Pat Shaw looks to have the strongest chance with QUECHUA. (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Two feature races suggests this is a cracking days racing and more importantly, the internationals are just round the corner. Well, there is still just over a month to go before the international visitors begin to trickle in but with horses from this Sundays features likely to carry the local hopes in May, it does get serious.
As it stands, ZAC SPIRIT is Singapore’s best turf sprinter and he will be hoping for a similar preparation to last year when he went into the KrisFlyer with three wins under his belt, including the Kranji Sprint. Of course he had the luxury of carrying just 51kg in the 2014 edition but the 5YO showed next start he was more than up to WFA Group company by winning the Lion City Cup. With 58kg he gives weight to all in the 2015 version of the Kranji Sprint (race 8) but he still looks the horse to beat with Johnny Powell (who incidentally rode him to his debut win) onboard for the indisposed Michael Rodd.
In the JBA Moonbeam Vase over 1800m, there might be another good thing in QUECHUA. At the race conditions, the 2014 Singapore Gold Cup winner looks extremely well-placed with 56kg and will very much appreciate being back on the turf where he has knocked in three of his four Singapore wins. The Long Course (A) will also suit and regular hoop Corey Brown will 
give him every opportunity.
FLAX also gets in very well at the race conditions and both horses will be looking for big runs as they head towards possible starts in the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup on May 17.
Sunday 5 April
Best Bets; (ZAC SPIRIT race 8, win), (QUECHUA race 10, win) and (FARRAND race 9, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10), race 10 (2, 3 and 4), race 11 (2, 5, 6, 7 and 8), race 12 (1, 3, 6 and 11).
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; 1 ZAC SPIRIT – 6 PACHELBEL’S CANON – 3 MAGNETO – 2 EL MILAGRO
The Group 3 Kranji Sprint over 1200m and whilst the top sprinter ZAC SPIRIT has to carry 58kg, he is clearly the one they have to beat. He did have his lowers coloured at similar conditions two starts back when doing it tough but happy to think he gets a better run here. The interesting challenger will be the highly-rated Argentinean Group winner PACHELBEL’S CANON. The entire has only 50.5kg to carry and could pose a genuine challenge at his Singapore debut although all his wins have been on the polytrack at a mile. MAGNETO struggled on the poly last start but will be better suited here and should be in the finish. Of the others EL MILAGRO could lead them up and be hard to run down whilst CAVALLO is always capable of surprising.
1 ZAC SPIRIT *** Top Singapore sprinter who is the one to beat although handicap conditions will test. 2.50
2 EL MILAGRO *** Could give a bold sight with 53.5kg and be hard to run down. 6.00
3 MAGNETO *** Struggled on the poly last start but will be better suited here and looks well weighted. 3.00
4 CAVALLO ** Ran on well last start and is capable of surprising. 10
5 HOLY EMPIRE * Recent runs have been ordinary but could improve. 25
6 PACHELBEL’S CANON *** Highly rated Argentinean who has been trialling well. Group One winner who has no weight and could be the testing material. Only wins have been on poly at a mile. 6.00
7 GOAL KEEPER * Will try hard but recent form is not good enough. 33
8 GOLDEN SAND STEED * Good poly sprinter who will run on but tested at this level. 25
9 CHEETAH ON FIRE * Best form is on poly or longer and looks tested here. 50
Race 9
Selections; 4 FARRAND – 1 DREAMCATCHER – 7 CALIFORNIA SUN – 10 JUST DUIT
A KSD over 1200m on the poly and with Craig Newitt taking over from the apprentice Salim, David Kok has best chance to break his season’s duck with FARRAND. The 8YO ran on nicely last start and looks well suited here with the inside alley a bonus. DREAMCATCHER is consistent at this level placing at his last two and will be thereabouts again. The stablemate FISCAL WINGS resumed with a good third and is also consistent at this level. SAFFIR only battled last start but his recent trial was good and he can get in the finish. AL VALORE is resuming, he has only battled at his past three outings since a Maiden win but has had quiet trials and could show up. JUST DUIT is in rare form and going for four in a row although he is up in grade and the gate could test. In a typically open KSD, others that could show up could include CALIFORNIA SUN, FEI YUE and HAPPY SAGA.
