EL PADRINO has the class to win (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
While most horses seem to handle both turf and synthetic tracks to some extent, some excel on one particular surface and today we will concentrate on some dead-set Poly specialists.
Case in point is the internationally regarded, EL PADRINO.
The 7yo does have a few turf wins to his name but it has been his all-weather exploits in Singapore, Korea and Dubai that see’s him carry 59kg in Sundays Open Sprint (race 9).
But while the big weight won’t worry him per se, it is the fact he has to give some 9kg to half the field including some up-and-coming Poly stars in KAM’S COMET and MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS.
The pair have a combined 11 Polytrack wins to his name and such is their preference for the “dirt”, only KAM’S COMET has a solitaire turf win to his name.
Throw in HUKA FALLS who just held out EL PADRINO when the pair met earlier in the month over 1200m and the race looks a cracker.
Elsewhere on the card, TERMS OF REFERENCE also looks a Poly specialist in the making after winning twice and placing once from three starts on the track. Add a slick recent trial and he might be a good thing in race 5.
Sunday 31 January
Best Bets: (TERMS OF REFERENCE race 5, win), (EL PADRINO race 9, win) and (VERGLATICA race 4, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3 and 4), race 9 (1, 2, 5 and 6), race 10 (1, 3, 4, 6 and 9), race 11 (1, 2, 4, 6, 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; 1 VERGLATICA – 5 BILLY BRITAIN – 2 MONEY KING – 3 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE
A KSD over 1900m with numerous chances. VERGLATICA is down in grade (significantly) and likes this journey so he should be in the finish. BILLY BRITAIN has placed at two of his three poly outings and ran on well over this trip last outing; with Da Silva taking the mount he should be hard to keep out. MONEY KING has disappointed at his past two outings but won in this grade and distance three starts back. GREAT BALLS OF FIRE is in good form, is suited this grade but is on trial at the trip; he should be prominent throughout. KING SAVINSKY is a dour fellow, he battled on well last start over a mile, is better suited at this distance and he will be running on late.
1 VERGLATICA *** Down in grade and likes this journey. Should be in the finish. 4.00
2 MONEY KING *** Has disappointed at past two outings but won in this grade and distance three starts back. Should be on the speed throughout. 5.00
3 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE *** In good form. Suited this grade but on trial at the trip. Should be prominent throughout. 6.00
4 DANNY * Veteran who failed badly over this trip last start. Recent form ordinary and improvement required. 33
5 BILLY BRITAIN *** Placed at two of three poly outings and ran on well over this trip last outing with excuses. Should be hard to keep out. 3.50
6 SCHILTRON * Has been battling of late but only win was at this trip. Tongue-tie comes off and could show up. 14
7 KING SAVINSKY *** Battled on well last start and better suited this distance. Can be in the finish. 8.00
8 CLERMONT CLUB ** Battles away and won in Class 5 last start. May find this harder. 20
9 STARPERFECT ** Dour and his looks suitable but hasn’t won since coming to Singapore so may want easier. 20
10 OVER EASY ** Tough fellow who will go forward and give a sight. 25
11 GRAND PARIS * Only win was in Class 5 and better suited there. 33
Race 5
Selections; 5 TERMS OF REFERENCE – 2 KEEN DRAGON – 4 HOST THE NATION – 1 BRAHMS AND LISZT
A Class 4 over 1200m and Mark Walker has a strong hand with two class droppers engaged. KEEN DRAGON drops in grade and is suited at this distance; with Manoel Nunes on top he will get a good run throughout and finish off strongly. BRAHMS AND LIZST has disappointed at recent outings but is better suited in this class and at this distance; the 4kg claim helps and he can be in the finish. However, TERMS OF REFERENCE could be hard to beat back on the Poly. The 3YO disappointed last start on the turf but his trial and race form on the Poly is very good so he can win without surprising. HOST THE NATION is racing consistently and won one of these four starts back and is always remarkable value.
1 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Just fair at recent outings but better suited this class and distance. Claim helps and can be in the finish. 5.00
2 KEEN DRAGON *** Drops in grade and suited this distance. Gets Nunes and can run on strongly. 3.50
3 ASPEN * Freshened but may prefer turf and longer. 14
4 HOST THE NATION *** Racing consistently and always terrific value. Follow. 4.00
5 TERMS OF REFERENCE *** Disappointed last start on turf but has exceptional Poly form and can win this. 4.00
6 HAMMER DOWN * Getting down in grade but needs to show some worthwhile form and better on turf. 20
7 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Veteran who runs on but needs a mile to show his best. 20
8 MCGREGOR * Resuming. Has not shown up at trials. May want longer and turf. 33
9 GOLDEN MILE ** Won Maiden this trip and placed in Novice but has struggled in Class 4. May want easier. 25
10 WEE MONSTER * Has shown nothing since coming to Singapore. 33
11 HAPPY SAGA ** Won Class 5 three starts back and racing well in KSD company since. This looks too hard. 25
Race 6
Selections; 3 SACRED CROWN – 2 HEAVENLY GIFT – 8 CASSIS OOLONG – 4 SIMPANG
An extremely weak Class 5 where form or lack of it may be meaningless. SACRED CROWN failed on turf last start but is much better at this trip on the poly where has won six times; he should be hard to hold out in this field with the 4kg claim to assist. CASSIS OOLONG has ordinary form but this distance suits and he could go forward and give a sight. HEAVENLY GIFT gets back on the poly and is better suited at this trip; he can be handy throughout. SIMPANG gets back on the poly and is better suited here; he is awkwardly drawn but could show up. CAPTAIN CLASSIQUE has been disappointing, the blinkers go back on and he gets another chance with Manoel Nunes to steer. The rest have little to recommend them but it is a race where anything could bob up including old STANZOUT at start number 97.
