Gadawon might prove very hard to run down. (picture Singapore Turf Club)
If you are having a flutter on Sunday – and if you are reading this there is a big show you are – then it may pay to see how the Short Course (E) is playing as it often favours horses on the pace.
With this in mind a horse like GADAWON might be a good option in race 8. The 4YO has looked likely at his last two starts but was taken on out front on both occasions which makes the business end tough for any horse on any course. His effort to place two starts back was good and given he should get a softer lead in this KSD field, he might prove very hard to run down.
In saying that, good horses will win on any course and there are plenty of nice types going round in race 9 on the card – an Open Stakes over 2000m. At the weight conditions, EMPEROR’S BANQUET looks very well placed with 53.5kg and could be hardest to beat. Pat Shaw has added winkers to his race-day gear so expect a forward showing over a trip he enjoys with Nooresh Juglall on-board.
The field has depth though and Laurie Laxon having two-last start winners in the field should send an ominous warning to his opposition. Both VALBUENA and MARTIN turned around some “just OK” form to knock in wins\ and while the top weight VALBUENA – who gets blinkers added – is not well placed at the race conditions, MARTIN gets his chance in what is a suitable race.
The good racing continues in race 9 when two impressive 3YO’s in MY LUCKY STRIKE and SEBAS go head-to-head over 1000m. MY LUCKY STRIKE resumes after tasting defeat for the first time ba
ck in March but that was over 1200m and his record over 1000m is exceptional. Likewise SEBAS has a terrific record over the shortest trip with four wins and a second from five starts but worth noting his only defeat over 1000m was to MY LUCKY STRIKE. A great race with more than just bragging rights up for grabs.
Sunday 14 June
Best Bets; (EMPEROR’S BANQUET race 9, win), (MY LUCKY STRIKE race 10, win) and (GADAWON race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3, 4, 5 and 7), race 9 (2, 4, 5 and 7), race 10 (1, 2 and 10), race 11 (1, 3, 4 and 12).
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; 3 GADAWON – 2 FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS – 5 WARSPIRIT – 4 HARDCORE ROCK
An average KSD on the turf over 1200m where a number drop into suitable grade or onto a suitable surface. GADAWON has been doing it very tough out front at his last couple but gets into the right company and can show up on a course that should suit on-pace runners. If he gets any peace out front, he could punch this. On his tail will be the literally named FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS. The “cheap buy” won well last start and this is not much harder. Plenty of other winning hopes including WARSPIRIT who is a versatile fellow and has been thereabouts on the poly; with Oscar Chavez taking over from TH Koh could improve significantly. HARDCORE ROCK ran on well last start, this distance and surface suit. GRAND VITESS is from the in-form Stephen Gray stable, he was not far away in higher grade last start and with the 4kg claim for Ruzaili could make his presence felt.
1 DASHING JACK * Gawler (SA) place-getter having first Singapore start. Shown little at trials. Watch market. 33
2 FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS *** Broke through for overdue win last start and should be handy throughout. 5.50
3 GADAWON *** Has been doing it tough out front but drops in grade and can show up. 5.00
4 HARDCORE ROCK *** Blinkers on/Tongue-tie off. Fought on well over 1400m last start. Suited this grade and should be in the finish. 4.00
5 WARSPIRIT *** Has been battling away on the poly but has won at this trip on turf and can improve with senior rider aboard. Keep safe. 5.00
6 SPEED MACHINE * Fair when resuming after a long break but still a maiden and can find easier. 50
7 GRAND VITESS *** From in-form stable and not far away in higher grade last start. 4kg claim helps and could make his presence felt. 5.00
8 HIGHLIGHT * Fair when resuming but has been disappointing. Take on trust. 16
9 PRINCE MAG * Wants longer. 33
10 HONGCHEN * Battles away but may be better in Class 5 over longer. 25
11 LET’S SCREAM NOW * Needs Class 5. 33
12 EASY EASY * Broke through in Class 5 last start. Better on poly but well drawn and could show up. 20
Race 9
Selections; 4 EMPEROR’S BANQUET – 5 CHEETAH ON FIRE – 7 FUJIN BRIGHT – 2 MARTIN
An Open Stakes over 2000m with trainers Shaw, Laxon and Takaoka having Formula Onelike teams of two runners each. Laurie Laxon sends out last start winners VALBUENA and MARTIN, the latter being well weighted and on the quick-back up after a win over 1400m; he is good when right and 2000m is a very suitable journey. But VALBUENA gets blinkers and is coming of his maiden Singapore win so don’t discount although he is very badly at the race conditions. Pat Shaw has EMPEROR’S BANQUET nicely placed with 53.5kg. The 5YO is rarely far away, should get a good run throughout and has won at the trip. The stable mate IN FACT is honest but may be tested at this level. Of the Takaoka runners FUJIN BRIGHT has a good record on turf at the trip, his recent runs on the poly have been fair and he could improve. Bruce Marsh will be hoping MUSKETEER goes out and sets a solid speed, if so CHEETAH ON FIRE will be the one charging home late and may beat them all.
