Goal Keeper (Soo Khoon Beng) holds off a late charge from Hypernova (Zuriman Zulkifli) to land the spoils, picture Singapore Turf Club 13/07/14
A terrific days racing from Singapore on Sunday and while there is plenty on offer for punters early, the meeting finishes with some beauties including a Kranji Stakes A Poly sprint over 1000m (race 10).
Two of the big guns in GOAL KEEPER and HUKA FALLS share both top billing and topweight but should figure heavily when it counts. Not much separates the pair on form and given they have drawn in gates 6 and 7 respectively, not much will separate them throughout with support likely for both.
But with 58kg to carry, the connections of the in-form SOUTHERN BOSS might fancy their chances of a light-weight upset. The 5YO speedster has drawn favourably in gate 2 and with only 50.5kg to carry courtesy of regular hoop, Joseph See’s claim, he could lead and lead well and be very hard to pass late.
Another terrific race with some of Singapore’s best middle distance Poly horses involved is also a Kranji Stakes A event, this time over 1600m (race 8). While only a small field heads to the starter, the likes of GOLIATH and ONE RAR will
ensure a very hotly contested affair and while the two will no doubt be right in the thick of the finish, JOHNNY GUITAR could be the testing material.
The 5YO Argentinean-bred gelding has been freshened after a campaign that included a run in the Singapore Airlines International Cup and the Emirates Singapore Derby and given his only run in Singapore on the Poly was a win over this trip, he could be hard to beat.
Best Bets; (JOHNNY GUITAR race 8, win), (SOUTHERN BOSS race 10, each-way) and (ENCOSTA DIABLO race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (Field), race 9 (1, 3 and 4), race 10 (1, 2, and 5), race 11 (1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 12).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 8
Selections; 2 JOHNNY GUITAR – 5 DUJARDIN – 3 GOLIATH – 4 ONE RAR
This might be a small field but that doesn’t make it any easier to find the winner with all bar CANNON HILL a winning hope on recent form. Obviously the Causeway Classic over 1800m on the Poly is the best form-line so ONE RAR and GOLIATH pick themselves. ONE RAR stepped up from KSC company to win at Group level and make it three-on-thetrot and no reason he can’t continue that form. GOLIATH does meet him 1.5kg better off for being beaten less than a length, so not much separates the pair. From that same race, DUJARDIN did it tough when finishing another two lengths back and from gate 1, he could provide the value and well worth a look. LIZARRE also improves as he gets a few runs
under his belt and is actually in best at the conditions with 59.5kg. But the one horse not to come through the Causeway Classic that could upstage them all is JOHNNY GUITAR. The Pat Shaw-trained 5YO is highly regarded and given he won well in very strong WFA Poly company at his only start on this surface, he is the one to beat if near his best.
1 LIZARRE ** Has a big weight but actually in well at the conditions so pay to keep safe. 8.00
2 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Form better than it reads and beat some nice types at WFA conditions at only Poly run. Goes close. 3.00
3 GOLIATH *** Poly specialist who looks the benchmark and meets ONE RAR 1.5kg better off. 2.50
4 ONE RAR *** In red-hot form and showed last start he is more than up to this company. 3.00
5 DUJARDIN *** Excuses not to be in the mix last start this company and might be the value runner. 13
6 CANNON HILL * Look to have every chance similar affair last start. 33
Race 9
Selections; 3 RIEDEL – 4 BOOMARANG DELUXE – 1 ENCOSTA DIABLO – 2 KNIGHT SPIRIT
Another tricky race with a small field over two tight Poly bends, this time over 1700m. The in-form horse is BOOMERANG BELUXE who hasn’t run a bad race at his seven starts this campaign. After a few sighters over 1200m, the 4YO stepped up in trip and showed he is a horse with a future by backing up a dead-heat win with a good Class 4 win this trip. He continued his good run of form with a strong placing in nice company and looks very wellplaced here with a S Noh 3kg claim. But REIDEL is smart when on-song and could be hard to beat with Manoel Nunes – who has ridden him once for one win – onboard. The 5YO has given his jockeys something to explain at his last two starts and although drawn widest in this, he should appreciate stepping up to this trip and being back on the Poly. Keep ENCOSTA DIABLO very safe as he improves lengths back on the Poly over a suitable trip, a market watch advised on Pat Shaw’s newcomer, IN FACT with KNIGHT SPIRIT and SINGLE ACT also in the mix.
