Spalato makes his much anticipated comeback in the Gr3 Woodlands Handicap
The Woodlands Handicap on Sunday (race 9) may have been just “another” Group 3 before the connections of arguably Singapore’s best horse, SPALATO, decided the time is right to make his most anticipated comeback.
The Elusive City 6YO took all before him winning his first six races in Singapore – two at Group 1 level, which included an emphatic win in the Emirates Singapore Derby. International races beckoned but an injury riddled Hong Kong campaign late last year suggested we didn’t see SPALATO at his best and he returned to Singapore with two ducks eggs added to his CV.
The injuries obviously took their toll but after an eight-month enforced layoff, the Champ is back and given he looked “comfortable” at a recent trial, he should be too good for this field. Yes, he has to carry 59kg and give the likes of HUKA FALLS some 5.5kgs, but the horse is special and if anywhere near his best, he could street them.
Obviously there will be those that have some concern with his fitness given the long-layoff, however 1200m should be ideal first-up and that may indeed be the trip where he can show he is up to International company in 2016. Elsewhere on the card, a couple of Class droppers in ALAN (race 8) and RISING EMPIRE (race 11) look like good punting options.
ALAN in particular looks extremely well placed in Class 5 and given he has a good (but understated) Polytrack record, he might be hard to hold out over 1200m. But all eye’s on SPALATO to continue his undefeated run in Singapore.
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Sunday 9 August
Best Bets: (SPALATO race 9, win), (ALAN race 8, each-way) and (RISING EMPIRE race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 5 and 6), race 9 (1), race 10 (2, 3, 5 and 11), race 11 (1, 2, 7, 8 and 9).
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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.
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Race 8
Selections; 1 ALAN – 6 JET MAN – 2 BALESTRA – 4 FLAMING FIREHEART
The usual raffle of a Class 5 over 1200m on the poly. However, ALAN has more tickets than most. Firstly, he is a class dropper and secondly gets Michael Rodd. Add the fact he has a very good record on the Poly and had excuses last start; he can be expected to improve on recent efforts and win. JET MAN will also appreciate getting back on the poly and should be on the speed throughout in company he will enjoy. Another Class dropper to watch is BALESTRA who gets Brown and should make his presence felt. Of the rest, FLAMING FIREHEART is racing consistently, he is awkwardly drawn but if Jake Toeroek gets him away, he should be prominent throughout. SECRET SPICE found Novice Class too strong last start and has been failing over longer. But Manoel Nunes goes on and he gets back to his winning distance in a suitable Class. Most of the others are Maidens or struggle to win but GOOD LOOKUEN is usually thereabouts and often places.
1 ALAN *** Loves the poly, drops in Grade and will appreciate senior rider. Big show. 5.50
2 BALESTRA *** Significant drop in grade and will be prominent throughout. 20
3 BALLISTICS * Still a maiden but only placing was on the poly. 20
4 FLAMING FIREHEART *** Close up at recent outings. Awkwardly drawn but should be on the speed throughout. 4.00
5 GOOD LOOUKEN *** Places regularly but struggles to win. Will be thereabouts. 6.00
6 JET MAN *** Will appreciate being back on poly and should be handy throughout in this company. 5.00
7 KIWICAN * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
8 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT * Never likely when resuming but should improve in this type of race. 33
9 SATELLITE PRINCE * Resuming. Only win was over a mile on turf. 33
10 SECRET SPICE ** Form reads badly but drops in grade and trip so worth thought with blinkers back on. 6.00
11 THUNDER CAT ** Maiden who was not far away at past two poly outings. Could show up. 14
12 IMPERIOUS ** Resuming. Still a maiden but has regularly placed at this distance and could show up. 14
13 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Battles away and can be in the finish. 12
14 SUN EMPIRE * Maiden who needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 1 SPALATO – 7 HAPPY MONEY – 2 HUKA FALLS – 5 VALEVOLE
The Woodlands Handicap over 1200m on the poly and the return of SPALATO will get punters through the door. Undefeated in six runs in Singapore, SPALATO hasn’t raced since his abortive Hong Kong trip last year but if the champ is anywhere near his best, he can carry 59kg and win. If he is not at his best, HUKA FALLS – who has an outstanding record at this distance on the poly – gets in with a luxury 53.5kg and will be hard to hold out. HAPPY MONEY has battled on the turf at recent outings, he will appreciate getting back on the polytrack and can be handy throughout with 50kg obviously in his favour. VALEVOLE, DAVIDE and CAVALLO are all good polytrackers at this distance and should be closing late. But all eyes on SPALATO.
