Nobody Catch Me won the 2014 Busan Metropolitan
A terrific meeting that features two Group races – the Juvenile Championship and the Chairman’s Trophy – but it may be an international affair later in the card that upstages them both.
The race is question is the Korean Racing Authority Trophy (race 9) and while it doesn’t necessarily see the best Poly sprinters in Singapore take part, the presence of three Koreanbred horses more than makes it the feature race of the day. The horses in question – NOBODY CATCH ME, GAMDONGUIBADA and CHEON GU – will be out to do what EL PADRINO did in a similar invitational in Korea in August last year when winning on the sand over 1400m.
This time it’s on the Poly over 1200m and of the three visitors, CHEON GU looks the out and out speedster with four wins from six career starts, two over this trip. But while it will be hard to line up the form between the locals and the visitors, MY LUCKY STRIKE (Singapore) looks a top-liner and hard to beat after notching six wins from seven career starts, exclusively on the Poly.
His last start win in top company was excellent and the 3YO looks well placed at the race conditions with gate 2 and Manny Nunes a good combination. In the two Group races we can expect the cream rises to the top with SUPER ONE extremely hard to beat in the Juvenile Championship (race 5) and the little tiger, STEPITUP, also hard to beat at the WFA conditions in the Chairman’s Trophy (race 7).
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Sunday 26 July
Best Bets: (MY LUCKY STRIKE race 9, win), (RISING EMPIRE race 11, each-way) and (BOOMARANG DELUXE race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6), race 9 (7), race 10 (1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 15).
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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 7
Selections; 1 STEPITUP – 3 GOODMAN – 2 FLAX – 4 JOHNNY GUITAR
The Chairman’s Trophy and Laurie Laxon has a strong hand with the Yew Tee winner STEPITUP, last year’s winner of this race, GOODMAN, the strong stayer MARTIN as well as IDEAL GUIDE. There are few tougher than STEPITUP and with Manoel Nunes on top he will run his usual honest race and be hard to beat. The WFA conditions are in his favour as well. GOODMAN probably leads and is the type of form that suggests he will win one of these soon. The one to watch may be FLAX who would have benefited from his recent outing over 1200m and he has a very good record at this distance having won this race in 2013. JOHNNY GUITAR and MARTIN keep them all honest but the wild card could be ACCOMPLISHED who is a horse of promise but is not well treated at the weights and is being tested at the trip.
1 STEPITUP *** Won Yew Tee Classic at this distance last start. Only small but tough as teak and will be hard to beat again. 3.00
2 FLAX *** Improved by recent outing and has a great record at 1800m winning this race in 2013. Should be in the finish. 4.00
3 GOODMAN *** Won this race last year and recent form is good enough to suggest a chance again. 5.00
4 JOHNNY GUITAR ** Not far away in the Yew Tee and could make his presence felt. 14
5 MARTIN ** Racing well and can get in the finish. Will prefer a strong tempo. 7.00
6 WILD GEESE * Only battled in the Yew Tee and needs to improve. 16
7 ONE RAR * Better on poly and looks tested here. 33
8 ACCOMPLISHED ** Promising horse being tested at the distance and at the weights but could make his presence felt. 8.00
9 IDEAL GUIDE * Battled away in the Derby but looks tested here. 20
10 BLUE DANUBE * Highly-rated Argentinean who has shown little to date. Needs to improve. 33
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Race 8
Selections; 2 ALPHA CENTAURI – 3 BOOMARANG DELUXE – 4 EAGLE STORM – 6 JUSTICE WORLD
A Class 3 over 1600m on the poly with multiple chances. ALHA CENTAURI is consistentbut struggles to win. In saying that he had excuses last start, drops in grade and Manoel Nunes may be able to get over the line. One to watch at odds is BOOMERANG DELUXE. His form reads badly but all four career wins have been on the Poly and he finds himself in suitable company. JUSTICE WORLD is racing in good form; he scored in this Grade on turf last star and is equally adept on the poly. EAGLE STORM is a very honest fellow and he will be on the speed throughout. HOLY WARRIOR drops in Grade, was held up last start and whilst up in weight, Shafiq’s 1kg helps and he should be running on late. SMART LAD was close up last start (despite the rider dropping the whip) and trials well enough on the surface to deserve consideration at his first start on the Poly.
