Zac Spirit (John Powell) is airborne as he cruises home for an impressive debut win – Singapore Racing 11-02-13
How far can ZAC SPIRIT go? He will win at Group level – that’s almost a given over 1400m today – but more literally the question would be; can the son of FLYING SPUR show his best over longer when things get serious in the Four-Year- Old Challenge in the up-coming months. As it stands he starts favourite in the Three Rings Trophy and rightly so after giving his main rival in the Group 3 – HOLY EMPIRE – a lesson over 1200m at their recent meeting. The two do look head and shoulders above the others although some support might head the way of the only mare in the race – EMPRESS WU – and the only 3YO in the race – GOODMAN. But while both those horses some into this with strong winning form, this company is a test and more than likely they will be chasing the tails of ZAC SPIRIT and HOLY EMPIRE – two class acts. All things being equal, the pair will no doubt meet again in the Stewards’ Cup – also over 1400m in June – before the Patron’s Bowl over the mile and the crown in the Four-Year-Old crown, the Derby in July. Can’t wait.
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Best Bets; ZAC SPIRIT (race 9, win), GOOD BOSS (race 8, each-way) and COLLECT THE CASH (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10), race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 6), race 11 (2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 14).
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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; 2 GOOD BOSS – 3 BALLY BOY – 10 WONDER GENERAL – 8 FANTASTIC BOY
Hopefully, in honour of the great Arenti, this race will provide punters with a happy ending. GOOD BOSS ticks more boxes than most and looks the obvious choice. He showed last start from a wide gate that he wins soon in Class 5 and given he jumps from gate 1 today, he could be very hard to beat. J See retains the mount which is another bonus given he won on the 6YO six starts back. BALLY BOY was ordinary at best last start when supported but while hard to consider on that effort, his previous form keeps him under notice as does the fact that horses in this grade often have off days. WONDER GENERAL also went like the proverbial busted .. last start and while a risk, his recent trial was OK and he would win this on his day. The improver is FANTASTIC BOY – hopefully at value. He went better than he had been last start when blinkers went off and he does enjoy a change of gear. BOLD BID, LUCK EIGHTY EIGHT and ALWAYS A WINNER the others that can win without too much of a surprise.
1 DESTINY GENERAL * Freshened but not for me. 50
2 GOOD BOSS *** Very much appreciates gate 1 and could prove very hard to run down. 3.00
3 BALLY BOY *** Very disappointing last start with support but worth another look on previous good form. 5.00
4 BOLD BID *** Excuses last start and has to be considered over this trip on best form. 4.50
5 LAM EDITION * Blinkers on first-time but like to see some support as form is ordinary. 100
6 ZAC APPEAL * No. 100
7 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT *** Better gate and Rehaizat suggests he is worth another look on what he showed two back. 10
8 FANTASTIC BOY *** Last start better sans blinkers and pay to follow with top-claimer. 12
9 ALWAYS A WINNER *** In the mix of late and might not find a better race to knock in another win. 5.00
10 WONDER GENERAL *** Coming off a shocker but had excuses and recent trial suggests he could win this. 12
11 SUBDUE * No. 50
12 RED SENSATION * No. 50
13 SMART CHOICE * No. 200
14 WIN THE DAY * No. 200
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Race 9
Selections; 2 ZAC SPIRIT – 1 HOLY EMPIRE – 5 EMPRESS WU – 6 GOODMAN
A small but interesting field heads to the starter for the Three Rings Trophy and while the top two rated horses – HOLY EMPIRE and ZAC SPIRIT – should have a mortgage on the finish, there might be some support for mare – EMPRESS WU and the 3YO – GOODMAN. But as it stands, ZAC SPIRIT is the one to beat after his strong win over HOLY EMPIRE in a KSA event over 1200m three or so weeks back. It looked a toss up between the two on that occasion but the dominate way ZAC SPIRIT won (with some in hand late) suggests he can give HOLY SPIRIT 1kg on the run and still win. But HOLY SPIRIT is all class and with three of his six career wins over 1400m, he could easily bounce back. It could very well be a race in two – the pair are very good – but as mentioned, EMPRESS WU goes OK herself winning five from seven in Singapore and the 3YO, GOODMAN, has done little wrong by winning three on-the-trot after placing on debut.
