Emperor’s Banquet looks perfect for the Group 3 Marsiling Classic Stakes over 1800m with a Group 3 turf win over 2000m under his belt (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
Castle or Sapporo? That looks the only question prior to the running of the Group 3 Marsiling Classic Stakes with trainers Pat Shaw and Hideyuki Takaoka having all six runners between them.
The South African handler (Shaw), has four of the six runners entered with EMPEROR’S BANQUET heading the weights. The 5YO comes into this with a Group 3 turf win over 2000m under his belt but has won on the Polytrack so this feature over 1800m looks perfect.
But while SLEW OF LODE and John Powell did look to pinch one in the Polytrack Mile,
you have to respect winning Group Poly form with Shaw’s other two runners – ALEXANDRA PALACE and IN FACT both likely to be involved somewhere in this small field.
Of Mr Takaoka’s two runners, BRILLIANT DEAL looks his best hope and is likely to set the pace with the canny Alan Munro up while SPRING THUNDER does look to be making up the numbers.
Elsewhere on the card, a newcomer from New Zealand in VON KRUMM (by Snitzel with a very low tum) looks well-placed in Class 4 to show up at his Singapore debut and has certainly 
trialed well enough to consider at each-way odds.
Value seekers may take another look at COLLECT THE CASH (race 8) in the parade ring as he steps up considerably in distance and could provide a shock in what is a race with plenty of unknowns.
Sunday 22 March
Best Bets; (EMPEROR’S BANQUET race 9, win), (VON KRUMM race 11, each-way) and (COLLECT THE CASH race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2 and 7), race 9 (1), race 10 (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 12), race 11 (1, 5, 6, 8 and 10).
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; 2 CLERMONT CLUB – 7 PRINCE MAG – 1 COLLECT THE CASH – 8 TWODOLLARMUPPET
A KSD over 1900m on the poly where many are uncertain on the surface or over the trip. One that is not is CLERMONT CLUB who battled on well last start on turf and is better suited on the poly; he should race well. PRINCE MAG is a strong stayer who handles the poly and can get in the finish of this. It gets a little tricky after these two so it may pay to keep COLLECT THE CASH safe at odds. His recent form is hopeless and he steps up alarmingly in distance but he has won over a mile on the Poly and could surprise in this company. TWODOLLARMUPPET is another who could show up after a good effort last start but like COLLECT THE CASH, is a query at the trip. Of the rest, OVER EASY goes around every other week but he is tough and a winner in this grade and distance. FLAWLESSLY has only battled at her poly runs but this distance could suit. ZIPANGU stays well but his best surface is turf and similar remarks can be made of MINI BOSS and IMPERIAL FIGHTER.
1 COLLECT THE CASH *** Tongue tie on. Veteran down in grade having first try at 1900m. Has won over mile on the Poly. Smokey. 14
2 CLERMONT CLUB *** Battled on well last start on turf. Better suited on poly and should race well. 3.50
3 ZIPANGU ** Resuming. Stays well but only wins are on turf. 8.00
4 IMPERIAL FIGHTER ** Down in grade but being tested at the trip and best form is on turf. 8.00
5 MINI BOSS ** Battles on but only win is on turf at a mile. 8.00
6 FLAWLESSLY ** Disappointed last start. Has battled at both poly runs but trip may suit. 12
7 PRINCE MAG *** Stays like the mother-in-law and can get in the finish of this. 4.50
8 TWODOLLARMUPPET ** Much improved effort last start. Bred to stay and could show up. 14
9 OVER EASY ** Has won at this distance in this class and could show up. 8.00
10 FLYING AHEAD * Suited this class and surface but on trial at the trip. 16
Race 9
Selections; 1 EMPEROR’S BANQUET – 2 SLEW OF LODE – 3 ALEXANDRA PALACE – 4 BRILLIANT DEAL
An extremely disappointing field of six for the Group 3 Marsiling Classic over 1800m on the poly with Pat Shaw having four of the runners and Hideyuki Takaoka two. Of Pat’s quartet, EMPEROR’S BANQUET has won on the poly and is suited here; he will set his own tempo and be strong late. ALEXANDRA PALACE has won twice at 1800m and won on the all-weather at Meydan so could make his presence felt. SLEW OF LODE won the polytrack mile when John Powell was able to stack them up and sprint home best. However, with the Takaoka runner BRILLIANT DEAL in the field it is unlikely he will be able to do that, Alan Munro being the one most likely to attempt larceny.
