Speedy Dragon looks a good bet in Race 9
You could argue punters have short memories and with this in mind we stay on-board the SPEEDY DRAGON bandwagon in race 9 today. Yes, he only managed to finish third at a very restrictive odds-on quote last start but in hindsight gate 1 may not have been in his favour on that occasion given his penchant for slow starts.
Nunes had to heel him along to hold his position on that occasion and this may have been his downfall given he over-raced with company up front.
WS Chan (3kg claim) takes over from Nunes and, more importantly, gate 4 looks a better option to get a nice sit in a field with not much depth, which should see him have every chance.
Given BRAHMA CIRCUS and perhaps the progressive ROYAL FORTUNE are the only two horses that should bother him on best form, he should win over 1000m and hopefully at better than even money. Elsewhere on the card there looks like plenty of horses that improve on seemingly poor form including KIRKS RYDER in suitable maiden company (race 8) and SUPER SPUR over a suitable trip in race 7.
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Sunday 17 January
Best Bets: (SPEEDY DRAGON race 9, win), (KIRKS RYKER race 8, value) and (SUPER SPUR race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 8 and 10), race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (1, 4, 6 and 8), race 11 (2, 3 and 4).
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 4
Selections; 10 LITTLE BIG MAN – 2 NUMERO UNO – 9 CHEMALY – 7 MAGIC PAINT
A moderate Initiation over 1400m on turf with many chances. LITTLE BIG MAN drops 3.5kg on his good 2nd on the poly last start; Manoel Nunes, turf, 1400m and a good gate should ensure he races well. NUMERO UNO was well back last start after a good poly placing; he has run 3rd and 4th over 1400m at only starts at the trip and should get a good run throughout. CHEMALY only battled over the poly mile last start but has since trialled well with blinkers and could show up. Of the others, the debutant LAUGHING BUFFALO placed once over 1400m in NZ from two starts; he has shown little at trials but this distance should suit so watch for support. PARKER has shown little to date but recent trials have been solid and he could improve with blinker/pacifiers applied. Keep MAGIC PAINT involved at long odds. His race form is woeful but blinkers will make a difference on trial form.
1 LAUGHING BUFFALO ** Placed once over 1400m in NZ from 2 starts. Has shown little at trials but this distance should suit. Watch for support. 10
2 NUMERO UNO *** Excuses when well back throughout last start after good poly placing over 1200m. Has run 3rd and 4th over 1400m at only starts at the trip. Should get a good run throughout. 5.00
3 PARKER ** Has shown little to date but recent trials have been solid. Could improve with Blinker pacifiers applied. 10
4 ARHAT ** Ran on fairly at debut and could improve over extra distance on turf. 20
5 NOVA GLORY * Blinkers on but yet to show up in two outings. 33
6 RAJA RANI * Has shown nothing to date. 33
7 MAGIC PAINT ** Shown nothing at races but gets blinkers and has trailed well with headgear. 33
8 BULLISH LUCK ** Placed at debut but only battled last start. Having first turf outing and could show up. 10
9 CHEMALY *** Only battled over the poly mile last start. Trialled well with blinkers and could show up. 5.00
10 LITTLE BIG MAN *** Fought on well last start. Drops 3.5kg. Nunes, extra distance, good gate and turf all help. Should race well. 3.00
11 NOBLE CRAFTSMAN ** Well back at only start. Recent trial was fair. Turf and extra distance could help. 8.00
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Race 5
Selections; 8 CLERMONT CLUB – 2 SUN DANCE – 6 WINNING STAR – 9 OCTIVIA
A very ordinary Class 5 field will contest this poly mile. CLERMONT CLUB has been improved by recent racing and is a proven performer at this level. He gets Manoel Nunes and this distance suits; he should get a good run throughout. SUN DANCE is still a Maiden but has been close up over 1600m at his past three poly starts; he should be in the finish. GALLANT HEIGHTS has been mixing his distances but gets up to a suitable trip and can be running on late. WINNING STAR’s recent form is ordinary but he has won twice at this trip and has struck a weak field, he should get a good run throughout. OCTIVIA was fair when resuming and could improve. RON can show up if ridden forward and STREET CHAMP will plod on if he gets a solid speed.
