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
A couple of Singapore’s finest in STEPITUP and SUPER NINETYSEVEN headline the
JBBA Moonbeam Vase and 1800m feature will be a terrific indication of what the pair have
to offer over the coming months.
The two stars of Singapore racing battled it out in two legs of the Three-Year-Old Challenge
and although STEPITUP clean-sweeped that particular series, SUPER NINETYSEVEN had
the last laugh in 2013 when winning the Group 1 Raffles Cup over 1800m.
The Show A Heart 4YO has returned in 2014 in terrific form and his luckless second
placing in the Polytrack Mile Championship all bodes well for a big run, both in this Group
3 and some bigger races in the coming months.
But STEPITUP has also shown in 2014 that he is still the benchmark at the top level and his
run in the Polytrack Mile was also full of merit given the ground he covered wide on the
tight all-weather surface.
The pair will no doubt figure heavily in this finish with connections of both horses looking
forward to a start in the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May and some mouth
watering head-to-head clashes in the Four-Year-Old series which culminates in the Emirates
Singapore Derby in July.
Elsewhere on the card, some smart 3YO’s clash in the Novice sprint (race 11) and it will
interesting to see if the punters flock to the Not a Single Doubt gelding, RAISE NO
DOUBT.
After a promising start to his juvenile season in Australia – which included a solid Group
run – RAISE NO DOUBT arrived as a maiden but after smashing them at his Singapore
debut will certainly go through the grades.
But this field is solid and includes the likes of VICTORY ACHIEVER, USAIN BOLT and
the Japanese gelding, YANGON, who won very well at his race debut.
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Best Bets; SUPER NINETY SEVEN (race 10, win), RAISE NO DOUBT (race 11, win) and
LUCKY GENERAL (race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (4, 7, 8, 9 and 10), race 10 (1, 2, 3, and 10), race 11 (3), race
12 (Field).
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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; 8 ITALIAN JOB – 3 PETRENUI – 1 SUPERNOVA – 7 FLASH GIFT
A cracking race and given a couple at the top of the ratings tried their luck at WFA Group
poly sprint company last start, the winner will earn his cheque. Of the two coming off
Group runs – SUPERNOVA and VALEVOLE – it is SUPERNOVA who is the horse to
follow. All the 5YO’s wins (six) have been on the Polytrack and you could forgive his run at
the top level last start. Bruce Marsh has opted for a 2kg claimer in Zuriman on
SUPERNOVA and that could be a winning move as the smart ITALIAN JOB was getting
some 5kg off before the allowance. As it stands, ITALIAN JOB looks hard to beat with just
52.5kg, both on recent race form and some very strong trial form. Likewise, PETRENUI –
who is resuming – comes in this with a super trial under his belt and happy to think he can
show his best (which is good enough to win this) first-up. Hard to leave out FLASH GIFT
as a winning hope but ITALIAN JOB might be the one they all have to beat.
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1 SUPERNOVA *** Will find this more to his liking than the WFA Merlion Trophy and
hard to beat. 3.50
2 VALEVOLE ** Another who improves after finding the Merlion too tough. 20
3 PETRENUI *** Smart Poly sprinter resuming and recent strong trial suggests he goes
very well. 4.50
4 GOLDEN SAND STEED ** Honest and first-up run good enough to follow in what is a
suitable race. 12
5 MY SON * Form hopeless but recent trial OK so could improve with winkers added. 33
6 BAHEN ** Better than his recent form suggests and pay to keep safe. 20
7 FLASH GIFT *** Turned some nice form into a win last start and too good to leave out of
winning calculations. 6.00
8 ITALIAN JOB *** In super form this campaign and trials like a winner. Hard to beat.
3.00
9 LET’S SEE ACTION ** In-form and looks a solid each-way hope with just 50kg. 12
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Race 9
Selections; 4 POWERPAC – 9 LUCKY GENERAL – 7 ENZO – 8 LADY POWER
A terrible race and when a horse with no form from his last six runs gets a big mention on a
gear change alone, good luck if your’e having a punt. The horse in question in LUCKY
GENERAL and the good news if you are on him is that he races a lot better with head-gear.
