QUECHUA is head and shoulders above the rest of the field (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A terrific days racing headlined by the 2016 instalment of the Chairman’s Trophy.
The Group 2 event over 1800m has attracted a stellar field that includes the winners of the past two Singapore Gold Cups and a plethora of other middle distance weight-for-age aspirants as we head towards even bigger and better races later in the season.
So who wins?
History tells us the top-rated horses are usually in the mix in WFA races with the little bulldog Stepitup winning this race last year.
QUECHUA is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field with 109 rating points and given he won last start at handicap conditions, he looks a monty at the weights.
Pat Shaw puts the polish on QUECHUA and also has the next highest rated horse in MAJESTIC MOMENTS (97) with COOPTADO and BLUE DANUBE giving Pat four chances to win a race he has only won once previously back in 2010 with Thundering Jet (incidentally, that horse’s only win in Singapore!).
History also tells us Laurie Laxon – who saddles last start winner MR SPEILBERG in this year’s race – has five Chairman’s Trophy’s on his mantelpiece, including the last two with Stepitup and Goodman.
MR SPIELBERG is tested at the WFA conditions but given Laxon’s reputation in any feature race, he will have supporters and should be running on at the business end.
Most others horses including BEST TOTHELIGN are in good enough form to ensure a very busy finish but hopefully the cream rises to the top.
Sunday 7 August
Best Bets: (QUECHUA race 9, win), (LADRONE race11, each-way) and (MOLLY BROWNE race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 5, 6 and 7), race 9 (1, 2 and 3), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) and race 11 (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 12).
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; 3 INFANTRY – 1 PACHELBEL’S CANON – 4 TIME ODYSSEY – 2 ONE RAR
A small field of eight starters in a BM83 mile on the polytrack. INFANTRY is an improving young horse who is working his way through the classes; he rises 6.5kg on his last start win in similar company but should be hard to beat. PACHELBEL’S CANON has been a major disappointment since arriving from Argentina with an outstanding record; his recent trials have been very strong and he could be about to show his real ability. BRAHMA CIRCUS got too far back and ran on nicely in a BM97 last start; he rises 4kg but is in top form and should get a good run throughout. ONE RAR and TIME ODYSSEY have good poly records and could show up without surprising.
1 PACHELBEL’S CANON *** Very disappointing last start but recent trials have been very strong and could be about to show his real ability. Watch market. 3.00
2 ONE RAR *** Hasn’t won for some time but excuses last start and has a good polytrack record and might find this easier. 8.00
3 INFANTRY *** Improving young horse who is working his way through the classes. Rises 6.5kg on last start win in similar company but should be hard to beat. 3.00
4 TIME ODYSSEY *** Struggled in Derby and drops back in trip. Recent trial was nice enough to follow. 6.00
5 BRAHMA CIRCUS *** Got too far back and ran on nicely in BM97 last start. Rises 4kg but is in top form and should get a good run throughout. 4.00
6 BRILLIANT DEAL * Blinkers back on but been battling. Could go forward and give a sight. 33
7 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL * Suited on this surface but class tests. 33
8 GOLD PEREGRINE * Having first poly start and might be tested in this Class. 33
Race 6
Selections; 1 TIME AFTER TIME – 2 SUPER EIGHT – 6 FLYING MISSION – 3 GOLDEN JADE
Another battlers Class 5 this one over 1200m on the poly. TIME AFTER TIME is suited in this company and has not been far away at recent outings; he gets back but should be running on late. SUPER EIGHT won in this company over 1100m three starts back; he has won at this distance and with Oscar Chavez aboard should be handy throughout. FLYING MISSION had plenty of support and ran on strongly to win last start; he rises 4kg but should also be handy throughout. GOLDEN JADE won over this distance four starts back but has been struggling over longer journeys subsequently; he could run on late. Most of the others are unreliables but FLAMING FIREHEART and KAISER BRIGHT can show up in this grade.
