Keen Dragon beats out Bullet to claim victory in Singapore (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
Sometimes the old adage “it’s not rocket science” or even “keep it simple stupid” are worth keeping in mind when it comes to the punt. And on the weekend when leading hoop Manny Nunes returns to the saddle after a selfinflicted one month layoff, it might just pay to follow the Brazilian as he tries to extend his lead in the 2015 Championship.
Obviously his book of rides is solid to say the least but when he pairs-up with leading trainer Mark Walker, the combination is almost too good to ignore. Walker – who leads the trainers log by some seven winners (Nunes the jockeys by 23) – has his number one hoop on six of his runners with all looking better than most winning chances.
And while early in the card the pair could be celebrating a win or two with IRISH EBEL (race 3), ALPHA CENTAURI (race 5) and JOY AND HAPPY (race 6), the run home might be where the duo hit gold. PRINCE MAG is race 8 looks to have found winnable company and the out-and-out stayer will be fighting it out at the business end while KEEN DRAGON looks ready to resume with a big run in race 10 and a win would not surprise.
BRAHMS AND LISZT – and we very well could be if we have backed a few winners – gets another chance to win in the lucky last although the former Australian, HERO I AM does look tough opposition in whats should be a very good race to finish the card. Top jockey, top trainer, no brainer!
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Sunday 28 June
Best Bets; (ELUSIVE EMPEROR race 9, win), (HERO I AM race 11, win) and (AGENAIS race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 4, 8 and 10), race 9 (1, 2, 3 and 7), race 10 (1, 3, 4, 9 and 11), race 11 (1, 2, 6, 7 and 8).
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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.
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Race 8
Selections; 1 PRINCE MAG – 3 GRAND PARIS – 4 OCTIVIA – 10 NINTH AVENUE
A Class 5 over 1800m on the poly and PRINCE MAG will find this company to his liking. The 6YO is dour (understatement) and is suited this surface so will be running on late. GRAND PARIS just missed last start and goes well at this trip, he can be in the finish. OCTIVIA battles away and is also suited this class, surface and distance, she should run well. RIGHT IS RIGHT broke through over a mile two starts back and fought on well last start, he can also be in the finish. ZENZERO is a maiden but the distance suits. Keep NINTH AVENUE safe as well given a nice recent trial. The rest include the usual suspects JOHNNY HATES JAZZ, BIG CAT RHAPSODY and URBAN LEGEND all of whom are capable of getting in the finish if things go their way.
1 PRINCE MAG *** Dour and suited this grade and surface. Will be running on. 4.50
2 TONGARIRO * Tongue-tie off. Failed at only distance attempt on turf. Only win was at 1400m and has been unplaced at all six poly runs. 33
3 GRAND PARIS *** Just missed last start and goes well this trip. Can be in the finish. 3.00
4 OCTIVIA *** Battles away and suited this class, surface and distance. Can be in the finish. 10
5 ZENZERO ** Still a maiden but can be thereabouts. 16
6 BIGCAT RHAPSODY * Excuses last start but have to take on trust. 16
7 MOON OF NEPTUNE * Maiden who only battles and needs to improve. 33
8 RIGHT IS RIGHT *** Broke through over a mile two starts back and fought on well last start. Can be in the finish. 5.00
9 GREENBACK * Tongue tie on. Has been disappointing but recent trial was OK. 33
10 NINTH AVENUE *** Veteran who will give them a big start but be running on late. 16
11 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Always a chance in these and can be running on late. 12
12 URBAN LEGEND ** Backed last start and not far away so could show up. 12
13 HONKYTONK MAN * Form too poor. 50
14 CLASSIC THUNDER * Has been a maiden for a long time. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 7 ELUSIVE EMPEROR – 2 GOBI RANGER – 1 METEOR MIKE – 3 SNITZEL SPIRIT
A Class 3 over 1400m and a gear change or two could be worth following. The blinkers go on ELUSIVE EMPEROR who was not far away after the rider dropped his whip last start. The 3YO has trialed very well since and should get a good run throughout for Barend Vorster from gate 2. Likewise, GOBI RANGER gets blinkers after being outclassed in the Stewards’ Cup. The 4YO will find this easier and can be in the finish under Alan Munro who has won on him recently. Of the others with winning hopes, whilst METEOR MIKE is getting to the veteran class and hasn’t won for a long time, his recent form is good in stronger races and 1400m is his favourite trip. SNITZEL SPIRIT is a much younger conveyance and he has placed eight from nine on the turf with two wins at this distance; he is right in this. LIM’S RALLY has run on well at both outings since resuming, he should be in the finish. The depth falls away after this but PHILANTHROPIST runs on and GOLD HILL could improve.