The other good news is that he comes from an astute punting stable so look for support and
a big run for new hoop, H Syafiq. On form though, you would want to be on POWERPAC.
The one-time winner went ever so close last start after doing it tough and while drawn badly
here, he could be too good. The race has no depth with the only other winning (or even
place hopes) being ENZO, LADY POWER, SINGLE STAR and perhaps FABERGE. To
make matter worse, WONDER GENERAL is the emergency runner and he could bolt this
in if he gets a start.
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1 D’DON * Tongue-tie removed after issues last start but hopeless as a rule. 100
2 JAWARA * Form hopeless but so is this field and could improve with blinkers, the ace
and a 3kg claim. 100
3 ACORDO DE PAZ * Maiden but better than a few of these so have to include somewhere.
20
4 POWERPAC *** Drawn wide but coming off a close-up placing so hard to beat. 4.00
5 SILVER FLY * Blinkers off but impossible on form. 100
6 RISING SHADOW * Struggles as a rule. 100
7 ENZO *** Not the ideal trip but in-form and that counts for plenty in this type of race.
4.00
8 LADY POWER *** Will find this easier than last start and must have some show. 4.00
9 LUCKY GENERAL *** Impossible on recent form but blinkers back on is significant so
look for support and a big run. 5.00
10 SINGLE STAR *** Upgrade to blinkers and race suitable – goes close if he gets away.
8.00
11 SHEN KIM * Has been struggling. 100
12 FABERGE ** Form OK and certainly up to a race like this. Keep safe. 8.00
13 WONDER GENERAL *** Could be backed and hard to beat if he gets a start. 3.00
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Race 10
Selections; 2 SUPER NINETYSEVEN – 1 STEPITUP – 6 WILD GEESE – 10 BENDICION
This years addition of the Moonbeam Vase looks a beauty with arguably Singapore’s two
best middle distance horses – STEPITUP and SUPER NINETYSEVEN – heading a very
good field. Not much splits the two 4YO’s and although STEPITUP had the wood over his
rival in the 3YO series, SUPER NINETYSEVEN looks to be in super form this year and
ready to win again. The Australian-bred gelding won at Group 1 WFA level over this trip
and although he can find trouble in races, his work late last start had him as a good thing
beaten and he can make quick amends here. Of the rest, WILD GEESE looks the best
weighted horse in the race and does deserve to win a group race for all his good form in
features and BENDICION looks a very promising type and showed last start she can match
it at this level with just 50kg.
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1 STEPITUP *** Rarely runs a bad race and right in this finish. 3.00
2 SUPER NINETYSEVEN *** Looked a good thing beaten last start and extremely hard to
beat over 1800m. 2.00
3 CASH LUCK ** Bounced back after two poor runs last start and a big hope on best form.
12
4 NANDOWRA ** Not at his very best of late but worth a look in exotics. 20
5 DON PLATENSE ** In-form and has a nice recent trial under his belt. Value. 8.00
6 WILD GEESE *** Always a show in this company and looks well in at the race
conditions. 6.00
7 MUSKETEER ** Consistent and keeps the two favourites honest. 10
8 MARTIN ** Disappointing last start but up in trip in his favour and could be the value. 12
9 CITY LAD ** Usually competitive and could give some cheek from the ace. 20
10 BENDICION ** Showed last start why he is a horse to follow and must be a hope with
just 50kg. 8.00
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Race 11
Selections; 3 RAISE NO DOUBT – 9 YANGON – 5 VICTORY ACHIEVER – 4 USAIN COLT
RAISE NO DOUBT was going around in some pretty serious 2YO company in Australia
early last year and while arriving in Singapore as a three start maiden, he was always going
to be better than that. So it was no surprise that he won on debut but what surprised a few
given he went off a shade under 3-1, was the ease of his win. On that performance – coupled
with the potential he showed in Australia – he could be better than these and hard to beat.
