Excellent One looks the testing material
It’s safe to say the connections of EXCELLENT ONE won’t die wondering.
After winning on debut at ridiculously long odds, the then 2YO had a crack at the Group 3 Juvenile Championship where he did himself proud finishing second – albeit by some five lengths – to the star that was Super One.
After turning three, they thought taking on the likes of International traveller SPALATO would be a good idea and again, with no weight he ran a super race finishing only three lengths away in fourth.
So given his next two runs were in more suitable Graduation and then Novice Company, you would have thought he could win one of those.
It wasn’t to be but he has been far from disgraced and gets his chance to show he is the real deal – again in Novice Company – in race 9 today.
Manny Nunes stays on-board and while he is up against some handy types including debut winner, RICH FORTUNE, he should win.
Elsewhere on the card it may pay to keep an eye on some horses with varying degrees of form that come under notice with blinkers added to their gear.
CONFEIGN (race 4), ROYAL EXPLORER (race 5), RIO DE JANEIRO (race 6), SATELLITE SPEED (race 7) and NOMERCY (race 10) could all show up with blinkers on first time and hopefully some of those at odds.
Sunday 24 January
Best Bets: (EXCELLENT ONE race 9, win), (RIO DE JANEIRO race 6, value) and (NOMERCY race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 9), race 9 (4), race 10 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 9), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9).
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 4
Selections; 10 OPTIMUS – 6 CONFEIGN – 1 ROBIN HOOD – 9 OCEAN MASTER
An average Initiation over 1200m with many chances. The first starter OPTIMUS has trialled nicely and could win on debut. In fact he looked to be doing it very easy at his Official Trial and a forward showing is expected. The blinkers go on CONFEIGN who trialled well recently and from the good gate with the in-form Oscar Chavez up, can improve on recent efforts. LUCKY COMMAND is resuming; he has shown some speed and can give a sight after a good recent trial. OLLIE EAGLE has placed at his last two poly outings and ran 4th on turf prior to that; he can be in the finish. DAMON disappointed and raced greenly last start after four good efforts; his recent trial was only moderate but with KB Soo up he could show his best. OCEAN MASTER debuted nicely on the poly and trialled well subsequently so can improve and ROBIN HOOD had plenty of excuses at his Singapore debut and can improve lengths at odds.
1 ROBIN HOOD *** Plenty of excuses at Singapore debut and should improve lengths with senior hoop on the turf. 14
2 OLLIE EAGLE *** Placed at last two poly outings and ran 4th on turf prior to that. Should be in the finish. 5.00
3 KING OPERA * Has not shown up in three outings. 50
4 THE JEUNEYMAN ** Not far away at recent outings over 1000m on poly. This distance and surface could help. 14
5 DAMON *** Disappointed and raced greenly last start after four good efforts. Will work into this late. 5.00
6 CONFEIGN *** Blinkers on and trialled well recently. From the good gate can improve on recent efforts. 3.00
7 CONFACET ** Fought on well last start and could improve on turf. 20
8 NOVA VICTORY * Needs to improve on efforts to date. 50
9 OCEAN MASTER *** Debuted nicely on poly and trialled well subsequently. Can run on well. 6.00
10 OPTIMUS *** By Road To Rock. Trialled nicely. Dam won twice up to 1200m. Watch market. 12
11 LUCKY COMMAND ** Resuming. Has shown some speed and can give a sight after good recent trial. 12
Race 5
Selections; 6 ROYAL EXPLORER – 4 REMEMBER ME – 7 SPEED CRAFT – 2 LIM’S RESPOND
A very ordinary Maiden over a mile on the Polytrack. REMEMBER ME just missed over this distance in KSD company last start and with Alan Munro taking the mount he should be hard to beat from the good gate. However, the blinkers go on ROYAL EXPLORER who has battled on well at his past two outings but his recent trial was very good; with Barend Vorster up he should be handy throughout. HAN SOLO has been close up at his past three outings in Class 5; he drops back to 1600m and should be prominent from the good gate. SUN DANCE has been trying for a while but is rarely far away, he should be near the speed throughout. SPEEDCRAFT was placed over this trip two starts back and not far away last outing – he can run on late. LIM’S RESPOND set up a big lead over 1400m on turf last start and was run down, he failed at his only mile attempt on poly but could give a sight.
