War Affair Singapore Horse of the Year
Only one reason to head to the track today and that is WAR AFFAIR.
The reigning Singapore Horse of the Year was conspicuous by his absence during the International weekend, however, connections had made their intentions clear that the Four- Year-Old Challenge would be their short-term goal in 2015.
So the Stewards Cup was always on the agenda and at the weight-for-age conditions, he looks a dead-set certainty and it may be a case of who runs second. HUGHSY looks the best forecast option after a run of form that includes three wins from his last four starts. His latest win was at Group level in the Admiralty Stakes but given he carried only 52kg that day and a horse of the calibre of WAR AFFAIR wasn’t in the field, he would need to lift at WFA conditions to keep the champ honest.
GOLDEN BRILLIANT is another that has to be included in exotics given the fact he has yet to miss a place in 10 career starts but obviously the step up to Group racing is a leap of faith for punters.
The form falls away fairly quickly after that, however, WAR AFFAIR’S stablemate – HAPPY MONEY – knocked in his first turf win last start in KSA level and while this is a step up again, 
he could run a cheeky race at odds.
Elsewhere on the card, DREAMCATCHER looks a very solid option in race 7 on the card while AMAZEALOT can improve in race 9 and might be a good value bet.
Sunday 31 May
Best Bets; (WAR AFFAIR race 8, win), (DREAMCATCHER race 7, each-way) and (AMAZEALOT race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (1, 3, 4 and 10), race 8 (1), race 9 (6, 8, 10 and 11), race 10 (1, 4, 7, 8, 9 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 7
Selections; 3 DREAMCATCHER – 4 ROCK OF AGES – 1 ANGRY CAT – 10 LUCKY SIX
A very ordinary KSD over 1200m may give the consistent DREAMCATCHER a chance to break through. With regular rider Shafiq aboard, he will go back and may run on better than these. He also had excuses last start not to win so must be hard to beat. His stablemate LUCKY DAPPER rarely wins but will ensure a decent pace from the front. That could also suit ANGRY CAT who is down in grade and possesses a better turn of foot than most of these. ROCK OF AGES with a 2kg claim might find this a bit easier and can sit on the speed and be handy throughout. HOST THE NATION is another that rarely wins but can be in the placings and LUCKY SIX won well enough in Class 5 company last start to follow.
1 ANGRY CAT *** Down in grade and last win was in this company. Has more turn of foot than these and can be running on late. 5.00
2 LUCKY DAPPER ** Rarely far away but hardly ever wins. Can be in the placings. 10
3 DREAMCATCHER *** Honest with excuses not to win last start and should be in the finish. 4.00
4 ROCK OF AGES *** Drops to preferred surface and grade and goes very close with handy 2kg claim. 5.00
5 HOST THE NATION ** Rarely far away but has only won once in 31 starts. Will be thereabouts. 10
6 SUN EMPIRE * Winkers off. Maiden who has shown nothing at two Singapore starts. 33
7 CALIFORNIA SUN ** Disappointed last start but previous form was sound. Can show up. 10
8 JUST DUIT * Had some support when resuming but faded out late. Might want easier. 25
9 KINGSLEY * Far from reliable. Won in Class 5 two starts back and subsequently disappointed. Take on trust. 25
10 LUCKY SIX *** Tongue-tie added. Broke through in Class 5 last start and this is not much harder. Should get a good run throughout. 6.00
11 INFERMO * Needs easier. 25
12 BREAKING VAULTS * Wants Class 5 and longer. 33
Race 8
Selections; 1 WAR AFFAIR – 4 HUGHSY – 5 GOLDEN BRILLIANT – 3 HAPPY MONEY
WAR AFFAIR is a class above these and possibly only bad luck can beat him. At the WFA conditions he looks an absolute monty and you would expect the minimum win dividend with the mantra “put in take out” ringing round the betting shops. Who challenges him? HUGHSY is racing very well and could be the testing material. While not yet in WAR AFFAIR’S rarefied air, he won too well in good company last start not to be the obvious danger. GOLDEN BRILLIANT has yet to miss a place in 10 starts, he is versatile and could go forward or look to run on late so has to be respected. PACHELBEL’S CANON came with a big reputation but has shown little so far. The others are good horses – HAPPY MONEY, ABSOLUTELY and GOBI RANGER in particular – but are running for minor prizemoney.
