Some of Singapore’s best middle-distance handicappers head to the start for the Group 3 Committee’s Prize.
And with some of the weight-for-age stars side-stepping the race, the $200,000 feature mile looks a very even affair with most horses having a big show with winnable weights.
KEEP AWAY has been in super form and loves the mile, however, the AIR JIHAD gelding has the top-impost of 59kg which will make winning tough.
Likewise, BEST KNIGHT with 56.kg has to be at the top of his game, but both have been very solid performers at WFA level and will keep some of the lighted-weighted chances honest.
Of those, the very smart AROWANA DOT COM looks well in with just 51.5kg and every chance to knock in win number seven from just his eighth career start.
The striking grey 4YO will find this company his biggest test thus far – and will get no favours jumping from the widest gate – but obviously a horse to follow with punters sure to stay onboard.
But the very much improved FLYING FULTON looks the one to beat with Vlad Duric at a comfortable 54kg to carry.
The HUSSONET 5YO stepped up to elite company with some terrific runs in his Derby campaign and continued that run of form with a hard fought recent second behind the champ, ROCKET MAN.
That preparation looks ideal for the mile and the Mark Walker-trained gelding is sure to be right in this finish.
Elsewhere on the card, you have to like any horse called MICHAEL.
And this MICHAEL, or ‘Mick’ to his friends, looks a very nice type and in too well at the Novice conditions not to be the horse to be on in race 8.
Races 8 and 10 are on the Short Course (A) Turf and races 9, 11 and 12 on the all-weather Polytrack.
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Best Bets; MICHAEL (Race 8, win), BLASTING TORPEDO/INCREDIBLE SON (race 9, swinger), HEARTY MASTER (race 11, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1 and 3) race 10 (1, 3, 7 and 11), race 11 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 9) and race 12 (2, 3, 4 and 5).
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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; 5 MICHAEL – 1 ASERIOUS – 6 GOLD RUN – 4 CARIBBEAN MOON
At the conditions of this very well prestigiously named raced, last start winner, MICHAEL, looks a stand-out and although up against a few handy Class 4 types, I expect him to win. Obviously a horse like the consistent ASERIOUS is going to keep him honest, but the 5YO will be giving a massive 8kg to MICHAEL and that is very significant. In fact ASERIOUS will also be giving weight to the other 3YO, GOLD RUN (6.5kg) and the American filly, CARIBBEAN MOON (4.5kg), so will need to be at his best to figure in the top two. And while I expect GOLD RUN and CARIBBEAN MOON to push ASERIOUS to the wire, MICHAEL looks a good thing and happy to have him as one of the better bets of the day. If there was a concern it is the fact the TOWKAY gelding is backing up from last Sunday’s win but he is from an astute stable (Laxon) and if he runs, he should win.
1 ASERIOUS ** In form and probably the yard stick although giving weight to a few of the younger horses the concern. 2.30
2 AUTOMATION GOLD * Blinkers first time but struggles as a rule. 200
3 DARING FIGHTER ** Showed more than enough last start to think he handles this type of race. 6.00
4 CARIBBEAN MOON ** Last start better than the result and certainly worth some thought at the race conditions. 8.00
5 MICHAEL *** Excellent Restricted maiden win sets him up nicely for this – in best at the weights and very hard to beat. 2.00
6 GOLD RUN ** Didn’t show a lot last start but in well at the weights and big effort in Juvenile Championship suggests he has more to offer. 20
7 MOON CHASER * No. 200
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Race 9
Selections; 3 INCREDIBLE SON – 1 BLASTING TORPEDO – 9 VITALICO – 4 BOLD ROB
There doesn’t seem to be too many winning chances in this Class 5 ‘Claimers Only’ race and all things considered, the Class dropper with form, INCREDIBLE SON, looks the one to be on. The
6YO only took a few runs before knocking in a win the last time he dropped to Class 5 and with a couple of very nice recent runs in better company to his name, he might not stay that long in the bottom grade. He has drawn awkwardly and has a ‘rookie rookie’ on-board but if he runs to near his best he is hard to beat. BLASTING TORPEDO, the biggest danger, has also drawn badly and it might be a case of whoever gets the best run on the two wins. Alan Ng, a former champion apprentice, has the ride and that, coupled with a terrific first up run in this grade is a pointer to his winning chances. Of the others, VITALICO could be the value and BOLD ROB should be thereabouts.