1 TIME AFTER TIME *** Suited in this company and not far away at recent outings. Gets back but should be running on late. 4.00
2 SUPER EIGHT *** Won in this company over 1100m three starts back. Has won at this distance and should be handy throughout. 4.00
3 GOLDEN JADE ** Won over this distance four starts back but has been struggling over longer journeys. Could run on late. 6.00
4 TRIGGER MAN ** Put in an improved effort last start and gets Vlad Duric but yet to place in seven starts. 33
5 FLAMING FIREHEART * Class 5 journeyman who can go forward and give a sight. 14
6 FLYING MISSION *** Had plenty of support and ran on strongly to win last start. Rises 4kg but should be handy throughout. 4.00
7 KAISER BRIGHT ** Is often thereabouts and can be handy throughout. 20
8 HORAZ SAMOSIR ** Ran his only career placing on poly two starts back. Finds it very hard to win but has Nunes and could show up. 20
9 LUCKY COME * Hasn’t won for a long time but suited on the poly and could be handy throughout. 20
10 HANDSOME BAB * Pony-sized horse who has been trying for a long time and will be tested on recent efforts. 33
11 REAL GOODMAN ** Veteran who ran on well last start but best efforts are over longer. 25
12 CASSIS OOLONG * Blinkers back on. Recent efforts poor but goes best if ridden forward. 16
13 ANAK PENANG * Has placed only twice in 15 starts and needs to improve. 33
14 ASTRO MAN ** Resuming with blinkers on for new stable and recent trials have shown improvement. 16
Race 7
Selections; 3 ALIBI – 2 KIRKS RYKER – 7 HADES – 8 INTENSE GOLD
A competitive Class 3 over 1400m. ALIBI shows plenty of promise and is working his way through the classes. The 4YO was run down at his last start over 1400m but should get a good run from the inside gate and be hard to beat. KIRK’S RYKER is racing consistently and his recent trials have been solid. He is suited by this distance and should be running on while the stablemate, IMPERIAL MARCH, battles away and his recent trial was sound. HADES ran on solidly over this trip last start and should be handy throughout while INTENSE GOLD is always a good each-way option over 1400m. MY BROTHER’S KEEPER, WARPATH and FORTUNE WINNER are good Class 4 horses but can be tested in Class 3.
1 HERMANO MENOR ** Blinkers back on. Just battled over 1400m last start and only wins have been at 1200m. Claim could help. 8.00
2 KIRKS RYKER *** Racing consistently and recent trials have been solid. Suited this distance and should be running on. 4.50
3 ALIBI *** Shows plenty of promise and is working his way through the classes. Was run down at last 1400m start but should get a good run from the inside gate and be hard to beat. 3.50
4 IMPERIAL MARCH ** Battles away and recent trial was sound. May prefer longer but should be running on. 8.00
5 MY BROTHERS KEEPER ** Won two starts back when ridden forward and ran on OK last start when ridden back. Take on trust. 10
6 FORTUNE WINNER ** Has a good record in Class 4 but Class 3 can test. Should be running on. 10
7 HADES *** Ran on solidly over this trip last start. Consistent and should be handy throughout. 8.00
8 INTENSE GOLD *** Battled on well last start and always and each-way show at odds over 1400m. 25
9 BRAVO CHARLIE ** Found Guineas too tough and the failed over 1800m. Previous form was strong and could show up from good gate. 16
10 WARPATH ** Veteran who likes this trip but is more comfortable in Class 4. Could be running on. 12
11 RED ANT * Only battled when resuming. Tested in this Class and best form is on poly. 33
Race 8
Selections; 2 OVER EASY – 6 MISS WAIMATAITAI – 7 MOLLY BROWNE – 5 AMISTAD
A big field of mostly battler’s head to the start of this 1800m Class 5 event and a horse like OVER EASY just might be too good for them out front. The 8YO has won three times over 1800m and given he will lead them into the straight and is in form, he is the one to beat with a handy 4kg R Firdhaus claim. The maiden mare, MISS WAMATAITAI, could be the testing material though. The 4YO always hits the line well so 1800m looks a good move and she will be thereabouts at the business end. Her stablemate, MOLLY BROWNE, should also appreciate the 1800m and she could be the best value option in the race given her form is better than it reads in the book. AMISTAD is in very solid form and picks himself in a race like this and market best guide on the others.