1 DASHING JACK * Shown nothing at seven Singapore starts. Only placing was on turf at Gawler (SA) over 1100m. 33
2 SUN DANCE *** Still a Maiden but close up over 1600m at past three poly starts. Should be in the finish. 4.00
3 GALLANT HEIGHTS *** Has been mixing his distances but gets up to a suitable trip and can be running on late. 6.00
4 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT * Has been battling over shorter. Has been well back at only attempts at a mile or beyond. 25
5 PERFECTLY ECLIPSE * Shown nothing in five starts. Extra distance may help. 33
6 WINNING STAR *** Recent form ordinary but has won twice at this trip and has struck a weak field. Should get a good run throughout. 5.00
7 WONDERFUL ERA ** Another whose recent form reads badly but will improve this trip in this company. 33
8 CLERMONT CLUB *** Improved by recent racing. Gets Nunes and this distance suits. Should get a good run throughout. 3.00
9 OCTIVIA *** Fair when resuming after rider dropped whip. Not the most reliable but can show up over this distance. 10
10 RON ** Suited this trip. Goes best when ridden forward. 20
11 STREET CHAMP ** One-paced but battles away and will be closing late. 14
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Race 6
Selections; 3 WHITE HUNTER – 4 GROENEWEGEN – 8 QUEEN’S SEVEN – 1 SECRET LIBERTY
A good Class 4 over 1200m on turf. WHITE HUNTER has placed at both poly outings since coming to Singapore and trialled well recently. The 4YO’s only win was at Sandown (Vic) over 1200m and he should be hard to beat with Brown riding for Freedman. GROENEWEGEN was solid when resuming; he won his Maiden very easily at this trip and can be prominent throughout. Likewise, QUEEN’S SEVEN looked due in this type of race and looks another good ride for Joe Fujii. SECRET LIBERTY will enjoy the drop in grade and being back on turf, the claim helps and she should be prominent throughout. INVINCIBLE MAN has been battling away without winning on the poly; he has placed on turf and could show up. THE DODGER won his Maiden on the poly, this is harder but from the good gate he should be handy throughout.
1 SECRET LIBERTY *** Will enjoy drop in grade and being back on turf. Claim helps and should be prominent throughout. 4.50
2 LIM’S GREETING * Resuming after poor effort last start. Has not shown up at recent trials. Both wins have been at 1400m but could be on the speed throughout from the good gate. 20
3 WHITE HUNTER *** Placed at both poly outings and trialled well recently. Only win was at Sandown (Vic) over 1200m. Should be hard to beat. 3.00
4 GROENEWEGEN *** Fought on well when resuming. Won Maiden easily at this trip and should be handy throughout. 4.00
5 INVINCIBLE MAN ** Blinkers off. Has been thereabouts on the poly but finding it hard to win. 7.00
6 THE DODGER ** Won poly Initiation last start. This is harder but should be handy from the good gate. 12
7 PEER GYNT ** Disappointed last start but ran well on turf at two previous starts. Nunes could help and Class 4 suits. 12
8 QUEEN’S SEVEN *** Rarely far away and only Singapore win was on turf over 1200m. Should be thereabouts. 12
9 SECRET SPICE * Battles away but better suited in Class 5 and may prefer longer. 33
10 EVERTRUST * Tested. Wants easier. 50
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Race 7
Selections; 2 SUPER SPUR – 6 STANZOUT – 9 BUZET – 10 KTRONIC
A very poor Class 5 over a mile on the poly. SUPER SPUR is a maiden but get this chance here from a good gate with Nunes in this weak field – It may be a case of now or never. BUZET hasn’t won for a long time but he has won and placed four times from eight outings over the mile; with no weight he can get in the finish. Old STANZOUT is having his 96th start but he knows how to win which is better than most of these; he won three times at the trip and can get in the finish. KTRONIC battles away and this trip suits, he could be running on late. Manoel Nunes stays on SHABBAT who plugs away but is yet to win. LUCKY COME placed over this trip two starts back and could show up in this weak field. The rest are very poor but on best form but PINYIN will be running on.
