War Affair arguably the best horse in the Group 1 Lion City (pic by Liesl King)
The Group 1 Lion City Cup always lives up to expectations. Yes, money talks and $1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint has taken the mantle as the one to win for local owners but the time-honored Lion City remains the benchmark.
As you would expect the honour role reads like a who’s who of local champions – a fact highlighted by the name ROCKET MAN appearing a lazy four times. Add record breakers in NINETYFIVE EMPEROR and SUPER EASY to that list and it’s easy to see why this race is one that is a must win for jockeys, trainers and owners.
ZAC SPIRIT won this race last year and given the form he has shown leading into his defense of the sprint title, he looks hardest to beat. The 5YO has an impeccable race record of some 10 wins and seven placings from 18 career starts – most over this trip – and it does look a case of whoever beats him, wins. WAR AFFAIR anyone?
The 2014 Horse of the Year shows his face at the races for the first time in 2015 and given his recent run of very eye-catching trials, the champ looks cherry ripe to show his best fresh over the sprint distance.
Yes, he will need to stay in touch with ZAC SPIRIT to be in with a shout when things get serious but given the early speed expected, the race could be his to win with 200m to go. 
Connections or WAR AFFAIR will also be hoping that ZAC SPIRIT has the flying filly KIWI KARMA in his sights and the 3YO rising-star could give a bold sight with both a sex and age weight allowance ensuring she will get plenty of support. A great race and it may just be one for the ages.
Sunday 26 April
Best Bets; (RED DAWN race 11, win), (BOOMERANG DELUXE race 8, value) and (ZAC SPIRIT/WAR AFFAIR race 9, forecast/swinger).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8), race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (1, 3, 5 and 9), race 11 (2, 4, 7 and 8).
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 ABSOLUTELY – 1 BOOMARANG DELUXE – 5 GOOD NEWS – 8 OM
A BM83 over a mile with some promising and consistent ones engaged. ABSOLUTELY is a horse of considerable promise, he gave them too much start last outing but with Michael Rodd up over a longer distance, could easily make amends. BOOMARANG DELUXE’s best form is on the poly, he put in a good turf run when resuming and should be improved over what is a much more suitable distance. Two horses that ran on well with ABSOLUTELY over 1400m last start in GOOD NEWS and OM also have to be seriously considered. IDEAL GUIDE ran on well last start and with Manoel Nunes taking over, should get a good run throughout. MAGICAL TALENT has run a few big races in his career, he got going late last start and should be suited this distance. OM can find trouble but runs on and can get in the finish. FRAAJILISTIC is very consistent at this level, he should be handy throughout and hard to leave out of top three picks. Amongst the others BOARD WALK and SQUIRE OSBALDESTON can show up in a race with depth.
1 BOOMARANG DELUXE *** Resumed with a good effort over 1200m and looks a leading hope stepping up the mile. 12
2 ABSOLUTELY *** Gave them too much start last outing. Better suited this distance and hard to beat. 4.50
3 MAGICAL TALENT ** Got going late last outing over 1400m. Derby place-getter who should enjoy this distance. 6.00
4 FRAAJILISTIC *** Consistent and should be in the finish once again. 4.50
5 GOOD NEWS *** Best form is on poly but excellent work late last start similar company has him under notice. 20
6 VALBUENA ** Has been disappointing since arriving from New Zealand but another who finished off well last start. 25
7 IDEAL GUIDE *** Ran on well last start and with Nunes taking over should get a good run throughout. Suited this distance. 6.00
8 OM *** Can find trouble but runs on and could be in the finish. 10
9 MUSKETEER * Needs to improve on recent form. 33
10 VERTICAL START * Excuses last start but will be tested at this level. 20
11 BOARD WALK ** Broke through for first career win at a mile last start. Consistent and can be in the finish. 12
12 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON ** Runs on strongly. Up in grade but this distance is more suitable. Can show up. 12
Race 9
Selections; 2 WAR AFFAIR – 1 ZAC SPIRIT – 9 KIWI KARMA – 3 EMPEROR MAX
The Lion City Cup over 1200m and an outstanding field has been assembled. Clearly ZAC SPIRIT is the one to beat on recent winning form. The 5YO won this race last year but he could have his hands full chasing the flying filly KIWI KARMA who gets 3.5kg off the rest of the field. The 3YO is facing her biggest test but the other hoops would want to keep her in their sights as her race record is outstanding. However, arguably the best horse in the race is WAR AFFAIR. He has gone OK first-up perviously and plenty of nice trials suggests he is ready. Would you pick against him? EMPEROR MAX was runner-up to ZAC SPIRIT last year, he is resuming after a bleeding attack, his recent trials have been solid and he should race well. FAALTLESS is also resuming, he beat both EMPEROR MAX and ZAC SPIRIT at his last start but meets them significantly worse at the weights. Amongst the others GOAL KEEPER ran third last year and can run a strong race from the inside alley.