1 CAPTAIN CLASSIQUE ** Has been disappointing. Blinkers back on and gets another chance in a weak race with Nunes to steer. 10
2 HEAVENLY GIFT *** Gets back on poly and better suited at this trip. Can be handy throughout. 4.00
3 SACRED CROWN *** Failed on turf last start but is much better at this trip on the poly where has won six times. Should be hard to hold out with 4kg claim to assist. 3.50
4 SIMPANG ** Gets back on poly and better suited here. Awkwardly drawn but could show up with blinkers to visor. 7.00
5 BREAKING VAULTS * Blinkers on but best efforts have been on turf and might want longer. 25
6 BLACK BEAN * Best form has been over longer. 33
7 REAL GOODMAN * Resuming. Useful when right but wants longer. 16
8 CASSIS OOLONG ** Form ordinary but can go forward and give a sight. 5.00
9 STANZOUT ** Dropping back in distance at start number 97. Always a chance in these weak races. 10
10 GYPSY STAR * Dropping back in distance. Recent form poor and needs to improve. 25
11 GODS SPEED * Recent trials fair but better over longer. 20
Race 7
Selections; 1 TIME ODYSSEY – 4 KINGS RYKER – 3 VERTICAL START – 6 XZUBERANCE
TIME ODYSSEY is a promising horse – a six length win in KSC company attests to that – who drops back in trip and has to carry the weight but has a class edge on the rest; he trialled well recently and should be very hard to beat. KINGS RYKER disappointed on turf last start after a good Singapore debut. He won over this distance in Ireland and could get in the finish. Most of the others are out of form or Class 4 horses at best though VERTICAL START can improve on the poly and XZUBERANCE can go forward and give a sight.
1 TIME ODYSSEY *** Promising horse who drops back in trip and has to carry the weight but has a class edge on the rest. Recent trial was good and should be very hard to beat. 2.00
2 EMPRESS WU * Knocked up badly last start. Hasn’t shown form for some time and needs to improve. 20
3 VERTICAL START *** Blinkers off. Gets back on poly and has won in this grade. Could show up. 5.00
4 KINGS RYKER *** Disappointed on turf last start after good Singapore debut. Won over this distance in Ireland and could get in the finish. 4.00
5 ECLIPSE DANCER ** Racing well but up in grade and could be tested. 10
6 XZUBERANCE *** Did nothing last start but better on the poly and with pacifiers back on can give a sight with Nunes to steer. 10
7 KIRKS RYKER ** Won Maiden last start but this is harder. 16
8 DAAD’S THE WAY * Veteran tested against these. 25
Race 8
Selections; 1 RACER KING – 4 LUCKY SIX – 3 CASTLE QUEEN – 10 GUILTLESS
Nothing jumps off the page to win this with RACER KING desperate for a result and a few other leading hopes tested at this level. In saying that, CASTLE QUEEN broke her maiden status in no uncertain terms last start and she must be respected up in grade on that two-length win. LUCKY SIX won in Class 5 three starts back but his most recent effort where he just missed in Class 4 company has him under notice in this. As mentioned, RACER KING is in fine form and is due but needs a result while going along so well and the experienced Azhar may make a difference. Blanket over the rest although GUILTLESS may be value with blinkers off and J Powell up.
1 RACER KING *** Foot well an truly on the till but struggles to win. 3.00
2 SAVAGE STORM ** Always an each way hope. 12
3 CASTLE QUEEN *** Broke maiden status in fine style at nice odds and pay to follow. 8.00
4 LUCKY SIX *** Just missed in Class 4 company last start and hard to beat on a repeat of that effort. 3.00
5 SUPER JOY ** Has been tested outside of Class 5 previously but in form and pay to respect. 7.00
6 SATELLITE PRINCE ** Competitive but should need longer to be a winning hope. 33
7 TIM ** Will be thereabouts but might need Class 5 to win. 12
8 MOLLY BROWNE * Will battle away but needs turf and longer. 33
9 DRAGON KING ** Should need easier but a recent trial was good so keep safe from the ace. 33
10 GUILTLESS ** Blinkers off after placing last start and a must for exotics. 12
11 ROMA ** Always some hope on the Poly but should need Class 5. 50
Race 9
Selections; 1 EL PADRINO – 5 KAM’S COMET – 2 HUKA FALLS – 6 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS
On what has been just a fair weekend in regards to quality, this race more than makes up for the shortfall with some of the best Poly sprinters in Singapore taking part. In fact EL PADRINO is world-class on an all-weather track with big runs in Dubai and Korea on his impressive CV and indeed has nominated for the $2 million dirt sprint at the Dubai World Cup meeting in March. The question is whether he is 9kg better than some up-and-coming sprinters in KAM’S COMET and MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS. Or 3kg better off the HUKA FALLS who he just failed to catch over 1200m last start. Hopefully with so much early pace in this race, EL PADRINO will fly late and has the class to win. KAM’S COMET the best of the lightweight hopes and he may even nudge favouritism while HUKA FALLS will be in the mix. Great race.
