El Milagro (Danny Beasley) holds his rivals at bay to get the money on Sunday night, picture Singapore Turf Club
Missing out on a run in the KrisFlyer Sprint might be the best thing that happened to EL MILAGRO. The Red Dazzler 5YO hadn’t won a race since April 2013 and after finishing fifth in the Lion City Cup, a win in a weak Kranji Stakes A on the same day looked his for the taking.
He duly broke his winning drought and in what looks a windfall for connections, the God’s has gifted him another at the race conditions in Sundays “Open Stakes”. EL MILAGRO is the top-rated horse with 103 – some eight points better than an out-offrom RED BEARD – and gets in with just 54.5kg.
And the 1400m on the E Course (short) looks ideal as he should just lead from gate 2 and not sure if anyone can pass him. He might not be favourite given SLEW OF LODE is in the field and that would just be a bonus for faithful followers. Elsewhere on the card, WASHINGTON BAY looks a sneaky chance to break his maiden status in the lucky last with 52kg in KSD company a good combination.
.
Best Bets; (EL MILAGRO race 9, win), (MARSEILLE ROULETTE race 8, each-way) and (WASHINGTON BAY race 11, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 7), race 9 (3, 5 and 8), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 5), race 11 (1, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11).
.
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 8
Selections; 6 MARSEILLE ROULETTE – 2 HYPERNOVA – 7 EMPIRE BAY – 4 TERMINATOR
The E Course can favour front-runners and with that in mind we could put a line through SOLITAIRE with KNIGHT SPIRIT and OM needing longer than 1200m. Unfortunately the rest can win and it might be a case of whoever has a day out, gets the chocolates. An interesting runner is MARSEILLE ROULETTE. The former top-Aussie juvenile showed his best when winning at his second Singapore start over 1200m and given his next two runs were in 3YO Group company over 1400m and a mile, this race might suit and from gate 1 with Alan Munro up, a big run would not surprise. HYPERNOVA is another interesting runner given he hasn’t won on the turf. But he will win dropping back to this company and he could easily knock in his first victory on the grass. EMPIRE BAY, TERMINATOR and CORONET PEAK all could win without surprising.
1 CORONET PEAK *** Just fair considering support last start but always a winning hope. 6.00
2 HYPERNOVA *** Three wins have been on the Poly but wins in this grade so keep very safe. 3.50
3 SOLITAIRE ** In form but course might not suit his swooping style. 7.00
4 TERMINATOR *** Looks due and drop back to 1200m wont hurt first run since changing stables. 8.00
5 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Back in trip a concern. 33
6 MARSEILLE ROULETTE *** Also back in trip after poor Guineas run but win three back was strong this trip and goes close. 4.00
7 EMPIRE BAY *** Always a show this type of race and can win with tongue-tie removed. 4.00
8 OM * Too good to ignore but prefer over longer. 20
.
Race 9
Selections; 3 EL MILAGRO – 8 SLEW OF LODE – 5 SUPERNOVA – 1 WHAT NOW
It could be argued that EL MILAGRO is an underrated horse which is odd given his career record of nine wins and eight places from some 26 starts. And he’s versatile too with a crack at the Derby in 2013 although his wins are only between 1000m to 1400m. He is the best weighted horse at the conditions today and as he comes into this after a strong win, he must go very close. SLEW OF LODE got a start in the KrisFlyer and while outclassed there, he is obviously a very good horse and looks very well placed over 1400m in this. You can add SUPERNOVA as a genuine winning hope over what is his only winning trip on the turf. He also gets in well at the race conditions and will be prominent throughout so worth a long look. Of those that play a part at their best, WHAT NOW hit form last start and SPEEDY CAT might run a race from the ace.
1 WHAT NOW ** Returned to form last start with Moreira and have to follow with Nunes. 6.00
2 SPEEDY CAT ** Not at his very best of late but could win on what he showed two back. 12
3 EL MILAGRO *** In best at the race conditions and will be very hard to run down. 4.00
4 RED BEARD * Blinkers off after not really threatening last start and needs to lift. 33
5 SUPERNOVA *** Not in badly at the conditions and stepping up to recent winning trip suggests he goes very close. 6.00
6 BORN TO FLY ** Blinkers on and hard to fault form but will need to be handy when needed to win. 8.00
7 RAFAGA * Tongue-tie back off after poor run but pay to keep safe in exotics on big run two back. 33
8 SLEW OF LODE *** Will find this easier than the KrisFlyer and a win would not surprise. 3.20
9 PEACEFUL WARRIOR ** Tested at this level but too honest not to include in exotics. 20
10 DANIEL ** Returned to some form when placing in the Guineas and have to respect. 12
.