1 SILENT CONNECTION * Recent trial was an improvement but has been distanced at recent outings. 25
2 LIM’S RESPOND *** Led and was run down over 1400m last start. Failed at only mile attempt. Could be hard to run down from the good gate. 8.00
3 NOVA GLORY * Shown nothing in three turf outings. 33
4 REMEMBER ME *** Just missed over this distance in KSD company last start. Should be hard to beat from the good gate. 3.50
5 RAAJPOOT * Blinkers on but has shown nothing in five starts. 50
6 ROYAL EXPLORER *** Blinkers on. Has battled on well at past two outings and recent trial was very good. Should be handy throughout. 4.00
7 SPEED CRAFT *** Placed over this trip two starts back and was not far away last outing. Can run on late. 6.00
8 SUN DANCE *** Has been trying for a while but is rarely far away. Should be handy throughout. 6.00
9 HAN SOLO *** Close up at past three outings in Class 5. Drops back to 1600m and should be prominent from the good gate. 6.00
10 MR BLOSSOM ** Best efforts have been on poly and steps up to a mile got the first time. Could show up. 20
Race 6
Selections; 4 RIO DE JANEIRO – 1 SUVARNABHUMI – 7 SO PERFECT – 6 BROWNE’S ANATOMY
A very poor quality Class 5 over 1200m on turf. So looking for an improver – hopefully at odds – a canny gear change on RIO DE JANEIRO appeals. Yes, the 4YO has only placed twice in 12 career starts but he has previously trialled well with blinkers and that could be enough. SUVANABHUMI’s best efforts have been on turf and his only win was at this trip; with Corey Brown up he should get every chance. SO PERFECT placed two starts back at this trip and is rarely far away, his recent trial was good and he should be in the finish. BROWNE’S ANATOMY is yet to win in 12 turf outings but blinker/pacifiers go on and he has won twice at the trip, watch for support. Most of the others have no form whatsoever to recommend them though JACKPOT and GOLDEN ROSEWOOD could threaten on turf.
1 SUVARNABHUMI *** Best efforts have been on turf and only win was at this trip. With Corey Brown up should get every chance. 3.00
2 TROPICAL FOREST ** Veteran who has only won once on turf and recent runs have been ordinary. Can bob up occasionally. 14
3 JACKPOT ** Racing poorly but best efforts have been on turf. Could improve. 10
4 RIO DE JANEIRO *** Blinkers on first time and has trialled well with headgear previously. Improves lengths. 20
5 GEARIGURU * Form too poor. 33
6 BROWNE’S ANATOMY *** Yet to win in 12 turf outings but blinker/pacifiers go on and has won twice at the trip. Watch for support. 4.00
7 SO PERFECT *** Placed two starts back at this trip and rarely far away. Recent trial was good and should be in the finish. 3.50
8 FLYING MISSION * Yet to place in 8 turf outings and needs to improve on effort when resuming. 25
9 LOYALTY’S ANGEL * Last start better but needs to improve. 33
10 RAINBOW STAR * Only placings in 20 starts have been on poly. Tested. 33
11 GOLDEN ROSEWOOD ** Won twice in Australia but has had 37 starts in Singapore without winning. Occasionally shows up. 12
Race 7
Selections; 1 ELISE – 7 SATELLITE SPEED – 4 BRIEFNESS – 3 LIM’S SINCERE
An ordinary Class 4 on the poly over 1100m with many chances. And while having no good Poly form to go on, ELISE is just racing too well not to be a huge winning chance here. BRIEFNESS has a chance to improve on his ordinary debut. The 4YO placed twice in Australia over this distance and with Manoel Nunes taking the mount should be in the finish. The blinkers go on SATELLITE SPEED who has performed solidly at both Singapore outings. He should be suited by this distance and will appreciate having Michael Rodd on top. BELLUS WONDER placed when resuming, he is awkwardly drawn but is suited in this company and should be handy throughout. LIM’S SINCERE won well in this grade over 1000m last start, he should be on the speed throughout though the last 100m may test. BLUE DIAMOND only battled last start, he goes best when allowed to lead and could show up from the good gate. In an open race MR NEVERMIND and LADRONE could show up.
