Rocket Man
Where to start? At the top I guess with the Group 1 Lion City Cup over 1200m (race 10) taking centre stage on a day that is a virtual full-house of features. Boasting the biggest prize on offer for sprinters on the domestic scene, the Lion City Cup has seen the best horses win including the mighty ROCKET MAN on an amazing four occasions. Who joins the champ on the Lion City honour roll in 2014? ZAC SPIRIT looks the goods after winning – albeit at handicaps conditions – the Kranji Sprint. That win took his career statistics to seven wins from 11 starts and given he seems to improve every time he heads to the track, he should handle the WFA conditions and be hard to beat. Likewise, EMPEROR MAX has to step-up in weight to be a player at this level but given he ran ZAC SPIRIT to the wire in Kranji Sprint, he will also have admirers. The two El’s, EL PADRINO – winner of the first leg of the Singapore Sprint Series (at WFA conditions) and EL MILAGRO – who has a sensational first-up record – also come under consideration in what should be a cracking race. In the Group 2 feature – race 8, the Queen Elizabeth Cup – STEPITUP can bounce back into the winners circle and stamp himself – if he hasn’t already – as a genuine top-liner. CASH LUCK just heads STEPITUP in the ratings, courtesy of his last start win, but you can expect a ding-dong battle with plenty of interest in the head-to-head clash. In the Group 3 Admiralty Classic (race 6), SLEW OF LODE might be backed off the boards to continue his terrific start to his Singapore racing career with the step up to the mile – his two-time winning trip from Argentina – ideal.
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Best Bets; STEPITUP (race 8, win), DEAUVILLE (race 9, win) and WASSAIC (race 12, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10), race 10 (3, 4, 5 and 6), race 11 (1, 2, 5 and 6), race 12 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10).
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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; 2 STEPITUP – 1 CASH LUCK – 3 JOHNNY GUITAR – 4 TROPAIOS
The cream should rise to the top at WFA level and hard to go past those horses rated in the 100’s – CASH LUCK and STEPITUP. And while STEPITUP may have had his colours lowered by CASH LUCK in the JBBA Moonbeam Vase over 1800m, the reigning Champion 3YO can bounce back over a trip that does look his caper. The Sonny Yeohtrained gelding already has a Group win over 2000m to his name and certainly looks hardest to beat in what is a solid QEII Cup field. CASH LUCK lost all semblance of form after winning the Group 1 Kranji Mile, so it was good to see he backed up a solid run with a very good win in the Moonbeam Vase. A recent strong trial suggests he has trained on and his class may prevail here. Two horses that will be rated over 100 very soon and that have serious winning hopes in this are TROPAIOS – who may the 200m too short – and JOHNNY GUITAR – who may find the 2000m too far! Take your pick and hard to leave out WILD GEESE and MARTIN to name just two.
1 CASH LUCK *** Showed his best by winning at Group level last start and looked to have trained on. Big show. 4.00
2 STEPITUP *** Lost no friends when placing behind CASH LUCK last start and hard to beat. 3.00
3 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Query at the trip but in-form and has won at the mile at Group level both in Singapore and Argentina. 8.00
4 TROPAIOS *** Has claims to be the best stayer in Singapore and can win at WFA Group level. 5.00
5 WILD GEESE *** Rarely runs a bad race and is due to win at this level. 5.00
6 NANDOWRA * Not at his best of late but recent placing was over this trip. 33
7 MARTIN ** Needs a result for some good work of late and in this late. 12
8 CITY LAD ** Always competitive but place looks best at WFA conditions. 12
9 MUSKETEER ** Not at his very best last few but this race does look suitable. 20
10 BENDICION ** Better than what she showed last start but have to take on trust. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 6 DEAUVILLE – 10 LADY TRIO – 3 BLACK RAIN – 1 BENJI’S EMPIRE
With no stand-out in this and only one last start winner – DEAUVILLE – and a couple with recent placings to their names, the tote may be as good as guide as any. But as it stands DEAUVILLE won well enough last start this trip to think he is the one the others have to beat. With John Powell retaining the mount for Laurie Laxon, expect support and a big run. But LADY TRIO could have won with any luck last start and with Nunes jumping on-board from gate 6, she should be right in the thick of things come the business end. Of the rest, BLACK RAIN is honest and looks well placed in this race to show his best at hopefully each-way value with BENJI’S EMPIRE the type to pinch a race like this if thing go right out front for 3kg claimer, Troy See. Throw in CAPTAIN MCCAW, TAVAN BOGD and the maiden, FAT KIDDY, who narrowly missed out in a similar affair last start.
