LINCOLN ROAD is gunning for four straight (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A stand-alone Sunday meeting and while there are no features on the 11 race card, a small but elite field goes round over 1400m early in the day coupled with a solid finish to the day will keep punters on their toes.
In fact race 7 on the card – a OB67 Poly sprint over 1100m – has no less than five last start winners suggesting the betting will be willing.
Any of the five could win again but LINCOLN ROAD is gunning for four straight in Singapore and looks the one to be on after drawing gate 1.
Yes, he will have to improve again as he goes through the grades, however with his main dangers on paper all drawing wide, he should get the favours and be hard to beat again with John Powell up.
Two other last start winners in ROYAL RULER and LIGN EM UP just go too well on the Poly not to be winning hopes and worth noting that ROYAL RULER did get the better of LINCOLN ROAD at a recent trial.
Elsewhere on the card there looks to be some nice each-way options with the likes of BANDIDO (race 10) and the veteran COOL CAT (race 8) both well-placed to show their best.
Best Bets: (STREET TAIPAN race 9, win), (COOL CAT race 8, value) and (BANDIDO race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 4 and 6), race 9 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8), race 10 (1, 3, and 8), race 11 (1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8).
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; 2 HOLDING FAST – 1 WAIPAKIHI – 5 SWAN SONG – 10 ELEGENT
A strong maiden with three horses coming off good second placings and a handful more showing enough to win this. The two obvious choices are at the pointy end of the ratings and not much separates WAIPAKIHI and HOLDING FAST. Both placed last start but the more eye-catching run was from HOLDING FAST who stormed home after missing the start very badly. A compulsory test trial or two later and he gets his chance with Vlad Duric a good booking. WAIPAKIHI wins one of these sooner than later and might even start favourite with John Powell up. Too many others win without surpassing but SWAN SONG has shown promise and will be doing best work late in a race that suits while ELEGENT and SECRET MAN both showed improvement with blinkers added last start and should run well.
1 WAIPAKIHI *** Showed last start he is ready to win and gets his chance here. 4.00
2 HOLDING FAST *** Freshened after blowing the start and flashing home last start and hard to beat if he gets his act together. 4.00
3 LIM’S CHARGE * Placed last start but turf form and wide gate an issue. 20
4 AGUILA AZTECA *** Resuming and recent trials suggests he gives this a shake. 8.00
5 SWAN SONG *** Form better than it reads and will be working into winning calculations late. 12
6 FULL BET * Reconsider bet size. No. 50
7 METAPHOR *** Tongue-tie off after hanging out badly when running well last start. Goes close. 12
8 CONFACET ** Continues to run well without a result and wide draw is a concern. 10
9 SECRET MAN *** Excuses not to go closer when blinkers added last start and pay to follow. 7.00
10 ELEGENT *** Another that improved when blinkers went on last start when also having excuses. Big show. 9.00
11 SGFIFTY * No. 200
12 JOYOUS *** Coming off a shocker with support but has speed and previous form and trial has him under notice. 12
13 RAINBOW FISH * Drops back in trip after poor run and easier to ignore. 100
14 PUBLIC GUARDIAN * Tongue-tie off but no. 200
Race 6
Selections; 13 GALAXY EXPRESS – 6 AMISTAD – 10 ADRENALINE – 4 GENERAL CONATUS
These races are raffles at the best of times but oddly for a division 2 field there is plenty of depth, which makes finding the winner extremely tough. So much so that the first emergency looks a big winning show and we are happy to have GALAXY EXPRESS on top. The 6YO drops back in trip but has multiple wins over the mile and with Michael Rodd already booked, he is hard to beat if he gets a start. As mentioned there are plenty of winning hopes and AMISTAD is in good enough form to overcome an awkward gate and must be respected while value seekers can keep ADRENALINE very safe as his last start was better than it looked and a subsequent nice trial has him under notice. GENERAL CONATUS, PINYIN, DOUBLE JEOPARDY and DAWN OF THE WORLD all go close.