1 ELISE *** Coming off back-to-back turf wins and might be value on the Poly. 10
2 BLUE DIAMOND ** Only battled last start. Goes best when allowed to lead and could show up from the good gate. 10
3 LIM’S SINCERE *** Won well in this grade over 1000m last start. Should be on the speed throughout. Final 100m may test. 5.00
4 BRIEFNESS *** Had excuses on debut (start) and should improve with Nunes up. 4.00
5 LADRONE ** Only battled last start after narrow Initiation win. Could show up from the good gate. 10
6 MR NEVERMIND ** Only battled last start but won Novice over this trip three starts back. Could show up. 12
7 SATELLITE SPEED *** Blinkers on. Has performed solidly at both Singapore outings and should be suited this distance. Will appreciate senior rider. 10
8 BELLUS WONDER *** Placed when resuming. Awkwardly drawn but suited this company and should be handy throughout. 5.00
9 BASTION * Tongue-tie on. Maiden who placed in NZ at only start. Having first poly start after 3 moderate turf efforts. Watch market. 25
10 COOL CAT * Resuming. Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
11 SUGARTIME JAZZ ** Won well in Class 5 last start and better suited in that grade. 33
12 ROCK OF AGES ** Resuming. Hasn’t won for a long time but is trialling solidly. Watch for support. 16
13 RUN CHEETAH RUN * Won at this trip three starts back. Runs on but might want easier. 33
14 JOY AND HAPPY * Maiden who wants easier. 50
Race 8
Selections; 6 CLERMONT CLUB – 1 OVER EASY – 2 QUETZAL – 9 BLACK DIAMOND
With the exception of DRAPPIER, all horses in this Class 5 field could win without surprising suggesting it’s a tough one for exotic players and indeed trying to pick the winner with any confidence. The safe option could be CLERMONT CLUB with Nunes on-board. The 6YO is no superstar but is often set for races like this and given what he showed last start, he looks ready to win. OVER EASY also looks very well placed back in Class 5 to win. The 7YO loves this trip, track and obviously showed by just missing in KSD company last start, that Class 5 is ideal. Throw a blanket over the rest although the maidens QUETZAL and TIGER BAY both look like winning soon in Class 5 company and BLACK DIAMOND is in winning form.
1 OVER EASY *** Just missed in KSD last start and hard to beat back in recent winning Class. 4.00
2 QUETZAL *** Maiden who showed last start that he wins soon in this company. 6.00
3 MASURAO ** Very much appreciates Class 5 but query on the Poly. 33
4 TIGER BAY *** Will win soon in this type of race with senior hoop a factor. 8.00
5 BIGCAT RHAPSODY ** Form just fair and drawn awkwardly but another suited back in Class 5. 12
6 CLERMONT CLUB *** Traffic issues costly last start and can make quick amends. 4.00
7 FOREVER BEST ** Struggles to win but always competitive. 12
8 DRAPPIER * No. 33
9 BLACK DIAMOND *** Showed this type of trip is what he was after when winning last start and pay to follow. 8.00
10 GRAND PARIS ** Excuses not to go very close last start in similar affair and pay to keep safe. 20
11 BERNARD’S FIGHTER ** Struggles as a rule but eye-catching run last start has him under notice. 20
12 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Will be running on late and another to include in exotics. 20
Race 9
Selections; 4 EXCELLENT ONE – 6 RICH FORTUNE – 7 RIVER OF GOLD – 8 BIG MAN
He may have only win to his name from five career starts and was beaten fair and square in a similar Novice event at his last start, but it’s safe to say that EXCELLENT ONE looks to have a bright future. In fact it is his losses that stamp him as a horse with potential after notching up a place at 2YO level behind Super One and finishing only there lengths in fourth behind Spalato – also at Group level. So his trainer HK Tan has certainly not shirked a challenge or two but now he needs a result for his efforts. These Novice fields usually have plenty of in-form and progressive horses though and you could make a case for all the other 3YO’s in the field including debut winner RICH FORTUNE, RIVER OF GOLD, MURRAYFIELD and even BIG MAN at value.
