Champion Two-Year-Old: War Affair Singapore 19-05-2013
You only wish all affairs would go this well. WAR AFFAIR has claims to be the best horse in Singapore and looks a good thing in Sundays Group 1 Raffles Cup (race 9).
The 4YO by O’Reilly has won ten races – seven of them at Group level – and finished second another three times from just 14 career starts; one wonders how he ever missed a place on debut?
He looked a good thing beaten as a 3YO in this race last year and after demoralizing the field in the Kranji Mile at his last start, he should just win this at Weight-For-Age level. And without getting too far ahead of ourselves, the big question is can he carry weight against the stayers in the Singapore Gold Cup – a race that has seen other champs fall at the ultimate hurdle.
Racing at this level is not as easy as all that though and the likes of JOHNNY GUITAR – who ran second to WAR AFFAIR in the Kranji Mile – and the top rated FLAX will keep him honest but it is his race to lose.
Elsewhere on the card, the Class 3 sprint (race 8) looks a cracker and one not to be missed. RUAPEHU will have admirers – as will ROOM FOR EXCUSE after his excellent last start win – but it might be DARCI CHARMER who upstages them all. The Darci Brahma 4YO has won three races from eight career starts but it was an eyecatching unplaced effort in this company last start that has him under notice.
On that occasion he looked green and copped some interference in the straight but didn’t finish far away and can win this – hopefully at value – if he has his mind on the job at hand.
Best Bets; (WAR AFFAIR race 9, win), (DARCI CHARMER race 8, value) and (CAPTAIN KIRK/TOUCH ME NOT race 11, forecast).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 6), race 9 (12), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 7), race 11 (1, 2 and 3).
Please note the odds listed are “reference odds” only.
Race 8
Selections; 3 DARCI CHARMER – 2 ROOM FOR EXCUSE – 6 RUAPEHU – 1 ONE SMART CAT
A Class 3 over 1200m on turf with plenty of chances. The rider was questioned after DARCI CHARMER’s erratic run last start and given the effort and his previous form, he goes close. Manoel Nunes takes over and should give him every chance. ROOM FOR EXCUSE won well in Graduation company last start; he competed well in 3YO Group races and should be in the finish of this. RUAPEHU is racing in top form, he is up in grade but gets James McDonald and will be on the speed all the way. The winning blinkers go back on ONE SMART CAT who has been battling on well in recent races and is better suited at the 1200m; Zuriman should give him every chance. The unpredictable FAITHFULLY, WARSPIRIT, LUCKY DAPPER and the former Malaysian DRAGON DYNASTY, could all figure in the exotics.
1 ONE SMART CAT *** Blinkers on and has only ever won with headgear. Has been battling on well in similar races and will appreciate 1200m and claim. 4.50
2 ROOM FOR EXCUSE *** Won well in Graduation company last start. Competed well in 3YO Group races and should be in the finish of this. 4.00
3 DARCI CHARMER *** Rider queried last start after erratic run. Better than that and gets Nunes to keep him honest. 6.50
4 FAITHFULLY ** Impossible to follow but proved he can handle turf at this level last start. Take on trust. 10
5 MAI GURU * Excuses but very poor at past two outings. 33
6 RUAPEHU *** Up in grade but gets James McDonald and will be on the speed all the way. 4.50
7 BELLWETHER ** Has speed but has been ridden off the pace without success at past three outings. May be better to just go hell for leather. 14
8 DRAGON DYNASTY ** Pacifiers on. Smart Malaysian now based at Kranji. Watch for support. 14
9 WARSPIRIT ** Versatile galloper up in grade who runs on and is always a threat in these. 14
10 CODIGO * Battles away but may find this too hard. 25
11 LUCKY DAPPER ** Very honest. Up in grade but will run his usual cheeky race with no weight. 14
Race 9
Selections; 12 WAR AFFAIR – 3 JOHNNY GUITAR – 1 FLAX – 7 KNIGHT’S COMMAND
One of the glamour events of the Singapore racing calendar, the Raffles Cup over 1800m has a stellar field headed by WAR AFFAIR who at the WFA conditions is clearly the horse they have to beat. He ran second as a 3YO last year and given how easy he won in the Kranji Mile, he could/should start odds-on. JOHHNY GUITAR chased home WAR AFFAIR last start, he is a very good galloper and will put in his usual strong effort though his best efforts have been at the mile. FLAX won this race two years ago and his recent form is good enough to suggest a serious chance; he had little luck in the Kranji Mile and is better suited here. STEPITUP’s performance will be watched with interest. He put in a shocker last start and has since changed stables to Laurie Laxon who has not messed around engaging James McDonald to ride the horse. KNIGHT’S COMMAND and TROPAIOS may well have their eyes on the Gold Cup next month but if the leaders are getting tired, they will be coming hard late.