1 DOUBLE JEOPARDY *** Long-term maiden status a concern but will be working into this late and can win. 4.00
2 DAWN OF THE WORLD *** Improved lengths when blinkers went on last start and pay to start following. 8.00
3 MAGIC PAINT * Best effort was three starts back when he led over this trip but struggles as a rule. 50
4 GENERAL CONATUS *** Has run into some form and handles the turf so can win this. 3.00
5 HEAR ME ** Veteran who has been mixing his form of late and have to take on trust. 33
6 AMISTAD *** Drawn awkwardly but has looked due and this race look ideal. 5.00
7 MY TOUCH ** Has ran on OK at his last couple and worth some thought stepping up to the mile. 20
8 OCTIVIA * Impossible on recent form but may appreciate the switch back to the turf. 50
9 PINYIN *** Excuses last couple and should figure in this finish with luck in running. 8.00
10 ADRENALINE *** Last start better than it reads and subsequent trial has him under notice at odds. 20
11 JACKPOT ** Recent form only fair but mile suits and should show improvement. 20
12 BERNARD’S FIGHTER ** Fluctuating form a concern but goes OK on his day. 20
13 GALAXY EXPRESS *** In form and will be flying late in company that suits. 5.00
14 RAAJPOOT * No. 200
Race 7
Selections; 1 LINCOLN ROAD – 3 ROYAL RULER – 5 LIGN EM UP – 10 SUN PIONEER
Five last start winners suggest there are plenty of in-form horses in this poly sprint and it really should be a cracker of a race. Of the last start winners, LINCOLN ROAD has won all three Singapore starts and it’s very hard to fault form like that. Yes, this is tougher but after drawing gate 1 he looks hardest to beat. The gate is against his biggest danger in ROYAL RULER after drawing the 12 marble. The 4YO is good enough to overcome the gate and his Poly form suggests he will be more than competitive in better Poly sprints than this. Both horses are last start winners as is LIGN EM UP who won well when resuming in Class 4 and is certainly up to this company. Include most others in exotics with SUN PIONEER and SUPERSONICSURPRISE two that might be good each-way options at value.
1 LINCOLN ROAD *** Hard to fault winning form and the one to beat after drawing the ace. 2.50
2 NINETYSEVEN GOLD ** Ran on well last start over 1000m and keep them honest again. 9.00
3 ROYAL RULER *** Wide gate a concern but super honest and Poly record too good to ignore. 5.00
4 KATAGAS ** Progressive type who will be more than competitive in this company. 12
5 LIGN EM UP *** Another progressive type who won well first up run after bleeding attack and must be respected. 8.00
6 BOARD WALK ** Ran on well last start at odds from wide gate and expect much the same again. 33
7 CASH BOX * Tough to follow but goes well when on song so keep safe. 33
8 GATO NEGRO ** Might need it easier to win but always some show on the Poly. 33
9 HADES ** Resuming after bleeding attack and market best guide. 20
10 SUN PIONEER *** Wide gate a concern but not far away last start with excuses and give this a shake. 12
11 SUPERSONICSURPRISE *** In very good form and showed last start he is up to this company. 9.00
12 EAGLE STORM ** Found some winning form and drawn well but should need easier than this. 20
13 LEE BANK * No. 100
14 TASSAJARA * Needs to show more. 100
Race 8
Selections; 1 COOL CAT – 6 WHITE COFFEE – 4 LUCKY COMMAND – 3 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE
Again, the barrier draw has had a big say in the podium order for this race with the veteran COOL CAT getting the nod after drawing gate 1. The 10YO has been in solid form in KSD company so has to a be a big show in Class 5 if he can make use of the ace. In his favour is that most of the others with winning hopes have drawn awkwardly including WHITE COFFEE (12), FRAGRANCE EMPIRE (14) and LUCKY COMMAND (11). In saying that, any one of the trio could win on form with WHITE COFFEE under notice with blinkers back on and LUCKY COMMAND certainly having enough pace to overcome the bad draw. Keep the emergency EXCITING PROSPECT safe as he had excuses (roarer) last start when supported and could sneak out to value here.