1 BENJI’S EMPIRE *** Continues to drop in grade and will run them off their feet sooner than later. 7.00
2 TAVAN BOGD *** Huge run late last start over 1200m has him under notice in this field. 20
3 BLACK RAIN *** Winkers on. Always a show in races like this and often value. 10
4 FAMOUS N FAST ** Form reads badly but the type who can run a cheeky race when onsong. 33
5 FAT KIDDY *** Maiden who narrowly missed in similar affair last start and can make amends. 5.00
6 DEAUVILLE *** Turned some solid form into a very strong maiden win last start this trip and can go on with it. 4.00
7 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Will be working into this late but might need it a tad easier to win. 20
8 CAPTAIN MCCAW *** Disappointing last start but will improve back on the turf. 8.00
9 POWER AND GLORY ** Nothing last start but previous form good and gets upgrade to blinkers. 20
10 LADY TRIO *** Excuses not to go very close to winning last start and looks a big show this. 5.00
11 TAKEAIM * Blinkers back on but not sure that helps. 100
12 SUI GENERIS * Maiden who would need to be at his best with winkers removed for this. 20
13 MR BEAN * Form has tapered off and hard to have. 33
14 PRINCIPAL * No. 200
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Race 10
Selections; 3 ZAC SPIRIT – 5 EL PADRINO – 4 EL MILAGRO – 6 EMPEROR MAX
Dangerous at WFA we know, but it’s almost impossible not to have three horses that carried no weight in the handicap conditions of the Kranji Sprint – ZAC SPIRIT, EMPEROR MAX and EL PADRINO – in the winning mix here. Obviously their form looks terrific on paper and obviously they showed that form is no fluke in the Kranji Sprint, but at WFA conditions they all have to step up and compete with the likes of MR BIG at equal weights. But ZAC SPIRIT and EMPEROR MAX put on a battle royale last start and streeted the field with EL PADRINO showing two starts back in the Merlion Trophy that quality horses can step up to this level and carry weight. So while ZAC SPIRIT and EMPEROR MAX will dominate the betting and possibly the race, EL PADRINO could surprise and another el, EL MILAGRO, could run super fresh. The race has depth and MR BIG at the top of the ratings and LET GO LENNI at the bottom could also run big races.
1 MR BIG ** Did it tough at the handicap conditions last start so look for improvement at WFA with blinkers off. 6.00
2 GOAL KEEPER ** Pay to put a line through his last start and plays a part on previous good form this level. 20
3 ZAC SPIRIT *** In super form and looks good enough to handle the WFA conditions and win again. 3.00
4 EL MILAGRO ** Versatile galloper who has an expectational first-up record so has to respected. 8.00
5 EL PADRINO *** Well beaten but still placed behind Zac Spirit last start and has won at WFA Group level. Value. 8.00
6 EMPEROR MAX *** Showed last start he is up to this level but facing biggest test at WFA level. 3.00
7 TRUDEAU ** Showed last start his poor run two back was an anomaly and keeps a few honest here. 12
8 LET GO LENNI ** Hit a rich vein of form last two starts and might be the bolter at odds. 12
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Race 11
Selections; 1 CAPTAIN KIRK – 2 CONVICT – 5 BLACK SNOW – 6 GEARIGURU
Not the strongest Class 4 sprint and connections of most of these horses will be looking at a result in a race like this to keep the stables funds ticking over. A few horses with only two or three runs under their belt (in Singapore) all look some hope with two former Kiwi’s in GEARIGURU and BLACK SNOW both some hope. The pair have both shown enough to think they win a race like this sooner or later and both should be thereabouts come the business end. USAIN BOLT and HIMALAYA DRAGON both won on debut before finding this grade tougher as expected but both worth another look in this open field. But at the top of the ratings, CAPTAIN KIRK – super disappointing at two runs since resuming – is worth serious thought with blinkers back-on, hopefully a few pounds lighter in bodyweight and young gun Kif Toh on-board. Look for support and a big run with CONVICT also looking a big winning show fresh from a good gate.
