KAM’S COMET should get a good run (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
An excellent BM89 Poly sprint headlines what is a very solid day’s racing from Kranji and the form in and around the very smart Huka Falls in late January could be the key.
Not much separated KAM’S COMET and MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS on that occasion and both will appreciate the easier company today and look the testing material.
It could very well be a virtual toss up between the two and given both have very similar career records and both have claimers onboard for today’s sprint, it may very well be who gets the better run throughout.
And while it’s only a nine-horse field, KAM’S COMET gets to jump from gate 1 and that could be the difference between the two.
If it does get hectic out front – and no reason to think it won’t – GOOD NEWS will be the beneficiary and don’t be surprised if he is flying late and can win with a rejuvenated Oscar Chavez to steer.
Sunday 21 February
Bets: (ROYAL EASTER race 4, win), (XZUBERANCE race 10, each-way) and (HOT GOLD race 11, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2 and 6), race 9 (1, 3, 4, 5, and 6), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 5), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 11).
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; 6 ROYAL EASTER – 4 THE WIND – 5 BLACK SWAN – 1 PARKER
Another Initiation, this one over 1400m on turf, with plenty of chances. One that looked stiffer than a honeymooner’s last start was ROYAL EASTER. The 3YO was held up and ran on well when resuming; this distance suits and he could be hard to beat. THE WIND has been close up at recent outings and is suited here. He is awkwardly drawn but Benny Woodworth should have him prominent throughout. BLACK SWAN is resuming. He has trialled well with blinkers and Harry Kasim should have him running on late. SCIMITAR has battled since resuming on polytrack, his only placing has been on turf and John Powell should give him a good run throughout. MISS STREISAND ran on well last start and should be further improved. PARKER has been battling away and is suited this distance, his recent trial was solid and he should be thereabouts. Others that could show up include HUSSONATOR, ZAHIR and PUSONG PINOY.
1 PARKER *** Has been battling away and is suited this distance. Recent trial was solid and should be thereabouts. 8.00
2 ZAHIR * Gets blinkers after disappointing effort last start. Can improve. 16
3 AQUALAD * Battling and needs to do more. 33
4 THE WIND *** Close up at recent outings and suited here. Awkwardly drawn but should be prominent throughout. 5.00
5 BLACK SWAN *** Resuming. Trialled well with blinkers and should be running on late. 6.00
6 ROYAL EASTER *** Held up and ran on well when resuming. This distance suits. 6.00
7 HUSSONATOR ** Improved by recent racing and suited this distance. Could show up. 10
8 SCIMITAR ** Has battled since resuming on polytrack. Only placing has been on turf and should get a good run throughout. 8.00
9 CIRRUS * Has shown little to date. 33
10 PUSONG PINOY * Battles away and can race handy throughout. Could improve 16
11 SQUIRE BENTLEY * Has shown nothing to date. 33
12 MISS STREISAND *** Ran on well last start and should be further improved. 7.00
13 SUN HANCOCK * Has disappointed since good debut. May improve on turf. 16
Race 5
Selections; 4 MURRAYFIELD – 7 LITTLE BIG MAN – 8 PEER GYNT – 6 CERTAINLY
A Novice over 1400m and yet another race with numerous chances. MURRAYFIELD ran on nicely when resuming and the extra distance suits; the newly returned Vlad Duric can get him in the finish. LITTLE BIG MAN broke through last start over this distance and should be improved; Danny Beasley will give him every chance. PEER GYNT is in solid form and more importantly looks suited back in Novice Company; value. PERKINS resumed with a good Maiden poly win, the claim helps and he is suited this surface and distance. DAMON won his Maiden over this trip and should get a good run throughout. CERTAINLY is very consistent and will be on the speed throughout.
