SPANISH BAY will be prominent throughout (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
What difference does a few extra kg’s make?
Plenty to a handicapper or punter and as they say, weight can stop a train.
But a few extra kilos could also make a huge difference to the Jockey’s Championship in 2016 with current leader Vlad Duric “giving weight” to rival and reigning champ, Manny Nunes.
The battle is an intriguing one with Duric making the most of his license extension to sit on top of the ladder with 48 wins, two ahead of Nunes.
Duric, however, is no natural lightweight and the odd ride at 54.5kg keeps his book of rides a lot skinnier than Nunes who can take rides on the minimum.
Case in point is Sunday where in the bang-in-form Duric amazingly only has three rides and while all look to have some hope, Nunes has the numbers on his side with nine good rides.
Vlad’s strike rate of 16.78% is testament to the form the Aussie hoop is in but while Nunes is only getting winners at 13.16% (well down on his 21.81% from 2015), nine rides to three suggests he could lead again by the end of the day.
It’s not yet a two horse race yet – Corey Brown and Dan Beasley two that make sure of that – but the title race is a beauty and may the best hoop win.
Sunday 14 August
Best Bets: (SPANISH BAY race 7, win), (CHAMPAGNE REIN race 8, each-way) and (HERO I AM race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 4 and 5), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 14), race 10 (1, 4, 5 and 6) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6).
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; 1 I-SCREAM NOW – 3 FLYING NEKO – 2 ELEGENT – 9 ASTRO MAN
A very weak Class 5 over 1100m on the poly where most have great difficulty in winning. Manoel Nunes stays aboard I-SCREAM NOW who just missed last start and his only win was at this trip so he can win this. FLYING NEKO gets a tongue-tie after changing stables; he placed in similar company last start and could be running on. ELEGENT had excuses last start (saddle slipped) and his previous run was good enough for this. BUZET has been running on at recent starts, he has won three times on the poly and could be closing late. GOLDEN BAY is yet to win in 18 starts but has placed four times on the poly and usually battles away. ASTRO MAN’s only placing was on the poly and he has trialled well since changing stables so he could break through in this weak company.
1 I-SCREAM NOW *** Just missed last start and only win was at this trip. Should be handy throughout. 3.00
2 ELEGENT *** Saddle slipped last start and previous close up effort has him under notice. 16
3 FLYING NEKO *** Gets a tongue-tie after changing stables. Placed in similar company last start and could be running on. 5.00
4 GOLDEN BAY ** Late So Simple. Yet to win in 18 starts but has placed four times on poly. 12
5 HOW HUGE * Ran a distant placing on poly last start but only wins were in Australia on turf over longer. 33
6 SECRET MAN * Well back at recent outings. 50
7 VOLCANO * Well back when resuming. 50
8 PISTA * Yet to place in nine outings. 50
9 ASTRO MAN *** Only placing was on poly and has trialled well since changing stables. Can break through in this weak field. 6.00
10 BARNBURGH LAD ** Has won twice on poly. Recent form poor but could show up in this field. 10
11 BUZET *** Has been running on at recent starts. Has won three times on poly and could be closing late. 5.00
12 SPECTA DILEMMA * Blinkers off but easier to ignore. 16
13 SECONDWAVE * Can run on and could show up. 16
Race 6
Selections; 1 ZIP A DEE DOO DAH – 3 STORM TROOPER – 2 DAMON – 4 ARHAT
A small but highly competitive BM67 field over 2000m with Mark Walker having three and Michael Clements and Leslie Khoo two each, making up seven of the eight runners. ZIP A DEE DOO DAH has disappointed at his past two outings but has a win at this trip in this class and should be hard to beat with blinkers on first time and G Boss won’t hurt. STORM TROOPER is racing well over 1600m and should be suited at this distance; he gets a tongue-tie and with Manoel Nunes up should get every chance. The stablemate DAMON is in form and keeps them all honest. ARHAT is an improving stayer who won over this trip in KSD company last start; this is harder but he should get a good run throughout.
1 ZIP A DEE DOO DAH *** Has disappointed at his past two outings but has a win at this trip in this class and with blinkers on should be hard to beat. 3.00
2 DAMON *** Was beaten by Zip A Dee Doo Dah five starts back and meets him 4kg better. Should be in the finish. 5.00
3 STORM TROOPER *** Racing well over 1600m and should be suited at this distance. Gets a tongue-tie and with Nunes up should get every chance. 3.50
4 ARHAT *** Improving stayer who won over this trip in KSD company last start. This is harder but should get a good run throughout. 4.00
5 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Racing consistently but having first try at 2000m and has found a strong field. 12
6 LIKA TIGER ** Blinkers off and will go forward and give a sight. 12
7 RAMZES * Only win was at a mile in NZ and has not shown up in Singapore. Tested. 50
8 SLAVONIC DANCE * Surprised with Maiden win two starts back. Bred for this journey but tested at the class. 25
Race 7
Selections; 2 SPANISH BAY – 5 NOVA STRIKE – 1 DANIEL – 4 AFFLECK
Another small competitive field for a KSA over 1400m. SPANISH BAY just missed over a mile last start and is better suited this distance; he will be prominent throughout and very hard to beat. DANIEL is racing soundly and is also better suited at this distance; he has to give them all weight but can be in the finish. The stable mate AFFLECK failed in the Derby but ran a good race in the Patron’s Bowl; he is suited this distance and can improve with only 53.5kg. The biggest danger though maybe NOVA STRIKE who is working his way through the grades. Most of his wins have been on the poly but his recent turf efforts keep him under notice. Of the rest, LASER STORM likes the distance and has been improved by a recent trial while SLEW OF LODE’s recent form is poor but his recent trials have been strong and he up to this grade on best form.
