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RICH FORTUNE racing well and this trip suits (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
It’s tough enough to do the form at the best of times but a rare race where no horse has been to the track previously makes the Kranji Nursery Stakes (race 5) a nightmare for pundits.
In saying that they are the early 2YO’s and the beauty of Singapore racing is that all horses have been seen at Official Race Trials, which gives us some guide to their chances on debut.
With $90,000 up for grabs you can rest assured they are all trying and a few to note from the trials include CADET for Pat Shaw and the only filly in the race, HELLO MICHELLE for Mark Walker.
Both have shown more than enough to think they are the benchmarks in this field and you would expect both to come in for support and race accordingly.
Obviously there are still plenty of unknowns and two that put in eye-catching trials are NEO’S CLASSIC and JUPITER GOLD and these could be two to watch at value although they will need to be tractable early over the 1000m sprint distance.
There are plenty of other very tough races on the card including the lucky last.
It’s rare to see a Class 4 mile with so much recent winning form and so many winning hopes in the one race so good luck if you think you can find the winner!
Best Bets: (RICH FORTUNE race 7, win), (SALUT AMOUR race 8, value) and (JUSTICE DAY race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3 and 12), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 10), race 10 (1 and 2), race 11 (Field).
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; 11 HELLO MICHELLE – 1 CADET – 3 JUPITER GOLD – 8 NEO’S CLASSIC
The first of the 2YO races and obviously the market will be the best guide with no race form to go on. The only filly in the race is HELLO MICHELLE who is well related, trialled solidly and has the services on Manoel Nunes; from the good gate she should get every chance. CADET will be well educated coming from the Pat Shaw stable, he has trialled well and could overcome the ordinary gate. KRATOS has trialled solidly and with Corey Brown up should get a good run throughout. MACARTHUR was formerly with Gai Waterhouse and had two trials in NSW before arriving in Singapore and trialled solidly; watch the market. MYSTIC MASTER trialled well and is related to some speedy ones; he could show up. NEO’S CLASSIC ran on strongly at his trial and could surprise as did JUPITER GOLD and both are worth a look at odds.
1 CADET *** By Captain Sonador. Has trialled nicely and can be handy throughout. 6.00
2 DRAGON MASTER * By Snippetson. Dam won three races to 1100m. Did not show up at trials. 33
3 JUPITER GOLD *** By Congrats. Eye-catching late in Official Trial. Keep safe. 16
4 KRATOS *** By Guillotine. Dam won twice to 1200m. Has trialled solidly and should get a good run throughout. 6.00
5 KUBERA’S CHIEF * By Darci Brahma. Did not show up at trials. Watch market. 33
6 MACARTHUR *** By Charge Forward. Formerly with Gai Waterhouse and had two trials in NSW. Trialled solidly. Watch market. 5.00
7 MYSTIC MASTER *** By Snippetson. Half-brother to speedy horses Top Gun and Madam Bookworm. Trialled well. 6.00
8 NEO’S CLASSIC *** By Pluck. Dam won twice over 1200m. Ran on well late in trial. Watch for support. 12
9 ONE KINABALU * By Dane Shadow. Did not show up at trials. 33
10 PREMIER FIGHTER * By Oamaru Force. Did nothing at trial. 33
11 HELLO MICHELLE *** By Minstrel Court. Half-sister to Listed winner Captain Todd. Trialled solidly. With Nunes up and a good gate should race well. 3.00
Race 6
Selections; 2 FRENCH VINTAGE – 3 GEARIGURU – 8 FLYING NEKO – 10 FAT FARRAND
Another poor Class 5, this one over 1200m, which might give some Maidens a chance. FRENCH VINTAGE is resuming and trialling well, he might want longer but has placed three times from eight starts on turf and should be prominent throughout. FLYING NEKO is still a maiden after 23 starts but placed here over 1200m two starts back and can be handy throughout. Of the usual suspects, the veteran FAT FARRAND placed at this trip two starts back and should get a good run throughout. GEARIGURU is suited in this grade, is awkwardly drawn but should be running on. If in the mood AFTERNOON DELIGHT can improve, SUPERMART runs on but finds it hard to win, and the little fellow HANDSOME BAB will enjoy being back on turf.