1 SPALATO *** Top galloper resuming after abortive Hong Kong trip. Has to give them all eight but class may carry him through. 2.00
2 HUKA FALLS *** Has a great polytrack record at this distance and gets in with a luxury 53.5 kg. Will be hard to beat. 4.00
3 CAVALLO ** Always a threat in these and will be running on late. 10
4 DAVIDE ** Runs on well and has a good record over 1200m on the poly. Can make his presence felt. 11
5 VALEVOLE ** In very good form and whilst this Class may test, will be running on late. 10
6 EL MILAGRO * Struggling of late and needs to improve. 20
7 HAPPY MONEY *** Will appreciate getting back on the poly and can be handy throughout on recent great form. 8.00
8 GOLDEN SAND STEED * Runs on but has never won beyond 1100m and this class may test. 33
9 HYPERNOVA * Disappointed last start but previous form was solid. Class may test. 33
10 BRILLIANT DEAL * Resuming. This will be too short. 50
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Race 10
Selections; 2 EATONS GOLD – 5 PETER CULTURE – 11 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK – 3 OCEAN GENERAL
A BM67 over 1100m on the polytrack with numerous chances. The likely strong speed should suit EATON’S GOLD who runs on well and should be in the finish. He does need a result for all his good form of late but the race is suitable. GOLDEN TOMAHAWK is consistent and with a senior rider aboard should be in the finish. OCEAN GENERAL is in good form, he is consistent and should be on the speed throughout. PETER CULTURE ran well at his Singapore debut and being a three-time winner over 1000m in South Africa, he should be prominent throughout. Amongst the others KAISER and SOLITAIRE could show up.
1 OM * Gets blinkers but best form is over longer on turf. Unlikely. 33
2 EATONS GOLD *** Needs a result while in form but runs on well and should be in the finish. 4.50
3 OCEAN GENERAL *** In good form. Consistent and should be on the speed throughout. 5.00
4 CASH BOX ** Broke through last start but got very tired late. Will find this harder but could show up. 12
5 PETER CULTURE *** Ran well at Singapore debut. Three-time winner over 1000m in South Africa. Should be prominent throughout. 5.50
6 BIGDINERO ** Resuming after long break. Race suits but might need the run. 50
7 BLUE DIAMOND * Recent form poor and needs to improve. 33
8 SOLITAIRE ** Will find this easier than recent outings and could be running on late. 8.00
9 KAISER ** Racing consistently in Class 4 though wide gate is no help. 8.00
10 SHIPPING FORECAST * Has been disappointing and needs to improve. 50
11 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK *** Consistent and with senior rider aboard should be in the finish. 5.50
12 LIKA TIGER ** Ran on to win in KSD company last start. This is harder but could be closing late. 12
13 CORONET PEAK ** Usually puts in an honest effort and will be handy throughout. 12
14 DOHATSUTEN * Did nothing at debut and returned with respiratory distress. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 1 RISING EMPIRE – 2 LUCKY GIANT – 7 IMPERIAL BOY – 9 BLACK MAMBA
A fairly ordinary Class 4 over 1200m on turf closes the programme. This may give RISING EMPIRE a chance. The 6YO has been running in much higher grade and his last win was in this Class at this distance. LUCKY GIANT has been racing well; he has won three from four outings on turf and despite a 4kg rise in weight should be in the finish. IMPERIAL BOY is racing consistently on the polytrack and ran 5th at his only turf run which was on debut; with Barend Vorster on top he can get in the finish. LINCOLN’S EXCUSE has struggled since his Maiden win though the 1200m here may be more suitable. LIM’S ACTION is coming off an Initiation win, this is harder but he could be an improver. Keep BLACK MAMBA safe, as he has looked due.
1 RISING EMPIRE *** Down in Grade and last win was at this trip. Should be in the finish. 3.50
2 LUCKY GIANT *** In good form. Has won three from four on turf and should be in the finish once again. 4.00
3 LINCOLN’S EXCUSE ** Blinkers off. Has struggled since Maiden win though this distance may be more suitable. 10
4 GOLD PEREGRINE * Only win was at 1200m in Ireland. Has had numerous trials without showing up. Watch market. 14
5 BASTION * Maiden who placed over 1400m at Hastings (NZ) at only start. Did not show up at trial. 33
6 ENLIGHTEN KNIGHT * Resuming sans blinkers after long break. Did not show up at recent trial. Only win was over 1400m at Arawa Park (NZ). 33
7 IMPERIAL BOY *** Racing consistently on polytrack. Ran 5th at only turf run which was on debut. Can get in the finish. 5.00
8 LIM’S ACTION *** Broke through last start. This is harder but could show up. 6.00
9 BLACK MAMBA *** Not far away last start and can be prominent throughout. Value. 10
10 DRAGON INFINITY * Only win was on polytrack. Wants easier. 33
11 JIM * Struggled last start in KSD and only wins have been over longer. 50
12 GOOD CHILD * Wants easier. 50
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