1 EMPEROR’S BANQUET *** Has won on the poly and suited here. Will set his own tempo and be strong late. 2.00
2 SLEW OF LODE ** Stacked them up and out-sprinted them in a farcical Polytrack mile last start. May not be able to do the same here. 5.50
3 ALEXANDRA PALACE ** Has won twice at 1800m and won on the all-weather at Meydan. Can make his presence felt. 3.30
4 BRILLIANT DEAL ** Will set the tempo and could be hard to run down. 6.00
5 SPRING THUNDER * Has changed stables and is a winner at the trip. Class may test. 20
6 IN FACT * Blinkers off. Only Singapore win is at this trip on turf. Will be tested in this field. 10
Race 10
Selections; 6 RIDE OF VALKYRIES – 3 THESE STREETS – 1 FRAAJILISTIC – 4 BLUE SWEDE
Another competitive affair, a KSC over a mile with RIDE OF VALKYRIES, THESE STREETS and FRAAJILISTIC meeting again. Whilst FRAAJILISTIC gets a handy claim, both RIDE OF VALKYRIES and THESE STREETS look better suited at the mile with the Argentinean Group winner RIDE OF VALKYRIES the one with the most likely improvement. If any others are to upset matters it is likely to be INTENSE GOLD or BLUE SWEDE both of whom are coming off solid wins as well as IDEAL GUIDE who has benefited from three recent outings over shorter distances.
1 FRAAJILISTIC *** Just lasted to win last outing. Gets a handy claim and is vey consistent but mile can test. 5.00
2 MUSKETEER * Struggling to find his best form. 25
3 THESE STREETS *** Meets Fraajilistic 0.5kg better at weights for narrow defeat and runs on as though the mile will suit. Should be hard to beat. 4.00
4 BLUE SWEDE *** Won well last start and the type that goes close if having a good day. 8.00
5 IDEAL GUIDE ** Has benefited from three runs over shorter trips since resuming and can be in the finish. 8.00
6 RIDE OF VALKYRIES *** Surged late to just miss at Singapore debut. Not well weighted but has won up to 2000m in Argentina and will be hard to hold out here. 3.50
7 FATKID * Tested against these. 25
8 INTENSE GOLD ** In form and distance suits but up in grade and has struck a strong field. 10
9 NEW YORK CITY * Will be improved by recent outings but this is too tough. 25
10 RUSTY BROWN * Tested here. 33
11 DRAGON G * Honest but wants easier. 33
12 POLE PARADISE ** Blinkers off and showed enough last start to think he plays a part somewhere. 33
13 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Distance suits. Will be running on and pay to include if he gets a start. 16
14 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON * Promising sort eligible for easier. 16
Race 11
Selections; 1 VON KRUMM – 8 HYDRO – 10 HADES – 5 ROYAL FINISH
A highly competitive Class 4 over 1200m closes the programme. And as seen of late, a few raced newcomers have done very well on debut so the beautifully named VON KRUMM comes under notice. The former Kiwi looks a useful type who won twice at 1200m in NZ; he trials solidly and should debut well. Likewise, ROYAL FINISH had good form in Queensland and was solid at his Singapore debut; he should be further improved and can be prominent throughout. HYDRO ran on well at his Singapore debut, his best form is over longer but he should be closing late. HADES battled away well last start and should race well again. THANKFULNESS is consistent, he gets a handy claim and should be on the speed throughout. Whilst there is very little between these, others such as the honest BLACK SNOW, MY BOY JACK, PERFECT CHALLENGER and KAISER are all genuine contenders.
1 VON KRUMM *** Useful type who won twice at 1200m in NZ. Trials solidly. Watch market. 6.00
2 BLACK SNOW ** Consistent. Might prefer longer but rarely runs a bad race and will be in the finish 8.00
3 KAISER ** Won in weaker grade last start. Comfortable in this class and should get a good run throughout. 12
4 FLYING TEMPO * Resuming after changing stables. Wants longer. 33
5 ROYAL FINISH *** Solid at debut and should be further improved. Can be prominent throughout. 6.00
6 THANKFULNESS *** Consistent and should be handy throughout. Claim helps. 6.00
7 MY BOY JACK ** Disappointed last start. Shorter trip could suit. 10
8 HYDRO *** Ran on well at Singapore debut. Best form is over longer but should be closing late. 6.00
9 PERFECT CHALLENGER ** Runs on but is often set too big a task. 14
10 HADES *** Battled away well last start after issues early. Should race well again. 6.00
11 SILVER STAR * Not far away at recent outings but may prefer the poly. 25
12 SOUTHERN ADMIRAL * Resuming. Still a maiden. 50
13 SMART SUPREME * Best efforts have been on poly. 33
14 ROSADO * Has battled since Class 4 win three starts back and may want easier. 25