1 COOL CAT *** Veteran whose form is better than it reads and very much appreciates drop to Class 5. 4.00
2 SCARLET STAR * Excuses dropping to Class 5 last start but easier to ignore. 50
3 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE *** Supported and ran well since dropping to Class 5 and wins one soon. 4.00
4 LUCKY COMMAND *** Has pace so can overcome wide gate and gives this a shake at each-way odds. 6.00
5 TENMA ** Ran on OK last start and appreciate better gate but might need longer to win. 8.00
6 WHITE COFFEE *** Versatile and could easily show up in a race like this at value with blinkers back on. 13
7 CANNON KING * Lost rider last start over the mile and prefer to watch. 20
8 ALWAYS AHEAD ** Battles away but recent nice trial has this maiden under notice. 12
9 SUPER BONUS ** Form better thank it reads and this type of race is his caper. Value. 20
10 ZAC GALLANT ** Honest and should figure in the exotic mix. 6.00
11 FLYING MISSION ** Excuses not to finish closer last start in a weaker race than this and could add value to exotics. 20
12 RAINBOW STAR * No. 100
13 EXCITING PROSPECT *** Supported when having issues last start (roarer) and pay to keep safe if he gets a start. 8.00
14 KING OF THIEVES * Better option on the turf over longer. 100
Race 9
Selections; 8 STREET TAIPAN – 6 LIM’S ARCHER – 4 GOLDEN CASINO – 5 HUMDINGER
An excellent Class 4 mile with some progressive types ready to show they are ready to go through the grades. In fact two horses that arrived as maidens but won at only their second starts in Singapore in STREET TAIPAN and LIM’S ARCHER look like horses to follow. You can make a case for both and while LIM’S ARCHER probably starts favourite after winning in Graduation Company last start, blinkers on STREET TAIPAN has him under notice. His recent trial with head-gear was good and the mile looks ideal with the experienced Alan Munro retaining the ride. HUMDINGER also gets blinkers for the first time and while drawn wide, he could be a great value option with best work expected late. Of the rest, GOLDEN CASINO looks a solid each-way show with THE JEUNEYMAN also a winning hope. Go even wider in exotics.
1 ANY RUMOUR ** Form this campaign reads very badly but can improve back in Class 4 company. 20
2 THE JEUNEYMAN *** In form and showed last start he is up to winning in Class 4. Big show. 6.00
3 WARPATH *** Turned some solid for into a well deserved win and pay to follow. 8.00
4 GOLDEN CASINO *** Two runs since resuming under this moniker indicate he wins sooner than later. 6.00
5 HUMDINGER *** Ran on well last start and subsequent trial with blinkers suggests he gives this a shake. 12
6 LIM’S ARCHER *** Broke maiden status in Graduation company last start and looks more than up to Class 4. 4.00
7 SUN EMPIRE ** Won over 1400 in KSD last start and will run a cheeky race here. 8.00
8 STREET TAIPAN *** Progressive type who gets blinkers and trial with head-gear suggests he goes very close over what is a suitable trip. 10
9 SUNNY ** Can never discount but should need longer. 20
10 HORSE WARRIOR ** Just battled last start but previous form good enough to keep safe. 12
11 PERFECT CHALLENGER ** Not a lot last start but always an each-way show in races like this. 12
12 BASTION * Reassess in easier company. 100
13 MAZANDARAN ** Blinkers back off after just fair effort but another to keep safe on form prior. 20
14 LUCKY COIN ** Issues last start so ignore and take on each-way form prior. 20
Race 10
Selections; 8 BANDIDO – 1 BIG MAN – 3 ROCK ESPRIT – 4 UNTAPPED
Could be flirting with danger not tipping the likely short-priced favourite in BIG MAN but this race has depth and happy to look for an improver at value in BANDIDO. The 3YO colt looks to have plenty of ability – albeit with a few things to learn about the caper – and given what he showed to the wire last start over this trip in Graduation Company, he get his chance here. Obviously BIG MAN is the horse to beat though but he has drawn wide and should have plenty of attention out front and that could be a telling factor late for the swoopers. Of the rest that win without surprising, the Shaw pair of ROCK ESPRIT and MIGHTY EMPEROR look well placed to run well while UNTAPPED, the veteran KNIGHT SPIRIT and the two emergencies – BORDEAUX and HONGCHEN – all can be considered.