1 BLASTING TORPEDO *** Showed more than enough doing it tough first up in similar affair to think he can win with any luck from bad gate. 4.00
2 CRUCIBLE * Very much appreciates drop to Class 5 but happy to wait for a longer race. 40
3 INCREDIBLE SON *** Doing too well in Class 4 not to think he goes mighty close to winning back in this company. 3.00
4 BOLD ROB *** Disappointing last start but drop back to 1200m looks ideal and in this a long way. 5.00
5 SWEET DREAM ** Gets a couple of ticks on form but better over much longer so only for exotics at value. 20
6 WING WARRIOR ** Last start winner resuming and fresh enough to show something although might need longer. 20
7 LAVA LAVA * No. 100
8 ROMAN KNIGHT * Back in distance sans blinkers and not for me. 30
9 VITALICO *** Form reads badly but worth thought dropping back to 1200m in this company with blinkers back on. 10
10 SPIDER KING ** Didn’t back up good first up run but worth keeping safe on that effort. 7.00
11 SIMPSON ** Include in exotics on good run two starts back. 12
12 HEART TO BEAT ** Have to be at his best but last run better than it looked and OK effort prior to that. 50
13 BETTER THAN YOU * Struggles. 200
14 JEWEL PRINCESS ** Should really be doing better in races like this but worth another chance when she gets a start suitable race. 20
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Race 10
Selections; 7 FLYING FULTON – 11 AROWANA DOT COM – 3 BEST KNIGHT – 1 KEEP AWAY
At the handicap conditions of the Committee’s Prize, a few of the top rated middle distances horses in Singapore have stayed in their boxes making the race a very interesting and well weighted affair. Only two horses get in ‘over-weight’ on 50kg with the rest of the field looking perfectly handicapped for a very even Group 3 affair. Obviously AROWANA DOT COM – a winner of six from seven – is going to command plenty of attention and with just 51.5kg to carry at his first foray into feature racing, a huge winning show. The HUSSONET 4YO will have his work cut out jumping from the widest gate, but his recent win was super impressive and Joao Moreira will be confident he is on a horse good enough to overcome the barrier and step up in Class and win. But FLYING FULTON is the one to beat in my book. Trainer Mark Walker had him in great order last campaign and his first up run behind ROCKET MAN showed he has returned from his Derby tilt in terrific order and hard to beat here with 54kg looking a winning weight. Of the rest I think you have to respect the likes of BEST KNIGHT and KEEP AWAY but plenty of other well-weighted chances in what is a very even field.
1 KEEP AWAY *** Honest, loves the mile and in arguably career best form – top weight a big ask but pay to keep safe. 12
2 CLINT ** First up after winning the Emirates Singapore Derby and will play a role from gate one with blinkers removed. 12
3 BEST KNIGHT *** Not far away of late without a result but races handy and in this a very long way. 8.00
4 FATKID ** Obviously smart but odd preparation given he is first up after good Derby run which was first up after International run in May. 20
5 JAMAL MALIK ** Last run in Jumbo Jet better than the result and recent trial good – bold run expected. 20
6 TELL A TALE ** Resuming sans blinkers and while a horse to follow towards the Gold Cup he might just be doing his best work too late here. 40
7 FLYING FULTON *** A first up placing behind ROCKET MAN looks a good lead in to this – terrific form and can win. 4.00
8 ZAC MISSILE ** Showed his class winning first up after a long spell and has to be respected although longer again will be his caper. 12
9 MAURICE UTRILLO ** Thereabouts without a result of late but knows how to win and pay to keep safe in what is a very even handicap. 8.00
10 U GOT IT ** Leads and most likely leads well – in this for a long time and each way a good option. 12
11 AROWANA DOT COM *** Six wins from seven starts but this is obviously his biggest test stepping up to mile in Group company – light weight has him the one to beat. 3.50
12 SILVERON WINGS ** Excuses last start and while this is a big ask he will acquit himself well. 40
13 SAMURAI PHOENIX ** In form and very much appreciates the light weight – exotics. 30
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Race 11
Selections; 5 HEARTY MASTER – 1 EQUIENCE – 9 LUCKY EMPRESS – 3 KING OF LOTUS
A solid Class 5 (Div 2) race with two last start winners, EQUIENCE and MY WAY, amongst the leading chances. EQUIENCE in particular looks like he can continue on from what was an excellent first up win and although changing stables (Marcus to Dean), winning jockey John Powell stays on board in what is a very similar affair. But while he probably starts favourite and should be in the thick of the action, I think HEARTY MASTER is due and gets enough ticks to be the on-top selection. The TRADE FAIR gelding has looked like knocking in a win of late but found it all too tough from the bad gate at his last start. Gate four solves that issue and the booking of an experienced hoop in Benny Woodworth suggests he gets every chance to win. Another benefiting from a senior hoop (Moreira) is LUCKY EMPRESS and she also has the form to think that makes a difference and goes close. Throw in KING OF LOTUS as a genuine winning hope and it looks a good race.