Race 10
Selections; 2 THESE STREETS – 1 DANNY RICARDO – 5 LET’S TALK NOW – 3 FOREVER LUCKY
Again, you would like to be handy in running in this 1400m Class 4 event as not many will making up serious ground late. So an important gear change and a good gate for DANNY RICARDO could see him in the mix. Add a drop to his recent winning Class and he could easily win if he is within striking distance when it counts. But the one he might be following into the straight, THESE STREETS, could be the one to beat. The 4YO backed-up a good Singapore debut with a good win under Joao Moreira on international weekend and with J See claiming 3kg in what is a similar affair, he should go very close. Of the rest, LET’S TALK NOW has been frustrating not to have won since breaking his maiden status back in June last year but it’s hard to fault his endeavour. Given he had excuses at his last couple, he is worth another look but like DANNY RICARDO, he will want to have the leaders in his sights when they turn for home. FOREVER LUCKY is involved in this finish and CHEETAH could be the bolter if given any leeway out front.
1 DANNY RICARDO *** Back to suitable grade and goes very close if he makes good use of gate 1 with blinkers back on. 7.00
2 THESE STREETS *** Won well with Moreira on Cup day in similar affair and looks well placed with 3kg claim. 3.00
3 FOREVER LUCKY *** Backed up good mares only win with a solid run behind These Streets. Goes close. 6.00
4 SAVODAN ** Been thereabouts without threatening of late but goes close on best form. 8.00
5 LET’S TALK NOW *** Overdue and excuses last couple so keep following. 5.00
6 CHEETAH ** Always in the mix and could try to pinch this. 10
7 FUNCA ** Yet to win in Singapore but always some hope with blinkers back on. 10
8 GEARIGURU ** Solid efforts at all four Singapore starts and a must for exotics. 20
9 CHEETAH KING * Will be running on late and that might not suit. 12
.
Race 11
Selections; 10 WASHINGTON BAY – 1 NATURAL NINE – 11 RETROSPECT – 4 KINGSLEY
An interesting race to finish the card and the tote is going to be a very good guide. NATURAL NINE is the interesting runner as he looks to have found a very suitable race after three solid runs in Singapore. The former Kiwi only placed once from six starts before arriving at Kranji but has shown enough on the Poly over shorter trips to think KSD company over 1400m is perfect. T Rehaizat and a 2kg claim looks a good move and hopefully he can he handy from the wide gate as that might be important. But another maiden in WASHINGTON BAY might be the bolter and his form is good enough to break through in a race like this. Like a lot of Michael Freedman horses, he is always in the mix placing five times from ten career starts. An S Noh claim looks a smart move and he should lead and be hard to run down. RETROSPECT also has a handy claim and can race well so worth thought down in the weights with KINGSLEY, RAVOUX and JUST A MAN in the mix.
1 NATURAL NINE *** Has been crying out for 1400m and goes close on what he has shown at three Singapore starts. 6.00
2 POTLUCK * Excuses last start and will find this company easier but have to take on trust. 33
3 JOHN OF ARCH * Will battle away late but prefer longer and Poly. 20
4 KINGSLEY *** Best work late last start has him under notice and goes close if he can make use of good gate. 4.00
5 JUST FOR J * Tongue-tie but impossible to have. 100
6 RAVOUX *** Due but will need to go forward from wide gate. 5.00
7 SUPERMART ** Form reads badly but suited at the handicap conditions and could surprise. 12
8 JUST A MAN *** Excellent effort at odds similar affair last start and pay to follow. 6.00
9 PALOMBARO * Last run OK but tested on the turf. 50
10 WASHINGTON BAY *** Maiden but looks well placed here and in this a very long way. 4.50
11 RETROSPECT *** Showed more than enough in good Class 4 company last start to be a winning show in this. 20
12 QUALITASE * Blinkers off but should need easier than this. 33
13 ABOVE REACH * Needs to show more. 50
14 UNIVERSAL STARLITE * No. 100
.