1 GRAND SEVEN SEAS * Resuming. Needs to improve on efforts last preparation but this type of race is his caper. 33
2 FRENCH VINTAGE *** Resuming and trialling well. Might want longer but has placed three from eight on turf and should be prominent throughout. 5.00
3 GEARIGURU *** Awkwardly drawn but in form and should be running on. 5.00
4 SUPERMART ** Placed in KSD over this trip two starts back and excuses last start. Goes close. 10
5 GREAT LIGHT * Has been racing over longer. Could show up from the good gate. 20
6 I-SCREAM NOW ** Only win was on poly but can show up with a positive ride. 10
7 PRESENT ARMS * Improved with winkers last start but easier to ignore. 33
8 FLYING NEKO *** Still a maiden after 23 starts but placed on turf over 1200m two starts back and can be handy throughout. 5.00
9 HANDSOME BAB ** Small horse who battles away and will enjoy being back on turf. Gate a challenge. 10
10 FAT FARRAND *** Veteran who placed this trip two starts back. Should get a good run throughout. 5.00
11 AFTERNOON DELIGHT * Moody mare who prefers 1400m but can show up. 25
12 JACKPOT * Has changed stables but needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
13 LAM EDITION * Still a Maiden but has been running on at recent poly starts. Yet to place in seven turf outings. 50
Race 7
Selections; 2 RICH FORTUNE – 1 ROSELLI – 9 STAR GENIUS – 10 WAR CITI
A competitive Graduation over 1100m with several chances. RICH FORTUNE is a consistent sort suited at the distance and Manoel Nunes will give him every chance. STAR GENIUS followed up consistent form with a good Initiation win after changing stables and with no weight can show up. ROSELLI is also very consistent and just missed last start both on the track and in the Stewards’ room. LADY IFRAAJ disappointed last start on turf and her trial was ordinary but at her best she will run on strongly. The others are all eligible for Novice company but WAR CITI shows promise, URASHIMA TARO runs on and MORALES battles away.
1 ROSELLI *** Consistent and recent trial was very good. Just missed and protested unsuccessfully last start. Should be hard to hold out. 4.00
2 RICH FORTUNE *** Racing well and this trip suits. Gets Nunes and should be handy throughout. 5.00
3 SOUTHERN CHIEF * Only battled after Maiden win and not in well at the conditions. 12
4 ARCHEW * Has not shown up in Singapore and in badly at the weights. 16
5 MORALES * Battled last start but only win was on poly. Could improve. 16
6 LADY IFFRAAJ *** Disappointed last start on the turf but has an excellent Poly record. Keep safe. 6.00
7 URASHIMA TARO ** Tongue-tie on. Won well on debut but the race did look weak. 12
8 FLYING SHADOW ** Has changed stables after breaking through last start. Could show up. 12
9 STAR GENIUS *** Followed up consistent form with Initiation win last start for new stable. With no weight can be in the finish. 6.00
10 WAR CITI *** Won Maiden at debut and trialled well since. Should be handy throughout. 7.00
Race 8
Selections; 2 SALUT AMOUR – 12 BUZET – 3 SPEED CRAFT – 5 KING SAVINSKY
The first leg of the jackpot or quaddie and the Turf Club has made it a tough one. If the budget permits it will pay to go very wide but one that will give a honest showing is the Pat Shaw trained SALUT AMOUR. The 3YO has youth on his side, has won over a decent trip and more importantly in a race where you need a few favours, gets to jump from gate 2. That could count for plenty when a couple of the more experienced horses like KING SAVINSKY has drawn 13 and last start winner SPEED CRAFT drew 11. But like SALUT AMOUR, SPEED CRAFT has some upside given he has only had 12 starts and is coming off his maiden win. He will need luck with a 3kg claimer on-board but he can win again. BUZET the only other that wins without surprising and the veteran will appreciate gate 3 and no weight.
1 KENNEDY * Stay away from the grassy knoll. 100
2 SALUT AMOUR *** Dour but suited this grade and should figure in the mix. 6.00
3 SPEED CRAFT *** Broke through over 1800m this company last start but will need luck for claimer from wide gate. 4.00
4 EASTERN TOWKAY * Hard to have on form but could improve in race like this. 33
5 KING SAVINSKY *** Drawn wide but last start better than the results and wins one of these soon. 3.00
6 KLEVER WARRIOR ** Form reads badly but goes OK on his day and one to keep safe. 33
7 ZAHIR ** Yet to place in ten career starts but not a mile away of late so can include in exotics. 20
8 ZAC BENEVOLENT ** Looked to have issues last start and some hope on placing two back. 6.00
9 DRAPPIER * Hard to have on recent form. 33
10 TOOBIGTOFAIL ** Drawn wide but runs the odd good race and gets Nunes. 20
11 GRAND PARIS * Runs the odd good race but skinny end of exotics at best. 20
12 BUZET *** In solid form and looks a big show to knock in a win from gate 3 with no weight. 8.00
13 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ ** Gets the ace and always some show in exotics. 20
14 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * Blinkers off and should struggle form wide gate. 33
Race 9
Selections; 1 JUSTICE DAY – 3 NOVA WARRIOR – 2 GHOST – 10 SUN PIONEER
It’s an international caper this racing game and it might be a matter of which country wins the Japan Racing Association Trophy! With no Japanese horses in the KSC field it might be the Aussies with five runners who get the chocolates. And while SUN PIONEER and SUPERSONICSURPRISE have excellent recent form to their name, it may be GHOST who is the testing material. The lightly raced 7YO finds himself in the right race and a win would not surprise. As you would expect the Kiwi’s have three runners and NOVA WARRIOR is in cracking form and looks the benchmark in this strong field. But it may be an Irish-bred newcomer in JUSTICE DAY who beats them all. The 5YO has raced with distinction in the UK and France and a local trial suggests he can in at his Singapore debut. Throw in an American and Argentinean-bred or three and the race is a beauty.
