FINE CHOICE gets his chance (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
Some tough racing for punters with no real standouts in any races but a few that look well enough placed by their trainers to think they go might close to winning.
Case in point is FINE CHOICE is race 8 on the card who finds himself in Kranji Stakes D Company after two solid Novice runs.
The 3YO looks a very honest type and with Nunes on-board from gate 2, he gets his chance.
Likewise, LA FONTANA looks very well placed in KSD Company and can knock in what would be an overdue win.
Yes, the fact he has had some 19 starts for that one career victory is a concern but the field is not a strong one and with Firdaus claiming 2kg from gate 4, he could be hard to beat.
As usual, the lucky last looks a very competitive affair and while we may get this horribly wrong, we 
think the likely short-priced favourite in VIVIANO is vulnerable in a field with depth.
And while the likes of BACH’S AIR, HONEST TRUTH, ROSELLI and even KISS ME at odds can win, ROYAL RULER first-up after a spell could be the one that delivers the knock-out blow to favourite backers.
Best Bets: (FINE CHARM race 8, win), (LA FONTANA race 10, win) and (ROYAL RULER race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 6, 7 and 8), race 9 (1, 3, 4 and 5), race 10 (1, 2 and 6), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8).
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 5
Selections; 1 SPINNING SUCCESS – 3 MIGHTY GLORY – 4 KING SAVINSKY – 5 PUZZLE
A KSD over a mile with a number of chances. SPINNING SUCCESS’s best form is on turf but he has won on the poly and fought on well last start over this trip in this Class; he is a consistent sort and will race well once again. MIGHTY GLORY has been freshened by a recent trial, his only win was on the poly and placed at only attempt at this trip; he should get a good run from the inside gate. The pacifiers go on KING SAVINSKY and while he might like longer, he has won in this grade at this trip on turf and could show up. Of the rest, PUZZLE is resuming after a very long injury break but has had numerous trials and this distance suits while REMEMBER ME is consistent enough to include in exotics.
1 SPINNING SUCCESS *** Best form is on turf but has won on the poly and fought on well last start over this trip in this Class. Consistent and will race well once again. 4.00
2 WHITE COFFEE * Down in grade but needs to improve on recent efforts and mile can test. 20
3 MIGHTY GLORY *** Has been freshened by recent trial. Only win was on poly and placed at only attempt this trip. Should get a good run from the inside gate with blinkers off. 3.00
4 KING SAVINSKY *** Pacifiers on. Might like longer but has won in this grade at this trip on turf and could show up. 4.00
5 PUZZLE ** Resuming after long break Has had numerous trials and this trip suits. Could show up. Watch for support. 10
6 FORTUNE SPIRIT ** Excuses but showed little in Class 4 over this trip after Maiden win. This is easier and could show up. 12
7 BEAUTIFUL WORLD * Distanced when resuming. Useful when right and has won twice at this trip but may need Class 5. 25
8 KLEVER WARRIOR ** Drops in Grade and this distance is more suitable. Gets senior rider. Watch for support. 10
9 REMEMBER ME ** Still a Maiden but usually thereabouts and has placed twice at this distance. 16
10 CANNON KING * Maiden who is going OK but should need easier. 33
Race 6
Selections; 10 SUCCESSION – 8 FALKIRK LEAD – 1 CONFACET – 2 ASTRO MAN
Another very moderate Initiation over 1200m where few have shown much form. SUCCESSION has placed at all three outings and with Corey Brown up, should get a good run throughout. In fact this field is so weak he should start close to odds on and it may be a case of looking on. FALKIRK LEAD has placed at her past two outings and should be running on late. These two are the only one’s that look any hope on paper. You could make a small case for CONFACET who is yet to place in four outings but showed some speed last outing to make use of gate one. The rest look hopeless although ASTRO MAN and NOBLE SUN both have OK recent trials under their belts so could improve.
