Spalato unbeaten in Singapore
It’s fair to say a big bucket of cold water was thrown over today’s race meeting in Singapore when WAR AFFAIR was scratched from what was to be a mouthwatering clash with SPALATO in the Group 3 Jumbo Jet (race 9).
So while the race goes on without the reigning Horse of the Year, the $200,000 feature could be a mere exhibition gallop if SPALATO is as good as we think he is.
Obviously the 5YO son of Elusive City will be backed off the map (the Singapore Turf Club has revised the Minimum Win Dividend to $5.30 for a $5 unit) but it may be a case of how easy and how far.
Who runs second is the tougher question.
You could probably make an equal case for BORN TO FLY, KNIGHT’S COMMAND, DARCI CHARMER and GOLD RUTILE on exposed form over this trip with the wildcard being the only 3YO in the race – EXCELLENT ONE – who looks completely outclassed but does get in with just 50kg at the WFA conditions.
Elsewhere on the card, it may be worth waiting for the lucky last where GOLD PEREGRINE looks very well placed to make it two from two in Singapore.
The former Irish galloper won handsomely on debut in this company over 1200m and no reason to think he can’t repeat the effort over 1400m with Michael Rodd staying onboard.
For value keep SLEW OF LODE very safe back on the Polytrack in race 8 (although STEPITUP will make him earn his keep) and MR SPIELBERG looks a solid value bet in race 10 after having excuses last start not to win.
Best Bets: (GOLD PEREGRINE race 11, win), (SLEW OF LODE race 8, each-way) and (MR SPIELBERG race 10, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 7), race 9 (1), race 10 (3, 4, 6, 8 and 9), race 11 (1, 3, 4 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; 8 GROENEWEGEN – 6 ARES – 2 DYLAN – 7 QUEEN’S SEVEN
DYLAN finds trouble and ARES struggles to win but both have form and they look the two most likely in this Class 4 over 1200. DYLAN gets Nunes and with Laurie Laxon having a tilt at what would be his eleventh (or is it more?) trainers title, he will be the one closing late and must go close. ARES has Brown riding for Brown and the Irish-bred 3YO has been all over them of late so must be a serious hope again. The wild card is GROENEWEGEN who was impressive breaking his Maiden status last start. The 3YO colt is stepping up in grade and has an awkward gate but with Michael Rodd staying aboard he could be up to the mark. Of the rest, QUEEN’S SEVEN always puts himself in a position to win and will be in this for a long way while LUCKY GIANT is racing well and will also be handy throughout. Of the rest LIM’S SPRINT can improve and WE ARE GENIUS looks a honest enough type.
1 DEMON KING ** Placed but well back when resuming. May be better suited here but best form is over longer. 16
2 DYLAN *** Consistent. Can find trouble but will be running on late. 5.00
3 INVINCIBLE MAN * Struggling to win with support and best form is on poly. 25
4 GOLDEN MISSION * Battling of late and needs to improve. 33
5 LUCKY GIANT *** In good form. Should be on the speed throughout. 5.00
6 ARES *** Close up but struggling to win. Gets another chance. 5.00
7 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Rarely far away and will be on the speed throughout. 12
8 GROENEWEGEN *** Looked promising winning Maiden and could be up to this. Gate a test. 6.00
9 LIM’S SPRINT ** Led and battled on last start. Should be handy throughout. 14
10 WE ARE GENIUS ** Battled on in weaker company on poly last start. Can show up. 14
11 DRAGON KING ** Form better than it reads and will be value. 14
12 SPIRIT OF SPEED * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
13 DOMINY * Still a Maiden and better suited there. 33
14 DRAGON NINETYNINE * Will find this harder than last start. 50
15 CLERMONT CLUB * Tested here. 50
Race 8
Selections; 2 SLEW OF LODE – 1 STEPITUP – 7 A LA VICTORY – 3 ONE RAR
A polytrack mile and once again the game little STEPITUP looks the benchmark. He has had a slight setback but is very honest and as always, will give his all and be hard to hold out. But he has the good horse’s weight to carry and a sneaky 2kg claim by Pat Shaw with SLEW OF LODE could be a masterstroke. The 6YO is trialing well and will appreciate being on the poly where he has recent Group victories; he should be running on. ONE RAR is another appreciates the poly and should get a good run throughout. The wild card is A LA VICTORY who is in form but having his first poly start; if he handles the surface he can be in the finish. GOODPACK and NANDOWRA both handle the surface and could run cheeky races from the front.
1 STEPITUP *** Has had a slight setback but is very honest and as always will be hard to beat. 2.50
2 SLEW OF LODE *** Trialing well and will appreciate being on poly. Should be running on. 2.80
3 ONE RAR *** Appreciates the poly and should get a good run throughout. 5.00
4 PACHELBEL’S CANON ** Has shown very little so far but recent trial was an improvement and finds himself in a suitable race. 25
5 GOLIATH * Proven polytracker but recent form too poor. 33
6 GOODPACK ** Will enjoy being on poly and should be handy throughout. 10
7 A LA VICTORY *** Having first poly start but just going too well not to seriously consider. 10
8 NANDOWRA ** Veteran who battles on well and could give a sight. 25
9 ALEXANDRA PALACE * Has been disappointing and needs to improve. 33
Race 9
Selections; 1 SPALATO – 3 BORN TO FLY – 5 DARCI CHARMER – 6 GOLD RUTILE
The Jumbo Jet would have been a race for the ages with WAR AFFAIR v SPALATO. In fact it would have been perhaps the most anticipated Group 3 race in Kranji’s relatively short history. But with news filtering through on Thursday morning that WAR AFFAIR has been scratched after suffering a soft suspensory injury during the week, the race has lost it’s fizz and could very well be an exhibition gallop for SPALATO. Unbeaten in Singapore, SPALATO showed he was fit and back better than ever when winning first-up after his HK trip and it may be a case of daylight second. So who fills the minors? DARCI CHARMER runs on and 1400m suits and BORN TO FLY never runs a bad race. Good to see the 3YO EXCELLENT ONE have a crack with just 50kg at the WFA conditions but even that looks a too big a weight in this company. Throw in the honest GOLD RUTILE and KNIGHT’S COMMAND but SPALATO just wins.