1 HOLY EMPIRE *** Gets 1kg on ZAC SPIRIT for 1.8 length defeat. Goes close over what looks his best trip. 3.00
2 ZAC SPIRIT *** Coming off a very strong win and won twice over 1400m. Hard to beat again. 2.00
3 GOLIATH * Query on the turf at this level and trip not ideal. 33
4 BALE STAR * Honest as the proverbial but might be outclassed by a couple here. 12
5 EMPRESS WU ** Won five from seven since arriving in Singapore and while this is a test, just goes too well not to consider. 6.00
6 GOODMAN ** Promising 3YO who must rate some hope with 50.5kg. 4.00
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Race 10
Selections; 3 ASTROSTAR – 1 SUPER KENNY – 6 SOLITAIRE – 2 CORONET PEAK
ASTROSTAR looks a very progressive type and the 3YO might prove too good again in this Class 3 Poly sprint. Obviously against the likes of the bang in-form CORONET PEAK and the smart SUPER KENNY, ASTROSTAR will need to be as good as we think he is but given what he showed last start winning easily in BM67 company, he is hard to beat. Santana stays on and from gate five he will have every chance and certainly a horse to follow in the 3YO series. Of the others, SUPER KENNY will enjoy getting back onto the Poly and can continue his good form reunited with regular hoop, Barend Vorster. Obviously CORONET PEAK is another to watch going for five-wins-on-the-trot and SOLITAIRE will be flying late and this race could very much suit the swoopers.
1 SUPER KENNY *** Will enjoy the company and the Poly. Goes very close. 4.00
2 CORONET PEAK *** Hasn’t looked back after breaking maiden status four starts back and some show of five-straight. 3.00
3 ASTROSTAR *** Super impressive winning in BM67 company last start and hard to beat. 2.50
4 ENCOSTA DIABLO ** Will be doing best work late and often value. 20
5 KNIGHT’S COMMAND ** Resuming and goes well enough fresh to include in exotics at value. 33
6 SOLITAIRE *** Another doing best work late and right in this finish. 8.00
7 PRINCESS SARAH ** Start costly last time-out and work late has her under notice at long odds. 50
8 EXCAVATOR * Blinkers added first-time after a terrible run of form and would need support. 50
9 MEDIA CAPTAIN ** Didn’t disgrace himself this company with some support last start and can include somewhere. 14
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Race 11
Selections; 2 SPYDER – 4 CALIFORNIAN JET – 9 COLLECT THE CASH – 14 DANNY
The usual tough Class 4 race to close what has looked a good days racing and with no real stand-out, a few get their chance to turn good form into a win. SPYDER does find trouble but would go very close to winning this with any luck from a wide gate. He will win again in this company sooner than later and Barend Vorster will be hoping for a fair crack at them late and it may well be today. CALIFORNIAN JET is another who looks ready to win and must be a serious hope on what he showed last start. Nunes takes over from Shafiq and the leading hoop might just make the difference given CALIFORNIAN JET – who has yet to open his account in Singapore – has drawn the car park. Plenty of others can win and you could throw a dart at the likes of last start winner, DANNY RICARDO, DREAMCATCHER, COLLECT THE CASH (value) and DANNY with no weight.
1 SUPER SHADOW ** Recent form a concern but appreciates drop to Class 4 with claim and nice gate a bonus. Watch market. 20
2 SPYDER *** Not far away with excuses last start in similar affair. Goes close. 5.50
3 SIR FLEETWOOD * Has won three times on the turf over 1400m but recent good form on the Poly. 33
4 CALIFORNIAN JET *** Placed in good company last start and must go close on that effort. 4.00
5 LIGHT BRIGADE ** OK very late last start and could show-up at odds if ridden forward. 33
6 DANNY RICARDO *** Was due when winning well after changing stables and pay to follow. 5.00
7 DREAMCATCHER *** Hit the line well enough over 1200m last start to place to follow. 12
8 ANODOUBT * No. 200
9 COLLECT THE CASH *** Placed last start in similar affair and recent trial suggests he has trained on. 8.00
10 TAVAN BOGD * Struggling. 200
11 VECTIS * Needs to find a few lengths before we consider. 33
12 BREAKING VAULTS ** Up in Class after knocking in over-due second career win. Exotics. 8.00
13 FUKU’S PET ** Racing in good order and plays a part late. 20
14 DANNY *** Freshened after being unlucky in easier company not to win. Keep safe with no weight. 8.00
15 SWEET BEAUTY * Better than what he showed last start but might need Class 5 to win. 33
16 GOLDEN DOMINATOR * OK late last start but better in Class 5. 200
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