Joao Moreira and War Affair on their way to victory from Bringithome (Tengku Rehaizat) in the Inglis Sydney Juvenile Stakes – Singapore Racing 13-05-03
The fun starts right about now. With the Three-Year-Old Championship getting under-way today with the Group 3 3YO Sprint and a undercard that includes a cracking Kranji Stakes A over 1400m, it is a day not to be missed. The juvenile champion, WAR AFFAIR, headlines the feature event (race 9) and there looks no reason why he won’t continue his dominance over his own age group. Already boasting three Group juvenile wins on his ever growing resume, the O’Reilly gelding showed he was top class when finishing second in the WFA Group 1 Raffles Cup and after a shock change of trainers, he showed first-up for Alwin Tan that he has lost nothing in translation. But the race has many talented 3YO’s and to make it tough for punters, only DESERT FOX and DANIEL have raced at this level against WAR AFFAIR. So while the likes of the exciting RITE OF SPRING, FAALTLESS and ASTROSTAR have been super impressive winning races with some ease, there must be a slight query on their winning hopes at this level. The race certainly has depth – GOODMAN placed in the Three Ring Trophy and could be the value in this crack field – but WAR AFFAIR knows how to win and is the horse to beat. In the Kranji Stakes A (race 11), the winner will be very hard to find with some quality horses at the top of the ratings trying to find their respective best form and some progressive types down the weights ready to show they have what it takes. An easier punting option could be BLACK FIERY in race 10 on the bumper 12 race card, with the Tale Of The Cat 3YO very well-placed in what is just a fair Kranji Stakes D field.
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Best Bets; BLACK FIERY (race 10, win), KLEVER MAN (race 8, each-way) and BOGART (race 12, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2, 4, 5 and 6), race 10 (1), race 11 (Field), race 12 (3, 4, 7, 8 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; 5 KLEVER MAN – 8 LET GO LENNI – 6 BALE STAR – 2 METEOR MIKE
Great race and while a couple can’t win, expect a very busy finish with the likes of BALE STAR, KLEVER MAN and LET GO LENNI all in with a serious winning shout. And while METEOR MIKE and NATURAL NICE keep the talented trio honest and ONE SMART CAT could run a big race, the winner should come from the top three picks. You could easily make a case for LET GO LENNI on his very good Class 4 win – his first in Singapore. The former Aussie came with big wraps and showed last start – albeit in weaker company – that he could have plenty to offer in Singapore. BALE STAR is super honest and looks to have found a very suitable race to turn some very good form into a win. Blinkers go on and he looked to have a good hit-out for this at a recent trial. But from the trials, KLEVER MAN might be the one to be on. The 4YO is resuming after a good campaign but a recent trial sans blinkers looked very strong and given he also has good first-up form, he could be the testing material.
1 CONGO ZANDOR * Yet to show his best in Singapore. 100
2 METEOR MIKE ** Put in a rare bad run last start but pay to forgive as worth a look each-way. 20
3 NATURAL NICE ** Another who was only fair last time-out but normally figures somewhere at the business end. 20
4 ONE SMART CAT ** Saddle has slipped last two outings but smart and goes very close with senior hoop. 5.00
5 KLEVER MAN *** Resuming sans blinkers but recent strong trial suggests he can win first-up. 3.00
6 BALE STAR *** Blinkers go on, recent trial good and certainly due. 4.00
7 DRAGON SPIRIT * Struggling. 100
8 LET GO LENNI *** Got his act together to win impressively at third Singapore start and pay to follow. 3.00
9 LOYAL FRIENDS ** Appreciates first-up run and certainly worth including in exotics. 16
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Race 9
Selections; 1 WAR AFFAIR – 2 RITE OF SPRING – 4 FAALTLESS – 6 DANIEL
WAR AFFAIR is all class. As a 2YO, he took all before him and showed as a young 3YO at open WFA level in the Raffles Cup that he will win a Group 1 race sooner than later. There was some doubts on how he would return after a shock change of stables but his first-up run was easily good enough – second to EMPEROR MAX – to suggest he is near his best. And his best wins at set-weights against his own age group although the 3YO Group 3 Sprint – the first leg of the 3YO Challenge – is one of the best fields seen in this race for many a year. There are six last start winners in the race suggesting the form line will be hard to follow especially given five of those winners did so with the proverbial leg in the air. RITE OF SPRING looks the obvious danger to WAR AFFAIR and his first-up win over DANIEL (also a show) has him under serious notice and hard to leave out FAALTLESS and GOODMAN to name just another two. Great race.
1 WAR AFFAIR *** Champion 2YO who showed first-up that he could dominate the 3YO series. 2.70
2 RITE OF SPRING *** Very smart and the form around DANIEL suggests he is more than up to winning at Group level. 3.50
3 ASTROSTAR ** Rarely runs a bad race and while tested at this level, should be competitive. 12
4 FAALTLESS *** Hard to fault form and one start on turf for one win suggests he goes close again. 5.00
5 GOODMAN *** Showed class when placing in the Three Rings and pay to keep safe at value. 12
6 DANIEL *** Excuses for only bad run and form around WAR AFFAIR and RITE OF SPRINg obviously holds up here. 8.00
7 DESERT FOX ** Very progressive type coming off a strong win and might get out to value in this strong field. 16
8 PERFECT CHALLENGER * Big jump in Class but goes good when he gets it right. 50
9 LUCKY MISSION * Has been well placed to win his last three but this is a big ask. 50
10 ROOM FOR EXCUSE ** Lack of winning form a concern but showed last start behind FAALTLESS he has something to offer. 20
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Race 10
Selections; 1 BLACK FIERY – 2 MAGIC OCEAN – 6 MACAU ROULETTE – 5 ARROWHEAD
BLACK FIERY could be a good thing in this KSD poly sprint. The Tale Of The Cat 3YO has done little wrong in all but one of his five career starts and given he backed up a nice maiden win with a good run in Novice Class, he is hard to beat. Just in case, Theo Kieser has opted for a 3kg claimer in Snowy Noh and from a fair gate (6), he should have no excuses. If he is not at his best, MAGIC OCEAN could easily win. It will pay to forget his last start – plenty of excuses – and back in his winning grade and over his three-time winning trip. MACAU ROULETTE took an age to break his maiden status – start 20 no less – but given he walked home in Class 5 company he might just go on with the job but this is obviously tougher. Of the rest, ARROWHEAD is a maiden but shows potential and might appreciate the company with SUGAR MAN and THAT’STHEONE the only other two to include in exotics.
