Spanish holds them at Bay in Singapore
At some stage in a horse’s career, he or she has to step out of their comfort zone. And while you would think SPANISH BAY has already stepped up to the plate and won at Group level when beating AFFLECK in the Three-Year-Old Classic, he faces his biggest test to date against older horses in KSA company today (race 10).
Sure, he has won four from eight career starts, won at Group 2 level and placed at Group 1 level, but taking on the likes of EL MILAGRO, TRUDEAU, WILD GEESE – all seasoned winners – in Open handicap company will tell us more about the horse than racing against his own age.
But he is obviously smart and beat AFFLECK fair and square over this trip two starts back and that form should hold up here. In saying that, TRUDEAU looked a good thing beaten over 1200m on International Cup day and should be cherry ripe for this and EL MILAGRO back in trip with blinkers on could very well give SPANISH BAY more than just company out front.
Throw in the wild-card listed winner from Australia – ORDER OF THE SUN off a very nice trial – and the race looks a beauty. Elsewhere on the card, a smart last start winner in HYDRO appeals over 1400m in race 10. The More Than Ready 4YO won handsomely when blinkers were added over the same trip in KSD company last start and given he struck just a fair Class 4 field (division 2), he can
win again.
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Sunday 7 June
Best Bets; (SPANISH BAY race 9, win), (HYDRO race 10, win) and (POLE PARADISE race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 6, 7 and 9), race 9 (1, 2, 6, 8 and 10), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 6 and 9).
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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 8
Selections; 6 BRING MONEY HOME – 9 MR CONNERY – 7 CHRISTMAS – 3 MILITARY ALLIANCE
A KSD over 1700m on the poly with many chances. BRING MONEY HOME drops in grade, he ran on well last start and his only win was at this trip; he is a consistent sort and should be in the finish. BLOSSOMS SEQUEL also drops in grade and won his Maiden at this trip; he is rarely far away and 3kg claim will help. MR CONNERY goes well on the poly and should be handy throughout with gate 1 and Corey Brown a bonus. CHRISTMAS ran on strongly to win in higher grade last start over this distance, he goes up 9kg with Alan Munro on board but should be hard to beat again. MILITARY ALLIANCE did nothing last start but is better suited on the poly and should race well for Michael Rodd from a good gate. There are plenty of other chances, LA FONTANA, RIEDEL, RISING TIDE, PIASAU GARDEN and FOREVER BEST are quite capable in this grade at the journey.
1 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL *** Drops in grade and won his Maiden at this trip. Rarely far away and 3kg claim will help. 6.00
2 LA FONTANA ** Struggled last start and drawn wide but may find this grade easier. 9.00
3 MILITARY ALLIANCE *** Did nothing last start but is better suited on the poly this company and should race well. 7.00
4 PIASAU GARDEN ** Form reads badly but better suited this trip and drops to winning grade. Can show up. 14
5 RIEDEL ** Unreliable but has won at this distance and can get get in the finish. 14
6 BRING MONEY HOME *** Drops in grade. Ran on well last start and only win was at this trip. Should be in the finish. 5.00
7 CHRISTMAS *** Ran on strongly to win in higher grade last start over this distance. Rises 9kg with senior rider up but should be hard to beat. 7.00
8 SACRED SPIN ** Rarely far away but only win was on turf. On trial at the trip. 14
9 MR CONNERY *** Goes well on the poly and should be handy throughout from gate 1. 7.00
10 SUPER VOICE * Tongue tie on. Has won at this trip and will have benefited from recent trials. Watch for support. 16
11 FOREVER BEST ** Battles away and this distance should suit. 14
12 RISING TIDE * Ran on fairly last start and only win was on poly over a mile. Can show up. 20
13 CALLIDE RIVER * Recent form ordinary but will be happy back on poly. May need Class 5. 33
14 FEI YUE ** Battled on in Class 5 over this trip last start. May need that grade. 25
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Race 9
Selections; 8 SPANISH BAY – 2 TRUDEAU – 10 ORDER OF THE SUN – 1 EL MILAGRO
A KSA over 1400m and the race looks a cracker. SPANISH BAY is a smart 3YO with a Group win over Affleck to his name. He is taking on older horses so this is a test but he has enough speed to lead throughout and be hard to pass. The race also gives TRUDEAU a chance to break through after a run of outs. The 7YO was unable to get clear when resuming last start but yet ran on well and this distance suits. EL MILAGRO found the mile too far last start, the blinkers go back on and this is much more suitable. GOLD RUTILE had excuses last start but usually runs an honest race and WILD GEESE has enough versatility to make his presence felt. The interesting runner is ORDER OF THE SUN who makes his Singapore debut. The 4YO arrives with an impressive CV that includes a Listed win and while he will be better over longer, he can show up fresh.
