Flax, a 2yo sale graduate wins Gr1 Raffles Cup in Singapore
It might not have the status of the International races in May, the Derby in July or the Gold Cup in November but the Group 1 Kranji Mile has strong claims as the unofficial “fifth major”. The $500,000 feature always has the best horses entered and given it’s the first leg of the Singapore Triple Crown, all are primed to show their very best.
And this year could possibly see the best line-up for some time with last start winner FLAX heading the ratings in this Weight-For-Age classic. The 8YO is a marvel given his issues with heat-stress and his first-up win in the Jumbo Jet was a win for the ages and no reason he can’t make this a campaign to remember.
However, there are a couple of legitimate champions in their own right – WAR AFFAIR and STEPITUP – that make this race one of the best seen at Kranji this year. WAR AFFAIR – who was crowned champion in his two and three-year-old seasons – returned to racing with a solid if unspectacular second placing behind MAGNETO in the Committee’s Prize and that run should hold him in good stead for this.
STEPITUP – small in stature like FLAX and like WAR AFFAIR a champion in his three and four year old seasons – could easily show up at his gutsy best. Now five, STEPITUP has had a torrid run of luck with gates and interference of late but gets his chance at WFA conditions from gate 3. And the winning hopes don’t stop there. Laurie Laxon – who always comes to the fore during any major carnivals – has three runners and while MARTIN will have to improve in this company, his two 4YO’s – GOODMAN and DANIEL – are right in this.
Both over-raced last start but on previous form the pair are more than up to winning a race like this and play a major part in the Triple Crown. It would be amiss not to mention another last start winner in JOHNNY GUITAR and last years Kranji Mile winner, CASH LUCK.
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Best Bets; (WAR AFFAIR race 9, win), (BUZZDOWNUNDER race 11, value) and (MINI BOSS/SPOT ON race 10, forecast).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 10), race 9 (1, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 14), race 10 (2 and 3), race 11 (1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 and 13).
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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.
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Race 8
Selections; 3 FLAK JACKET – 10 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT – 1 SEED OF SPEED – 2 BELLWETHER
A good Class 3 with plenty of speed likely over the 1200m on turf. FLAK JACKET showed promise as a young horse in Australia before going awry, the blinkers have done the trick in Singapore and he is now heading for a hat-trick. He won’t have it all his own way with the mare STILETTO likely to go forward with KAISER on her shoulder. BELLWETHER also has a ton of speed though connections elected to ride him off the pace last outing over 1200m with promising results and the same tactic may be adopted again. STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT also goes quickly and has placed at his two runs since resuming. His recent trial was strong and he should be in the finish. MARSEILLE ROULETTE is a moody fellow but if he gets cover off a hot speed he could come over the top late. LIM’S HARVEST was a horse of some promise in New Zealand and whilst he may want longer, with John Powell up from a good gate he should get a gun run – watch for support. SEED OF SPPED is a newcomer from NZ but while his form from back home is over longer, he is trailing like he has plenty to offer at his Singapore debut.
1 SEED OF SPEED *** Good Kiwi miler-middle distance horse who has been trialing very well and worth serious thought at Singapore debut. 14
2 BELLWETHER *** Was ridden back last outing at first attempt over 1200m and ran home late. If same tactics are used, will be in the finish. 5.00
3 FLAK JACKET *** Up in grade but starting to live up to the promise he showed as a young horse in Australia. Likes to lead and will be on the speed all the way. 4.00
4 WORLD WAR * Resuming and these will go too fast. 33
5 LIM’S HARVEST ** Won three and placed three from seven starts in NZ up to a mile including at Listed Level. Promising sort who has a had a quiet trial and could show up with John Powell to ride. Watch market. 10
6 MARSEILLE ROULETTE ** Moody sprinter who lost it in the parade ring last start. If focused, will be in the finish. 12
7 WARPATH ** Solid effort at BM67 last start behind THESE STREETS but has struck a strong field. 14
8 CALIFORNIA EAGLE * Blinkers off. Resuming after a long break and while recent trial good, his best form is on poly. 33
9 KAISER ** Former top 2YO who has found form of late. Should race well again but wide gate no help. 12
