War Affair – The best 4YO and the reigning Singapore Horse of the Year (pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A double treat for race-goers on Sunday as we get to see the best 3YO and the best 4YO in Singapore strut their stuff in what is a great days racing.
The best 4YO is WAR AFFAIR and the reigning Singapore Horse of the Year will start the red-hot favourite in the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl (race 8). Although not being as dominate as most expected when winning the Stewards Cup – the first leg of the 4YO Challenge – he will be the only one the punters want in the $500,000 feature and is obviously hard to beat.
However, respect must be paid to the Pat Shaw pair of QUECHUA and MAGNETO who both won Group races when beating WAR AFFAIR. Sure, both those Group races where at handicap conditions but QUECHUA in particular has proven himself at WFA when running third in the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup in May. MAGNETO’s Group victory over WAR AFFAIR was at this trip so that also suggests he appreciates stepping up to what looks his best trip and it may not be the one-horse affair most expected.
The best 3YO in the land is AFFLECK – fresh from a dominate Guineas win – and he gets to test himself against some very good older opposition in Kranji Stakes A company, also over the mile (race 10). But again it is a Pat Shaw runner who could upset the favourite applecart – this time with JOH
NNY GUITAR. The 5YO is the top-rated horse in what looks a very good field and after finding the International Cup too tough last start, this race looks suitable for the former Argentinean to show he has more to offer at this level.
Sunday 21 June
Best Bets; (WAR AFFAIR race 8, win), (AFFLECK race 10, win) and (SWIFT race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1), race 9 (2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 10), race 10 (4), race 11 (1, 4, 5 and 6).
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; 4 APPELLATION – 3 SUPER JOY – 2 CHIPS – 10 TOOBIGTOFAIL
A very ordinary Maiden which gives APPELLATION another chance; he ran on well over this distance last start and from the good gate should get a nice run throughout. SUPER JOY raced greenly and was given too much to do last start. His best form is on the poly but if Oscar Chavez gives him a more positive ride, he could be hard to hold out. CHIPS showed some improvement on the poly last start and with Michael Rodd to ride, could show up. In a race with little depth, BEST LIFE is usually running on and THINK PRETTY showed improvement last start and could get in the finish. JOY AND HAPPY ran on fairly last start and the extra distance could suit.
1 JOY AND HAPPY ** Ran on fairly over 1200m last start. Extra distance could suit but loves to find trouble. 14
2 CHIPS *** Improving and ran on well enough last start to give this a shake. 10
3 SUPER JOY *** Disappointed last start when he raced greenly but will win one sooner than later. 3.00
4 APPELLATION *** Ran on well over this distance last start. Should get a good run and will be hard to beat. 3.00
5 FRENCH VINTAGE * Battles away but needs to do more. 25
6 TRECRATIC * Needs to improve. 33
7 THINK PRETTY ** Showed improvement last start and could get in the finish. 8.00
8 REAL HERO * Tested. 33
9 BEST LIFE ** Runs on and could get in the finish. 8.00
10 TOOBIGTOFAIL * Battles. 25
11 BERNARD’S FIGHTER ** Not a mile away at his last couple but disappointing as a rule. 50
12 SUPER VELOX * Has been a maiden for a very, very (very) long time. 20
Race 8
Selections; 1 WAR AFFAIR – 3 MAGNETO – 2 QUECHUA – 4 HUGHSY
The Patrons Bowl and WAR AFFAIR has dominated Singapore racing since his 2YO days and there is no reason to suggest anything is about to change. He backed up a strong first-up win with a solid if unspectacular win in the Stewards Cup and he should get a good run off the speed in this and be too strong in the straight. QUECHUA is coming back in trip after an excellent run in the SIA Cup and his stablemate MAGNETO has been freshened since being outclassed in the KrisFlyer; they will do their best to keep the favourite honest. HUGHSY could not get close in the Stewards Cup but is unbeaten in three attempts at the mile and could apply some pressure. KNIGHT WAGER picked up the minor prize in the Stewards Cup and he could race well again.
1 WAR AFFAIR *** Did it tough but still won the Stewards Cup and extremely hard to beat in this. 1.20
2 QUECHUA ** Ran an excellent race in the SIA Cup and drops back in distance. May find this a bit short but will make his presence felt. 6.50
3 MAGNETO ** Outclassed in the KrisFlyer but has been freshened by a recent trial and better suited this distance. Can offer a challenge. 8.00
4 HUGHSY ** Could not get close in the Stewards Cup but has won three from three at the mile and could apply some pressure. 12
5 IDEAL GUIDE * Honest but outclassed in this . 50
6 ABSOLUTELY * Well beaten in Stewards Cup. Has ability but tested against these. 50
7 ORDER OF THE SUN * VRC St Leger winner who never figured at Singapore debut. Will go better with a patient ride but wants longer. 200
8 BOOMARANG DELUXE * Outclassed. 200
9 KNIGHT WAGER ** Performed very well in Stewards Cup and can be running on late. 20
Race 9
Selections; 2 LIM’S GREETING – 6 SKY ELEVEN – 4 HARDCORE ROCK – 10 SWIFT
A KSD over 1400m and as is often the case with these races, multiple chances as well others not worthy of consideration. LIM’S GREETING found plenty of trouble but still ran on strongly last start in Graduation company; if Oscar Chavez rides positively he should be hard to hold out. SKY ELEVEN battled away well in this grade last start, he is well drawn and Alan Munro should have him prominent throughout. HARDCORE ROCK is racing well in this company and the distance suits although Michael Rodd will have a challenge from the wide gate. The stablemate FREE HAPPY had been racing fairly in Class 4 over 1200m but only battled in Novice company last star; his only win was at 1200m but he could show up here. GUILTY PLEASURES is yet to win on turf but should be handy throughout whilst MEAISIN and SWIFT – who looks a good value option – are capable of showing up. Most of the rest are better in weaker grade or on the poly.