1 SHABBAT ** Battles away. Nunes stays on but is yet to win. 10
2 SUPER SPUR *** Poor when resuming but better suited this distance. Could show up in this weak field. 10
3 PINYIN * Recent form ordinary and best efforts are over longer. 14
4 HAPPY JOY * Maiden whose only placing is at 1800m. Tested. 20
5 LUCKY COME ** Placed over this trip two starts back and could show up in this weak field. 10
6 STANZOUT *** Veteran having 96th start. Has won three times at this trip and can be in the finish. 6.00
7 YUE YUAN ** Blinkers back on. Struggles to win and mile can test. 10
8 BANK ON ME * Hasn’t placed in 12 outings and needs to improve. 33
9 BUZET *** Hasn’t won for a long time but has won and placed four times from eight mile outings. Has no weight and can get in the finish. 4.00
10 KTRONIC *** Battles away and this trip suits. Could be running on late. 4.00
11 LEGACY ** Ran on when resuming. 10YO who occasionally bobs up and could run on late. 16
12 WINNING SUCCESS ** Hasn’t won for a long time but can run a cheeky race. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 1 KIRKS RYKER – 8 CHIPS – 2 SWAN SONG – 10 JOYOUS
There are two obvious picks on form in this race – CHIPS and SWAN SONG – and both win a weak race like this without surprising. CHIPS comes into this with two Polytrack places under his belt and has form over this trip on the turf. SWAN SONG only has one place to his name from five career starts but that was over this trip and with headgear removed and Nunes on, he should figure prominently. However, two horses with no race form in the book also appeal. KIRKS RYKER is a maiden from Ireland who has had two runs in Class 4 since arriving in Singapore. While not setting the world on fire, they were OK efforts and he might just be ready to show up in more suitable company. Of the others, JOYOUS doesn’t go a yard at the races but gets a big mention on a very good trial with pacifiers and by rights should be 100-1 while TOOBIGTOFAIL looks a solid light-weight hope.
1 KIRKS RYKER *** Appreciates two Class 4 sighters and can win back in Maiden Company. 4.50
2 SWAN SONG *** Excuses last start and best runs have been this trip and track so should figure late with blinkers off. 3.50
3 MING’S BOY * Struggles. 100
4 SING ENERGY * Race form poor. 50
5 GOLD RESERVE * No. 200
6 NATURAL WATER * Excuses last start but struggles as a rule. 200
7 SPACE ODDITY * For omen punters only. 200
8 CHIPS *** One of the few horses with form to win and gets his chance. 2.50
9 GANNA * No. 100
10 JOYOUS *** Shown nothing on the track but coming off a very good trial with pacifiers added and could improve lengths at odds. 20
11 CAPTAIN CLASSIQUE ** Blinkers off and can include in exotics on better form. 12
12 PIONEER LIU * Struggles as a rule. 50
13 TOOBIGTOFAIL *** Twenty start maiden but this trip looks his best and looks a lightweight hope. 8.00
14 MATOAKA ** Battled on OK in KSD Company last start and can figure in exotics on that effort. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 1 SPEEDY DRAGON – 2 BRAHMA CIRCUS – 5 ROYAL FORTUNE – 8 KEEN DRAGON
While disappointing not to win last week as the odds-on punters elect, we won’t sack SPEEDY DRAGON just yet. Yes, the 4YO has issues with his starts so in hindsight gate 1 was not ideal last time out – even with the experienced Nunes aboard. WS Chan claims 3kg on this occasion but more importantly he gets to jump from gate 4 which should be more forgiving if he is tardy than the inside gate. And this race lacks some depth so he may only have one to keep in his sights – BRAHMA CIRCUS. The 4YO is coming off a well-deserved win and gets blinkers as he drops back to 1000m. From gate 2 with C Brown up, he is the benchmark. The progressive ROYAL FORTUNE looks to very much enjoy the Poly and keeps them honest, as does KEEN DRAGON. Can almost forget the rest.