1 WATER PARK * Impossible on form but will find a length dropping to Class 5. 33
2 OVER EASY *** Will lead and very hard to run down in a Class that suits. 4.00
3 VERGLATICA * In form but has struggled on the turf previously so happy to risk. 12
4 DUAL IMPACT ** In very solid form and pay to follow each way. 12
5 AMISTAD *** Just missed last start with support and pay to keep following. 5.00
6 MISS WAIMATAITAI *** Maiden who looks due and 1800m may see a result. 5.00
7 MOLLY BROWNE *** For better than it reads and another that should be suited by the extra distance. 12
8 BALBOA * Nuisance value only. Adrian! 33
9 RED JEWEL ** Last start a lot better than the result and could show up in exotics at odds. 50
10 JIMTOWN ** Placed last start at odds but skinny end of exotics looks best. 12
11 GREAT LIGHT * May improve over this trip but easier to ignore. 33
12 SHUYING XIAOXIAO ** Been thereabouts of late but yet to place in 15 career starts. 12
13 SUN HANCOCK * Battles away but needs to find a length or two before we consider. 33
14 GRAND PARIS * Consistent in his inconsistency so is due for a bad one. 12
15 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * Goes fair on a good day but only if budget permits. 33
16 NORTH STAR * Only career win was this trip but struggling of late. 100
Race 9
Selections; 1 QUECHUA – 2 MAJESTIC MOMENTS – 3 BEST TOTHELIGN – 6 BOURBON GOLDMAN
With some serious Group 1 middle distance races just around the corner, the good horses are starting to strut their stuff and the Chairman’s Trophy is a good test of WFA credentials. QUECHUA has already passed most tests with a Derby and a Gold Cup (albeit at handicap conditions) already on his resume. Add some serious placings at elite level in the now defunct SIA Cup, the Kranji mile and Raffles Cup, and he is the one to beat in this. He (at 109) tops the ratings easily over MAJESTIC MOMENTS (97) and BEST TOTHELIGN (96) but that pair do head the rest and are both good enough and honest enough to keep this race more than interesting. Most others start to be tested at the WFA conditions including last start winner MR SPIELBERG who will have admires but must lift with 58kg to carry in this company and BOURBON GOLDMAN who should be competitive but hasn’t won this year.
1 QUECHUA *** Overcome a mini-slump with another win carrying weight and hard to beat at the WFA conditions. 3.00
2 MAJESTIC MOMENTS *** Super honest and can make quick amends for narrow Derby miss. 4.00
3 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Raced very keenly when getting run down last start but will look the winner in the straight with J Powell up. 4.00
4 COOPTADO ** Gold Cup winner who has returned to form of late and pay to keep safe. 12
5 ORDER OF THE SUN ** Not at his best of late but last win was with CC Wong onboard and can give a sight. 20
6 BOURBON GOLDMAN ** Hasn’t win this year but extremely honest and should figure at the business end. 12
7 MR SPIELBERG ** Will have admirers after finding winning form but tested at the WFA conditions. 6.00
8 BLUE DANUBE ** Not a mile away in the Derby and has been competitive at WFA conditions previously. Value. 200
9 CHEETAH ON FIRE * Struggled at his last couple but can find the line late if having a good day. 33
10 CHASE * Big test at the weights but in form and could include in exotics at odds. 20
Race 10
Selections; 3 AWESOME – 4 WONDERFUL – 2 SECRET MISSION – 1 GHOST
A couple of Progressive types who obviously go super on the poly in AWESOME and WONDERFUL come under notice in this KSC sprint. AWESOME in particular looks a serious winning hope given he is undefeated in three starts on the all-weather track and you would imagine connections would be hoping to make that four. WONDERFUL has two Poly wins to his name and given they were at his last two starts after a solid run of turf form, it’s safe to say he is going along in good order. Plenty of others with winning hopes including GHOST who again has a bad gate to overcome and SECRET MISSION who is certainly due but the type who doesn’t win out of turn. Keep the Laurie Laxon-trained RUAPEHU safe first up after a spell as his win two starts back was under similar circumstances.