1 FLAX ** Won this race two years ago. Resumed with a strong win in Jumbo Jet and had little luck in Kranji Mile last start. Will run his usual honest race. 10
2 LIZARRE * Ran 4th in Flax’s win two years ago. Very honest and will give his best but age and injuries have taken their toll. 20
3 JOHNNY GUITAR ** Chased WAR AFFAIR home over a mile last start. Placed in QEII Cup over 2000m but best distance is a mile. Will be handy throughout. 5.00
4 STEPITUP ** Has changed stables after a shocker in the Kranji Mile. Ran midfield last year but will get every chance with James McDonald on top. 16
5 WILD GEESE ** Won QEII Cup but has always struggled at Group 1 level. Could be closing late if he gets a good run. 20
6 GOLIATH * Polytracker out of his depth here. 100
7 KNIGHT’S COMMAND ** Stormed home in Kranji Mile. Being aimed at the Gold Cup but should be closing late. 14
8 TROPAIOS ** Getting ready for Gold Cup. Sharpened by recent trial. Will be running on late. 14
9 CITY LAD * Honest. Will lead but should be run down. 33
10 PEACEFUL WARRIOR * Blinkers off. Outclassed. 50
11 ALEXANDRA PALACE ** Excuses last start but better suited in Gold Cup. 33
12 WAR AFFAIR *** Singapore champion 2 and 3YO who ran second in this as a 3YO last year. Scored well in Kranji Mile and the one to beat in this. 1.80
13 GOODMAN ** Led all the way to win Chairman’s Trophy over this trip. Had some fun when the big boys were spelling but has been found out at past couple. 20
Race 10
Selections; 3 INVINCIBLE GOLD – 7 TOP GUN – 1 HARDCORE ROCK – 12 DYNASTY KNIGHT
Another one of these weak KSD’s, this one over 1200m. The last couple of races have been too hard for INVINCIBLE GOLD and this is much more suitable; with Corey Brown steering he should get a good run throughout and be hard to hold off. The blinkers come off HARDCORE ROCK who is resuming down in grade and has his winning rider Manoel Nunes; if supported he should race well. The interesting runner is TOP GUN who bolted in at Perak at last outing; with James McDonald and from the good gate should give a huge sight. In another race with very little depth DYNASTY KNIGHT and LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT both have turf form and could show up.
1 HARDCORE ROCK *** Blinkers off. Resuming but down in grade and has winning rider. Could show up fresh. Watch market. 5.00
2 SUPER SPUR ** Regularly has trouble with saddle slipping. Can race well on occasions but take on trust. 16
3 INVINCIBLE GOLD *** Last couple have been too hard. This is much more suitable. Should get a good run throughout. 4.00
4 GOLDEN RABBIT ** Blinkers to winkers. Speedy but weak. 1200m on turf from a wide gate will test. 16
5 IMACRUISER * Did nothing at first run for new stable. Poorly drawn and may want longer or easier. 16
6 LONESOME ME * Has changed stables but has never placed on turf and wants longer. 25
7 TOP GUN *** Bolted in at Perak at last outing. Gets top rider and should give a sight. 4.50
8 GOOD LOOUKEN * Better on poly. 20
9 WILKINSON * Resuming but a long time since he has done anything. 25
10 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT ** Better on poly but has placed on turf and could show up. 10
11 ROUGH DANCE ** Battles away but may want Class 5. 12
12 DYNASTY KNIGHT ** Long time since he has won but recent form sound and could get in the finish at odds. 10
13 THREE KINGS * Wants longer. 33
Race 11
Selections; 3 TOUCH ME NOT – 2 CAPTAIN KIRK – 1 BEAUTY SUPREME – 9 DRAGON NINETYNINE
An ordinary Class 4 over 1200m with little depth closes the programme. TOUCH ME NOT won easily in a weak Novice last start; this is harder but Ivaldo Santana should also have him on the speed throughout. CAPTAIN KIRK returned to form with good win in KSD over this trip last start; he has performed well at this level in the past and with Nooresh Juglall and the ace, should be on the speed throughout. These two look better than the rest on current form though BEAUTY SUPREME is resuming and down in grade, he has sprinted well fresh in the past and could show up – watch for support. DRAGON NINETYNINE placed behind FLAK JACKET three starts back, his best form before changing stables was on poly but on that run, he could surprise. LIM’S CAPTAIN was ordinary on debut and his only win was in a weak one in NZ over 1000m but this is not a strong race and he could show up.
1 BEAUTY SUPREME *** Resuming. Down in grade. Has sprinted well fresh in the past and could show up. Watch market. 4.00
2 CAPTAIN KIRK *** Returned to form with good win in KSD over this trip last start. Up in grade but has the ace. 3.00
3 TOUCH ME NOT *** Won easily in weak Novice last start. This is harder but should be on the speed throughout. 2.80
4 MEDIA CAPTAIN * Winkers on but better on poly over 1100m. 33
5 LIM’S CAPTAIN * Battled away at Singapore debut and might want longer. 12
6 SAVAGE STORM * Last two efforts ordinary. Better on poly. 20
7 DRAGON KNIGHT * Down from Malaysia. Has some ability but tested in this. 20
8 MR MANI * Long time since he has won and that was on poly. 33
9 DRAGON NINETYNINE ** Placed behind FLAK JACKET three starts back. Best form before changing stables was on poly but could surprise. 20
10 HEAR ME * Totally unpredictable, but unlikely. 50
11 CITY OF SAILS * Trialled nicely but this looks too hard at debut. 20