1 PERKINS ** Resumed with a good Maiden poly win and has placed this trip on turf. 5.00
2 DAMON ** Won a weak Maiden over this trip and should get a good run throughout. 6.00
3 IN BOCCA AL LUPO ** Battled away on turf over 1200m after Maiden poly win. Could show up. 14
4 MURRAYFIELD *** Ran on nicely when resuming and extra distance suits. Should be in the finish. 3.50
5 ASTROJET ** Ran on fairly in Class 4 over this distance after Maiden poly win but may want longer again. 14
6 CERTAINLY *** Consistent and will be on the speed throughout in a race that suits. 6.00
7 LITTLE BIG MAN *** Broke through last start over this distance and can improve on that effort. 4.00
8 PEER GYNT *** Only win was on poly over 1000m but thereabouts last couple and keeps a few here honest. 15
9 PANACHE * Last start better than the result but needs easier than this. 50
Race 6
Selections; 1 WARPATH – 3 LUCKY COIN – 2 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT – 9 SWIFT
The second heat of the KSDs over 1400m and WARPATH is suited at this class and distance and just missed last start and protested unsuccessfully; Matt Kellady gets a chance to make amends. LUCKY COIN gets another chance to win in the grade. He won a KSD two starts back over this distance and fought on well in Class 4 last start. Eli Chaves should give him every chance. This pair stand above the others though CONSTANCE SPIRIT is rarely far away, is better on the poly but runs on and should be closing late. Other hopes include MEAISIN who hasn’t won for a long time but has been racing solidly on the poly; he has four turf wins to his credit and could show up; WHITE COFFEE only battled last start but is better suited this distance and could run on late; SWIFT is racing consistently, he will improve on the turf and can be handy throughout; TWODOLLAR MUPPET has been racing consistently on the poly but does have some turf form and can run on late.
1 WARPATH *** Suited this class and distance. Just missed last start and protested unsuccessfully. Should be in the finish. 3.00
2 CONSTANCE’S SPIRIT *** Better on poly but is rarely far away. Runs on and should be closing late. 6.00
3 LUCKY COIN *** Won in this grade two starts back over this distance and fought on well in Class 4 last start. Should be handy throughout. 3.00
4 HEE’S FORTE * Struggling at recent outings and needs to improve. 33
5 GOLD CROWN ** Only wins have been at this distance, the most recent last start in Class 5. Will find this harder but could show up. 20
6 MEAISIN ** Hasn’t won for a long time but has been racing solidly on the poly. Has four turf wins to his credit and could show up. 14
7 WHITE COFFEE * Only battled last start but better suited this distance and could run on late. 16
8 MR TRY * Races solidly at this level but best efforts have been on poly. 20
9 SWIFT *** In good order on the Poly and is a better winning option back on the turf. Can win. 14
10 TIME AFTER TIME * Battles away but better in Class 5 on poly. 33
11 TWODOLLARMUPPET ** Has been racing well in Class 4 on poly. Has placed twice at this distance from six tries and could be running on late. 14
12 KNOW EACH OTHER * Disappointing horse who has struggled at most recent outings. Only win was at this trip. 33
Race 7
Selections; 1 KAM’S COMET – 2 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS – 4 GOOD NEWS – 7 GHOST
A good field of BM89 sprinters competes over 1100m. KAM’S COMET ran in Open Company last start and was not disgraced; he has a good sprint late and will be hard to hold out. MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS has been in top form since resuming and also ran well in the same open company last start, he gets a 4kg claim and will be hard to pass. GOOD NEWS is under-rated, he is rarely far away and has an excellent polytrack record; he runs on strongly and can be in the finish. BELLWETHER is resuming and trialled well recently, he goes best when held up just off the speed. These look better than the rest though GHOST is a horse of ability trying to make a comeback after injury and THE GENERAL shows promise but is taking on some top company here.