However, YANGON had a tough run at his race debut and his effort to win was huge. The
Japanese-bred 3YO looks well placed with 53kg and give a trouble free run with race
experience under his belt, he could test RAISE NO DOUBT. Only two others with winning
hopes and both VICTORY ACHIEVER back on his winning surface and USAIN COLT
with blinkers added could show up at value given they both are coming off disappointing
runs.
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1 ATELIER LIBRE * Appreciates Singapore debut run but this Novice field looks strong. 33
2 JUST FOR J * No. 100
3 RAISE NO DOUBT *** Bolted in at Singapore debut and looks a very promising type.
2.00
4 USAIN COLT ** Blinkers added after never looking comfortable last start and worth
another look on strong debut win. 5.00
5 VICTORY ACHIEVER *** Very disappointing as odds on pop on the Poly last start but
back to winning surface suggests he shows his best. 3.50
6 SMART MOVE * No. 200
7 DRAGON PERK * 4YO making race debut and might find this too tough. 50
8 FRANCES * Back in trip after being disappointing. Passing. 33
9 YANGON *** Huge effort to win on debut after very chequered run and have to respect.
4.50
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Race 12
Selections; 7 VERGLATICA – 2 BEAUTIFUL WORLD – 10 GALLANT HEIGHTS –
5 DAAD’S THE WAY
Tough race to finish the meeting and with luck any winnings gained throughout the day can
go towards VERGLATICA in what is a very suitable affair. The 4YO broke his maiden
status over this trip in September and after a short spell, his three runs over sprint distances
this campaign have been good. Back up to 1700m is ideal and he looks hard to beat with
Harry Kassim on-board. But the race has plenty of depth and a horse that is due is
BEAUTIFUL WORLD. The 6YO has done everything bar win of late and certainly the
benchmark in races like this. Two horses come into this in red-hot Class 5 form with HEAR
ME and GALLANT HEIGHTS both looking for a hat-trick of wins. Of the two,
GALLANT HEIGHTS with young-gun Kif Toh on-board looks the more progressive and
worth a look. Of the rest, DAAD’S THE WAY is always a show in this type of race and has
to be respected with PIN YIN, ZAC SEDUCTION, CHRISTMAS and STREET CHAMP
all with winning hopes and it will also pay to keep the emergency, CAUTION, safe at odds
if he gets a start.
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1 CLAIM ** Just fair at two Singapore starts but easier company and blinkers added should
see improvement. 33
2 BEAUTIFUL WORLD *** Overdue for a win given form and right in this. 4.00
3 CHRISTMAS *** Drawn wide but showed last start he wins a race like this. 12
4 IRISH FLASH ** Placed last two starts this surface and trip so worth though at each-way
odds. 12
5 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Veteran back to suitable trip and always some hope. 12
6 PINYIN *** Broke maiden status in fine style similar affair last start and pay to follow
although wide gate a concern. 6.00
7 VERGLATICA *** Flying over shorter journeys and hard to beat over his winning trip.
4.00
8 ZAC SEDUCTION *** Another fancy drawn wide but have to include somewhere. 7.00
9 HEAR ME *** Coming off back-to-back Class 5 wins and have to respect although this is
tougher. 12
10 GALLANT HEIGHTS *** Another coming off back-to-back Class 5 wins and worth a
look. 12
11 STREET CHAMP *** OK late last start and worth a look at odds with blinkers back on.
33
12 NEWFOUNDFAME * Wait for easier company. 200
13 CAUTION *** Will be value in a race that suits. 33
14 BRILLIANT POWER *** Disappointing in the fact he hasn’t won yet in Singapore but
pay to keep very safe. 12
