Mycaptainoblivious
A mixed-bag on Sunday but while there might be some lower Class fodder early in the card, the meeting finishes very strongly with three very good punting races. SUPER NINETYSEVEN is first-up in 2014 in a Kranji Stakes A event (race 9) after what was a very successful 2013 season which culminated in a WFA Group 1 win in the Raffles Cup over 1800m. True, it could have been a lot better after being pipped in two legs of the 3YO series by STEPITUP, but connections would have been more than happy to take two subsequent Group wins before finishing off the campaign with a gallant fourth in the Gold Cup. The 1400m looks ideal fresh and given he won first-up at his last campaign in a similar affair, he looks the one to beat. In saying that, the race is a beauty and while the field is small there is plenty of interest in the likes of JOHNNY GUITAR at his second run in Singapore and the highest rated horse in the race, EL MILAGRO, with a bold 4kg claim. Another to watch is EL PADRINO who looked in good order first-up over 1100m and he might be the value given the support for the other runners mentioned. In race 10 on the card, MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS steps up to Class 3 company and while he faces some in-form horses in SLEW OF LODE and STRUBELI, he has looked top Class winning his last two comfortably and looks the “captain obvious” pick for most pundits. In the lucky last, a Class 4 event over 1400m, it looks wide open with the three 3YO’s – DRAGON FORCE, MY BOY JACK and JOE – all looking at taking the winning step to better company. Of the three, MY BOY JACK has the winning form over 1400m to his name but both JOE and DRAGON FORCE look likely types and could win without surprising.
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Best Bets; MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS (race 10, win), REGAL SALUTE (race 8, win) and EL PADRINO (race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11), race 9 (2, 4, 5, 6 and 7), race 10 (7), race 11 (1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9).
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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; 3 REGAL SALUTE – 2 PRINCESS JANNA – 10 FABERGE – 9 SECONDWAVE
It’s hard to argue with the form that PRINCESS JANA finds herself in. Not long ago the 7YO mare hadn’t won in Singapore in some 31 starts but two wins later she finds herself still in Class 5 looking to continue a run of form that has seen three places and those two 1200m Poly wins from her last five starts. But she has drawn wide and has extra weight to carry which gives REGAL SALUTE – who has finished in the placings at PRINCESS JANA’s two wins – a chance to break through for his maiden wins. A good gate, Nunes and a pull in weights suggests he can win. Horses that could figure that aren’t so obvious are SECONDWAVE and FABERGE. SECONDWAVE has been disappointing but gets gate one back on the Poly – he improves dramatically in this field – and FABERGE has been backed and gone OK at his last two but might be value given Sam Subian takes over from Nunes. RICHEAST goes close but you can almost forget the rest.
1 RISING SHADOW * Struggling but has gone OK for Munro previously. 100
2 PRINCESS JANNA *** Drawn wide but in terrific winning form and has to be a big show. 4.00
3 REGAL SALUTE *** Meets Princess Janna 4kg and seven gates better off for one length defeat. Should win. 3.00
4 RICHEAST *** Supported and went good enough first-up to follow. 7.00
5 VASSILAKOS * Struggling. 200
6 POWERPAC ** Not beaten a mile last start and might be ready to show something. 20
7 GIVE WAY * Struggling. 50
8 ALWAYS A WINNER ** Been in the mix for a while now and needs a result for the support. 6.00
9 SECONDWAVE *** Disappointing last couple but should improve back on the Poly over this trip. Value. 12
10 FABERGE *** Improved with support since blinkers added with excuses last start. Keep safe. 8.00
11 STATE TROOPER * Winkers off but hard to have. 33
12 ZAC WARRIOR ** Disappointing with support last start but goes good enough on his day to follow. 12
13 SUBDUE * Struggling. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 2 SUPER NINETYSEVEN – 7 JOHNNY GUITAR – 6 EL PADRINO – 1 EL MILAGRO
These types of races make form and the subsequent punt extremely tough. FLYING FULTON probably looks the only one that can’t win outright but given the highest prizemoney earner in the race has been holding his own late and placed this trip two starts back, he could even bob up if the race is run to suit. Adding to the intrigue is the equal topweight, EL MILAGRO, having a 4kg claimer on for the first-time. If young Hasri can handle the highly-rated 5YO, the weight pull on the likes of SUPER NINETYSEVEN could be a masterstroke by his trainer, “Stretch” Baertschiger. But SUPER NINETYSEVEN is smart and comes off what was a very good campaign which netted a WFA Group 1 win in the Raffles Cup and a gallant fourth in the Gold Cup. Given he won first-up over 1400m in that campaign, this is obviously ideal fresh and he could be the one to beat even though he carries 58kg. But as mentioned, most can win and down in the weights the Argentinean Group 1 winner, JOHNNY GUITAR, could get support and run a big race over what is a suitable trip. His Singapore debut was a beauty over 1200m and the extra 200m has him right in contention. Honourable mention to EL PADRINO who looked a good thing beaten over 1100m last start and he can win over what is his favourite trip.
