Gobi Ranger (Alan Munro) at his debut win on December 14, 2014, picture Singapore Turf Club
Some great racing on what should be a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Kranji, highlighted by the Group 3 Three Rings Trophy over 1400m (race 9).
Open to three and four years olds only, the field is not as strong as some of the other Group races of late but at the race conditions, it is wide open and should be a very good betting affair.
At the top of the weights, GOBI RANGER with 57.5kg is one that will find this tough off a rating of 71, especially given the in-form POWER LION – who is the highest rated horse on 78 – gets in with just 54kg. Likewise, the exciting filly BELIEVE YOURSELF looks well-placed on just 52.5kg and given her excellent juvenile form from Australia, she knows what this Group caper is all about and could be the one to beat.
A couple of progressive 3YO’s in TITANIUM and HERMANO MENOR will very much appreciate tackling this company with only 49kg to carry and in a race with depth, you can’t discount the bang-in-form HUGHSY, ABSOLUTELY and KNIGHT WAGER who impressed winning this trip at his Singapore debut.
Elsewhere on the card, AERO WINGS JUNIOR looks very well-placed to continue on his great run of form in Kranji Stakes D company in race 8 but those looking for some longshot value for exotics, might want to couple him up with the seemingly under-preforming BELLUS WONDER.
Best Bets; (BELIEVE YOURSELF race 9, win), (DANNY RICCARDO race 11, each-way) and (BELLUS WONDER race 8, long-shot).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9), race 9 (2, 3, 5 and 7), race 10 (1, 4, 5, 6 and 7), race 11 (1, 2, 4, 5 and 6).
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.
Race 8
Selections; 4 AERO WINGS JUNIOR – 1 AMAZON GOLD – 8 BELLUS WONDER – 9 HOST THE NATION
An average KSD over 1200m on the poly and AERO WINGS JUNIOR, who won one of these two back and wasn’t far away last start in Class 4, could be hard to beat. The 4YO also gets Nunes and it may be a case of whoever beats him, wins. AMAZON GOLD also gets another chance. The Argentinean-bred gelding has been runner-up at both poly starts in this grade and should race well again. One at odds may the other former Argentinean, BELLUS WONDER. The 4YO has not bothered the scorer at six starts in Singapore but he had excuses last start and his run prior and a trial or two had him under notice. D’ARTAGNAN and BENJI’S RULE have been disappointing of late but both get senior riders and BENJI’S RULE has the blinkers added; they could improve. HOST THE NATION is racing well and up to this Grade whilst HIGHLIGHT also has good form at KSD level.
1 AMAZON GOLD *** Runner-up at both poly starts in this grade. Should race well again. 4.00
2 D’ARTAGNAN *** Disappointed last start. May improve with senior rider on board. 6.00
3 STAR BEAUTY ** Should show more in this company. 33
4 AERO WINGS JUNIOR *** Trialling well. Close up at last couple and with Nunes aboard should race well. 4.00
5 BENJI’S RULE *** Blinkers on. Has been disappointing but gear change and Corey Brown could help. 6.00
6 XIN TREASURE ** Rarely far away but doesn’t win often. Will be thereabouts. 10
7 AROWANA DOT COM * Another one sliding down the ratings but not getting any closer. 20
8 BELLUS WONDER *** Form reads badly but had excuses last start and could surprise at odds. 33
9 HOST THE NATION *** In good form and will be competitive at this level. 8.00
10 HIGHLIGHT ** Blinkers on. Has been disappointing but suited this grade and should be running on late. 12
11 EXCAVATOR * Keeps on slipping in the ratings but doesn’t get any closer. 33
12 SOUTH GATE * Has slipped a long way in the ratings but wants longer. 50
13 D’DON * Better in Class 5. 33
14 SIMPANG * Wants Class 5. 33
Race 9
Selections; 5 BELIEVE YOURSELF – 2 POWER LION – 7 TITANIUM – 3 HUGHSY
The feature race is The Three Rings Trophy over 1400m on the turf and under the conditions, it looks a wide open affair. BELIEVE YOURSELF showed winning last start – her second in Singapore – that she could be the real deal. After placing 4th in the Golden Slipper and winning at Group level before coming to Singapore, she came with a reputation and this race suits with just 52.5kg. The hardest to beat may be the 4YO POWER LION. The 4YO is the highest-rated horse in the race and won a strong BM83 last start and is also a four time winner at 1400m. The 3YO TITANIUM could also be hard to beat given he has won three of his four starts up to a mile including one at this distance; with Manoel Nunes steering and only 49kg he should get every chance. HUGHSY also has a very strong record having won four from five on turf, three times at this trip. KNIGHT WAGER is a horse of promise taking a big step and ABSOLUTELY also has considerable talent and HERMANO MENOR on the quick back up cannot be discounted.