1 DANIEL *** Racing soundly and suited at this distance. Has to give them all weight but can be in the finish. 3.00
2 SPANISH BAY *** Just missed over a mile last start and better suited this distance. Will be prominent throughout. 3.00
3 SLEW OF LODE ** Recent efforts have been poor but has improved at recent trials. Could show up in this field. 8.00
4 AFFLECK *** Failed in Derby but ran a good race in the Patron’s Bowl. Suited this distance and can improve with only 53.5kg. 6.00
5 NOVA STRIKE *** Racing soundly but up in grade. Best form has been on poly but recent turf efforts have been sound and Nunes rides. 8.00
6 LASER STORM ** Improved by recent trial and can be running on. Suited this distance. 8.00
7 ARES ** Drops back in distance and recent trial was solid so look for a return to form. 16
8 TRUDEAU * Blinkers off but form too poor. 33
Race 8
Selections; 4 CHAMPAGNE REIN – 1 EATONS GOLD – 5 LIM’S SINCERE – 3 NINETYSEVEN GOLD
We could be throwing good money after bad but we liked CHAMPAGNE REIN at his Singapore debut and while he didn’t place on that occasion, he can make amends here. Why? Firstly, things didn’t go entirely to plan that day and with head-gear added for this and that run under his belt, he can improve and win on trial and Australian form. For those punters who are a tad gun-shy over CHAMPAGNE REIN, both EATONS GOLD and LIM’S SINCERE will race in a very forward position and will be thereabouts at the business end while NINETYSEVEN GOLD is in form and wins one of these sooner than later.
1 EATONS GOLD *** In form and hard to pass over this trip with gate 3 a factor. 3.00
2 HONEST TRUTH ** Hard to have on recent form but gate 1 in this company could see improvement. 16
3 NINETYSEVEN GOLD *** Freshened with nice trial and wins one of these soon. 3.00
4 CHAMPAGNE REIN *** Appreciates Singapore debut and can win with blinkers added to gear. 4.00
5 LIM’S SINCERE *** Found out late last start but 1000m suits and could be hard to run down. 6.00
6 RIVER OF GOLD ** In very solid Class 4 form but may be better suited there. 20
7 LIM’S GREETING ** Might need it easier to win but could run into the exotic mix from nice gate. 20
8 SUGARTIME JAZZ ** Can run on late but needs easier to win. 33
9 D’DON * Loves 1000m but needs Class 5. 50
Race 9
Selections; 3 JUSTICE DAY – 5 HERO I AM – 8 IRON MAN – 9 ROOM FOR EXCUSE
You could argue that Class 3 races are the toughest for form analysts and this strong field confirms that theory. From the top you have a nice type if MR FANTASTIC resuming for Pat Shaw and just to make the form tougher, the South African also has a handy newcomer in IRON MAN who boasts three wins from four starts back in Argentina. As you would expect both have trialled well and the market will be the best guide. TOUCH ME NOT also resumes after a promising start to his career and the market will again be best guide. JUSTICE DAY had excuses last start not to win in a very similar affair to this and can make quick amends with M Chadwick up. HERO I AM is also a winning chance as he drops back from Group company and those looking at value might consider ROOM FOR EXCUSE who should work into this late. CATCH ME GREAT, ANONYMOUS and WONDERFUL KNIGHT just three more to mention and go even wider in exotics.
