Huka Falls (Joao Moreira) makes it two-from-two in brilliant fashion on Sunday, picture Singapore Turf Club.
It will be interesting to see if followers of Joao Moreira have “pockets-full” after Friday or are licking their brazilian wounds heading to the 11 race card on Sunday.
But regardless of the results on Friday, his mounts will garner plenty of attention and he is every chance to have a red-letter day.
HUKA FALLS gets the Moreira touch and the ten-time winner looks very well placed in the Turkey Trophy sprint with just 52.5g to carry.
That weight looks a luxury given his rating of 101 and while not being at his very best of late, his two runs this campaign have been good and he can show his best and win this. In fact he might even be a good thing.
Elsewhere on the card, BLACK MAMBO has plenty of work to do to be mentioned in the same breath as HUKA FALLS but the 3YO could also be a good thing in Kranji Stakes D company. His win on debut was excellent and the Australian-bred gelding gives every indication the step up to 1400m is ideal.
If things do go “pear-shaped” for punters on the day, BORDEAUX before, in and after the last could be a good option.
Best Bets; (BLACK MAMBO race 10, win), (HUKA FALLS race 9, win) and (BREAKING VAULTS race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3 and 4), race 9 (Field), race 10 (2, 3 and 4), race 11 (1, 2, 3 and 5).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 8
Selections; 1 KAI POWER – 3 RON – 4 BREAKING VAULTS – 6 RAVOUX
KAI POWER might not have set the world on fire knocking in just one win and two places from seven starts in rural Australia, however, the 5YO showed more than enough at his Singapore debut to think he is better than KSD company. In fact he had excuses on that occasion not to have won and with the experienced Corey Brown replacing Aslam, he can make quick amends. In his way could be the succinctly named, RON. The Laurie Laxontrained 5YO won two starts back in Class 5 over the mile and will appreciate getting back on the turf. Obviously the Moreira factor is just that – a factor – and he will be given every chance. Not many other winning hopes but BREAKING VAULTS looks an each-way hope in what is a suitable race and RAVOUX is the type who can step up when you least expect.
1 KAI POWER *** Excuses not to win at Singapore debut and hard to beat on that effort. 2.30
2 HUMOR TOWN ** Recent good run of form has been on the Poly and have to take on trust. 8.00
3 RON *** First-up run was very solid late and goes close in they field. Happy days! 4.00
4 BREAKING VAULTS *** Could make excuses last start and most recent win was this trip/grade. Keep safe. 7.00
5 FOREVER AHEAD ** Impossible on recent form but might appreciate company over winning trip. 20
6 RAVOUX ** Battled on late last start in similar affair but the type that can pop up at odds. 8.00
7 IMPERIOUS ** Maiden racing sans blinkers at first try in open company. Exotics. 33
8 SHENZHOU ONE * Struggling. 50
9 GENERAL CONATUS ** Maiden who placed this company last start and worth another look. 8.00
Race 9
Selections; 4 HUKA FALLS – 2 GOAL KEEPER – 5 CAVALLO – 9 ITALIAN JOB
This race name might sound like a raffle but at the race conditions, the Turkey Trophy might be a one-horse race. The horse in question is HUKA FALLS and with just 52.5kg to carry the 10-time winner could be hard to beat. True, his two runs this campaign haven’t been his best but probably better than they look on paper and with the winnable weight from gate 4, he looks ready to win. GOAL KEEPER won last start and also looks well-placed with 54.5kg off his rating of 103. KB Soo was at his “lion taming” best to win on that occasion and happy to think the combination goes close again. But truth be told you could throw a blanket over the field and CAVALLO won too well last start not to be a big show with the lowest rated horse, ITALIAN JOB, also some hope on super trial form.