10 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT *** Placed at two runs since resuming and recent trial was strong. Should be in the finish. 5.00
11 DRAGON KING * Visor on. Poor effort last start. May go better on turf but take on trust. 33
12 SPEED DEMON ** Resuming and has good first-up record. Watch for support. 20
13 STILETTO ** Good effort against own sex last start. Has no weight and should give a sight. 10
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Race 9
Selections; 14 WAR AFFAIR – 5 STEPITUP – 12 MAGNETO – 1 FLAX
The Kranji Mile is one of the glamour events of Singapore racing and has brought together a stellar field featuring a number of the established stars up against the up-and comers. The focus will be on the Champion 2 and 3YO of seasons past, WAR AFFAIR. And while you are only as good as your last run, improvement is expected and he meets his conqueror, MAGNETO, 4.5kg better with the run under his belt also in his favour. Obviously MAGNETO’S win has him under notice and he could even start favourite although the step up to WFA is a concern. Plenty of value to be found and that could come in the form of the little bulldog, STEPITUP, who at long last has drawn an alley. He was flattened last start and gets a chance to make up for what seems an endless run of unlucky performances. Another of small size but big heart, FLAX came from near last to win the Jumbo Jet last outing; he will need some luck but should be charging home late. MAGNETO’s stablemate JOHNNY GUITAR is a strong miler adept on both poly and turf, with John Powell to ride will sit handy and get every chance giving Pat Shaw a particularly strong hand also having LIZARRE entered. Laurie Laxon’s pair GOODMAN and DANIEL both disappointed last outing being guilty of over-racing; if they run in a more settled manner both could figure in the finish.
1 FLAX *** Wonderful little horse who continues to excel despite heat-related issues. Came from near-last to win Jumbo Jet and will be hard to stop in this. 6.50
2 LIZARRE * Very game middle-distance horse who has overcome numerous leg issues and is on the comeback trail. Solid third last outing in KSA company over this trip and should make his presence felt. 20
3 CASH LUCK * Won this race last year. Hampered at start last outing and best chances will be to roll forward. 33
4 TRUDEAU * Failed in Korea last start where he did not handled the track. Has had preparation interrupted by quarantine issues. Honest performer not helped by the draw. 33
5 STEPITUP *** Little bulldog who has at last drawn an alley. Was flattened last start when making his run. Will give a bold sight at value. 10
6 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Strong miler adept on both poly and turf. With John Powell to
ride, will sit handy and get every chance. 6.50
7 WILD GEESE ** Usually thereabouts but needs to find a length or two. 33
8 MARTIN * Did nothing when resuming after unsuccessful trip to Malaysia. Needs to improve. 50
9 KNIGHT’S COMMAND ** Strong effort in Jumbo Jet last start. Class a query but will be running on late. 50
10 CITY LAD * Good effort in Committees Prize and whilst weight conditions don’t suit, could go forward and give a sight. 33
11 GOODMAN *** Over-raced and was very disappointing last start. Better than that and look for improvement. 14
12 MAGNETO *** Racing in top form. Won easily over 1600m last start and whilst up in weight, has the ace and should get a perfect run. 4.00
13 DANIEL *** Got his head up and was hard to settle last start. Better than that and with nice gate could improve sharply. 14
14 WAR AFFAIR *** Last season’s champion 3YO who was well beaten by MAGNETO when resuming. Meets that runner 4.5kg better and gets chance to turn the tables. 3.50
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Race 10
Selections; 2 MINI BOSS – 3 SPOT ON – 12 ROUGH DANCE – 1 ABOVE THE RAINBOW
A typically open KSD over 1600m on turf where if MINI BOSS can run up to his strong win from a wide barrier in this class last outing, he should be hard to beat. Penalized only 1.5kg for the effort, he meets similar company, Manoel Nunes stays on and he has the benefit of the ace. SPOT ON was held up badly and was charging late when he got clear last start behind MINI BOSS; with Zuriman to claim he should get a gun run from the draw. After this pair the field becomes more confused. ABOVE THE RAINBOW is a Bendigo and Goulburn winner who has struggled to date in Singapore, he may appreciate the drop in Grade, a return to turf and a rise in distance. ROUGH DANCE is a one-paced but consistent galloper who is never far away and could appreciate the mile. INTENSE GOLD broke through last start but gets the trifecta of a rise in Class, weight and distance. BREAKING VAULTS also won well in Class 5 last start but is not helped by the alley. TWIST OLIVER also has a poor gate but gets up to a trip he likes. HONGCHEN got support last start and is under watch.