1 WAR AFFAIR *** Horse of the Year who is a monty at weight-for-age. 1.20
2 PACHELBEL’S CANON * Highly-rated Argentinean who did little at Singapore debut but has since been gelded. Keep safe. 20
3 HAPPY MONEY ** Broke through on the turf last start in KSA company and can figure. 33
4 HUGHSY ** In super form and could be the testing material. Will be running on late. 5.00
5 GOLDEN BRILLIANT ** Has plenty of ability and recent trial suggests he is cherry ripe. Yet to miss a place in 10 starts and can give a sight. 11
6 ABSOLUTELY * Promising sort who will be running on but tested in this class. 25
7 GOBI RANGER * Has ability and ran on nicely when resuming. Class tests. 33
8 KNIGHT WAGER * Honest but tested at this level. 50
Race 9
Selections; 11 SMART PEOPLE – 6 LIM’S RALLY – 8 AMAZEALOT – 10 RISING EMPIRE
Another open affair where few are in really good form. SMART PEOPLE ran an excellent race in KSB company behind JIMMY REA last start; if he can repeat that effort he will be hard to beat. LIM’S RALLY is a horse of some promise; he is up in Grade but this is not a strong Class 3. AMAZEALOT is honest without being a superstar but a nice recent trial suggests he is is the mix. RISING EMPIRE has been racing well and threatening to make comparisons to his 2YO days. POWERNOVA drops back in trip but may find this more suitable and can get in the finish. DESERT FOX has been disappointing of late but on his best form would be right in this.
1 DESERT FOX ** Resuming for new stable after disappointing run of form. Take on trust. 10
2 CLUTHA LAD ** Honest and pay to keep safe. 33
3 LASER STORM ** Has ability and excuses not to finish in the mix last start. Goes close. 20
4 ONE SMART CAT * Blinkers off, tongue tie on but needs to improve on the turf. 33
5 POWERNOVA ** Back in trip after being disappointing at last couple but will find this field easier and can show up. 5.00
6 LIM’S RALLY *** Shows promise. Up in grade but should be in the finish. 5.00
7 RUAPEHU * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
8 AMAZEALOT *** Has been freshened by recent nice trial. Rarely far away and can be in the finish. 6.00
9 GATO NEGRO * Has speed but needs to improve on recent efforts. 16
10 RISING EMPIRE *** Never looked likely last start and happy to take on excellent form prior. 8.00
11 SMART PEOPLE *** Former Malaysian who fought well in much better company last start. Should be in the finish. 6.00
12 ASSERTIVE LAD ** Blinkers on. Recent trial was very good and can improve on last two disappointing efforts. 10
13 MEXBOROUGH BOY * Has some speed but wants easier. 25
Race 10
Selections; 1 AL VALORE – 7 JUST NAME IT – 10 KNOW EACH OTHER – 4 SMART VINTAGE
A race full of chances. AL VALORE ran well in Graduation Class last start, he rarely runs a bad race and should be right in the finish. Corey Brown stays on and he can improve on what is already and impressive CV. SMART VINTAGE has been running on strongly over shorter and is suited by the mile. JUST NAME IT doesn’t win often but is usually in the money and the same can be said for KNOW EACH OTHER. JIMTOWN is yet to win in Singapore but is improving and PERCIUS could go on from his Maiden win. RED SAPPHIRE disappointed last start but his previous form was sound and he could improve.
1 AL VALORE *** Honest and should be thereabouts. Suited this grade and distance. 3.50
2 NEW YORK CITY * Distance and grade suit but needs to improve on recent efforts. 25
3 INVICTUS ** Disappointed last start but suited this distance and should be competitive. 20
4 SMART VINTAGE *** Runs on, this distance suits and could improve with top rider staying aboard. 6.00
5 YES BABA ** Honest but best form is on poly. 12
6 DAAD’S THE WAY ** Veteran who can bob up but probably wants poly and easier. 33
7 JUST NAME IT *** Blinkers off. Struggles to win but rarely far away. Can show up and this looks suitable. 10
8 RED SAPPHIRE *** Disappointed last start but previous form was solid. Should be handy all the way. 8.00
9 JIMTOWN *** Ran on well at first start since changing stables. Yet to win in Singapore and may like easier but can show up. 10
10 KNOW EACH OTHER *** Runs on well. Trip suits and can be in the finish. 7.00
11 GRAND SEVEN SEAS * Struggled at last couple and wants easier. 33
12 PERCIUS ** Broke through last start. Distance suits but this is harder. 12
13 GALLANT HEIGHTS * Better in Class 5. 33
14 SILVER AND GOLD * Wants easier. 33
15 ROSADO ** Winkers on. Ran on well for Moreira last start. Could show up. 14