1 VALBUENA ** Blinkers on. Finally broke through in Singapore last start. Has trialled well with head-gear since. Badly in at the conditions. 10
2 MARTIN *** Backing up quickly after strong win over 1400m. Good when right and this distance suits. 3.00
3 ONE RAR * Never likely last start. Best form is on poly and failed at only try at 2000m. 16
4 EMPEROR’S BANQUET *** Winkers on. Rarely far away and has won at this trip. With 53.5 kg should be handy throughout. 3.50
5 CHEETAH ON FIRE *** Has had three runs since resuming. Needs a solid pace but will be charging home late. 4.00
6 IN FACT ** Honest but can be tested at this level. 14
7 FUJIN BRIGHT *** Has a good record at this distance and could be hard to run down. 6.00
8 MUSKETEER * May go forward but has been struggling of late and needs to improve. 33
Race 10
Selections; 1 MY LUCKY STRIKE – 2 SEBAS – 10 TOU SHOU BRIGHT – 7 CORONET PEAK
Another good race, a KSC over 1000m on the poly in which there will be plenty of speed. MY LUCKY STRIKE resumes after tasting defeat over 1200m last start. The 3YO’s recent trial was sound and the distance suits; with a 1kg claim for Shafiq he should be prominent throughout. SEBAS is very honest and has won four from five at this trip. The 3YO is well drawn he will be on the speed throughout. TOU SHOU BRIGHT is up 5kg but is racing well and can give a sight from the good gate. BLUE DIAMOND and LIVELY DRAGON may also go forward and give a sight, RED RIVER ROCK and CORONET PEAK will get nice runs off the speed and they could be closing late.
1 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** Resuming after tasting defeat over 1200m last start. Recent trial was sound, distance suits and should be prominent throughout. 3.00
2 SEBAS *** Honest. Has won four from five at this trip and will be on the speed throughout. 3.00
3 FLYING ZERO ** Resuming with blinkers and recent trial suggests he can play a part in exotics. 33
4 BLUE DIAMOND ** Disappointed last start when ridden off the speed. Usually thereabouts but will need a positive ride. 14
5 LIVELY DRAGON ** Has speed and can give a bold sight. 16
6 RED RIVER ROCK ** Was caught wide when resuming. Better suited here from the good gate with 3kg claim. Can show up. 10
7 CORONET PEAK ** Is a race-to-race proposition but will work into this late. 14
8 GUARICANA * Needs to improve. Only wins have been on turf. 50
9 GOLDEN MISSION * Resuming. Tongue-tie off. Usually thereabouts but rarely wins and may want easier. 20
10 TOU SHOU BRIGHT *** Up 5kg but racing well and can give a sight from the good gate. 6.00
11 DRAGON SPIRIT * Did nothing when resuming. Likes this trip but will find the going tough from the wide gate. 33
12 CALIFORNIA EAGLE * Poorly drawn and tested here. Wants easier. 33
Race 11
Selections; 5 MEGUSTO – 3 ZULULAND – 12 ARES – 8 MASURAO
An interesting Novice over 1400m where some hard questions regarding ZULULAND and IMPERIAL MARCH may be answered. ZULULAND has only won once but that was at Group Level in Australia. The 3YO colt has been running reasonable races in 3YO Group company in Singapore and placed in the dubious-quality Singapore Cup. If he is to justify his 72 rating, he needs to win this. IMPERIAL MARCH is another of these highly-qualified Argentineans from the Michael Clements stable. He has placed at Group level up to 1800m on turf and has been trialling well; watch for support. ARES won over 1200m in UK and took the eye with a strong finish over 1200m in Class 4 last outing; this distance should suit and he may be the hardest to beat. However, MEGUSTO might lead and be hard to pass with gate 4 and Michael Rodd a good combination and MASURAO could also run a cheeky race at odds. MATA MATA has been freshened since running well in longer races; he trialled well recently and can show up fresh. In what looks a strong race, last start winners HEE’S FORTE and LINCOLN’S EXCUSE could show up.
1 LINCOLN’S EXCUSE *** Broke through last start. This is harder but well drawn and can get in the finish. 12
2 FREE HAPPY * Battles away but might find this too hard. 50
3 ZULULAND *** Only win was Group 2 VRC Sires produce at this trip. Has battled away at harder races in Singapore and gets his chance here. 3.50
4 IMPERIAL MARCH *** Argentinean who was placed in Group company on turf up to 1800m. Trialling solidly. Watch market. 4.50
5 MEGUSTO ** Broke through last start over this journey. This is harder but can show up. 10
6 HEE’S FORTE ** Resuming. Was in solid form last preparation. Trialled quietly but could show up fresh. Watch market. 12
7 MORALES ** Was squeezed at start and ran on well over 1200m in similar event last start. Can get in the finish. 12
8 MASURAO *** Placed three starts back in one of these and has been in harder races since. Cheeky run expected. 20
9 MATA MATA ** Has been freshened since running well in longer races. Trialled well recently and can show up fresh. 8.00
10 PO’DE OURO * Broke through two starts back but tested against these. 33
11 HELEN * Wants easier. 50
12 ARES *** Ran on very well last start in Class 4. Won over 1200m in UK but this distance should suit and should get a good run throughout. 5.00
