Huka Falls (Joao Moreira) makes it two-from-two in brilliant fashion on Sunday, picture Singapore Turf Club.
As we near the end of the 2014 season, things start to wind down with some mediocre Poly races dominating the race cards.
Sunday doesn’t disappoint in that regard but a diamond in the rough is a Kranji Stakes A sprint (race 9) that has HUKA FALLS back on the Poly and hard to beat. He was given the top impost of 58kg at the race conditions but given he has an in-form 2kg claimer in Rueven to steer, 56kg looks a winning weight in a field that is good without being strong.
Although his poly winning form is exceptional – some 10 wins from 18 starts – he does meet some handy all-weather specialists and the likes of GOLDEN SAND STEED, SOUTHERN BOSS, SUPER KENNY and GOT LUCK all keep him honest. However, it may be the lightly-raced ITALIAN JOB that poses the biggest threat.
The American-bred 4YO looks very smart when on-song and a recent trial suggests he could be ready to show his best with 52kg from gate 2. Not a lot else to get excited about although POWERNOVA looks to have found a very weak Class 4 in the last and really should win given his main opposition – TAKEOVER and SWEET LODGE – are looking for longer.
Best Bets; (POWERNOVA race 11, win), (DR OCTOPUS race 10, each-way) and (ITALIAN JOB race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 4, 5 and 8), race 9 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 7), race 10 (1, 2 and 10), race 11 (1, 6 and 7).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 7
Selections; 2 KAISER BRIGHT – 4 JUSTICE WORLD – 5 MY BOY JACK – 1 INVICTUS
An extremely poor Class 4 gives KAISER BRIGHT his chance. The 5YO disappointed when resuming and is yet to win on poly but has placed six times from 11 starts he should be on the speed throughout. It is hard to find other chances, JUSTICE WORLD performed moderately at his Singapore debut but before going to Hong Kong he was a Seymour maiden winner and could show up. MY BOY JACK is an honest fellow resuming, he is having his first poly start and if can come to grips with the surface should be running on well. INVICTUS resumed with a good effort but his best form is over longer. ROYAL TUDOR works well but regularly disappoints, his only wins have been on poly and he could show up. The blinkers come off SACRED CROWN, his recent form is poor but he is a five time winner on the poly though he may be looking for Class 5.
1 INVICTUS ** Good run when resuming but best efforts are over longer. 12
2 KAISER BRIGHT *** Disappointed when resuming. Yet to win on poly but has placed six times. Should be on the speed throughout. 2.50
3 ROYAL TUDOR ** Works well but regularly disappoints. This field is weak but take on trust. 8.00
4 JUSTICE WORLD *** Appreciates solid Singapore debut and trials like he will enjoy the Poly. Keep safe. 8.00
5 MY BOY JACK *** Resuming. Honest but having first poly start and trials only fair. 6.00
6 TONGARIRO * Did nothing last start in weaker grade and best form is on turf. 33
7 PURE RABID * Resuming and best form is over longer. 33
8 KLEVER WARRIOR * Blinkers off. Resuming and best form is over longer. 14
9 JIM * Also resuming. Only win was over 1800m on turf and failed at only two poly outings. 33
10 EASY EASY ** Maiden in OK form who could show up in this weak field. 16
11 SACRED CROWN ** Blinkers off and only wins have been without headgear. Form poor but has won five times on surface. May be looking for Class 5. 10
12 RAINBOW STAR ** Maiden who has placed on the poly and could show up. 16
Race 8
Selections; 4 OVER EASY – 1 BIG HARVEST – 5 NINTH AVENUE – 8 KTRONIC
A Class 5 over 1800m and OVER EASY gets his chance. The 5YO often disappoints but had excuses last start, has a win over 1700m on the poly and should get in the finish. The race and Class will suit BIG HARVEST who has struggled at his past few runs over shorter, he gets a 2kg claim as is now at the right trip in the right grade. The veteran NINTH AVENUE has won 10 races, one at this distance and will be running on late. The stablemate KTRONIC broke through on turf last start. His previous poly form was solid, he has placed this trip and can get in the finish. GOLDEN ROSEWOOD ran a cracking race last start over a mile on turf but has struggled on the poly and YUGIOH has yet to place but is bred to stay and could show up.
1 BIG HARVEST *** Struggled last few runs but now at right trip and suited this grade and track. 2kg claim helps. 3.00
2 GREENBACK * Excuses last start not to finish closer but first attempt at this trip and only poly placing was at 1200m. 33
3 GOLDEN JADE * Battling maiden being tried at the trip. 33
4 OVER EASY *** Often disappoints but has a win over 1700m on the poly. Can get in the finish. 4.00
5 NINTH AVENUE *** Veteran who has won at this distance and will be running on late. Has won 10 races and cannot be ignored. 6.00
6 YUGIOH ** Yet to place in nine starts but bred to stay and could be suited this trip. Watch for support. 14
7 PEREGRINE FALCON ** Only win was on turf over 1400m and yet to place in nine poly tries. Had support last start and first try at 1800m. 20
8 KTRONIC *** Broke through on turf last start. Previous poly form solid, has placed this trip and can get in the finish 4.00
9 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD ** Ran a cracking race on turf last start. Has struggled on poly in the past. Take on trust. 12
10 RADIANT ROI * Only win was over 1700m on poly but has not placed in 12 runs since. 33
Race 9
Selections; 1 HUKA FALLS – 7 ITALIAN JOB – 3 GOLDEN SAND STEED – 5 SOUTHERN BOSS
The best race of the day, a KSA over 1100m and the weights are very interesting. HUKA FALLS has been freshened after failing in the Luzerne Cup, he has a great polytrack record and with Rueven’s claim will be very hard to beat. One that tests him at the weights is ITALIAN JOB. The NH-bred 4YO has disappointed at recent outings in high class company but meets HUKA FALLS 4.5kg better for a length defeat over 1200m in August so he could surprise. GOLDEN SAND STEED could be tested in this class but he loves the trip and with only 52kg will be rocketing home. SUPER KENNY put in a great effort to win with 59.5kg last start, he is up in grade but will enjoy carrying only 52.5kg. SOUTHERN BOSS is in super form but meets HUKA FALLS 4.5kg worse for being beaten a length, despite the disadvantage he will give his usual bold sight.