1 METEOR MIKE *** Veteran who has not won for a while but drops in grade and recent form gives him a strong chance in this. 5.00
2 GOBI RANGER *** Outclassed in Stewards Cup last start but much better suited in this. With blinkers and tongue-tie should race well. 5.00
3 SNITZEL SPIRIT *** Winkers on. Has an excellent record on turf and this distance suits. Should be on the speed throughout and be hard to beat. 3.50
4 BLUE DIAMOND * Having a rare turf run. Best form is on poly over shorter. 33
5 LIM’S RALLY ** Has run on well at both outings since resuming. Should be in the finish. 7.50
6 DRAGON G * Best form is on poly over longer. 33
7 ELUSIVE EMPEROR *** Blinkers on. Not far away after rider dropped whip last start. Has trialed well since and should get a good run throughout. 6.00
8 PHILANTHROPIST ** Has been running on without threatening and should be thereabouts. 14
9 TOM * Tongue-tie on. Recent form poor and needs to improve. 33
10 GOLD HILL ** Ran on late when resuming and this distance is more suitable. Could show up. 12
11 CANNON HILL * Back on turf but wants longer. 33
12 INTENSE GOLD ** Will appreciate being back on turf but may want easier. 25
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Race 10
Selections; 3 KEEN DRAGON – 4 THANKFULNESS – 9 LUCKY SIX – 11 BRINGITHOME
A KSD over 1200m on the polytrack and there looks a few with genuine winning hopes including KEEN DRAGON who is resuming after his Maiden win. The 4YO is trialling very wll and should get a good run throughout and right in this with Nunes a good booking. THANKFULNESS is suited this surface, class and distance, the claim helps and he should get a good run from the inside alley and be hard to beat. LUCKY SIX just missed last start, he is down in grade and gets the in-form rider Shafiq. BRINGITHOME has been getting a long way back but he extra 100m and the good gate could help. AGENAIS may provide value back on the Poly in this company so keep safe. The depth falls away after these but ANGRY CAT and JUST THE TIP could show up and SING ROULETTE can give a sight.
1 AGENAIS *** Has done little since resuming back in recent winning grade and will enjoy the Poly so keep safe. 25
2 ANGRY CAT ** Excuses last start so worth another look this company. 16
3 KEEN DRAGON *** Resuming after Maiden win. Trialling very well and should get a good run throughout. 4.00
4 THANKFULNESS *** Suited this surface, class and distance. Claim helps and should get a good run from the inside alley. 3.00
5 MILITARY ALLIANCE * Dropping back in trip and best form is over longer. 25
6 SING ROULETTE ** Has speed and will give a sight. 33
7 CAPTAIN MCCAW * Resuming and down in grade. Could show up fresh. Watch for support. 20
8 EURO HEIGHTS * Maiden having first Singapore start. Has shown nothing at trials and two starts in Queensland were ordinary. 33
9 LUCKY SIX *** Just missed last start, down in grade and gets in-form rider. 4.00
10 JUST THE TIP ** Resuming after being caught wide over this distance on poly in this class last start. Could show up though only win was at 1400m on turf. 14
11 BRINGITHOME *** Has been freshened. Was getting a long way back in 1100m races and may be better suited at 1200m which is his only winning trip. 10
12 HOST THE NATION * Resuming. Only win was at this trip but may want easier. 25
13 KING OF KOON * Suited this trip but only wins have been in Class 5. 14
14 BARNBURGH LAD * Recent form ordinary but as won in this grade, surface and distance. 20
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Race 11
Selections; 1 HERO I AM – 8 BRAHMS AND LISZT – 6 FELAROF – 7 GOLD LINE
A Class 4 over 1400m with quite a bit of depth. HERO I AM came with a fair resume and ran on well at his Singapore debut when supported. The extra distance will suit and John Powell won’t hurt his chances to knock in an early win.The winkers go on BRAHMS AND LISZT who has been racing consistently since resuming from long break. The well-named 5YO runs on strongly and should be in the finish. FELAROF was solid when resuming, he is well drawn and should get a good run throughout. MR WHITAKER is a promising sort who scored well in this company after a good Maiden win and 1400m should suit. GOLD LINE will also find this to his liking and RUSTY BROWN will put in his usual honest effort.
1 HERO I AM *** Battled on well to finish close-up at Singapore debut. Extra distance will suit. 6.00
2 MR WHITAKER *** Scored well in this company after good Maiden win. Promising sort although only turf run was just fair. 4.00
3 RUSTY BROWN ** Honest and will find this a bit easier than last start. Should be in the finish. 12
4 EXQUISITELY SWEET * Blinkers on. Has been struggling of late and best form is on poly. 50
5 DEAUVILLE * Poor since resuming and needs to improve. 50
6 FELAROF *** Solid when resuming. Well drawn and should get a good run throughout. 6.00
7 GOLD LINE *** Ran on well when resuming and better suited this distance. 6.00
8 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Winkers on. Racing consistently since resuming from long break. Runs on strongly and should be in the finish. 5.00
9 BANNISTER ** Fair since resuming and this distance suits. Claim may help. 14
10 ECLIPSE DANCER ** Has been freshened since Maiden win. May want longer. 16
11 DR N WING FIGHTERS ** Excuses last start and should be more competitive. 33
12 MAREA NEGRO ** Not far away last start and is usually thereabouts. 16
13 DOUBLE CASH * Might want easier. 25
14 MR TRY * Maiden who can find easier. 50
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