1 KAM’S COMET *** Took on open company last start and was not disgraced. Has a good closing sprint and should get a good run throughout. 3.00
2 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS *** Has been in top form since resuming and ran well in open company last start. Gets a 4kg claim and will be hard to pass. 3.00
3 BELLWETHER ** Resuming and trialled well recently. Goes best when held up just off the speed. 5.00
4 GOOD NEWS *** Rarely far away and has an excellent polytrack record. Runs on strongly and can be in the finish. 5.00
5 GOT LUCK ** Resuming after bleeding attack with tongue-tie added. Has a good poly record but may have found his mark. 33
6 PIONEER SEVEN ** Did well in Open company last start and will be value in this field. 33
7 GHOST ** Wasn’t helped by the lengthy delay at the gates last start and did nothing when resuming after a long break. Has not missed a place in seven poly starts and could show up. 25
8 THE GENERAL ** Racing well but getting up in Class and may be tested by these. 10
9 BLUE DIAMOND * Will find these too sharp. 33
Race 8
Selections; 1 ECLIPSE DANCER – 6 HIGHER SOUL – 2 SIR REGINALD – 5 PUSAKA
Class 4 staying races always throw up an interesting field and this is no exception. SIR REGINALD looks the obvious pick on paper after his strong last start win in this company. That was over the mile and while the extra trip is no problem, he does go from Nunes to a 3kg claimer in I Amirul, which could be of some concern if he is short as expected in the betting. So the experienced Alan Munro on ECLIPSE DANCER could be the better option. The horse in question more than handles the company and the experienced hoop will be a factor over the 1800m. Of the rest, the likes of PUSAKA and last start Class 5 winner SECRET SPICE will be thereabouts and it will pay to keep HIGHER SOUL safe as he looks like the 1800m suits and will make his presence felt late.
1 ECLIPSE DANCER *** In form, down in grade and handles the turf so hard to beat. 2.30
2 SIR REGINALD *** Showed last start why the turf is his caper and that win good enough to follow. 4.00
3 GLORIOUS PROSPECT * Appreciates Singapore debut run and extra distance with tongue-tie added but prefer to watch. 33
4 AIR FORCE ONE ** Will improve with each run and extra trip in his favour. 20
5 PUSAKA ** Always an each-way show in races like this and will keep them honest late. 6.00
6 HIGHER SOUL *** Tested the trip but gives the impression she is there at the business end. 6.00
7 GREAT BALLS OFFIRE ** Tested this level but in form and forward run expected. 12
8 WINNING GOOD ** Hard to catch but went well for this hoop two starts back so pay to keep safe. 20
9 SECRET SPICE ** Had all sorts of excuses in running before winning in Class 5 last start and have to respect on that effort. 20
10 DUAL IMPACT * No. 100
Race 9
Selections; 4 GOLDEN SWORD – 1 REACH FOR THE SUN – 6 MORITZ ECLIPSE – 3 SMART PEOPLE
Some very progressive 3YO’s in GOLDEN SWORD and MORITZ ECLIPSE make this benchmark 74 a beauty on paper. Both had exceptional first campaigns that netted some five wins from a combined six starts and both horses will have a big say in the 3YO features. GOLDEN SWORD has the advantage in this race given he has had a very good first-up run where he was narrowly beat in Class 3 company. V Duric goes on and from gate 1 he is the one to beat. MORITZ ECLIPSE resumes after two wins in his first campaign and with blinkers added for this, he will go well but might just need the run in this company. REACH FOR THE SUN will make them earn their cheque though. The 5YO is very honest and looks well placed in this type of race to show his best. SMART PEOPLE and SOLARIS SPECTRUM two others that win without surprising.