1 EL MILAGRO *** 4kg claimer a bold move but in-form and can win. 5.00
2 SUPER NINETYSEVEN *** First-up after excellent campaign that included winning the Raffles Cup and a win over this trip when resuming. Hard to beat. 2.50
3 FLYING FULTON ** Will be doing best work late again. 30
4 TRUDEAU *** Won the EW Barker this trip and recent trail suggests he is cherry ripe for this. 8.00
5 WILD GEESE *** Won well when weighted to win in a Progress but certainly worth thought on Group form last year. 5.00
6 EL PADRINO *** Looked a good thing beaten in a Poly sprint last start and this is more suitable. Value. 12
7 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Showed more than enough at Singapore debut to think he lives up to his Group 1 winning form from Argentina. 4.00
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Race 10
Selections; 7 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS – 2 SLEW OF LODE – 5 CHINESE CULTURE – 4 STRUBELI
A small but quality field heads to the starter for this Class 3 sprint and while the likes of SLEW OF LODE and STRUBELI – both last start winners – will get support and go very close, it might be another last start winner in MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS they find hardest to beat. The 4YO NZ-bred gelding showed more than enough at his first two Singapore outings to think he was going to be OK but his subsequent two wins since blinkers were added have been excellent and a he looks a horse to follow through the grades. Of the rest, not much separates SLEW OF LODE and STRUBELI with the latter winning when they met previously but a weight pull in SLEW OF LODE’S favour has him marginally ahead here. For value, FULL TOSS resuming after a spell and a freshened CHINESE CULTURE both look a must for exotics on their respective strong first-up form.
1 FULL TOSS *** Resuming with tongue-tie added and goes super first-up so pay to keep safe. 20
2 SLEW OF LODE *** Backed up very good debut with a good win and looks well placed here to go on with the job. 3.00
3 SOUTHERN LORD ** Not a million miles away last start and might appreciate the handicap conditions with tongue-tie on. 20
4 STRUBELI *** Starting to put together an impressive CV and right in this finish. 3.50
5 CHINESE CULTURE *** Freshened with nice recent trial under is belt and first-up form good enough to follow. 12
6 EATONS GOLD *** Showed last start he more than handles this type of race and might still be value. 12
7 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS *** Up in Class but just winning too well not to think he might be the real deal. 2.80
8 SPEED DEMON ** Goes oK on his day but like to see some stable support. 20
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Race 11
Selections; 7 JOE – 1 DRAGON FORCE – 4 MY BOY JACK – 9 FAST FAST BOY
An interesting Class 4 in the fact that three 3YO’s – DRAGON FORCE, JOE and MY BOY JACK – all look winning hopes in a race with no stand-out and an interesting newcomer in GINSENG. Not much separates the 3YO’s but 1400m looks a good option for JOE and with Manoel Nunes up, he can win. He should be handy throughout and that won’t hurt in a race like this given DRAGON FORCE – who is also trying 1400m for the first time – and MY BOY JACK, will both be prominent throughout making for a very honestly run race. In MY BOY JACK’s favour is that he has won over 1400m in Novice company and that will hold him in good stead here from gate five with a 4kg claimer on-board. Of the rest, GINSENG makes his Singapore debut and given he has won over a mile in Australia and has trailed well, he could easily show up with the tote a good guide. FAST FAST BOY also looks very well placed over 1400m in this company and looks a winning hope and pay to include last start winner, ALADDIN. Keep Michael Freedman’s seemingly out-of-form pair – SUPER SHADOW and LIVE IN HOPE – safe in exotics as both can improve dramatically.
1 DRAGON FORCE *** Trying 1400m for the first time but gives very indication he enjoys the trip and can win. 4.00
2 SUPER SHADOW ** Recent form a concern but appreciates drop to Class 4 with claim and gate one a bonus. Watch market. 20
3 LIVE IN HOPE ** Recent form better than it reads and worth some thought in what is a suitable race. 20
4 MY BOY JACK *** Not disgraced last start in Graduation company and goes close from better gate with 4kg claim. 8.00
5 ALADDIN *** Wide gate a concern but nice maiden win this trip has him under notice. 6.00
6 GINSENG *** Former Australian who has won over 1600m so this looks perfect at Singapore debut with a couple of nice trials under his belt. 12
7 JOE *** First-time on the turf but certainly showed enough to think he wins soon in Class 4. Big show. 4.50
8 SUPERMART ** Backed up super run in good company with a solid effort in KSD and pay to include in exotics. 12
9 FAST FAST BOY *** Foot on the till and must go very close back to 1400m. 4.50
10 JOYFUL HEART MAN * Resuming after changing stables. Form hopeless but one eye on the tote. 100
11 FUKU’S PET ** Poly specialist but in form and will add value to exotics. 33
12 GOLDEN DOMINATOR * Likes the trip but needs something easier. 100
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