1 EL PADRINO *** Just missed when resuming and the testing material late. 3.00
2 HUKA FALLS *** Knocked in fifteenth career win last start and in well in at the weights here. 3.00
3 GOAL KEEPER ** Will have to work from the wide gate but in solid form and keeps a few honest. 12
4 HAPPY MONEY ** Not a mile away last start similar company and gets a slight weight pull. 20
5 KAM’S COMET *** Tested this level but six wins (five on the Poly) from just 11 career starts suggests he is up to the task. 4.00
6 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS *** Mixes it with the likes of Kam’s Comet and has to be respected with just 50kg. 8.00
7 SOUTHERN BOSS * Early speed aplenty but petrol an issue. 50
8 BELLWETHER ** Competitive but skinny end of exotics looks best in this company. 20
9 PIONEER SEVEN * Prefer in something easier. 50
10 SEBAS * Will go lickety spilt but should be found wanting late. 50
Race 10
Selections; 3 GUILTY PLEASURES – 6 SUPERSONICSURPRISE – 1 IMPERIAL BOY – 4 DREAMCATCHER
A few horses look ready to turn some good form into a win including GUILTY PLEASURES and SUPERSONICSURPRISE. Both horses come into this KSD with good runs under their belts, GUILTY PLEASURES in Novice company and SUPERSONICSURPRISE in Class 4. You could make a strong case for both but GUILTY PLEASURES had a few excuses for the big run against some nice opposition so happy to go with him. Of the rest, IMPERIAL BOY comes off a nice win in this company over 1000m and can win again without surprising while DREAMCATCHER and DRAGON RUBY should be in the winning mix.
1 IMPERIAL BOY *** Turned some good form into a win this company last start and pay to follow. 4.00
2 FANTASTIC MAN ** Improved effort last start and should enjoy this company. 12
3 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Just missed in Novice company last start and should find this to his liking. 6.00
4 DREAMCATCHER *** Always in the mix but will not win out of turn. 5.00
5 ANGRY CAT ** Shown glimpses of late and can include in exotics at value. 25
6 SUPERSONICSURPRISE *** Has been racing very consistently in Class 4 and gets his chance in this slightly easier company. 3.00
7 JOY AND HAPPY * Maiden who needs easier. 50
8 READY FORTUNE * Will be running on late but should need easier and longer. 33
9 DRAGON RUBY *** Supported and not a mile away last start in similar affair so pay to follow. 8.00
10 NOVA VICTORY * Blinkers to winkers and no. 100
11 HIGHLIGHT * Should need easier but form better than it reads and will add plenty of value to exotics. 50
12 SMART INVESTMENT * Reassess easier and longer. 50
Race 11
Selections; 1 VIVIANO – 6 ALOHA – 4 RED ANT – 2 ASPREY
Former Kiwi winner, VIVIANO, got his Singapore career off to a flyer by narrowly winning on debut but was quickly brought down to earth when missing a place as a short priced favourite at start two. That’s racing for you. But he had excuses for his unplaced run and happy to think he is better than Class 4 and can win this. Plenty of good Poly sprinters keep him honest though including ALOHA. The 3YO was struggling until blinkers went on three starts back and his form since has been very good. He likes the Poly as well so he can win back on the all-weather. It’s also hard to fault RED ANT’s winning form of late and he wins without surprising while BARNATO and KAZOU are both in the mix. ASPREY the one flying late and he will keep it interesting.
1 VIVIANO *** All sorts of excuses when finishing unplaced as fave at second Singapore starts and can make quick amends. 3.00
2 ASPREY *** In form and will be flying late. 8.00
3 NATION THEATRE * Back in trip and prefer others. 50
4 RED ANT *** Putting together a great run of form and wins this without surprising. 6.00
5 MR WHITAKER ** Better than what he showed at his last couple but have to take on trust. 12
6 ALOHA *** Solid last start but better again back on the Poly. Big show. 4.00
7 Q NINE MAC ** Blinkers/pacifiers off after going too hard on debut but should be thereabouts. 12
8 BARNATO *** Resuming sans headgear after a poor run but always a show on the Poly with good trials under his belt. 12
9 KAZUO *** Just missed last start at each-way odds and pay to follow at value. 12
10 JUBILATION ** Appreciates first-up run but may need a tad easier to win. 20
11 SECRET SPICE * Reassess Class 5 over longer. 100