1 BLACK FIERY *** Backed up maiden win with a very good run in Novice Class and looks well-placed here with a 3kg claim. 2.00
2 MAGIC OCEAN *** Excuses last start and looks a big show back in winning grade. 4.00
3 SUGAR MAN ** Coming off a poor run but this is easier and winkers added suggests improvement. 20
4 THAT’STHEONE ** Upgrade to blinkers and showed last start why it always pays to include in exotics. 12
5 ARROWHEAD *** Maiden who went OK last start and might get support in this grade. 5.50
6 MACAU ROULETTE *** Broke maiden status in no uncertain terms albeit in a weak Class 5 last start and pay to follow. 6.00
7 LIGHTNING MAC * Did it super tough wide last start but probably needs Class 5 to have a say. 33
8 WINNING STAR * Maiden who may need Class 5. 100
9 LUCKY TWENTY THREE * Needs longer. 50
10 PISTOL DAWN * Keep drinking. 200
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Race 11
Selections; 1 FLAX – 4 TRUDEAU – 11 HOT GOLD – 5 MARTIN
This looks a very tough race for form given a couple of the top chances – FLAX and RED BEARD – come into first and second-up respectively. In FLAX’s favour is that he resumed in a similar affair this time last year and certainly did well on that occasion finishing second to THE COMEDIAN. Obviously his trainer, David Hill, is tracking a similar route to the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May and a big run would not surprise. RED BEARD didn’t flatter first-up but you could make excuses and he will be in punters thoughts on class alone. Plenty of others to watch in what is an even affair – not sure who starts favourite – but it will pay to forget TRUDEAU’s last start where he was eased down as does enjoy this trip as does HOT GOLD who looks a serious threat with only 49kg. Keep EMPRESS WU in winning calculations and MARTIN who has to win sooner than later given the form he shows.
1 FLAX *** Resuming and went very well first-up this time last year. Keep safe. 6.00
2 RED BEARD *** Just fair first-up but improves for the outing and loves this trip. 5.00
3 SPEEDY CAT ** Hasn’t been at his best of late but comes under notice with 3kg claimer. 20
4 TRUDEAU *** Pay to ignore last start as previous form has him winning races like this. 6.00
5 MARTIN *** Always in the mix but not having won for over a year is a concern. 8.00
6 RAPIDO STAR ** Hard to follow but goes well when having a good day. 33
7 SIR LOVESALOT ** Back on the turf in his favour and could run a cheeky race at odds. 33
8 BORN TO FLY ** Resuming and while yet to win at this level, is always competitive. 33
9 EMPRESS WU *** Issues last start but happy to ignore as recent trial suggests she is ready to show her best. 6.00
10 TOUCH OF GOLD ** Form better than it reads and will put in an honest effort late. 20
11 HOT GOLD *** Looked a good thing beaten last start in similar affair and goes mighty close. 5.00
12 GOLD RUN ** Big step up in Class but in-from and always some show over 1400m. 12
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Race 12
Selections; 3 TURANGAWAEWAE – 8 BEST TOTHELIGN – 9 RISE ‘N’ SHINE – 4 BOGART
TURANGAWAEWAE has won two from two and with Laurie Laxon happy to keep him in suitable races to protect his unbeaten record, he can win this Graduation. His two wins have been impressive and the fact he won over 1400m last start and will race on the pace, he could be hard to beat. But two other horses – ABSOLUTELY and BEST TOTHELIGN – both won well at their only starts and also look the types that go through the grades; hard to split so tote best guide. Of the others, RISE ‘N’ SHINE looked a good thing beaten last start and given the effort to place was very good and his debut win was also good, he is a horse to follow. BOGART is better than just “honest” and he will be in the mix throughout after showing he has lost little after a short break. Good race.
1 KATE’S KEEPER ** Honest and claim won’t hurt his chances. 33
2 YOU DA ONE ** Recent trial OK and can improve on just fair Singapore debut with blinkers removed. 100
3 TURANGAWAEWAE *** Smart enough 3YO who looks well placed to win again in Graduation company. 2.90
4 BOGART *** Very consistent and claim looks a very smart move. Can win. 5.00
5 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER ** Winkers on dropping back from 1800m. Keep safe. 12
6 SILVER STREAK ** Showed plenty last start and have to respect on that effort. 20
7 ABSOLUTELY *** Won well on debut and looks up to this. 6.00
8 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Another who won well enough on debut to follow. 6.00
9 RISE ‘N’ SHINE *** Looked a good thing beaten at second start and can make amends from the ace. 5.00
10 MAREA NEGRO ** Won over the mile last start and certainly on the improve. 20
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