Huka Falls goes for $1million in winnings without a single black-type win
It’s safe to say there wouldn’t be many better horses NOT to have won a Group race than HUKA FALLS. If he wins race 8 on the card today – an Open sprint over 1200m – he joins a very elite Club of a million dollars in prizemoney without a “black-type” race and remarkably it will be his fifteenth career win from 39 starts. Dare we say it; “he goes good”.
He also wears the trainer’s silks, so he would be a favourite in the Laxon stables. The race is a beauty though and while no one would be surprised if HUKA FALLS does do the right thing and win, he won’t start favourite with that honour likely to fall to impressive last start winner, SUPER WINNER. The Poly specialist won the Korean Racing Association Trophy on that occasion and while this is tougher, the win was too impressive to ignore.
KB Soo – who has ridden the 4YO exclusively at all nine starts – will appreciate gate 1 and the pair may try to make every post a winner. Elsewhere on the card, a newcomer from Australia in IDYLLIC SCENERY might make an auspicious Singapore debut.
The one-time winner has looked very good at a couple of local trials and given the Class 4 field is moderate at best, he gets a chance to repay his airfare.
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Sunday 30 August
Best Bets: (SUPER WINNER race 8, win), (BEST TOTHELIGN race 9, each-way) and (IDYLLIC SCENERY race 10, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (1 and 5), race 8 (1, 2, 5 and 8), race 9 (1, 3, 5 and 7), race 10 (1, 4, 6 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 7
Selections; 1 MASTERMIND – 5 LADY ROULETTE – 3 ICONNIC – 2 HONGCHEN
Not many of these are horses you would say are strong at the end of their races. Case in point is MASTERMIND. However, the 6YO did a good job to hold them off in Class 4 last start and while he has more weight to carry (5kg), this is easier and he could prove hard to pass again. Alan Munro has been riding more patient races on LADY ROULETTE and she has been finishing off her races well. Hopefully she gets a bit of luck from the wide gate and would give this a real shake on recent form. The wild card might be ICONNIC. The 4YO went out like a mad thing last start over 1400m and predictably knocked up; from the good gate expect a more controlled ride from Noreesh Juglall an this distance suits. Most of the others want weaker grade or, like HONGCHEN, are better on turf.
1 MASTERMIND *** Drops in Grade. Won in Class 4 last start and should be on the speed throughout. 2.50
2 HONGCHEN ** Can run on but only wins have been on turf over longer. 20
3 ICONNIC ** Showed speed but dropped away when resuming. Could improve this trip. 12
4 NATURAL NINE ** Still a maiden. Gets Michael Rodd and could show up on best form. 12
5 LADY ROULETTE *** Has been ridden more patiently and is running on well. Can get in the finish. 2.50
6 ONE UNITED ** Needs to improve on recent efforts but should enjoy being back on the Poly. 10
7 EASY EASY * Battling in Class 4. This is easier but may want Class 5. 20
8 WARSPIRIT * Excuses last start but may want easier and longer. 33
9 NOVA ACE * Wants easier. 50
10 STOCK BROKER * Broke through last start but this is much harder. 33
11 DR OCTOPUS * Slow starts an issue and better in Class 5. 33
12 LIVE IN HOPE * Tested. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 5 SUPER WINNER – 1 HUKA FALLS – 8 WIMBLEDON – 2 CAVALLO
The established polytrack sprinter in HUKA FALLS and the up-and comer in SUPER WINNER look the top two chances in this top-grade Poly sprint. And while HUKA FALLS is a 14-time winner and obviously has the runs on the board, it was hard not to be impressed by SUPER WINNER in the Korean Racing Authority Trophy and he is the one to beat. This is harder but he gets some 5kg at the handicap conditions on HUKA FALLS and that looks telling. Plenty of depth to this race though and WIMBLEDON with his lightweight looms a possible spoiler. The 4YO wasn’t far off SUPER WINNER in the KRA Trophy and should keep him honest here. Likewise, HYPERNOVA appreciates 50kg and looks a very good value option while CAVALLO will be doing best work late. Go even wider in exotics. These races can throw up surprises with the likes of DAVIDE and TRUDEAU in the field.