1 HUKA FALLS *** Has been freshened after failing in Luzerne Cup. Has a great polytrack record and with Rueven’s claim will be very hard to beat. 2.50
2 MAKKURA ** Has changed stables and been off the scene for a year. Trialling well but should need the run and might find these too sharp. 25
3 GOLDEN SAND STEED *** Tested this class but loves the trip with only 52kg will be rocketing home. 4.50
4 BOUNDLESS GLORY ** Will find this much easier than recent runs in highest class on turf. Should be thereabouts. 12
5 SOUTHERN BOSS ** In super form but meets Huka Falls 4.5kg worse for being beaten a length. Will give his usual sight. 6.00
6 SUPER KENNY ** Great effort to win with 59.5kg last start. Up in grade but will enjoy 52.5kg. 6.00
7 ITALIAN JOB *** Disappointed at recent outings in high class company but meets Huka Falls better 4.5kg better for a length defeat over 1200m in August. Could surprise. 8.00
8 GOT LUCK * Keeps skinny end of exotics interesting but a win would surprise. 33
9 INDICIO ** Honest but tested this level. 33
10 SAND LANE * Has speed but others better. 25
Race 10
Selections; 1 DR OCTOPUS – 2 NEUTRINOS – 10 SUGARTIME JAZZ – 7 LADY TRIO
A KSD over 1000m gives DR OCTOPUS a chance. The 4YO has only won one race but ran on when resuming in this grade and is well drawn. NEUTRINOS has speed and is down in grade; the claim helps and he will be near the lead throughout. The blinkers come off SUGARTIME JAZZ, he is far from reliable and can get a long way back but he should be running on late. The stable mate MAGICAL SUNSET is resuming, he goes very well fresh and is suited this trip; he is close to Class 5 so watch for support. The interesting runner is the resuming LADY TRIO who has changed stables. She is much better than these, her best form is on turf but she is down in grade and has a powerful finish – watch for support.
1 DR OCTOPUS *** Ran on when resuming in this grade. Only win was at this trip and well drawn. Hard to beat. 3.00
2 NEUTRINOS *** Speedy and drops in grade. Claim helps and will be near the lead throughout. 3.50
3 TROPICAL FOREST ** Runs on but rarely wins. Should get a good run throughout from the ace. 16
4 HARDEN UP ** Fought on last start. Will be thereabouts once again on his preferred surface. 10
5 ALL MY WAY * Gets upgrade to blinkers. Recent efforts poor but may appreciate getting back on poly. 20
6 BRANKSOME * Form poor. 33
7 LADY TRIO ** Resuming. Best form on turf but is down in grade and has a powerful finish. Watch market. 12
8 SELECT GATHERING * Only battled last start. Needs to improve. 20
9 MAGICAL SUNSET ** Goes very well fresh and suited this trip. Class 5 preferred but watch for support. 10
10 SUGARTIME JAZZ *** Blinkers off after plenty of excuses last start. Gets back but can run on out wide. 8.00
11 URBAN LEGEND * Will give them too big a start. 33
12 FUKU’S PET ** Has won three times at this trip but better in Class 5. 20
Race 11
Selections; 7 POWERNOVA – 6 TAKEOVER – 1 SWEET LODGE – 9 BELLUS WONDER
Lightly raced 4YO POWERNOVA looks well up to winning at this level and the one to beat. His first-up run after a short spell was good considering the tough run and the fact he returned not striding suggests he has more to offer if right. This doesn’t look a strong Class 4 field and hopefully he has a trouble free run for Zuriman from gate 8. No real sprinters in this field so TAKEOVER looks a solid option although his only career win was over the mile and likewise, SWEET LODGE should find this too short but will be motoring late and should appreciate this weak field. Not many others appeal but BELLUS WONDER is resuming after a woeful run of form but some recent trials has him under notice at long odds.
1 SWEET LODGE *** Looks too short but will be motoring late so keep safe. 10
2 DASHFUL * No. 100
3 COOL CAT ** Usually thereabouts and can include in exotics in this field. 6.00
4 BENJI’S EMPIRE ** Another thereabouts but prefer over 1400m. 12
5 ABSOLUTE MAVERICK ** Former Australian who won in the bush (Donald). Trial OK but market best guide. 20
6 TAKEOVER *** Honest, appreciates first-up run and in this a long way. 4.00
7 POWERNOVA *** Given no chance last start and work late suggests he has plenty to offer in this. 3.00
8 ROCK OF AGES ** Battled on OK last start this company and should be competitive. 5.00
9 BELLUS WONDER ** Resuming and while form is woeful, some recent good trials has him under notice at long odds. 50
10 GEARIGURU ** Yet to win at nine start in Singapore but always shows enough to follow. 20
11 ON TWISTTER * Looking for easier and longer. 100
12 LIVE IN HOPE * Goes OK on his day but prefer on turf and in something easier. 50
13 PACINO ** Showed enough late last start to think he has something to offer at start 119. 20