1 GHOST *** Did it tough last start in similar affair and wins with luck from wide gate. 8.00
2 SECRET MISSION *** Foot well and truly on the till but desperate for a result for followers. 3.50
3 AWESOME *** Undefeated in three Poly starts and has to be a winning show. 6.00
4 WONDERFUL *** Hard to fault winning form and pay to keep following. 5.00
5 BATTLE HORSE ** Resumed with good effort this trip but awkward gate will make this tougher. 12
6 SOUTHERN BOSS * Not at his best of late but speedy and can give a sight. 33
7 RUAPEHU *** Resuming with nice trial under his belt and most recent win was first up after spell. 10
8 BOARD WALK ** Broke through last start in Class 4 and will be competitive late. 12
9 MASTERMIND * Goes OK on the Poly but needs easier company than this. 33
10 HOST THE NATION ** Placed similar affair two starts back and can include in exotics at odds. 20
11 KEEN DRAGON ** Another who is more than competitive on his day but should need easier to win. 12
12 NORTHERN BOSS ** Drawn badly but showed again last start why it always pays to keep him safe. 20
13 RIVER OF GOLD ** In very solid Class 4 form and may be better suited there. 20
Race 11
Selections; 7 LADRONE – 1 BLUE DIAMOND – 5 SPECIAL ID – 9 BABY GRAND
An intriguing race to finish what should have been a great days racing and hopefully the trial form will give us a good guide to a couple of the fancies chances. LADRONE in particular is showing plenty at the trials and happy to think he can turn the solid form from his last campaign into a first-up win. He will need to be at his best though with BLUE DIAMOND dropping back to his recent winning grade and distance. The eight-time winner can be hard to catch on occasion but obviously goes very well when on-song. Plenty of others that win without surprising including last start winner SUPER SIX and SPECIAL ID, who just missed in a similar affair at his most recent outing. Add the maiden SATELLITE MAN to that list with two newcomers in HERO CHAMPION and BABY GRAND well worth considering at their Singapore debuts.
1 BLUE DIAMOND *** Back to winning Class and trip so expect support and must go close. 6.00
2 MR LUCK ** Made use of the good gate to win last start but will need luck from widest alley. 8.00
3 SUPER SIX *** Won well when resuming in KSD company last start and pay to follow. 6.00
4 HERO CHAMPION *** Former two-time winner from Australia who has shown glimpses at locals trials with market best guide. 10
5 SPECIAL ID *** Excuses not to win similar affair last start and gets his chance from nice alley. 6.00
6 KISS ME ** Gets tongue-tie added and always an each-way show at value. 20
7 LADRONE *** Resuming after a nice run of form and recent good trials suggests he goes close. 5.00
8 LIM’S BATTLE * Reassess over longer. 100
9 BABY GRAND *** Former Aussie one-start maiden who bled at first Singapore trial but won easily at subsequent trial. Keep safe. 10
10 LADY IFFRAAJ ** Always looks a show but fair chance she runs fourth. 8.00
11 KING OPERA * Resuming after a bad run of form but recent trial looked OK. 100
12 SATELLITE MAN *** Battled on well in good maiden company last start and pay to keep safe. 12
13 SKY ELEVEN ** Not a mile away last start similar affair but like to see over longer. 20
14 COOL CAT ** Competitive but will need easier to win. 20