1 CAPTAIN KIRK *** Two runs this campaign terrible but should be fitter, gets blinkers and red-hot claimer. 4.00
2 CONVICT *** Fresh and wins a race like this on his day with good gate a bonus. 4.00
3 FARRAND ** Resuming sans tongue-tie but certainly goes good enough to consider with one eye on the tote. 12
4 THESE STREETS ** Former Aussie who brings consistent form to Singapore but two quiet trials suggests market only guide. 10
5 BLACK SNOW *** Two Singapore runs have been good and 1200m and turf suits. 6.00
6 GEARIGURU *** Three runs at Kranji have been good and will win a race like this. 6.00
7 USAIN COLT ** Beaten a long way into the places last start but up to a race like this. 6.00
8 HIMALAYA DRAGON ** Excuses last start so worth another look this company. 12
9 GOLDEN KNIGHT * Wait for easier. 33
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Race 12
Selections; 4 WASSAIC – 3 FLYING WILD – 2 LIVE IN HOPE – 7 RAVOUX
Firstly, it’s worth noting that LEAVE ME ALONE – a last start Poly winner with Kif Toh onboard – has won four races from 18 starts for Mohd Yusof and has to be respected in what is a suitable race. But such is the depth of this race that the 6YO gelding doesn’t get a mention in our top four picks which are headed by WASSAIC, who could also be value in what is a tough race for punters. WASSAIC has looked good at his last two and gets into a suitable race with a slight gear change (blinker left side) which may be enough to get the job done. FLYING WILD picks himself in the top few given the race and course should suit his barnstorming finish and a win would not surprise with Nunes on-board. Likewise, LIVE IN HOPE is in good form and the progressive 3YO showed last start he wins again very soon. Throw in RAVOUX over his pet trip of 1400m , BATTLE BOY at long odds with one eye on the tote for Laurie Laxon’s ex-malaysian galloper, NEW YORK CITY.
1 DARK PULSE * Pulled up lame when resuming and have to take on trust. 33
2 LIVE IN HOPE *** Close-up last start in similar affair and goes mighty close here. 4.00
3 FLYING WILD *** Wide gate not a concern as will get back and fly late. Big show. 4.00
4 WASSAIC *** Head gear added, loves this trip and might be the testing material. 8.00
5 NEW YORK CITY *** Former Malaysian resuming and might pay to respect given he finds himself in the Laxon yard. 12
6 LEAVE ME ALONE *** Won very well last start and subsequent trial strong. Follow. 8.00
7 RAVOUX *** Showed last start why a race like this is his caper. Big show. 9.00
8 JUST A MAN ** Backed up Class 5 win with a good effort this grade and worth a look in exotics. 20
9 SUPERMART ** Form reads badly but appreciates what looks a fair weight and improves. 33
10 BATTLE BOY *** Maiden but excuses not to go very close last start and might be the value. 20
11 GLIMMERING ** Honest as a rule and another to keep safe. 20
12 KING OF KOON ** Always looks some hope on paper but needs a result. 33
13 ENZO ** Always a hope this trip and a must for exotics. 12
14 ZAC WARRIOR * Goes OK on his day but needs easier. 33
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