1 EQUIENCE *** Excellent first up win looks well placed similar affair to go back-to-back. 3.50
2 JURY’S OUT * Appreciates first up run and nice gate but needs to show more before we consider. 50
3 KING OF LOTUS *** Nice effort last time out similar albeit maiden affair and worth thought with blinkers/pacifiers added. 6.00
4 TRUSTEE ** Always a chance but does get back in races so gate one on the Poly not ideal. 10
5 HEARTY MASTER *** Did it very tough last start from the wide gate and that run good enough to give this a shake from the better barrier with senior hoop a bonus. 5.00
6 MY WAY *** Looked due before saluting last start and while wont win out of turn he has to e respected. 5.00
7 RODHAM * OK late last start but not going anywhere near well enough to play a part in this from the bad gate. 50
8 SILENT FAITH ** Did it tough on the pace last start so big effort to be around the places – bad draw an issue. 15
9 LUCKY EMPRESS *** Two runs this campaign have been encouraging and senior hoop might be what he needs to find that extra to win. 6.00
10 MULTI WARRIOR ** Excuses last start and can include in exotics on better form. 12
11 POLE POLE * Way, way back on this grid. 500
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Race 12
Selections; 5 RARE EARTH – 2 TROPICAL FOREST – 4 UNO – 11 NO REASON
Although first up in what looks a good Class 4 field, the lightly raced STRAVINSKY 4YO, RARE EARTH, looks to have more than his fair share of ability and can win first up. At his first campaign the Steven Burridge-trained gelding ran into the then unbeaten RED BEARD twice with a nice as odds-on pop win in-between. I think he is good enough to win in this company and with Joao Moreira on board from gate five, he goes mighty close. After struggling at Class 3 level (or thereabouts), TROPICAL FOREST very much appreciates getting back to his winning company and looks the danger. Benny Woodworth takes the ride and I also like the fact the ENFORCER 5YO is back on his winning surface (and distance) and that all points to a big run. UNO also drops back to Class 4 company and with four wins on the Poly and a strong front-running style, he is always going to play a part. NO REASON, still a maiden, looks like he will be competitive in Class 4 with PROBO CHANDROSO also some hope.
1 HEY TORO ** Drops in Class and nice gate suggests he goes close if race run to suit. 12
2 TROPICAL FOREST *** Significant drop back to winning class and back on winning surface – improves and can win. 4.00
3 PROBO CHANDROSO *** Has been threatening to win a race like this and gets a good chance here with senior hoop. 4.00
4 UNO *** Excuses to fade last start given the strong winner and worth a look back in a suitable Class. 20
5 RARE EARTH *** Lightly raced 4YO resuming after a very promising first spell – expect support and should go OK. 4.00
6 SANTA ANITA ** Knocked in an overdue maiden win at his last start and will be competitive in this company with blinkers downgraded to winkers. 12
7 CAPTAIN SCARLET ** Resuming after form tapered off badly – did win on debut so should improve fresh. 50
8 DECOUPER * Steps up in Class after a Class 5 win and should find a few of these too slick. 30
9 BIONIC WARRIOR ** Better than what he showed last start but skinny end of exotics looks best. 20
10 TATTOO ** While it took a drop to Class 5 to win it will pay to keep safe in exotics. 20
11 NO REASON *** Tough horse to follow but showed more than enough in the odd maiden to think he goes well here with gate one a bonus. 6.00
12 WORLD FAMOUSMAN * Needs easier and longer. 100
13 KIRIN ARISING ** Resuming and while Class 5 would be nice he does go OK on his day – value. 40
14 MIDLIFE CRISIS ** First up run OK but would like to see in Class 5. 40
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