1 SPEEDY DRAGON *** Starts can be costly but claim looks a good move hard to beat if he does things right. 2.50
2 BRAHMA CIRCUS *** Extremely honest and will be prominent throughout again with blinkers back on. 4.00
3 CASTOR ** Very disappointing last few runs but has trailed well and gets the ace. 20
4 ASSERTIVE LAD * Average when resuming and have to take on trust in this company. 20
5 ROYAL FORTUNE ** This is tougher but shown a liking for the Poly and worth thought with no weight. 6.00
6 BOARD WALK * The type that can surprise at odds but have to take on trust. 20
7 BRAHMS AND LISZT * Should find a few of these too slick and may be looking or easier. 20
8 KEEN DRAGON ** Honest type who will be more than competitive in this company with no weight. 8.00
9 LUCKY GIANT * Reassess in suitable turf race. 50
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Race 10
Selections; 4 TERMS OF REFERENCE – 1 SMART PEOPLE – 8 STICK SEEKER – 6 LIM’S SPRINT
An excellent Class 4 sprint and while most have some show, it was a virtual toss-up between SMART PEOPLE and TERMS OF REFERENCE for the top pick. Obviously not much between them but TERMS OF REFERENCE is in winning form and more importantly backed up that win with a very impressive (and quick) trial suggesting he could improve again. In saying that, SMART PEOPLE went very close last start on the Poly after an equally good trial and given all his wins have been on the turf, he should be the testing material. Of the others, STICK SEEKER will find Class 4 Company to his liking and could be a nice each-way option while LIM’S SPRINT showed last campaign he is more than up to Class 4 Company and can win first up with the market a good guide.
1 SMART PEOPLE *** Not far away last start on the Poly and hard to beat back on only winning surface. 3.50
2 DYLAN ** Will not win out of turn but always an each-way hope in this type of race. 10
3 STARS APOLLO * Will improve with racing and suited this Class but should need further. 20
4 TERMS OF REFERENCE *** In winning form and recent trial suggests he has trained on and hard to beat. 3.50
5 DUTY FIRST ** Former Australian who was in form before arriving in Singapore and market best guide on quiet local trials. 10
6 LIM’S SPRINT *** Resuming after showing enough in this Company last campaign so should figure prominently. 7.00
7 LUCKY MISSION ** Disappointing when blinkers went on last start but did look due previously. 10
8 STICK SEEKER *** Honest and looks very well placed in Class 4 Company to knock in a win. 8.00
9 CONVICT ** Blinkers back off and recent good trial has him under notice at value. 20
10 RUN CHEETAH RUN ** Will get home OK but should need easier to win. 20
11 BLOOD ROYAL * No. 200
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Race 11
Selections; 2 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR – 4 BOB – 3 XZUBERANCE – 1 NATION THEATRE
A solid race as usual to finish the card and while most can win – including the first emergency KNOW EACH OTHER – the top four or so rated horses do look the better options. NINETYSEVENEMPEROR is in very good form and won two back on the turf in KSD Company over 1400m. So the grass obviously suits, the mile is no issue and he will appreciate being on the D Course that should give the swoopers a fair go. BOB is in very solid form and with M Rodd up he will be prominent throughout as will NATION THEATRE who also looks a good each-way option. The connections of XZUBERANCE have opted for a 4kg claimer in Y Salim suggesting they will try to pinch this but you would presume other jockeys will make sure he doesn’t get a cheap run out front.
1 NATION THEATRE ** Not far away last start and looks a solid each-way hope in this field. 12
2 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR *** Foot on the till and will be doing best work late on a track that suits. 3.00
3 XZUBERANCE *** In form and very cheeky run expected with 4kg claimer. 5.00
4 BOB *** Another in solid each-way form who will race prominently throughout. 5.00
5 DANGER ZONE ** Mile might be too short but has been running some good races at long odds so keep safe. 33
6 HORSE WARRIOR ** Another who ran a beauty at odds last start and pay to follow. 12
7 LIM’S BATTLE * Better than what he has shown of late but hard to have on recent form. 33
8 SMART VINTAGE ** Placed last start in easier company but will be running on late here. 12
9 WINNING GOOD * Struggled after maiden win and might need easier. 50
10 ACROSS THE SEA ** Issues last start and might pay to ignore as previous form was very sound. 12
11 SIR REGINALD ** Will enjoy being back on the turf and should be thereabouts with no weight. 8.00
12 DAAD’S THE WAY * Veteran who will keep them honest but should need easier and perhaps Poly. 33
13 KNOW EACH OTHER ** Blinkers on and always tries but may have forgotten how to win. 8.00
14 MIGHTY KENNY * Needs to lift on recent form. 33
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