All eye’s on WAR AFFAIR and his date with Derby destiny.
They say the end justifies the means and connections of WAR AFFAIR would be very happy how things have gone since controversially deciding to give the International races a miss and concentrate on the 4YO series, which culminates in the Emirates Singapore Derby on Sunday.
Goodness knows if WAR AFFAIR would have taken home a big slice of the millions on offer on International day but one thing is for sure, with wins in the Steward’s Cup and Patron’s Bowl already under his belt, a victory in the $1.15m Singapore Derby and the associated bonus’ suggests connections have pulled the right rein.
Obviously he has a tough 2000m against some top 4YO’s to contend with but given the style in which he put paid to most his rivals in the Patron’s Bowl, this race is his to win. A wide gate (14) will give his opposition some hope but given any sort of luck in running (and truth be told he might not even need that), he is the only horse that punters will want to be on.
Obviously QUECHUA, who beat WAR AFFAIR at handicap conditions in the Gold Cup, will have some admirers but he has been well held at equal weights and may settle for another honourable second placing.
The likes of FASTNET DRAGON, BLUE SWEDE and TWICKENHAM are bang in form but given they have dodged WAR AFFAIR in the lead up events, they should be found out at the set-weights.
There are two other features on what is a bumper 11 race card and KIWI KARMA looks an absolute monty with just 50kg in the Group 3 Paititi Gold Trophy while the Yew Tee Classic looks a wide-open affair. But all eye’s on WAR AFFAIR and his date with Derby destiny.
Sunday 12 July
Best Bets: (WAR AFFAIR race 8, win), (KIWI KARMA race 10, win) and (PINT SIZED PRINCE race 11, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1), race 9 (3, 5, 6 and 8), race 10 (5 and 8), race 11 (1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 13).
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; 1 WAR AFFAIR – 2 QUECHUA – 9 FASTNET DRAGON – 5 BLUE SWEDE
The Singapore Derby and clearly WAR AFFAIR is the one to beat. The reining Singapore Horse of the Year scored a breathtaking win in the Patrons Bowl and whilst he has yet to win beyond 1800m, his class will carry him through. The logical danger is QUECHUA who beat him under handicap conditions in the Singapore Gold Cup and has done little wrong since. If the favourite is vulnerable at the trip, he could find him out. The rest look like they are running for minor prizemoney though FASTNET DRAGON is in superb form and will race on the pace throughout while HUGHSY, TWICKENHAM, ABSOLUTELY and SEBROSE are honest conveyances who will put in their best efforts. Keep BLUE SWEDE and KNIGHT WAGER safe, as they should be doing their best work late.
1 WAR AFFAIR *** Draw makes it interesting but lengths better than these. Very hard to beat. 1.50
2 QUECHUA ** Every chance when well beaten by War Affair in the Patrons Bowl but keeps him honest again. 7.00
3 COOPTADO * Argentinean Group winner on dirt but limited preparation makes this tough. 50
4 HUGHSY ** Racing well but on trial at the journey and not up to the Class of War Affair at WFA conditions. 20
5 BLUE SWEDE ** Won KSA over a mile last start with lightweight. Runs on but class could test. 16
6 IN FACT * Has placed at this journey but has been tested at the Class. 33
7 TWICKENHAM ** Has been set for this race and is racing soundly. Will put in a dogged effort. 14
8 ABSOLUTELY ** Tongue-tie on. Battled away last start in Patrons Bowl but could be suited at the trip. Exotics. 33
9 FASTNET DRAGON ** Racing in top form. Up in grade but will be prominent throughout with gate 1 a factor. 12
10 IDEAL GUIDE * Will ensure a nice early pace but not up to this Class. 100
11 ORDER OF THE SUN * Blinkers off. VRC St Leger winner who has yet to show up in two Singapore starts. 100
12 KNIGHT WAGER ** Ran on nicely two starts back and could run into the places late with luck in running, 33
13 SEBROSE ** Honest and should get a good run throughout. Can make his presence felt although set weights makes it very tough. 20
14 LAUGHING GRAVY * Honest and should run the trip right out. Class tests. 50
15 RIDE OF VALKYRIES * Highly rated Argentinean whose form has been poor. Needs to improve. 100
Race 9
Selections; 6 HERMANO MENOR – 3 SMART PEOPLE – 8 RED DAWN – 5 WHITE COFFEE
A KSC over 1200m and whilst HERMANO MENOR is up in grade, he has the speed and from the good gate may be hard to beat. The main dangers are likely to be SMART PEOPLE who is racing well and gets on to his preferred surface and distance as well as RED DAWN who is suited at 1200m and should be on the speed throughout. All three could be eyeballing each other from go to whoa but the gate suggests HERMANO MENOR has the advantage. The depth drops away after this although WHITE COFFEE runs on, FLYING ZERO could improve over this trip, HOT GOLD will appreciate the drop in grade and with only 53kg, RISING EMPIRE can get in the finish.