1 DREAMCATCHER *** Consistent at this level and will be thereabouts again. 6.00
2 LION WAVE * Has just battled at Singapore starts. Only wins in NZ were over 800m and want easier and shorter. 20
3 AL VALORE ** Resuming with upgrade to blinkers. Has only battled at past three outings since Maiden win. Has had quiet trials and could show up. 12
4 FARRAND *** Ran on nicely last start and will appreciate senior rider. Big show. 4.00
5 SAFFIR *** Only battled last start. Recent trial was good and he can get in the finish. 6.00
6 SPOT ON * Resuming. Only win was at a mile and may want longer. 33
7 CALIFORNIA SUN *** Looks due and should be handy throughout. 10
8 FISCAL WINGS *** Battled on well when resuming. Suited this grade and surface and can be in the finish. 6.00
9 HAPPY SAGA *** Up in grade but in form and can be running on late. 12
10 JUST DUIT *** In rare form but is up in grade. Poorly drawn but can give a sight. Respect. 12
11 SILVER AND GOLD * Did nothing when resuming. Will enjoy being back on poly but best form is over longer. 25
12 FEI YUE ** Ran on fairly last start and is usually thereabouts. 12
13 JET MAN * Has speed and normally gives a sight. 20
14 CHEETAH KING * Gets a long way back and only wins have been on turf over longer. 33
Race 10
Selections; 4 QUECHUA – 2 FLAX – 3 TRUDEAU – 9 THUMPING
A much better field in both depth and numbers than those recently seen in Group 3 middledistance races goes around in the Moonbeam Vase. However, the status quo may be maintained with Pat Shaw looking to have the strongest chance with QUECHUA. The Gold Cup winner took too long to get going last start but is better suited on turf over this distance and will be hard to beat. FLAX – the highest rated horse in the field – will also enjoy being back on turf where he has won three times at this trip and can get in the finish. TRUDEAU is an honest fellow, he won at 2000m in Malaysia but the 1800m is a potential query in this company. Manoel Nunes gets on board and should have him handy throughout. Down in the weights, the mare THUMPING is also very honest and whilst she is going beyond a mile for the first time, she is trained by Hideyuki Takaoka who would dearly like to win the JBBA sponsored race with his other two entries being the likely leader BRILLIANT DEAL and DANGER ZONE.
1 ONE RAR * Has won at this distance but best form is on poly. 20
2 FLAX *** Will enjoy being back on turf. Has won three times at this trip and can get in the finish. 4.50
3 TRUDEAU *** Won over 2000m in Malaysia but trip this company remains a query. In form and gets Nunes. Should be prominent throughout. 5.00
4 QUECHUA *** Took too long to get going last start. Better suited on turf over this distance. Will be hard to beat. 2.40
5 TROPAIOS * Has struggled since Singapore Gold Cup win two years ago. Needs to show improvement. 20
6 MARTIN * Two runs since resuming have shown improvement but will be tested in this. 20
7 BRILLIANT DEAL ** Can lead and give them something to chase. 10
8 DANGER ZONE * Has won at this trip but class may test. 25
9 THUMPING ** Honest mare who can should get a good run throughout. 10
10 VERGLATICA * Tested this level. 33
11 NATION THEATRE * Honest but this looks too hard. 25
Race 11
Selections; 7 RED SAPPHIRE – 2 INVICTUS – 5 BRAVO CHARLIE – 6 CALIFORNIAN JET
A competitive Class 4 over a mile with multiple chances. RED SAPPHIRE was close-up in this grade last start and Nunes stays on and will be hoping to make quick amends. INVICTUS enjoys the trip, is in winning form and certainly up to this grade. BRAVO CHARLIE is a 3YO of promise who won well in Novice class last start; he is taking on some seasoned performers here but may be up to the challenge. CALIFORNIAN JET knows how to find trouble but his two runs since resuming have been good; the mile suits and John Powell should have him running on late. TAKEOVER is very consistent and with the claim for Rueven he is well weighted in this and should be handy throughout. The enigma is ALFONSO who has won at BM83 level and drops in grade but whose form is at best unpredictable.