1 ARES * Resuming sans blinkers and prefer to watch first-up. 20
2 YANGON * Racing sparingly and needs to show something before considering. 33
3 SUN EMPIRE * Not in well at the race conditions and might be looking for Class 5. 33
4 EXCELLENT ONE *** Did not miss by much in this company last start and looks the testing material. 2.00
5 MURRAYFIELD ** Will be running on late but better winning option over further. 10
6 RICH FORTUNE *** Turned some good trial form into a strong win on debut and more than up to a race like this. 3.00
7 RIVER OF GOLD *** More than competitive in this grade last start and pay to follow. 5.00
8 BIG MAN ** Tongue-tie on. Form better than it reads and very much appreciates getting back on the turf. Value. 20
9 SATELLITE STAR * Blinkers off and no. 200
Race 10
Selections; 1 LIVELY DRAGON – 4 NOMERCY – 6 ANONYMOUS – 2 DRAGON SPIRIT
The age-old question in a lot of these Class 4 sprints is what’s better, winning form or Class droppers? Two horses – ANONYMOUS and SMOOTHLY – come into this after breaking their respective maiden status’ last start but while SMOOTHLY gets Nunes and gate 1, his win did look soft in a weak maiden so ANONYMOUS appeals. The 4YO broke his duck in Class 4 so is more than up to winning again in the same grade. However, LIVELY DRAGON has good recent form in Class 3 to his name and that should more than hold up in this company. An interesting runner is NOMERCY. The former Kiwi has shown nothing at two Singapore starts but he gets blinkers today and a recent trial with headgear was very impressive. Throw in DRAGON SPIRIT and KISS ME as winning hopes.
1 LIVELY DRAGON *** Significant drop in grade and hard to beat. 4.00
2 DRAGON SPIRIT *** Turned around some poor form with a good placing and has shown previously he can put a string of form together. 8.00
3 MIGHTY MAN ** Can mix his form but had excuses last start (lame) and always some show. 10
4 NOMERCY *** Race form ordinary but gets blinkers and recent trial with headgear was very good. 8.00
5 BATTLE KING * Resuming sans winkers and should need longer. 20
6 ANONYMOUS *** Broke maiden status in this company last start and have to respect. 5.00
7 MIGHTY CREATION * Not at his best of late but can find the line when having a good day. 33
8 ROYAL STYLE ** Starting to show enough to keep an eye on the market and include in exotics. 12
9 KISS ME *** Looks ready to win again and should be a good value option. 12
10 DELFYNE ** Will give a sight but might be better suited over 1000m in easier company. 12
11 SMOOTHLY ** Won a weak maiden last start when blinkers went on and has trialled well since. Keep safe. 6.00
12 EASY MONEY * Easier to ignore. 200
13 DUTY FREE ** Will swoop and surprise sometime soon. 20
Race 11
Selections; 5 DAVINCI – 2 IDYLLIC SCENERY – 7 MY BROTHERS KEEPER – 9 POSEIDON
As usual, a very open race to finish the meeting and good luck if you are confident of finding the winner. And given most can win, there has to be some terrific value on offer and exotics will pay well. Where to start? DAVINCI returns after an ambitious campaign that netted three wins and culminated in a crack at the Group 3 El Dorado Classic. Obviously he has a bit of ability and the stable rates him as a potential top-line stayer so 1400m first-up looks idea and he may be OK value. IDYLLIC SCENERY is also a very progressive type and looks well placed here from gate 1 with Nunes up. He has won over this trip and should have every chance. Too many others to mention but MY BROTHERS KEEPER should be value and a recent trial suggests he is ready to show up over a trip and track that suits.
1 MAC VOLKS *** Usually seen on the Poly but most recent win was on the turf and very forward run expected here. 12
2 IDYLLIC SCENERY *** Excuses last start and this looks suitable to keep his good run of form going. 5.00
3 NORTHERN BOSS *** Took a drop to Class 4 on the Poly to win but form prior has him under consideration in this. 100
4 PROFESSOR X ** Two recent good runs on the Poly but worth watching market. 6.00
5 DAVINCI *** Promising staying type resuming and this trip looks ideal first-up. 6.00
6 KAI POWER ** Recent wins have been over longer but will be working into this late. 12
7 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Recent trial was nice and will enjoy being back on the turf over his best trip. Each-way. 8.00
8 POLE PARADISE *** In winning form and very forward showing here expected. 8.00
9 POSEIDON *** Honest and always going to be a show in an open race like this. 8.00
10 SCOUT DONE ** Was absolutely flying on the Poly but exposed turf form suggests he is a risk. 12
11 EAGLE STORM ** Form better than it reads and could run a very cheeky race at odds. 20
12 LAKE HUKA ** Ran on well to place behind Pole Paradise last start and can include in exotics. 12
13 MCGREGOR ** Resuming after poor effort but will go forward and could surprise at odds. 20
14 SECRET SPICE * Needs Class 5. 100