1 SPALATO *** Blitzed them when resuming. Unbeaten in Singapore and will get a gun run throughout. 1.05
2 WAR AFFAIR Scratched.
3 BORN TO FLY ** Very honest and has won six times at 1400m. Will give his best. 12
4 KNIGHT’S COMMAND * Runs on but tested at this level. 20
5 DARCI CHARMER ** Runs on but not well treated at the conditions. 12
6 GOLD RUTILE ** Honest but this looks too tough. 20
7 EXCELLENT ONE * Racing well and has no weight but taking on big ask here. 20
Race 10
Selections; 8 MR SPIELBERG – 4 VALBUENA – 3 COOPTADO – 6 SNITZEL SPIRIT
A 2000m BM97 sees Patrick Shaw trial a trio of his seemingly endless stable of middle distance runners. PERFECT P is a promising stayer racing well in weaker company. This is a big test but he has no weight and can be handy throughout. COOPTADO is on a Gold Cup path after running 4th in the Derby. He is a dour type but should be running on late. Shaw also has the top weight – EMPEROR’S BANQUET – who ran second to QUECHUA in the Gold Cup and he has to be respected. Not be outdone, Laurie Laxon also has three runners and while MARTIN and VALBUENA probably have the runs on the board, the promising SPIELBERG, who ran on well when resuming, could be his best chance. He had excuses that day not to win and with Nunes up and no weight, he should be the testing material. Michael Freedman also has a good chance with SNITZEL SPIRIT who steps up to 2000m for the first time but will be handy throughout and 2014 Gold Cup winner TROPAIOS who put in a good effort when resuming.
1 EMPEROR’S BANQUET ** Has been freshened. Has won this surface and distance and can be thereabouts. 10
2 MARTIN ** Struggled last start but will appreciate extra 400m. 16
3 COOPTADO *** On a Gold Cup path after running 4th in the Derby. Dour but should be running on late. 5.00
4 VALBUENA *** In form and goes well for Michael Rodd. Will be hard to hold out. 5.00
5 TROPAIOS ** Ran on nicely when resuming and should be further improved. 11
6 SNITZEL SPIRIT *** Racing well with super winning strike rate. Stepping up to 2000m but should give a bold sight again 6.00
7 BLUE DANUBE * Improvement noted last start and could show up. 16
8 MR SPIELBERG *** Promising type who had excuses not to win last start and looks a big show with no weight. 6.00
9 PERFECT P *** Promising stayer racing well in weaker company. Has no weight and can be handy throughout. 4.00
Race 11
Selections; 3 GOLD PEREGRINE – 1 CONVICT – 4 INTENSE GOLD – 6 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE
After arriving from Ireland as a one-time winner and being kept quiet at a few local trials, GOLD PEREGRINE snuck under a few pundits guard when winning well in this Grade at his Singapore debut. He looks a promising type and should be hard to beat with 1400m in his favour and Rodd staying onboard a pointer. Most of the field is filled with honest journeyman types with Cliff Brown having three candidates in INTENSE GOLD who will enjoy being back on turf, NORTH ATLANTIC ICE who was heavily supported last start and duly delivered and SPLICE who battles away. Pat Shaw also has a solid chance with QUICKSILVER who shows some promise and GOLD LINE who doesn’t win often but is usually in the money. CONVICT showed last start he is ready to win again in this grade and the trip looks suitable and KEVIN ELEVEN could show up.
1 CONVICT *** Honest and suited this grade and distance. 3kg claim and good gate help. 6.00
2 DEAUVILLE * Unreliable but could show up if in the mood. 50
3 GOLD PEREGRINE *** Won easily at Singapore debut over 1200m in this grade. Looks a promising sort and 1400m should hold no fears. Trialed solidly recently. 3.00
4 INTENSE GOLD *** Will enjoy being back on turf and suited this grade and distance. 6.00
5 SOLITAIRE ** Recent form ordinary but suited here with best work expected late. 33
6 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE *** Was well supported last start. Runs on and should get a good run throughout. 6.00
7 SPLICE ** Battles away at this level and is usually thereabouts. Each-way at value. 16
8 LINCOLN’S EXCUSE ** Improved last start after a couple of disappointing performances. Can show up. 14
9 GOLD LINE ** Tongue-tie on. Consistent this trip but rarely wins. Can be handy throughout. 16
10 KEVIN ELEVEN ** Has won this trip and should get a good run from the gate. 12
11 QUICKSILVER ** Ran on in Graduation company last start. Awkwardly drawn but shows some promise and can be in the finish. 10
12 QUETZAL ** Maiden who will work into this late. 50
13 GYPSY MAGIC * Wants Class 5. 50