1 ENCOSTA DIABLO *** Form better than it reads and very much appreciates being back on the Poly over recent winning trip. 12
2 KNIGHT SPIRIT *** Won the Poly two starts back and this trip more than suitable. Big show. 8.00
3 RIEDEL *** Excuses not to show his best at past two runs and hard to beat with luck in running. 3.00
4 BOOMARANG DELUXE *** In very good form and 3kg claim has him very wellplaced. 3.00
5 NEOBIUM ** Nothing last start but some hope on good effort two back with Harry onboard. 12
6 IN FACT ** Former Argentinean who could show up at Singapore debut with 3kg claim. Watch tote. 12
7 INSPIRE ** Usually in the mix and gate 1 never hurts. 12
8 SINGLE ACT ** Coming off a shocker with support but Poly runs have been good and worth thought with winkers off and tongue-tie on. 6.00
Race 10
Selections; 5 SOUTHERN BOSS – 1 GOAL KEEPER – 2 HUKA FALLS – 8 DESERT FOX
A cracking sprint with two top-liners in GOAL KEEPER and HUKA FALLS heading the weights and plenty of competition from some Poly specialists that include SOUTHERN BOSS and DESERT FOX. Not much separates the equal top-weights with GOAL KEEPER marginally favoured by the draw with blinkers added over 1000m a factor. But HUKA FALLS bounced back to win last start and while he only had to carry 52.5kg on that occasion, his best is good enough to win this. SOUTHERN BOSS is the interesting runner. The speedster gets to jump from gate 2, is in super form and only carries 50.5kg thanks to the J See claim. He might just give the top weights something to pass at value. Of the others, DESERT FOX has been in solid if unspectacular form but the fact he is undefeated in three Poly starts is in his favour with GOLDEN SAND STEED too honest to leave out and CASH LUCK in winning form.
1 GOAL KEEPER *** Pace to burn and will give them something to catch with blinkers on over 1000m. 4.00
2 HUKA FALLS *** Was weighted to win last start but too good not to go close here with 58kg. 4.00
3 BOUNDLESS GLORY * Very honest type resuming and should find these too slick. 20
4 GOLDEN SAND STEED ** Honest as the day is long and has to be some show to make it back-t0-back wins with claim assisted 52kg. 6.00
5 SOUTHERN BOSS *** Speedster who looks well placed to run a cheeky race from gate 2 with featherweight. 6.00
6 ART OF SPEED * Should find these too slick. 50
7 CASH ADVANCE ** Significant jump in Class but form too good not to respect. 6.00
8 DESERT FOX ** In solid form but three-from-three on the Poly has him under notice. 6.00
9 DOUBLE STAR ** Ignore last start as he is better on this surface and could add value to exotics. 20
Race 11
Selections; 1 KAI POWER – 4 RON – 8 MINI BOSS – 12 BIG HARVEST
An open race to close proceedings but while you can make a case for most of the field, KAI POWER could be a very good way to close proceedings. The one-time winner from Australia has shown more than enough at two Singapore starts to think he wins very soon with stepping up to the mile ideal. You can make a case for a swag of others with RON looking in-form and another that will also appreciate the mile with MINI BOSS coming off a nice first-up run and certainly worth following this campaign. Down in the ratings, BIG HARVEST picks himself coming of back-to-back-wins with ON TWISTTER, GOOD BUDDY and FLUTZ all coming of last start wins. Throw in the two emergencies if they get a start and MAL’S DAD is the type to always keep safe at an each-way quote. But KAI POWER the one to be on.
1 KAI POWER *** Has ran on at two Singapore starts and hard to beat stepping up to the mile. 4.00
2 SPOT ON * Appreciates company but turf form is a worry. 20
3 GOOD BUDDY *** Did well to win last start and goes close again with luck from wide gate. 10
4 RON *** In-form, miles suits and right in this finish. 6.00
5 MAL’S DAD *** Blinkers left side only. Form better than it reads and always an each way show. 12
6 SINGING DUNE * Winkers added but like to see support before considering. 33
7 FLUTZ ** Broke through in a weak maiden last start and will find this tougher. 20
8 MINI BOSS *** Maiden who showed plenty first-up and worth serious thought on that effort. 8.00
9 ON TWISTTER *** Another stepping up after maiden win and pay to follow. 8.00
10 BLACK BEAN ** Nothing last start but previous form was solid os can include in exotics. 15
11 CALLIDE RIVER ** Backed-up Class 5 win with a solid effort this company and another to include somewhere. 12
12 BIG HARVEST *** Hard to fault winning form – albeit Class 5 – and could show up without surprising. 6.00
13 MAREA NEGRO *** Will find this company to his liking and worth an each-way look. 20
14 POWERFUL FIGHTER *** Excuses last start so effort to place very good and pay to follow. 12