1 HUKA FALLS *** Top polytracker who will find this easier than last start. Should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
2 CAVALLO *** Runs on and always a threat in these. 5.00
3 DAVIDE ** Blinkers on. Trialed well recently and will be closing late. 8.00
4 TRUDEAU ** Racing honestly but finds it hard to win. Blinkers may help. 12
5 SUPER WINNER *** Has won six from seven on the poly including KRA trophy at last start. Up in grade but gets weight relief and will get a gun run throughout. 3.00
6 SOUTHERN BOSS * Has speed but will be found out late. 50
7 HYPERNOVA ** Ran on well last start and could show up at value with no weight. 12
8 WIMBLEDON *** Racing well and gets in with no weight. Can give a sight. 5.00
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Race 9
Selections; 3 BEST TOTHELIGN – 7 BRAHMA CIRCUS – 1 MAC VOLKS – 5 GOLDEN CURL
BEST TOTHELIGN has a very good polytrack record and looks well placed here to knock in another win. The 5YO will strip fitter after two runs this campaign and given he had excuses last start and did it tough wide, he could be hard to beat with luck in running for Michael Rodd from gate 10. BRAHMA CIRCUS has not missed a place in 10 poly starts with two wins in that tally. The 4YO is up in grade after a rare turf run (and win) but will put in his usual honest effort and has to be a serious contender. MAC VOLKS will find this easier than his last start and also looks a wining hope with Alan Munro onboard. These look the top picks though there are others with credentials in Class 3 including GOLDEN CURL who will be flying late with a 4kg claimer up and BAHEN who has five Poly wins to his name. Of the rest, MINGS MAN if given a more patient ride could be running on late and it will pay to keep the emergency, STIRLING, safe.
1 MAC VOLKS *** Will find this easier than last start. Awkwardly drawn but can be prominent throughout. 6.00
2 BAHEN ** Runs on and can be closing late. 12
3 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Caught wide after excuses early last start. Surface and distance suit. Should be hard to hold out. 6.00
4 BLACK FIERY ** Only battled last start but will appreciate being back on the Poly. 25
5 GOLDEN CURL *** Ran on well last start. Suited this grade and distance. Can be in the finish. 6.00
6 SPRING THUNDER ** Resuming and pay to keep safe fresh although will be better over longer. 33
7 BRAHMA CIRCUS *** Broke through last start in BM67. Has been placed at all poly outings and will race well again. 4.00
8 CORDOBA * Only wins have been on turf but could be running on late. 50
9 MINGS MAN ** Disappointed last start but may go better with a more patient ride. 12
10 SMART LAD * Blinkers off. Performed fairly at only poly start. May want longer but could be closing late. 25
11 DRAGON FURY ** Up in grade but won Maiden this trip and should be running on. 12
12 PHILANTHROPIST ** Runs on and has won twice at this trp. Can be in the finish. 6.00
13 STIRLING *** Suited this surface and should get a good run from the gate. Trialed well recently. 6.00
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Race 10
Selections; 4 IDYLLIC SCENERY – 1 RISING EMPIRE – 6 SILVER STAR – 9 GOLDEN PASTURE
A Class 4 over 1200m and like many today, a race with little depth. So a newcomer to Singapore in IDYLLIC SCENERY looks a very good option. The 4YO won a race at Canterbury (NSW) over 1250m and this is not a particularly strong Class 4 so he can win with a couple of very nice trials under his belt. Watch for support. RISING EMPIRE was ridden too far back last start and given little chance; with a more positive ride he can be in the finish. GOLDEN PASTURE has been racing well in weaker company, from his good gate he should be on the speed throughout. SILVER STAR did not have much luck last start being held up at a critical time; he has been racing consistently and should get a good run throughout. There are a number who have been freshened and whilst they might want longer they can make their presence felt. These include SMART VINTAGE, SCIENCE FICTION and FEDERER.
1 RISING EMPIRE *** Slowly away and shifted out very wide last start but still not far away. Could improve with a positive ride. 6.00
2 FEDERER ** Resuming. Trials have been only fair but does enjoy the Poly. 12
3 SCIENCE FICTION ** Recent form poor but trialed well recently with tongue-tie and will appreciate the Poly. 6.00
4 IDYLLIC SCENERY *** Canterbury (NSW) winner over 1200m. Trialing very nicely. Watch market. 5.00
5 SMART VINTAGE * Resuming. Trialing well but only win has been on turf over longer. First poly start. 25
6 SILVER STAR *** Excuses not to win in KSD and solid in Class 4 company recently. Should get a good run throughout. 4.00
7 XIN TREASURE * Battles away but may want easier. 25
8 CLERMONT CLUB * Better over longer. 50
9 GOLDEN PASTURE *** Racing well in weaker grade. Can be prominent throughout. 4.00
10 CAPTAIN MCCAW * Won Maiden at this trip but has just battled at recent starts. Good draw and claim could help. 20
11 CHEETAH KING * Only wins have been on turf. Unplaced in nine poly outings. 33
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