1 CONFACET ** Yet to place in four outings. Showed some speed last outing and could show up from the good gate. 8.00
2 ASTRO MAN ** Blinker pacifiers on and recent trial was an improvement. 20
3 AQUALAD * By Argonaut. Has had numerous moderate trials. 25
4 NOBLE SUN ** Blinkers off and recent trial suggests he can improve. 25
5 NOVA VICTORY ** Gets blinkers and should improve on debut effort. 25
6 SPEEDY MOMENT * Did nothing at debut. 33
7 CASTLE QUEEN ** Showed some improvement last start but yet to place in four outings. 12
8 FALKIRK LEAD *** Placed at past two outings and should be handy throughout. 2.50
9 PRINCESS ZOLA * Resuming with blinkers back on but needs to improve. 20
10 SUCCESSION *** Placed at all three outings and should get a good run throughout. 2.50
11 LIM’S ABSOLUTE * Excuses last start but has shown little to date. 25
Race 7
Selections; 2 Q NINE MAXIM – 1 KNIGHT SPIRIT – 6 KNOW EACH OTHER – 5 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE
A KSD over 1600m with a couple of class droppers looking the main chances. Q NINE MAXIM ran on well in Class 4 over this distance last start and gets Manoel Nunes so should be in the finish. KNIGHT SPIRIT drops into KSD company for the first time; he likes this distance and with the 2kg claim for TH Koh, should be running on late. KNOW EACH OTHER is a disappointing horse that showed promise earlier in his career but failed to deliver; he has been close up at recent outings and gets a chance to break through. GREAT BALLS OFFIRE won a Class 5 then raced well in this grade last start over 1600m; he can race well again. MEAISIN battles away but hasn’t won for a long time and TARAMEA dropping back in trip could show up although he is a query on this surface.
1 KNIGHT SPIRIT *** Veteran who drops into KSD grade for the first time. Likes this distance and with 2kg claim should be running on late. 4.00
2 Q NINE MAXIM *** Ran on well in Class 4 over this distance last start. Gets Nunes and should be in the finish. 4.00
3 TARAMEA ** Drops back in trip. Struggled at last poly outing but may be better suited here and could get a good run throughout. 10
4 HIPPO PROSPERO * Resuming. Has not shown up at trials and needs to improve on efforts last preparation. 33
5 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE *** Won a Class 5 then raced well in this grade last start over 1600m. Can race well again. 5.00
6 KNOW EACH OTHER *** Disappointing horse who showed promise earlier in his career but failed to deliver. Close up at recent outings and trialled well recently. Gets a chance to break through. 5.00
7 MEAISIN ** Battles away and suited this distance. Is usually thereabouts but has not won for a long time. 10
8 FRANCES * Moody mare who is yet to place in seven tries at this distance. 25
9 MASTER BANGER * Maiden who failed at only start over this journey. Can find easier. 25
10 HEAR ME * Veteran having 98th start who bobs up occasionally but cannot be predicted. 25
11 BLACK BEAN * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
12 WINNING SUCCESS * Another veteran having 93rd start who is struggling and wants easier. 50
Race 8
Selections; 1 FINE CHOICE – 8 GUILTLESS – 7 HELEN – 6 DRAGON RUBY
Not the strongest KSD line-up ever assembled and given the weak field, FINE CHOICE gets his chance. The 3YO has been thereabouts in Novice events at his two starts since his maiden win and while he will be asked to carry more weight in this race, the company should be to his liking. Nunes rides for Walker and that combination again looks the one to follow in 2016. If something does get up to beat FINE CHOICE it may be the bolter in GUILTLESS. The 4YO looks out-of-sorts but last start was definitely better than the result and with blinkers added today from gate 1, he could surprise at odds. Not many others to enthuse about but HELEN has pace and will probably look the winner at some stage while DRAGON RUBY is in winning form and that has to count for something in this field.
1 FINE CHOICE *** Looks due and while more weight to carry than his previous two starts, the grade suits. 2.00
2 PO’DE OURO ** Resumed with a solid effort this track and trip so pay to keep safe. 12
3 ANGRY CAT ** Did it extremely tough last start so worth another chance with blinkers added. 12
4 DUTY FREE ** Always a show when races are run to suits swoopers. 12
5 JOY AND HAPPY * Maiden who may need easier than this. 20
6 DRAGON RUBY *** Was supported when breaking madden status in Class 5 last start this trip and track and this is not much harder. 6.00
7 HELEN *** Has pace and showed last start this type of race is her caper. Goes close. 4.50
8 GUILTLESS *** Form reads badly but not a mile away last start and gets blinkers back on. Value. 12
9 WILKINSON * Recent trial suggests he can improve on recent poor form but prefer to watch. 50
10 OCEAN WORLD * Needs easier than this. 100
Race 9
Selections; 3 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL – 1 IDEAL GUIDE – 5 TIME ODYSSEY – 4 CLUTHA LAD
Sometimes it does seem a case of “who’s turn is it win?” with most these horses in form and going round in similar affairs each week. So obviously luck plays a part when the racing is so even and it may be a case of which stable or hoop is having a good day out. Nunes and Laxon usually have a fair day out together and BLOSSOMS SEQUEL is in cracking form so he picks himself. Rood combines with Laxon on IDEAL GUIDE and that combo also picks itself. Pat Shaw’s stable is in form so TIME ODYSSEY and even SUPER JOE come under notice while CLUTHA LAD is going too well not to be a winning hope again. So yes, it might be a raffle but it is a good one.