1 EL MILAGRO *** Blinkers on. Found the mile too far last start. Better suited here and can be handy throughout. 4.00
2 TRUDEAU *** Never saw daylight last start and rattled home late. Suited this trip and should be in the finish. 4.00
3 WILD GEESE ** Dropping back in trip. Versatile and could show up with blinkers back on. 10
4 RED BEARD * Just fair when resuming after a long break but could improve for the run. 33
5 MARTIN ** Ran on well over a mile last start. Has won at 1400m but best form is over longer. 20
6 GOLD RUTILE *** Excuses last start not to finish closer and can be in the finish. 7.00
7 ALEXANDRA PALACE ** Put in a better effort last start and has had a subsequent trial. Best form is over longer but could show up. 14
8 SPANISH BAY *** Smart 3YO taking on older horses. Has enough speed to lead throughout. 3.50
9 RAPIDO STAR * Needs to improve on recent efforts. Best form is on poly over shorter. 33
10 ORDER OF THE SUN *** VRC St Leger winner who will be better again over longer but trialed like a good horse should and can win. 16
11 BOOMARANG DELUXE * Will find these too sharp. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 1 HYDRO – 2 GOLD LINE – 6 BLACK SNOW – 5 SWEET LODGE
A Class 4 over 1400m and HYDRO – who won very well last start in KSD company – can win again. He is up in grade and gives some handy Class 4 types weight but blinkers looked to do the trick and Michael Rodd staying on-board a bonus. GOLD LINE was close up when resuming over 1200m in this Grade; he is better suited at 1400m and should be handy throughout from the good gate. For value we are keeping BLACK SNOW and SWEET LODGE safe. In particular BLACK SNOW as he had plenty of excuses last start and should be long odds. Mario Esposito gets a ride for Laurie Laxon and with it a chance to deliver on COTE DE NUITS who has been improved by two recent outings and gets a chance over a suitable distance. MY BROTHER’S KEEPER is improving with recent racing, he drops 1.5kg on his most recent effort and will be hard to hold out and NORTH ATLANTIC ICE can show up.
1 HYDRO *** Won well last start in KSD grade when blinkers added. Whilst he has to give them all weight can go on with it. 4.50
2 GOLD LINE *** Was close up when resuming over 1200m in this Grade. Better suited at 1400m and should be handy throughout from the good gate. 4.00
3 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Improving with recent racing. Drops 1.5kg on recent solid effort and will be hard to hold out. 4.50
4 NATURAL NICE * Has lost all form and needs to improve. 33
5 SWEET LODGE *** Ran on well when resuming. Suited this trip and can be closing late. Value. 8.00
6 BLACK SNOW *** Form better than it reads and excuses last start so follow each-way odds. 33
7 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE *** Rarely far away can be prominent throughout. 8.00
8 PERFECT CHALLENGER * Has disappointed of late and returned as a roarer last outing. Take on trust. 33
9 COTE DE NUITS ** Has been improved by two recent outings. Gets a chance with Esposito aboard. 6.00
10 ADRENALINE * Resuming. Honest but may need the outing. 20
11 ALADDIN * Recent form poor. May need Class 5. 50
12 BLACK MAMBA * Rarely far away but can be tested at 1400m. 33
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Race 11
Selections; 6 THANKFULNESS – 2 POLE PARADISE – 1 DRAGON FURY – 9 KNOW EACH OTHER
Another Class 4 over 1400m and Michael Rodd on THANKFULNESS looks a solid option. The 4YO has yet to win on the turf but shown enough of late to suggest he can break though over 1400m. POLE PARADISE – who put in a bold effort last start before fading late – could easily show up here. The 2kg claim for Joseph See looks a good move and expect a bold run. Likewise, DRAGON FURY – who won easily in KSD company over this trip last start – should be on the speed throughout with a good gate a bonus. The race may also give KNOW EACH OTHER a chance. The 3YO ran on fairly last start and whilst he has yet to live up to his earlier promise, he has been improving and with Barend Vorster to steer gets a chance to knock in a win. SPLICE disappointed last start but usually goes well this class and distance and he could make amends.
1 DRAGON FURY *** Won easily in KSD company over this trip last start. Well drawn again and should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
2 POLE PARADISE *** Blinkers on. Put in a bold effort last start before fading late. Can show up from the good gate with 2kg claim. 5.00
3 SPLICE *** Disappointed last start but usually goes well this class and distance. 6.00
4 FELAROF * Has had a let-up after failing over longer. Could show up fresh. 16
5 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
6 THANKFULNESS *** Rarely far away but only wins have been on poly. 10
7 BANNISTER ** Ran on well when resuming and only win was at this trip. 12
8 DR N WING FIGHTERS ** Broke through last start and should be competitive this company. 20
9 KNOW EACH OTHER *** Ran on fairly last start. Has yet to live up to earlier promise but is usually running on. 6.00
10 NO SMOKING JEFF * Only win was on poly. Prefer others although recent trial was OK. 33
11 ROSADO ** Moreira got her into second last start. Could show up with Corey Brown on top. 14
12 MOONBEAM DAZZLER ** Has plenty of speed and can give a sight. 12
13 RAINBOW WARRIOR * No. 100
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