racing well. Suited this surface and distance. Should be prominent throughout. 5.00
3 EATONS GOLD *** Runs on very strongly and whilst he might want longer, will be closing late. 4.50
4 HIMALAYA DRAGON ** Poor on turf when resuming but much better suited here. Can give a sight. 12
5 GUARICANA * Former Malaysian who ran on fairly last start but only wins have been on turf and needs to improve. 33
6 SEBAS *** Up in grade and poorly drawn but has a excellent record at this trip will appreciate the 3kg drop in weight. 4.00
7 SECRET MISSION ** Has had only one win in 24 Singapore starts but is rarely far away and should be in thereabouts. 14
8 SOLITAIRE * Runs on but might find these a bit sharp. 25
9 VERTICAL START ** Sharpened by good recent trial and blinkers go on but may find these too fast. 33
10 BRIGHT GENERAL *** Blinkers off. Resuming after bleeding attack. Has plenty of speed, trialing well and could give a sight from the gate. 12
11 DRAGON SPIRIT * Has plenty of speed and can be handy throughout fresh. 16
12 CALIFORNIA EAGLE * Recent efforts ordinary and may need easier. 33
13 RED RIVER ROCK * Caught wide when resuming but may find these too quick. 25
14 MEXBOROUGH BOY * OK late last start but wants easier. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 2 BENJI’S EMPIRE – 1 HYDRO – 3 SKY ELEVEN – 4 SACRED SPIN
A KSD over 1400m on turf and given it’s the Short Course (E), we think BENJI’S EMPIRE can pinch this. The bolter could be three lengths clear with Dellorto on-board when they swing into the straight and while he may get the wobbles late, he will be hard to pass. In saying that, HYDRO gets blinkers and his chance. The 4YO has been close up at all three Singapore outings, should get a nice run throughout behind BENJI’S EMPIRE and be hard to hold out. Of the others SACRED SPIN battles away and ZAC BENEVOLENT has been promising without really delivering. SKY ELEVEN gets a senior rider in Alan Munro and he can improve but most of the others are more comfortable in a weaker grade.
1 HYDRO *** Close up at all 3 Singapore outings. Blinkers and drop in grade will help. 3.00
2 BENJI’S EMPIRE *** Down in grade and will as usual give a bold sight with 3kg claim a bonus. 4.50
3 SKY ELEVEN *** Winkers to blinkers. Fair when resuming but better suited here with senior rider aboard. Watch for support. 6.00
4 SACRED SPIN *** Close up two starts back and only win was at this trip. Nunes may help. 6.00
5 ZAC BENEVOLENT ** Ran on fairly last start. Up in weight but may find this grade to his liking. 10
6 ALAN * Drops in grade but poorly drawn and only wins have been at 1200m. 16
7 BARNBURGH LAD * Recent runs ordinary and may need poly. 20
8 LUCKY LION * Down in grade and blinkers come off but may want Class 5. 16
9 HAPPY CAT * Former Malaysian who has struggled in Class 4 but may want easier. 25
10 REYSHA * Needs Class 5. 33
11 JET SET * Has some speed and usually gives a sight. Only wins are over shorter on poly. 25
12 SUPERMART * Needs Class 5. 33
13 STAGE BRIGHT * Recent form too poor to consider. 50
14 PRINCETON * Spalato’s half-brother but there the resemblance ends. Yet to win in 19 starts. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 3 RED DAWN – 4 FASTNET DRAGON – 1 CONVICT – 13 POLE PARADISE
A BM67 over 1400m closes the programme and gives RED DAWN a chance to knock in another win. The 3Y0 is yet to run a bad race and from the good alley, John Powell should him prominent throughout. The likely danger is FASTNET DRAGON who has hit a rich vein of form. The 4YO has won both starts since blinkers went on and if he gets a sight at the leaders from the wide gate, he will be hard to hold out. GREAT SCOTT is racing well since coming from Malaysia; he has Manoel Nunes and the ace which should give him a good run throughout. Amongst the consistent ones in the race CONVICT, EVA’S DAY and RUSTY BROWN all qualify and should run their usual honest races. The emergency, POLE PARADISE, is also a winning show if he gets a start and given the depth of this field, he may be odds and worth a look.
1 CONVICT *** Consistent at this level and should be in the finish with 1400m ideal. 6.00
2 INTENSE GOLD *** Not far away over a mile at past couple and this distance/Class suits. 6.00
3 RED DAWN *** Yet to run a bad race. Stepping up in trip but should be hard to beat on excellent last start win. 4.00
4 FASTNET DRAGON *** In top form and racing well over this trip. Poorly drawn but can make his presence felt. 6.50
5 RUSTY BROWN *** Honest and should be in the finish. 10
6 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT * Disappointed last outing and distance may test. 33
7 GREAT SCOTT *** Racing well since coming from Malaysia. Should get a good run throughout. 4.50
8 EVA’S DAY ** Honest but has found a good field here. Runs on and can show up from the good gate. 10
9 MAKAWAO * Drops in grade but this is a good field and best form is on poly. 50
10 NATION THEATRE * Usually races well but may want easier, longer and poly. 25
11 VITALLY SECRET * Wins have been over longer on poly. 33
12 LIM’S MIRAGE * Maiden. Tested here. 50
13 POLE PARADISE *** Form a lot better than it reads and will give a sight at odds if he gets a start. 25
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