1 FREE HAPPY *** Racing fairly in Class 4 over 1200m will find this easier than Novice company last start. Only win was at 1200m but looks suited here. 7.00
2 LIM’S GREETING *** Found plenty of trouble but still ran on strongly last start in Graduation company. Should be hard to hold out. 4.00
3 NATURAL NICE * A long time since he has won but is getting way down in grade and this is his trip. 20
4 HARDCORE ROCK *** Racing well in this company and the distance suits with Michael Rodd taking the ride from a wide gate. 6.00
5 LOUEY VELOCE ** Caught wide and battled on last start. Might find this easier and could show up. 14
6 SKY ELEVEN *** Battled away well in this grade last start and should be prominent throughout. 6.00
7 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Yet to win on turf but battled away well last start and should get a good run throughout. 10
8 MEAISIN ** Has been battling away well but may need senior rider. 10
9 PATERSON ROAD * Drop in grade helps but better form is on poly over longer. 25
10 SWIFT *** Rarely far away and can be in the finish at each-way odds. Follow. 10
11 BLACK MAMBA ** Battled on in Novice class last start. Drop in grade from previous runs suits though 1400m can test. 25
12 ALADDIN * Form needs to improve. 33
13 STREET CHAMP * Tested here. 50
14 SUPERMART * Wants Class 5. 50
15 LEGACY * No.
Race 10
Selections; 4 AFFLECK – 1 JOHNNY GUITAR – 6 BOURBON GOLDMAN – 8 BLUE SWEDE
A KSA over a mile with the Guineas winner AFFLECK taking on the older horses over what is probably his preferred distance. This will be a test of where he is at but he should be hard to beat. JOHNNY GUITAR drops back to a more suitable trip after taking on International Group 1 company in the SIA Cup. The 5YO is well up to this grade and should be in the finish and looks the biggest danger to AFFLECK. It gets interesting after those two but BOURBON GOLDMAN had issues (arrhythmia) when running on well last start and his form prior has him involved somewhere. Likewise, BLUE SWEDE looks well-placed at the handicap conditions and you would presume he does his best work late as he heads towards the Derby. Respect WILD GEESE.
1 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Drops back to a more suitable trip after taking on international Group 1 company in SIA Cup. Should be in the finish. 3.50
2 SLEW OF LODE ** Has been freshened since SIA Cup. Best recent form is on poly but could show up. 20
3 WILD GEESE ** Versatile galloper who ran on well last start. Mile suits and can be in the finish. 6.00
4 AFFLECK *** Guineas winner taking on older horses for the first time. Will be hard to beat. 2.40
5 GOLIATH * Top polytracker tested on turf. 25
6 BOURBON GOLDMAN ** Got too far back last start (and had heart issues) but ran on well in Admiralty Classic at start prior. Consistent and make his presence felt. 6.00
7 BLUE DANUBE ** Highly rated Argentinean who did little at Singapore debut. Recent trial was an improvement and he could show up. 12
8 BLUE SWEDE ** Ran on well when resuming in Class 2. Can show up with light weight. 12
Race 11
Selections; 4 GREAT SCOTT – 1 ASPEN – 5 JUSTICE WORLD – 6 KNIGHT SPIRIT
A BM67 over 1400m and GREAT SCOTT might be hard to beat. The 3YO is racing well in this grade – he was beaten by a good one last start – the distance suits and he should be handy all the way. ASPEN also looks a strong chance. The 4YO ran on well in Class 3 last start, the visor goes on and at third run from a let-up, he should find this easier with 3kg claim a bonus. Mario Esposito is making a habit of swooping home late to win. The Italian did so last start on JUSTICE WORLD and could do so again. KNIGHT SPRIT is another who likes to run on late, he has won nine races and whilst 1600m is his preferred trip, he showed last start that 1400m holds no fears. Amongst the others FAST EDITION is a useful 3YO though 1400m could test and POLE PARADISE could show up with his light weight.
1 ASPEN *** Ran on well in Class 3 last start. Visor on at third run from a let-up and should find this easier with 3kg claim a bonus. 4.00
2 CLUTHA LAD ** Yet to win on turf but better than what he showed last start. 20
3 LASER STORM ** Ran on well in Class 3 last start. Yet to place in six turf outings but could be thereabouts. 14
4 GREAT SCOTT *** Racing well in this grade and beaten by a good one last start. Should be handy all the way. 4.00
5 JUSTICE WORLD *** Ran on very strongly when resuming to win in Class 4 last start. Expect much the same. 5.00
6 KNIGHT SPIRIT *** Swooped to win over this trip in Class 4 last start. Knows how to win and will be closing late. 5.00
7 DRAGON FURY * Struggled in Class 4 after KSD win. Tested here. 33
8 FAST EDITION ** Battled in Graduation company last start. Useful 3YO but distance and class may test. 14
9 NATION THEATRE * Has been racing over longer but best form is on poly. 33
10 POLE PARADISE ** Racing well in Class 4 and could show up with light weight. 10
11 MEGATHINK * Two-time winner in NSW who ran on fairly last start. Won at 1500m but may want easier. 20