1 BIG MAN *** Drawn wide but won similar affair last start and happy to follow. 4.00
2 MIGHTY EMPEROR *** Resuming after back-to-back poly mile wins and have to respect. 5.00
3 ROCK ESPRIT *** First up run was solid and happy to follow over a suitable trip. 5.00
4 UNTAPPED *** Maiden who placed in similar affair last start and pay to follow. 6.00
5 SKY ELEVEN * Excuses last start but recent form poor. 33
6 KNIGHT SPIRIT *** Runs on well when in the mood and won last time in this grade over this trip. Watch market. 20
7 WINNING GOOD ** Resuming and this race looks suitable first-up so pay to keep safe. 20
8 BANDIDO *** Ran on well over this trip in Graduation Company last start and pay to follow. 6.00
9 JUST NAME IT ** Always looks a hope but struggles to win. 12
10 RORY * Reassess in Class 5 on the Poly. 33
11 SILVER TYCOON ** Maiden resuming and shows enough to be competitive but should need easier. 20
12 JIMTOWN * Reassess Class 5. 50
13 BORDEAUX *** Just missed when resuming in similar affair and pay to keep safe if he gets a run. 12
14 HONGCHEN *** In very solid form and gets a result sooner than later. 8.00
Race 11
Selections; 6 MAGNETISE – 3 NOVA SPIRIT – 4 CYBORG – 1 WHITE HUNTER
A combination of a good last start maiden win coupled with a nice recent trial has MAGNETISE as a horse to follow in the lucky last. The 4YO NZ-bred gelding had a couple of Poly sighters before winning well last start and given he has been freshened with two trials, he looks ready to tackle this Class 4 field. In saying that, it’s hard to fault NOVA SPIRIT’s form. The 3YO lost one in the protest room two starts back but it didn’t take long to make things right for connections. Others to watch include WHITE HUNTER who should lead, the raced newcomer from Argentina, CYBORG, with ZIPPY GENERAL and AMAZON GOLD also in the mix.
1 WHITE HUNTER *** Did well to battle on after over-racing last start out front and should be in this a long way. 6.00
2 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR ** Will be closing late but might need a tad longer to win. 12
3 NOVA SPIRIT *** Got the chocolates fair and square last start in similar affair and pay to follow. 4.00
4 CYBORG *** Former Argentinean who has been trialling well and must be seriously considered at Singapore debut. 8.00
5 IRISH CONNECTION * Former Kiwi who has had plenty of trials but wide gate suggests we just watch at Singapore debut. 50
6 MAGNETISE *** Freshened with good trial after good maiden win and the form from that race has been franked. Can win. 3.50
7 ZIPPY GENERAL *** Another swooper who gets a chance to win on a track that should suit. 8.00
8 AMAZON GOLD *** Will be one of many doing best work late and red-hot hoop wont hurt his chances. 6.00
9 MILITARY ALLIANCE * Resuming but should need longer. 33
10 TOP NOTE * No. 200
11 CLERMONT CLUB * Reassess on the Poly over longer. 100
12 MORALES ** Form better than it reads and can include in exotics at odds. 33
13 LIM’S CASINO * Needs easier. 100
14 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Showed last start why he is always an each-way hope in races like this. 8.00