1 HOLY WARRIOR *** Held up last start and ran on well last start. Down in grade and suited this distance with benefit of 1kg claim. 4.50
2 ALPHA CENTAURI *** Excuses last start but struggles to win. Drops in grade and has Nunes to get him over the line. 4.00
3 BOOMARANG DELUXE *** Form reads badly but loves the Poly and company suits. Value. 33
4 EAGLE STORM *** Honest and will be on the speed throughout. 5.00
5 MAGICAL TALENT * Having a rare poly run but needs to improve on current form. 33
6 JUSTICE WORLD *** Ran on well to win in this Class on turf last start. Equally adept on poly and should be in the finish. 4.50
7 SMART IDEA ** Has been disappointing with support and needs to improve. 20
8 DRAGON G ** Not a mile away back on Poly last start and will add value to exotics. 25
9 SMART LAD ** Progressive type who is racing well but having first poly start. Trials well and can be in the finish. 8.00
10 TIGER MASTER * Needs to improve. 33
11 NATION THEATRE * In form but might want easier. 20
12 PLATOON * Gets blinkers dropping back in trip but may need easier. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 7 MY LUCKY STRIKE – 8 SUPER WINNER – 2 HYPERNOVA – 9 WIMBLEDON
The KRA Trophy with three Korean-breds taking on the local horses for 250K over 1200m on the poly. MY LUCKY STRIKE has won six from seven on the poly and looks a potential top-liner. From his good gate he should be too good. SUPER WINNER also has an excellent record on the poly winning five from six. He has been trialing well and should be handy throughout. WIMBLEDON placed at Group 3 level last start and always runs an honest race. HYPERNOVA is trialing well and also has an excellent polytrack record; he should be in the finish. OLYMPIC ANTHEM is racing well and has a strong turn of foot late. The Korean runners are a strange lot with both NOBODY CATCH ME and GAMDONGUIBADA’s best form being over longer and only CHEONG GU has form befitting the distance and he looks a quality young horse having won four from six – some by big margins – so could show up.
1 GOLIATH * Top poly horse but better over longer. 25
2 HYPERNOVA *** In good form and trialing well. Has a good poly record and can get in the finish. 8.00
3 OLYMPIC ANTHEM ** In good form and will be running on strongly. 12
4 MAC VOLKS * Speedy an loves the Poly but tested against these. 50
5 GOBI RANGER ** Ran on very well last start but may be tested by the class. 25
6 NOBODY CATCH ME * Korean-bred who has won six races but best form is over longer. Might find these to sharp. 50
7 MY LUCKY STRIKE *** Potential top-liner who has won six from seven on the poly. Will be hard to beat with blinkers to visor. 3.50
8 SUPER WINNER *** Has won five from six on the poly and trialing very well. Will be in the finish. 4.50
9 WIMBLEDON *** In very good form placing at Group 3 level last start. Can give a sight. 6.00
10 CASTOR ** Racing well in weaker company. Has won four from five on the poly and can show up. 10
11 GAMDONGUIBADA ** Has an excellent record of 14 wins from 29 starts but most are over longer. Won over a mile at Busan at most recent start and could show up. 14
12 CHEON GU ** Top 3YO Korean sprinter who has won four from six up to 1400m. Last win was by 8 lengths over 1400m. Looks the best of the Koreans. 8.00
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Race 10
Selections; 9 FAMOUS ARTIST – 6 PETER CULTURE – 1 BAHEN – 7 TOU SHOU BRIGHT
A Class 3 over 1100m on the poly and the promising FAMOUS ARTIST with Manoel Nunes up is the one to beat. The 3YO is coming off a good Novice win and from the ace should get a good run throughout. He is however significantly up in Grade and is taking on some seasoned performers. BAHEN resumed with a good effort in higher grade, he is suited at this Class and distance. ASSERTIVE LAD also ran on strongly last start and will appreciate a solid tempo whilst the stablemate, TAFFETAS, is a handy mare who trialed well recently. TOU SHOU BRIGHT has been racing well in good company and should get a nice run off the speed. An interesting runner is PETER CULTURE a three-time winner over 1000m in South Africa; he has had plenty of trials and can race well fresh, watch for support.