1 MR FANTASTIC *** Resuming and trials suggests he plays a part in the finish of what is a suitable race. 6.00
2 TOUCH ME NOT *** Resuming sans blinkers after a very promising start to his career. Market best guide. 6.00
3 JUSTICE DAY *** Excuses not to win similar affair last start and gets his chance here. 8.00
4 LUMINIFF LAD ** Drawn awkwardly but bounced back to form last start and worth following. 12
5 HERO I AM *** Has been racing in top company of late so improves lengths back in Class 3. Value. 12
6 RICH FORTUNE ** Recent good form on the Poly but has won on the turf and more than up to this company. 12
7 CATCH ME GREAT *** Very progressive type who appreciates solid first up effort and well worth a look. 12
8 IRON MAN *** Former Argentinean who won three from four career starts so much be respected with nice local trial under his belt. 8.00
9 ROOM FOR EXCUSE *** Last run a lot better than the result and expect big run late. 33
10 REACH FOR THE SUN * Just fair of late and needs to lift. 50
11 ANONYMOUS *** In fine form and looks up to winning in this Company with 53kg. 7.00
12 CACTUS JACK ** Progressive type who appreciates first up run and should be thereabouts. 20
13 CAIRO ** Disappointing last start but trailed well since and another that should be competitive. 20
14 WONDERFUL KNIGHT *** Placed in similar affair two starts back and keeps a few honest here with 52kg. 12
15 POLE PARADISE ** Resuming and goes well enough first up to consider each-way at value. 20
16 STAR GENERAL * Not a mile away last start but this company will test. 50
Race 10
Selections; 4 THE DODGER – 1 BANDIDO – 6 SATELLITE PRINCE – 5 Q NINE MAXIM
Not a lot of depth in this field but that won’t concern trainer John O’Hara who saddles two last start winners – BANDIDO and SATELLITE PRINCE – in this KSD mile. BANDIDO won over 1200m on the Poly last start when blinkers went on but given his previous good form over 1400m, the mile looks prefect. SATELLITE PRINCE won in Class 5 over the mile and while this is tougher, his effort to blitz that field has him under serious notice. As mentioned the field lacks depth but THE DODGER did super work late last start over 1400m and he could be the one to beat. In fact that effort under V Duric looks good enough to win this with gate 5 a factor. Q NINE MAXIM has been disappointing for the support of late but looks the only other horse that wins this race without surprising.
1 BANDIDO *** Won well over 1200m last start and this trip looks his caper so hard to beat. 3.00
2 IRISH CONNECTION ** Improving with racing and will appreciate the company. 20
3 GLORIOUS PROSPECT ** Appreciates first run back and the mile with tongue-tie added. 12
4 THE DODGER *** Best work late when just missing last start over 1400m and gets his chance here. 5.00
5 Q NINE MAXIM *** Needs a result for the support but will be working into contention late. 6.00
6 SATELLITE PRINCE *** Drawn wide but won too well in Class 5 over the mile last start not to be a winning hope here. 7.00
7 BLADEMEISTER ** Surprised a few by winning last start when ridden aggressively and pay to keep safe. 20
8 DEAUVILLE ** In the mix of late and looks a solid each-way proposition. 12
9 THANKFULNESS ** Just fair of late but goes best when he gets it his own way out front. 20
10 HEE’S FORTE * Not a mile away last start but still needs to find a length or three. 50
11 ABOVE THE HORIZON ** Nothing last start but usually running on. 20
12 SILENT CONNECTION * Blinkers off but easier to ignore. 50
13 GOLD POWER * Maiden who should need easier. 33
14 KNIGHT SPIRIT * No. 50
15 CARNELIAN * Maiden who has placed over the mile but nothing at his last start. 50
16 NOVA ACE ** Maiden eligible for easier but mile may suit. 50
Race 11
Selections; 5 JELLY BEAN – 2 NOVA SPIRIT – 1 PURE JUSTICE – 3 LIM’S ACTION
Nothing jumps off the page in the lucky last and as such a consistent horse like JELLY BEAN gets her chance. The 5YO mare did super to place after doing it tough from a wide gate last start when resuming and with a senior hoop from a better alley, she could be hard to hold out. NOVA SPIRIT was just fair last start but with blinkers added back on the Poly, he looks a big show. Of the rest with winning hopes, LIM’S ACTION very much appreciates being back on the Poly and will be the improver while SMART VINTAGE drops back in trip and gets Nunes so has to be considered. Keep the newcomer PURE JUSTICE safe on his Australian and local trial form with the market best guide to his chances.
1 PURE JUSTICE *** Former Australian with two wins and a place from three career starts and trials good enough to win at Singapore debut. 7.00
2 NOVA SPIRIT *** In solid form and will appreciate the Poly with blinkers back on. 5.00
3 LIM’S ACTION *** Just fair last start but another that improves on the Poly. 15
4 D’BUFFALO MAN ** Resuming sans blinkers after a solid run of form but did flop at only Poly outing. 12
5 JELLY BEAN *** Did super to place from wide gate last start when resuming and this looks more suitable. 5.00
6 SMART VINTAGE *** Back in trip but had looked due and should work into winning calculations late. 5.00
7 ACIPENSER ** Maiden who looked OK when working home over this trip two starts back. 12
8 MINGS MAN ** Can find trouble but usually thereabouts. 12
9 SILVER POWER * Not a mile away last start but needs to find something easier. 20
10 HIKO YUNIKON ** In solid form and will enjoy being back on the Poly with winkers off. 20
11 IN BOCCA AL LUPO ** Not a mile away last start and can finish on the podium if he can make use of the ace. 12
12 MASTER BANGER * Won in Class 5 last start and that company looks his caper. 20