1 ABOVE THE RAINBOW ** Bendigo and Goulburn winner who has done little in Singapore. May appreciate turf, longer distance and weaker grade. 14
2 MINI BOSS *** Scored well over this trip last start. Up 1.5 kg but has the ace and should race well again. 3.00
3 SPOT ON *** Held up and was charging late last start. Should get a gun run from the draw. 4.00
4 INTENSE GOLD ** Broke though last start but up in weight, class and distance. 12
5 TWIST OLIVER ** Just battled at past two outings over 1200m but getting up to a more suitable trip. Draw no help. 10
6 PRECIOUS GEM * Done little at three starts since resuming. Only win was at this trip and will find this grade a bit easier. 33
7 BEAUTIFUL WORLD * Better effort last start but has never placed in 11 tries on turf. 33
8 YOURSTOKEEP * Form ordinary. Only wins have been at 1200m on poly. 33
9 BREAKING VAULTS ** Scored in Class 5 company last outing. Poorly drawn but likes this trip. 10
10 HONGCHEN ** Maiden but not far away in this grade over shorter trips at past few outings. Could show up. 14
11 COGITO ERGO SUM * Has been slowly away and distanced at two starts since Maiden win. Needs to lift. 33
12 ROUGH DANCE ** One-paced but close-up at past five outings. Mile may suit though he failed at only attempt. 11
13 ANODOUBT ** Ran home well in Class 4 last outing. Could surprise on that effort though Class 5 beckons. 25
14 CAN’T TOUCH ME * Honest fellow and likes this trip and surface though better in Class 5. 25
15 GANBATTE GANBATTE * Shown little so far. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 10 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER – 8 SKY ELEVEN – 1 BORDEAUX – 2 MCCONAUGHEY
A very open Class 4 with multiple chances closes the programme and Laurie Laxon has a strong hand with three runners. MCCONAUGHEY is very consistent and likes 1400m, he will find this tougher than his last start Novice win but will be hard to beat once again. The newcomer IDEAL GUIDE won once from 15 starts over 1350m at Wyong, he trialled well recently and has a top rider in Danny Beasley- watch for support. His third runner is BORDEAUX who has excellent form on the poly over shorter distances – the 1400m may test. But his former assistant in Brian Dean looks to have THEBUZZDOWNUNDER ready to win again and he could beat them all. The 5YO is in solid form and from gate 2, he should have no excuses. MAJESTIC MOMENTS found a strong BM67 too tough last start but his previous form over 1400m was sound and he should race well from the good alley. SKY ELEVEN led and won well in Initiation company over 1400m last start; he is an improving sort who could show up. It is dangerous to leave Cliff Brown out of these last 1400m events and he saddles up INVINCIBLE GOLD who should appreciate the distance and SPLICE who is always thereabouts in these.
1 BORDEAUX *** Just missed at past two outings over 1200m on poly. On trial at this trip on turf. 12
2 MCCONAUGHEY *** Very consistent and likes 1400m. This is tougher but will be hard to beat once again. 5.00
3 MILITARY ALLIANCE ** Just battled when resuming. This distance more suitable But only wins have been on poly. 12
4 MAJESTIC MOMENTS *** Found BM67 too tough last start but previous form sound and likes 1400m. 7.00
5 FARRAND * Won weak KSD over 1100m last start. Only turf wins were at Penang over 1200m. 16
6 GRAND SEVEN SEAS * Placed over 1200m four starts back. Poorly drawn but could show up over 1400m. 16
7 IDEAL GUIDE ** Won once from 15 starts over 1350m at Wyong. Trialled well recently and has top rider. Watch for support. 12
8 SKY ELEVEN *** Led and won well in Initiation over 1400m last start when blinkers added. Improving sort who could show up. 6.00
9 SUPER SHADOW * Two runs since resuming ordinary. Has won one of these but that was nearly two years ago. 25
10 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER *** Charged home on poly over 1200m last start and better suited here. Should get a nice run from inside gate. 10
11 MAPLE MEMORY ** French 1200m winner who has battled away at two Singapore outings. Should be further improved though gate a disadvantage. 20
12 INVINCIBLE GOLD *** Won Maiden at 1200m and fair effort in Novice last start. Should be suited at 1400m. 10
13 SPLICE *** Blinkers on. Usually thereabouts and should be handy all the way. 10
14 DAMAIPURI * Won first-up in Class 5 and would like to get back there. 33
15 GOOD BUDDY * Always thereabouts but poorly drawn. 33
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