1 GOBI RANGER * Not far away with no weight in a tough KSA last start. Has yet to win beyond 1200m and gives weight here. 16
2 POWER LION *** Won a strong BM83 last start and is a four time winner at 1400m. Best in at the weights and will be hard to beat. 3.00
3 HUGHSY *** Has won four from five on turf, three times at this trip. Won a Class 3 over a mile last start and will be hard to hold out. 3.50
4 ABSOLUTELY ** Resuming. Placed in Open company over a mile last start after having his Gold Cup campaign aborted when he failed in the El Dorado. Has plenty of talent but taking on a big ask here first-up. 16
5 BELIEVE YOURSELF *** Placed 4th in the Golden Slipper and won at Group level before coming to Singapore. Failed at only attempt at 1400m but that was at Group 1 level. Can make a bid. 8.00
6 KNIGHT WAGER ** Won at Ellerslie over this trip. Scored well at only Singapore run but is taking on a challenge here. 16
7 TITANIUM *** Classy 3YO who has won three from four on turf up to a mile including one at this trip. With only 49kg will be hard to hold out. 3.00
8 HERMANO MENOR ** Racing well and placed behind AFFLECK at only attempt at 1400m. Tested in this field. 33
Race 10
Selections; 1 PIONEER SEVEN – 6 HYPERNOVA – 7 PETRENUI – 5 ASTROSTAR
A rare Class 2, this one over 1100m on the polytrack. Yet another very strong race with plenty of speed. The blinkers go on PIONEER SEVEN and he trialled well recently; the trip suits and with Manoel Nunes up, will be hard to beat. HYPERNOVA is also well in with only 52.5Kg. He ran 2nd to EL PADRINO at Group level two starts back and that form is good enough for this. EASY MAN flopped on turf when resuming, he is much better suited here where he has won five from six; with Nooresh Juglall up, he will be hard to run down. It is hard to leave out ASTROSTAR who has only finished worse than 2nd once in 11 polytrack starts and the flying PETRENUI who has been burning at the trials. VALEVOLE is very honest and he will enjoy being back on the poly with only 53.5kg; he will give a sight and is often at value odds.
1 PIONEER SEVEN *** Blinkers on and trialled well recently. Suited this trip and with Nunes up will be hard to beat. 3.50
2 VALEVOLE ** Honest and will enjoy being back on polytrack with only 53.5kg. Will give a strong sight. 8.00
3 RAPIDO STAR * Resuming after numerous trials. Goes well for Munro and could show up fresh. 20
4 EASY MAN *** Poor when resuming on turf over 1400m but much better suited here where he has won five from six. Will give a sight. 5.00
5 ASTROSTAR *** Has only finished worse than 2nd once on the poly. Will be prominent throughout and could be value. 8.00
6 HYPERNOVA *** Ran 2nd to EL PADRINO at Group level two starts back. Should race well with only 52.5 kg and strong recent trial under his belt. 5.00
7 PETRENUI *** Pacifiers on and tongue-tie off. Resuming after a couple of disappointing runs and a change of stables. Speedy and is trialling brilliantly but take on trust. 5.00
8 NANDOWRA * Winkers off and they will go much too fast for him. 50
9 INDICIO * May find these too sharp. 25
10 SAND LANE ** Blinkers off. Very speedy but has not won beyond a 1000m and can be run down late. 20
Race 11
Selections; 1 DANNY RICARDO – 5 MAJESTIC MOMENTS – 4 POWERNOVA – 2 SPYDER
An extremely strong Class 4 over 1400m closes the programme. Amongst the many chances DANNY RICARDO will enjoy being back on turf and likes this class and distance. The 6YO has been racing in unsuitable Poly races as he drops in grade and this looks perfect to show his best. MAJESTIC MOMENTS copped strife when resuming and still put in a strong effort. The 3YO has ability and Nooresh Juglall should give him a nice run from the gate. The stablemate SPYDER is a proven performer in this class and distance and will run his usual race. POWERNOVA was just nabbed last start by a good one in TITANIUM; he is rarely far way and should be in the finish. RUM N RAISINS gets back to a more suitable distance and then there is the first starter MONT BLEU whose only start was a win over this distance in NZ. Throw in the last start Maiden winner GREAT SUN and the potential improver XAVIO and this becomes a very strong race.
1 DANNY RICARDO *** Will enjoy being back on turf and likes this class and distance. Should race well. 6.00
2 SPYDER *** Suited this class and distance. Will be running on. 6.00
3 DASHFUL ** Saddle slipped last start a when not a million miles away. Long-shot. 50
4 POWERNOVA *** Just nabbed last start over 1200m by a good one. Rarely far away and should be in the finish. 6.00
5 MAJESTIC MOMENTS *** Was bumped when resuming and still put in a strong effort. Has ability and should get a nice run from the gate. 5.00
6 RUM N RAISINS *** Fought on well over a mile last start and may be better suited this distance. Should get a good run throughout. 8.00
7 XAVIO ** Blinkers on and can improve on preferred surface and distance. 12
8 MONT BLEU ** Won only start in NZ over this trip, Has struck a strong race at debut but has ability. Watch market. 8.00
9 GREAT SUN ** Broke through last start but has struck a strong Class 4 here. 8.00
10 DUTY FREE * Runs on and could be closing late. 25
11 PINT SIZED PRINCE * Surprised with a good effort over 1600m for new stable last start. May want easier. 33
12 DAMAIPURI * Better in Class 5. 33
13 STAGE BRIGHT * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 50