1 REACH FOR THE SUN *** Honest and looks well placed here to knock in a very well deserved win. 5.00
2 GOBI RANGER ** Resuming and goes well fresh to consider. 12
3 SMART PEOPLE *** Showed more than enough winning in Class 4 to follow on the turf. 5.00
4 GOLDEN SWORD *** In spanking form and hardest to beat with gate 1 a bonus. 2.70
5 SOLARIS SPECTRUM *** Thereabouts when blinkers added last start and should figure throughout. 8.00
6 MORITZ ECLIPSE *** Resuming with blinkers and showed more than enough at three career starts to follow. 6.00
7 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK ** Always in the mix but exotics look best in this good field. 12
8 OCEAN GENERAL ** Cheeky run expected but will need easier to win. 20
9 SATELLITE PRINCE * Reassess easier and longer. 100
10 D’DON * Wrong race. 200
Race 10
Selections; 1 XZUBERANCE – 5 STARPERFECT – 2 DRAGON G – 3 HEE’S A MAVERICK
Plenty of winning hopes in this field with most having very solid Poly form. We like the fact XZUBERANCE will find this easier than his last few starts and he did win at his most recent run on KSD company. A 4kg claimer goes on and connections would have been very happy when he drew gate 2 so he should get every chance. STAR PERFECT has also drawn well in gate 1 and John Powell will probably try to use that to advantage by leading or at least getting the sit. His last start win – his first in Singapore – was good and no reason he doesn’t go on with the job. Of the rest with winning hopes, DRAGON G will be closing late and HEE’S A MAVERICK is certainly better than what he showed last start. SINGSURAT loves the Poly and will keep a few honest late and keep the first emergency THANKFULNESS safe as looks a solid each-way hope.
1 XZUBERANCE *** Suited this company and loves the Poly so hard to beat. 4.00
2 DRAGON G *** Always a show on the Poly and will be closing late. 4.00
3 HEE’S A MAVERICK *** Disappointing last start but wins one of these sooner than later. 8.00
4 LIM’S BATTLE ** Can mix his form but wins a race like this on his day. 20
5 STARPERFECT *** Broke through for well-deserved first win in Singapore and can go on with the job. 5.00
6 VERGLATICA ** Can disappoint and drawn wide but gets blinkers and race suits so keep safe. 20
7 HONGCHEN ** Yet to win on the Poly but went very close two starts back. 12
8 CHRISTMAS ** Ran on well last start at odds and expect the same again. 30
9 FREE HAPPY ** Tongue-tie off and exotics look best. 20
10 SINGSURAT *** Back on the his only winning surface in his favour and will be running on late. 10
11 WINNING STAR ** Will find this tougher than Class 5 but usually competitive. 12
12 KTRONIC * Should improve over suitable trip but needs easier. 50
13 THANKFULNESS *** Very cheeky run expected at each-way odds. 10
14 BLACK FRIDAY ** Also capable of a cheeky run but should need Class 5. 33
Race 11
Selections; 1 HOT GOLD – 8 SUN EMPIRE – 2 FELAROF – 11 QUEEN’S SEVEN
The age-old dilemma of a Class dropper who finds himself in the right race versus a good last start winner in this company. The Class dropper in question is HOT GOLD who has had a few Poly runs in better company of late and given all his wins have been on the turf and most over 1400m, he is ready to win. SUN EMPIRE is the last start winner and he certainly showed the rest of that particular Class 4 field a clean pair if heels. The handicappers didn’t miss him but the win good enough to think he can carry the extra 3kg and win again. Of the rest, FELAROF is better than he showed last start and wins without surprising and ASPEN is also better than what he has shown of late so has to be considered. ASPREY had excuses last start so another to include with QUEEN’S SEVEN a good lightweight hope as he steps up to 1400m.
1 HOT GOLD *** Significant drop in Class and hard to beat back on the turf over 1400m. 3.00
2 FELAROF *** Never looked comfortable last start similar affair but this is the type of race he wins. 5.00
3 ASPEN *** Form better than it reads and could be a very solid each-way option. 12
4 ASPREY *** Excuses last start and will make his presence felt late. 8.00
5 AMAZING * Something looked amiss on resuming but can run a forward race when right. 33
6 SOCOTRA * Resumes with blinkers after poor Singapore debut. No. 50
7 SPLENDOR ** Improves with race fitness and should be prominent throughout from the ace. 12
8 SUN EMPIRE *** Won very well last start in similar affair and should handle an extra 3kg. 5.00
9 THE DODGER ** Did it tough last start and should be competitive if luck from the wide gate. 20
10 KING OPERA * Needs to show more but should appreciate extra distance. 50
11 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** In solid form and step up to 1400m might see a result at each-way odds. 12
12 KING SAVINSKY * Needs easier an perhaps longer. 33
13 DAAD’S THE WAY * Blinkers on but might need easier and a tad longer. 33