1 ALFONSO ** Down in grade and back in trip. Has won in much higher grade than this and could make his presence felt. 12
2 INVICTUS *** Up in grade after strong win but likes this trip and will be handy throughout. 6.50
3 NARUTO ** Progressive type resuming after a year off. Has had numerous good trials and could show up. Watch for support. 20
4 TEQUILA SHOT * Resuming with blinkers on. Has shown little so far. Only win was at 2000m in South Africa. 20
5 BRAVO CHARLIE *** Looked good winning a Novice at this trip. This is harder but shows promise and should be running on strongly. 4.50
6 CALIFORNIAN JET *** Ran on well in this grade over 1400m last start. Can find trouble but goes well at this trip and can get in the finish. 6.50
7 RED SAPPHIRE *** Close up in this grade last start. Should be in the finish. 6.50
8 TAKEOVER *** Consistent and only wins have been at this trip. Claim helps and should be in the finish. 6.50
9 IKING ** Thereabouts without threatening of late and may want easier. 16
10 PIASAU GARDEN ** Got the job done last start but this is harder. 20
11 KLEVER WARRIOR * Trip suits but may want poly and easier. 20
12 HEAR ME * Form too poor. 33
13 MAREA NEGRO ** Ran on last start. Has no weight and could surprise. Each-way. 12
14 ON TWISTTER * Tested. 50
15 STAGE BRIGHT * Form poor. 50
Race 12
Selections; 11 SEBROSE – 3 EURO ZONE – 1 RUAPEHU – 6 TO BE REMEMBERED
A strong BM67 over 1400m closes off the programme and it could be a Kiwi-trainer benefit. The Mark Walker trained SEBROSE looked good when winning first up in Class 4, he has run well at this level in the past and with Manoel Nunes up will be hard to beat from the inside gate. Laurie Laxon’s RUAPEHU drops in grade, he is consistent and with the claim for Farrick Tan, looks well treated at the weights given he recently won one of these with 2kg more. The stablemates EUROZONE and TO BE REMEMBERED are also consistent at this level and can be expected to race well. Bruce Marsh has the consistent ASSERTIVE LAD engaged, he is coming off a good Class 4 win and Stephen Gray has SQUIRE OSBALDESTON who, whilst he looks as if he wants longer, has done little wrong at his two Singapore outings. The wild card could be Cliff Brown who sends out ZEUS for his Singapore debut. He has good UK form up to 1700m winning twice and placing five times in eight turf start, his trials have been solid and Craig Newitt should give him a good trip. Keep PINT SIZED PRINCE safe as he seems to be enjoying turf and this trip at the minute.
1 RUAPEHU *** Drops in grade. Very consistent and last win was this class and distance with 56kg. Will race well. 5.00
2 HAMMER DOWN * Down in grade but far from reliable and needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
3 EURO ZONE *** Ran on well in this grade over 1200m when resuming. Rarely far away but will need to overcome the gate. 8.00
4 HARD STUFF * Has not been finishing off his races and needs to improve. 33
5 SOLITAIRE ** Ran on strongly when resuming over 1200m on poly in Class 4. This is harder but he could show up. 16
6 TO BE REMEMBERED *** Consistent at this level and will be in the finish. 12
7 ASSERTIVE LAD *** Good a nice run throughout and proved too strong last start in a good Class 4. Consistent and can get in the finish. 8.00
8 SERGEANT PEPPER * Has had several trials with blinkers. Not the most reliable but could show up from the good gate. 25
9 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Consistent and should be running on late. Best form is over a mile. 12
10 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON *** Has done little wrong at two Singapore outings. Races as though he wants longer but should be closing late. 10
11 SEBROSE *** Strong when resuming. Should get a perfect run from the good gate with top rider aboard. Will be hard to hold out late. 4.50
12 SPLICE ** Racing in good form. The class and gate may test but should be handy throughout. 16
13 ZEUS ** UK form is consistent up to 1700m with two wins and five placings from eight outings on turf. Trialled nicely. watch for support. 12
14 PINT SIZED PRINCE *** Has re-invented himself and could show up here without surprising. 20
15 GOLD RUN * Form has been disappointing but this should be his surface and distance. 20
16 ODE TO JOY ** Performed well at Singapore and a chance if she gets a start. 14