1 ZAC SPIRIT *** Singapore’s top sprinter and the one they have to beat. Won this race last year and should get a good run throughout. 2.50
2 WAR AFFAIR *** Singapore Horse Of the Year resuming. Usually needs a run to get him wound up but has had several trials and will be running on late. 3.00
3 EMPEROR MAX ** Ran second to Zac Spirit last year but beat him home in the KrisFlyer. Resuming after a bleeding attack. Trialling nicely and will race well. 8.00
4 HUKA FALLS * Recent trial solid but better on poly and tested at this level on turf. 33
5 FAALTLESS ** Strong sprinter resuming. Beat both EMPEROR MAX and ZAC SPIRIT at his last start but meets them significantly worse at the weights. Could surprise. 12
6 GOAL KEEPER ** Ran third in this race last year and can run a bold race from the ace. 20
7 CHEETAH ON FIRE * Gets back and runs on but outclassed at the conditions. 50
8 PETRENUI * Tongue tie on. Has plenty of speed but tested at level weights on turf. 33
9 KIWI KARMA ** Flying filly in super form against her own age group. Will be hard to run down if any peace out front. 4.50
Race 10
Selections; 1 EAGLE STORM – 9 STIRLING – 3 REACH FOR THE SUN – 5 GATO NEGRO
A competitive KSC over 1200m on the turf with plenty of speedsters as well as a number coming back in trip and several others more comfortable on the poly. EAGLE STORM battled on the poly last start but was strong over this trip in this grade on turf at his previous start; he rises 1.5kg on that win but should race well. REACH FOR THE SUN was caught wide and ran on well when resuming. He has yet to win but has never missed a pace in six turf outings and should be in the finish. GATO NEGRO’s last turf win was over this trip in this grade, his recent trial was sound and should be prominent throughout. HIMALAYA DRAGON is resuming and whilst her best form is on poly, she placed at her only turf start. MEDIA CAPTAIN surprised last start but is very honest and if left in front can be very hard to run down. STIRLING was not far away in that race and meets MEDIA CAPTAIN 2kg better; despite the ordinary gate he should be handy throughout. Others that could show up are MAC VOLKS, VON KRUMM though both are drawn wide and the very consistent ALPHA CENTAURI who drops back in trip but is very versatile.
1 EAGLE STORM *** Battled on the poly last start but was too strong over this trip in this grade on turf at his start prior. Rises 1.5kg on that but should race well. 6.00
2 ALPHA CENTAURI ** Coming back in trip and onto the turf but is versatile and consistent. Should show up. 10
3 REACH FOR THE SUN *** Caught wide and ran on well when resuming. Has yet to win but has never missed a pace in six turf outings. Should be in the finish. 6.00
4 CLUTHA LAD * Dropping back in trip and best form is on poly. 25
5 GATO NEGRO *** Last turf win was over this trip in this grade. Recent trial was sound and should show up at value. 6.00
6 HIMALAYA DRAGON ** Progressive type resuming. Placed at only turf run but best form is on poly. 10
7 MEDIA CAPTAIN ** Game front runner who surprised all but his most ardent supporters last start. Rises 3.5kg but well drawn and could run a cheeky race once again. 12
8 PHILANTHROPIST ** Improved effort last start and could go on with it. 16
9 STIRLING *** Never looked comfortable when not far away last start in Class 3. Meets Media Captain 2kg better and despite the gate should be handy throughout. 6.00
10 MAC VOLKS * Poorly drawn but has plenty of speed. Placed twice on turf but best form is on poly. 16
11 VON KRUMM ** Poorly drawn but has speed, won well on debut and will be handy throughout. 12
12 BAJAN * Was well back in CHC Singapore Cup but has trialled well since. Placed at group level over longer on dirt in USA. Watch market. 16
13 TERMINATOR * Yet to win on turf and has shown no worthwhile form for some time. 50
14 HARDCORE ROCK * Blinkers off and drops back in trip but needs to improve on recent form. Wants easier. 50
15 RUAPEHU * Has struggled at past two outings. Could improve with Nunes aboard. 16
16 SCRAT ** Ran on well when resuming. Can be in the finish. 12
Race 11
Selections; 4 RED DAWN – 7 HADES – 2 CHEYENNE WARRIOR – 8 DYLAN
A Class 4 over 1200m on turf without a great deal of depth. RED DAWN was not far away when resuming in Novice company, he has placed at all three turf outings and should be prominent throughout from the good gate. DYLAN got too far back in Graduation company last start but goes well for Manoel Nunes and with a more forward ride expected should be in the finish. HADES ran on from a long way back last start, hopefully this time Craig Newitt will give him a more positive ride. CHEYENNE WARRIOR was well back throughout when resuming on the poly, he is better suited on turf and should be closing late. Of the others LOUEY VELOCE could improve and the debutant POWER PLAY trials reasonably.
1 POWER PLAY ** Former Argentinean making Singapore debut. Trials good enough to keep safe. 12
2 CHEYENNE WARRIOR *** Well back throughout when resuming on poly. Better suited on turf and should be closing late. Value. 8.00
3 LOUEY VELOCE * Has been disappointing since good first-up second on poly. Both his wins in NZ were on heavy tracks and may need soft ground. 20
4 RED DAWN *** Blinkers back on after not being far away when resuming in Novice company. Has placed at all three turf outings and should be prominent throughout from the good gate. 3.50
5 SMART VINTAGE * Blinkers to winkers. Needs to improve on effort when resuming. Only win was at 2100m. 33
6 DREAMCATCHER ** Rarely far away but best efforts are on poly in weaker grade. 20
7 HADES *** Ran on from a long way back last start. Will go better with a more positive ride. 4.50
8 DYLAN *** Got too far back in Graduation company last start. Goes well for Nunes and should be in the finish. 4.00
9 BARNBURGH LAD * Recent form ordinary and better on poly. 33
10 TROPICAL FOREST * Best form is on poly and may want easier. 50
11 HAPPY SAGA * Better suited in Class 5. 33
12 HIPPO VENTURA * Maiden who has shown nothing so far. 50
13 HAPPY CAT * Back from Malaysian and best form is over longer. 20
14 CHEETAH KING * Will get a long way back and run on but best form is over longer in easier. 20