1 MR BIG ** Blinkers back on after placing last start and gets his chance with what looks a fair weight. 8.00
2 GOAL KEEPER *** Bounced back to his best under KB Soo last start and pay to follow. 4.00
3 DAVIDE ** Never given a chance to show his best last start and pay to include in exotics. 20
4 HUKA FALLS *** Form better than it looks and could be a monty at the race conditions. 3.00
5 CAVALLO ** Won very well at handicap conditions last start and pay to follow. 6.00
6 PIONEER SEVEN ** Ignore last start where he pulled up lame and some show on best form. 8.00
7 PERFECT CHARGER ** In form but facing biggest test to date. 12
8 INDICIO ** Racing in super form and shown he is up to this company. 12
9 ITALIAN JOB ** Resuming and trailing super so could surprise at odds. 12
Race 10
Selections; 2 BLACK MAMBA – 3 BLACK SNOW – 4 VICTORY ACHIEVER – 5 MAL’S DAD
BLACK MAMBA made a very good debut when winning relatively comfortably over 1200m in 2YO company and looks extremely well-placed to make it two-from-two over 1400m. His win suggests the extra 200m is ideal and with Dan Beasley staying on-board, he could be very hard to beat in KSD company. And while nothing jumps off the page to beat him, BLACK SNOW has been in solid form on the Poly and no reason why he can’t win on the turf. True, his only turf run in Singapore was ordinary but you could make excuses that day so he must go close. VICTORY ACHIEVER got support last start and was given little chance with excuses in running so his effort late has him under notice with Corey Brown staying on. Moreira jumps on MAL’S DAD but that horse is just one of a few with eachway hopes.
1 DRAPPIER * Hard to have on two runs thus far. 100
2 BLACK MAMBA *** Won very well on debut and step up to 1400m in KSD company looks ideal. 2.50
3 BLACK SNOW *** Excuses at only turf run in Singapore and recent form suggests he goes close here. 5.00
4 VICTORY ACHIEVER *** Best work late at his last start when supported suggests he is ready to win. 4.00
5 MAL’S DAD ** Always looks an each way hope and often value. 5.00
6 LET IT ROCK ** Coming off a shocker but will appreciate being back on the turf with blinkers. Value. 12
7 STANZOUT * Can surprise but might need easier. 50
8 GOOD BUDDY ** In-form and worth a look at value with blinkers removed. 20
9 ALL SERENE ** Close-up two back and only win was this trip. 33
10 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Another who goes close on his day but might be looking for Class 5. 20
11 FEED ME MORE * No. 200
Race 11
Selections; 1 BORDEAUX – 2 XIN TREASURE – 5 DRAGON FORCE – 3 FAITHFULLY
This race looks a beauty to finish the 11 race card and while we have attempted to be not too “Moreira orientated”, he can win the last on BORDEAUX. The 4YO is resuming after looking a promising type in his first preparation and with the Laxon polish and a couple of nice trials under his belt, he might be too good for Class 4 with gate 1 a bonus. You can make strong cases for plenty of others and XIN TREASURE will be flying late and is due with last start winner, DRAGON FORCE, also likely to figure heavily in this finish. Throw
in FAITHFULLY who will appreciate a 3kg claim and the first emergency, GAZOO, is a serious hope if he gets a start.
1 BORDEAUX *** Smart 4YO resuming in what should be a very suitable grade. Trials like a winner. 3.50
2 XIN TREASURE *** Also drops to suitable company and will be flying late. 7.00
3 FAITHFULLY *** Honest and always a winning show in this type of race. 6.00
4 BAZINGA ** Form reads badly but excuses last start and have to keep safe. 20
5 DRAGON FORCE *** Resumed with good win in similar affair and have to respect. 5.00
6 ECLAIR SENSATION ** Doesn’t win out of turn but excellent work late last start has him under notice with downgrade to winkers and tongue-tie added. 12
7 SUPER SPUR * Very hard to follow of late and a risk with blinkers off. 33
8 RED RIVER ROCK ** First-up run for new trainer was good and a must for exotics on that run. 12
9 AMAZEALOT ** Broke maiden status in KSD company last start and can include somewhere although this obviously tougher. 12
10 GADAWON ** Maiden from Australia but did finish runner-up at four from five starts. Market best guide. 33
11 GEARIGURU ** In solid each-way form but wide gate makes winning tough. 20
12 DRAGON WALK ** Broke maiden status in fine style last start and pay to follow. 12
13 GAZOO *** Ready to win a race like this and a big hope if he gets a start. 6.00
14 SPEEDY DWARF * Needs to be showing his best. 50