1 BAHEN *** Ran on when resuming. Down in grade and should make his presence felt late. 6.00
2 TAFFETAS ** Good mare resuming. Trialed well recently and with M Rodd up can be closing late. 12
3 ASSERTIVE LAD *** Up in grade but scored well at this trip last start and should be running on strongly. 6.00
4 BLUE DIAMOND * Recent form ordinary but does enjoy the Poly. 33
5 EATONS GOLD *** Runs on strongly and will benefit from having Shafiq aboard. 12
6 PETER CULTURE *** Three-time winner over 1000m in South Africa. Has had plenty of trials and can race well fresh. Watch for support. 6.00
7 TOU SHOU BRIGHT *** Racing well in good company. Should get a nice run of the speed and finish off strongly. 6.00
8 CORONET PEAK * Battles away and usually puts in an honest performance. 25
9 FAMOUS ARTIST *** Promising sort coming off good Novice win. This is harder but has Nunes and a good gate. 3.50
10 RUAPEHU * Has a good record on the poly but might find these a bit sharp. 25
11 SCRAT * Blinkers on. Suited this distance and could show up. 25
12 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT * Has had respiratory issues and tested against these. 33
13 HONEST TRUTH * Recent form poor. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 8 RISING EMPIRE – 7 INTENSE GOLD – 3 RUSTY BROWN – 2 JAY EFF EXPRESS
An open BM67 over 1400m closes the programme and hopefully RISING EMPIRE will provide a nice each-way finish to the day. The 5YO has been in solid form of late with plenty of excuses but looks very well placed in this with a 2kg TH Koh claim. Plenty of others can win though and INTENSE GOLD showed last start this trip is his caper, gets Michael Rodd and can be handy throughout. RUSTY BROWN is honest and likes this journey; he can be in the finish. JAY EFF EXPRESS scored well in Class 4 last start, he is an improving type who should be suited at 1400m. TO BE REMEMBERED, POLE PARADISE, WHITE COFFEE, EVA’S DAY and ODE TO JOY others to watch. Keep the emergency, HOME RUN HERO, safe as well.
1 WHITE COFFEE *** Won a Class 3 over this distance three starts back. Will find this easier than last two outings and should be running on late. 6.50
2 JAY EFF EXPRESS *** Scored well in Class 4 last start. Improving type who should be suited at 1400m. 5.00
3 RUSTY BROWN *** Honest and likes this journey. Will be in the finish. 6.50
4 TO BE REMEMBERED *** Rarely far away and recent trial was sound. Claim helps and should get a good run throughout. 8.50
5 WORLD WAR * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
6 SHIPPING FORECAST * Only battled since resuming. Needs to improve. 33
7 INTENSE GOLD *** Fought on well in Class 3 last start. Up in weight but has M Rodd and can be handy throughout. 8.00
8 RISING EMPIRE *** Will find this easier than recent KSC outings and work late last start suggests 1400m suits. 12
9 SPLICE * Distance suits but awkwardly drawn and might want easier Grade. 20
10 DRAGON FURY ** Fought on well last start and has trialed well since. Goes best with a positive ride. 12
11 EVA’S DAY ** Rarely far away and can be handy throughout. 16
12 ODE TO JOY * Showed improvement last start. Argentinean Group 1 winner who may be running into form. Keep safe. 16
13 POLE PARADISE ** Run down late in similar company last start. Consistent and should be on the speed throughout. 12
14 IRISH REBEL ** Copped interference and got too far back in Class 4 last start. This is harder but gets senior rider. Value. 16
15 HOME RUN HERO *** Ran on well at Singapore debut. Won his maiden over a mile in Australia so this distance should suit.
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