1 JUSTICE DAY *** Experienced former European who has won at a listed level and trials like he can win first-up. 5.00
2 GHOST *** Could make excuses for a couple of just fair runs of late and can show his best in a race that is very suitable. 6.00
3 NOVA WARRIOR *** In cracking form and no reason to think he can’t win again. 4.00
4 ASTROSTAR ** Resuming and while recent race form only average his recent trial and poly record has him under notice. 20
5 VON KRUMM ** Gets blinkers after poor first up effort and have to take on trust at first Poly start. 20
6 SECRET MISSION ** Found some form and can run along in front at odds. 20
7 LUMINIFF LAD *** Wide draw always a concern but in form and have to follow. 6.00
8 BRAHMA CIRCUS *** Had a few excuses last start and the type to always keep safe. 9.00
9 BOARD WALK ** Pops up on occasion but exotics look best in this field from wide gate. 33
10 SUN PIONEER *** Goes too well on the Poly not to think he gives this a shake. 8.00
11 SUPERSONICSURPRISE ** Hard to fault winning form but this company has to be a test. 20
12 CLIP THE TICKET ** Honest and pay to include in the exotic mix at value. 20
13 PROFESSOR X ** Recent trial good and another that will be value for exotics. 33
14 NORTHERN BOSS ** Can get out to long odds and goes well enough on the Poly to keep safe. 50
Race 10
Selections; 1 KATAGAS – 2 THE COSMOS – 9 EFFORTLESS – 3 VERTICAL START
This race looks relatively simple form wise with last start winner KATAGAS the one to follow and the usual suspects in the winning and place mix. KATAGAS had excuses for his only poor run of late and showed last start why he is always a winning hope in races like this. THE COSMOS must win again soon but obviously for his followers he is a risk for the support he gets. He certainly deserves to win but will need some luck from gate 11. Sticking with horses in form, EFFORTLESS is just going along too well not to be a winning hope and keeps the two top rated horses more than honest. The only horse outside the obvious that could win is VERTICAL START. The Pat Shaw-trained 5YO has won twice this trip and gets blinkers so could be the value runner.
1 KATAGAS *** Excuses for only bad run of late and can win again in this company. 3.00
2 THE COSMOS *** Refuses to run a bad race but needs a result. 3.50
3 VERTICAL START *** Gets blinkers back in trip and always a show in this company. 6.00
4 FAT POWER * Has speed but may be nuisance value only. 33
5 RED ANT ** Just fair last couple but goes OK on his day 20
6 KAZUO ** Solid without a result of late but can follow each way at value. 12
7 NO SMOKING JEFF ** Returned in good order and will b thereabouts late. 12
8 PINT SIZED PRINCE * Reassess over longer. 50
9 EFFORTLESS *** Going along in good order and can win in this company. 7.00
10 REAL HERO ** Winning form is good form but this is obviously tougher. 12
11 KING OF THIEVES * Reassess turf and easier. 50
Race 11
Selections; 2 TARAMEA – 9 HIGHER SOUL – 10 MAZANDARAN – 4 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE
Are you serious? Five last start winners in this Class 4 mile and if that’s not hard enough, most others have form that has them winning a race like this. All can win and while some do step up in Class and others need to return to their best form, it is almost impossible to find the winner and hopefully the tote on the day will both give us a guide to stable thoughts and also offer value. As it stands TARAMEA gets gate 1, is in form and has a good relationship with a 3kg claimer in Amirul. Mark Walker has two last start winners in ASPEN and DAMON with stable favourite Nunes on that latter some guide. Can’t mention them all but MAZANDARAN gets blinkers and that’s a pointer to his improvement on two runs thus far while a horse like NORTH ATLANTIC ICE could be excellent value. The emergencies can win too. Good luck.
1 ASPEN *** Won well last start and no reason not to follow. 12
2 TARAMEA *** In good form and gets along with this hoop so can win. 5.00
3 DAMON *** Getting his act together and more than up to winning again in this company. 4.00
4 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE *** Recent form better than it reads and always a show at value in races like this. 20
5 THE JEUNEYMAN *** Won two on the trot since headgear removed and pay to keep following. 6.00
6 SMART IDEA ** Disappointing at two runs since dropping to Class 4 but wins this if near his best. 20
7 KINGS RYKER *** Excuses not to win last start and gets his chance here. 12
8 SUCCESSION *** Broke through for maiden win this trip last start after very honest run of form. Follow. 12
9 HIGHER SOUL *** Will be flying late and wins this without surprising. 9.00
10 MAZANDARAN *** Gets blinkers added after two solid runs and must be respected. 12
11 PERFECT CHALLENGER *** Just missed last start behind Damon after doing it tough so can win this. 9.00
12 FORTUNE SPIRIT ** Cant discount completely given winning form but struck a tough Class 4 field. 33
13 GURU-GURU *** Backed up maiden win over this trip with very good effort in this company and must go close. 20
14 SILENT ARROW ** Not far away last start in similar affair and another with a winning hope. 33