1 HOT GOLD ** Tongue-tie on. Drops in grade but recent form ordinary and needs to improve. 14
2 FLYING ZERO ** Ran on when resuming on poly. Better suited this distance/turf and can be handy throughout. 12
3 SMART PEOPLE *** Racing well since arriving from Malaysia and gets back to preferred surface and distance. Should be handy throughout. 4.00
4 BLUE DIAMOND * Struggles on turf and much better on poly. 25
5 WHITE COFFEE *** Got too far back last start but is usually thereabouts and should be running on. 10
6 HERMANO MENOR *** Up in grade but racing well. From the good gate should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
7 STRUBELI * Unsighted when resuming and needs to improve. 20
8 RED DAWN *** Racing well since resuming and this distance suits. Will be prominent throughout. 4.00
9 CONVICT * Rarely runs a bad race but is happier in Class 4. 16
10 NORTHERN BOSS * Won well last start but best form is on the poly. 33
11 RISING EMPIRE ** Fought on well last start and can show up. 12
12 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT ** Recent for poor but will appreciate dropping back to 1200m. 33
Race 10
Selections; 8 KIWI KARMA – 5 HAPPY MONEY – 7 ALBANY REUNION – 3 TRUDEAU
The Paititi Gold Trophy over 1200m and the flying filly KIWI KARMA with only 50kg will be the one to beat. The 3YO ran a bold race in the Kris Flyer where she did work and carried 54kg in International WFA company; if she runs up to that will be very hard to run down. The only danger at the weights on recent form could be HAPPY MONEY. The 4YO almost caused a boil over in the Steward’s Cup when just beaten by his stable-mate, War Affair; a repeat of that run with 53.5kg should see him involved when it counts. TRUDEAU has been threatening to win of late but not quite finishing it off, he was up in weight last start and if he strips a bit fitter could be hard to hold off. DANIEL would prefer 1400m but he has a good turn of foot and should be finishing off powerfully as should EL PADRINO. The interesting runner is the Kiwi Group 1 winner, ALBANY REUNION, who has won five from 12 in NZ including three at 1200m; his recent trials have been nice enough and whilst he is taking on a good field, could show up.
1 EL PADRINO ** Never a threat in the KrisFlyer where he got too far back. Trialed well recently and can race well fresh. 12
2 FLAX ** Resuming and goes well fresh so could work into this late at odds. 33
3 TRUDEAU ** Has been threatening to win but not quite going on with it at recent starts. On the quick back up and should be in the finish once again. 8.00
4 DANIEL ** Resuming after running on well in EW Barker. Has had issues at trials but has to be respected on best form. 12
5 HAPPY MONEY *** Has raced very well on turf at past two starts – including giving War Affair a scare in the Stewards Cup. Should be on the speed throughout. 6.00
6 GOLDEN SAND STEED ** While winning form is on the Poly bit honest and a must for exotics. 25
7 ALBANY REUNION ** Kiwi sprinter who has won five from 12 including three at this trip and one at Group 1 level over a mile. Trialing nicely and can show up. 12
8 KIWI KARMA *** Top class filly who ran a bold race in the KrisFlyer. Will be hard to run down. 1.80
9 FLAK JACKET * Has plenty of speed and will be prominent for a long way. 20
10 WIMBLEDON ** Racing well. Up in grade but can be handy throughout. 12
Race 11
Selections; 12 BRAHMS AND LISZT – 5 IRISH REBEL – 6 PINT SIZED PRINCE – 1 PERFECT P
A Class 4 over 1400m finishes things off. BRAHMS AND LISZT has been close up at all four outings since resuming. The 5YO ran about last start and the upgrade to blinkers should help; with Manoel Nunes up, he should get every chance. The stable mate IRISH REBEL looks the logical danger. He ran on well to finish close up in this grade last start and with the in-form Shafiq on, should be in the finish. Plenty of other hopes including INVINCIBLE GOLD who may have found 1600m too far last start and is better suited here. Amongst the others the interesting runners are the Argentinian PERFECT P who had a good record in his native land and is trialing nicely as well as another from that country in ODE TO JOY who came with a reputation and did show some improvement in the 3YO Classic. TWODOLLARMUPPET, PINTSIZED PRINCE, QUEEN’S SEVEN and COOL CUSTOMER are others that could show up in an open race.
1 PERFECT P *** Ex-Argentinean who has been trialing solidly. Won twice before Singapore arrival but over longer. Watch for support. 10
2 COOL CUSTOMER ** Improved by recent racing and suited this distance. Gate no help. 20
3 FREE HAPPY * Won narrowly in weaker grade last start. Could show up. 20
4 ODE TO JOY ** Freshened after running on fairly in Group 2 3YO company last start. Highly rated Argentinean who may continue to improve. 20
5 IRISH REBEL *** Ran on well to finish close up in this grade last start. Should be in the finish. 4.50
6 PINT SIZED PRINCE *** Down in grade and has won at this class and distance. Should go well for John Powell. 10
7 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Got too far back last start and will benefit from a more positive ride. Gate could test. 12
8 WAR LORD * Led and dropped out when resuming but needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
9 FAST EDITION ** Form better than it reads and pay to keep safe in exotics. 25
10 INVINCIBLE GOLD *** May have found 1600m too far last start and better suited here. Should get a good run throughout. 6.00
11 BLAZING SUN ** Battled on well last start similar company and has to be considered. 25
12 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Close up at all four runs since resuming. Ran about last start and upgrade to blinkers should help. Will be hard to hold out. 4.00
13 TWODOLLARMUPPET *** Placed at this Class and distance then won in weaker Grade last start. Poorly drawn but can run on strongly. 12
14 CAIYAYA * Veteran who may be looking for easier. 33
15 DAVINCI ** Battled on fairly over a mile last start and should find this more suitable. 12
16 MEGUSTO ** Never likely in Novice company last start after good Initiation win. Recent trial sound and could show up. 12