1 IDEAL GUIDE *** Foot on the till and this company and race looks very suitable. 3.50
2 EMPRESS WU * Easier to ignore on current form. 33
3 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL *** In cracking form and wins again sooner than later. 2.50
4 CLUTHA LAD *** Has recent form in and around Power Play and that is again good enough for this company. 7.00
5 TIME ODYSSEY *** Another in cracking form and gets all the favours from the ace. 4.00
6 SUPER JOE ** Honest and drawn to advantage but exotics the best option. 20
7 SKY ELEVEN * Can run a cheeky race but tested this level. 33
8 VERGLATICA * Battling away but like to see in something easier. 33
9 HEE’S A MAVERICK ** Showed last start he is more than up to this type of trip and will be value. 12
Race 10
Selections; 6 LA FONTANA – 2 ECLIPSE DANCER – 1 SUNNY – 10 BIGCAT RHAPSODY
While it’s hard to make a one-time winner a “good thing”, LA FONTANA looks the one to be on in this KSD Poly mile. Yes, the 4YO has had some 19 starts for that solitary win but in his favour it was over this trip and on this track. Pat Shaw has opted for a 2kg claimer and from gate 4, Firdaus should give him every chance. Also in LA FONTANA’s favour is the fact that nothing else looks like winning. In fact the two next picks – ECLIPSE DANCER and SUNNY – are the types not to win out of turn and both have yet to win on the Poly. However, ECLIPSE DANCER did place last start over 1200m on this surface and his only win was over the mile so he could show up. SUNNY should need longer and turf but his last two Poly efforts have been promising. Market best guide on the rest.
1 SUNNY *** Shown enough at two recent Poly starts to think he appreciates easier company and can win. 5.00
2 ECLIPSE DANCER *** Placed at first poly start when resuming over 1200m. Only win was at this distance. Can show up. 5.00
3 DUAL IMPACT * No. 50
4 SATELLITE STAR * Not travelling well enough at the moment. 33
5 HUMOR TOWN * Form hopeless but appreciates trip and company. 33
6 LA FONTANA *** Placed last start over this trip in Class 4 and subsequently trialled well. Hard to beat. 3.00
7 MR TRY ** Thereabouts on a good day and gets the ace so market watch in order. 8.00
8 THANKFULNESS ** Led last time over this trip but exotics looks best. 12
9 DRAGON * Wait for turf. 33
10 BIGCAT RHAPSODY ** Always some hope on the Poly but might need a tad easier to win. 8.00
11 GENERAL CONATUS ** Another who is always a show over this trip on the Poly but better suited in Class 5. 8.00
Race 11
Selections; 7 ROYAL RULER – 3 VIVIANO – 8 KISS ME – 1 BACH’S AIR
The last race of the meeting could possibly be the best on the 11 race card and we can expect a very strong betting affair. In fact they might go very hard on the Singapore debut winner VIVIANO who did very well to beat The Cosmos in this company over 1000m. That form will hold up here and with Nunes riding for Walker, he might even start in the red. So hopefully we get some value about the horse we think can beat VIVIANO in ROYAL RULER. The 4YO American-bred resumes after a fair spell from racing but his recent trial with blinkers added was very good and certainly has him under notice. Add the fact that he is two from two on the Poly, which includes a first-up victory, and he must go close. Those two should fight it out, however, BACH’S AIR, HONEST TRUTH and ROSELLI can all figure while KISS ME might be terrific each-way value.
1 BACH’S AIR *** Showed last start the Poly and Class 4 is his caper and gives this a shout. 8.00
2 HONEST TRUTH *** Excuses not to go close to making it two in a row with blinkers last start and can win this. 8.00
3 VIVIANO *** Won well at Singapore debut and will get plenty of support to go on with the job. 2.40
4 MR NEVERMIND ** Never looked comfortable last start but first-up was good enough to follow in Class 4. 20
5 ROSELLI *** Has done little wrong at three Singapore starts but needs a result for the support. 6.00
6 COLONEL LINCOLN * Ran on OK at Singapore debut and will improve over further. 20
7 ROYAL RULER *** Resuming with very good blinkers trial under his belt and has won first up on the Poly so hardest to beat. 3.50
8 KISS ME *** Recent form better than it reads and pay to follow at each-way odds. 20
9 SUN EMPIRE * Needs easier than this and perhaps turf. 50
10 BONJOUR BOB * No. 200
