A mixed-surface meeting from Singapore on Sunday with four races on offer; race 8 and 11 on the Long Course (B) Turf and race 9 and 10 on the all-weather Polytrack.
The two Polytrack races are both 1000m dashes and the Oscar-inspired named GEORGE looks hard to beat in race 9.
After some very ordinary form, trainer Laurie Laxon gave the TOWKAY gelding a much needed break from racing and that looks to have done the trick with GEORGE returning with a couple of very credible second placings.
That sort of form looks good enough in what is just a fair Novice event and with jockey Joao Moreira in red-hot form, he should overcome the wide gate and win.
In the other Poly sprint there might be some value around for the John O’Hara-trained, ARADEA.
The Johannesburg 3yo has won twice in this company and with his only recent blemishes in good company (including the 3yo sprint), he goes mighty close to winning race 10, with his 3kg claim a significant factor.
Best Bets; GEORGE (race 9, win), ARADEA (race 10, each-way) and NOT MY FAULT/RADIANT CHEVALIER (race 11, swinger).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (7, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14), race 9 (7) race 10 (1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7)
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; 12 TOP HAPPINESS – 7 WIN LOTS – 8 LUCKY FIND – 14 MR VANTASTIC
Not a lot jumps off the page in this race and like many Class 5 races, it’s hard to be confident in finding the winner. In saying that there are three – TOP HAPPINESS, WIN LOTS and LUCKY FIND – that all look well suited over 1400m on the turf and the winner should come from one of these. And while it’s always nice to see stable support in any race, I believe TOP HAPPINESS might give us some value and happy to have him as an ‘each-way-on-top’ pick. His only win was over this distance and, just as important, his last three runs over 1400m have all been good and with winkers upgraded to blinkers today, he goes close. WIN LOTS (not the best named horse in town) also does his best over this distance and some of his recent form in similar affairs has him right in this. Joao Moreira from a nice gate is always a handy combination and he should go
close to starting favourite and a big run is expected. Of the others LUCKY FIND should be thereabouts with Glen Boss on-board from an inside alley and I would recommend going wide in exotics as there could be a few surprises for the minors.
1 SHUTTLE EXPRESS ** Hopeless after bad start from a bad gate last start and wide gate a concern again. 30
2 TAKESHI ** Thereabouts as a rule and good enough home last start to think he plays a part here. 20
3 APACHE JUNCTION ** Fresh, not often seen on the turf and while form is fair he would need to lift. 33
4 VERANO ** Form starting to read badly but goes OK on his day and usually worth an each way look. 13
5 POLE POLE ** Another who is thereabouts on a good day and some hope in what looks a weak field. 25
6 SO GOOD * Didn’t back up his one good one and have to ignore. 33
7 WIN LOTS *** Placed with support similar affair last start and goes close again in this field. 3.50
8 LUCKY FIND *** Can make excuses for poor run last start and form prior to that has him winning races like this. 3.50
9 MY WAY *** Shocker as favourite last start but looked ready to win again before that poor effort – watch. 4.50
10 RONPONGI * Fresh but had been struggling. 50
11 SINBAD ** Doing enough to keep safe in exotics at value. 30
12 TOP HAPPINESS *** Very much enjoys this type of race and expect him to play a big part in this with winkers upgraded to blinkers, claim and fair gate. 12
13 UNBEATABLE *** Maiden status a concern but always looks an each-way hope in races like this. 12
14 MR VANTASTIC *** Probably didn’t need a bad gate but was getting closer to a result. 40
15 NEW ESPERANZA ** Been supported of late and really needs a result. 8.00
16 KASHANI STAR * Upgrade to blinkers but struggles. 100
*
Race 9
Selections; 7 GEORGE – 9 SARONG – 5 ENGINE – 3 BIONIC WARRIOR
GEORGE will be looking at turning a couple of very nice seconds into a result for connections and looks very well suited to do just that. The TOWKAY 3YO turned some ordinary form (and that’s being nice) around after a much needed break two starts back and, more importantly, backed that run up with another good second at his last start. His only win was over this distance and looks the one the others have to beat. He won’t be missed by punters so if you are looking for value it might pay to keep SARONG firmly in mind. She has had enough excuses at her last couple to think if she gets a trouble free run (hopefully right on the pace) from gate four she gives this a shake. ENGINE (the artist formerly known as ACE ALARDE) always gives a good account of himself and has to be respected with BIONIC WARRIOR also worth a look at value.
1 SUDDEN INTEREST *** Former USA galloper who comes here via Malaysia, trip looks a bit short but could run a bold race on the Poly. 20
2 IT’SINTHEHEART * No. 100
3 BIONIC WARRIOR *** Backed up nice win with a very nice effort on the wire in Class 4 company – worth thought on that effort. 12
4 VOLKOV ** Needed the first-up run and may need something easier than this. 50
5 ENGINE *** Late ACE ALARDE. Form reads well behind some smart ones and expected to run well fresh, big hope. 4.00
6 SAVILHRO ** Resuming after disappointing first campaign – starts an issue so gate one is a help and may improve. 8.00
7 GEORGE *** Two run this campaign have been excellent and should win today. 2.50
8 TIGER WARRIOR *** Appreciates first up run and with blinkers back on and boss aboard, he should go close. 4.00
9 SARONG *** Speedy and this type of race looks her caper – in this a long way. 13
10 CIGAR SUPREME ** Disappointing last start with support and this looks a tougher assignment – place. 30
*
Race 10
Selections; 2 ARADEA – 4 MOONLITE SHOWER – 6 DIPLOMATIC STRIKE – 1 PACINO
While this Class 3 sprint looks a competitive field, there doesn’t look a real out-and-out poly special so a good horse like ARADEA comes right into contention. The John O’Hara-trained
3YO more than holds his own both on this surface (three wins) and in this company so, with a nice gate coupled with a very smart 3kg claim, he can win. MOONLITE picks himself in the top couple with two Poly wins to his name from just seven starts and with no DICTATOR in this field, he is likely to be in this for a very long time and a very solid option. For value I will be keeping DIPLOMATIC STRIKE very safe – he looked due and if 4kg claimer YY Oon can have him in touch when it counts, he might just be doing the best of anything late. PACINO and BIG GALLANT have to be respected and THAT’STHEONE, although up in Class, does love this surface.
1 PACINO *** Never really involved last start but obviously better than that with a win in a similar affair four runs back. 10
2 ARADEA *** Won twice in Class 3 and nice gate and 3kg claim suggests he goes close again. 4.00
3 LADY TRIO ** Resuming and while she has shown more than enough to think she handles the company she may find a couple of these too slick. 20
4 MOONLITE SHOWER *** Will be in this a long way with blinkers downgraded to winkers and one of the main hopes. 3.00
5 BIG GALLANT *** Fresh after just not being up to the task in the 3YO sprint and goes mighty close. 3.00
6 DIPLOMATIC STRIKE *** Looks to be getting close to a result and 4kg claim might be just what the doctor ordered – WATCH. 20
7 POWER AND GLORY ** Resuming after poor effort and probably needs to show something this Class before seriously considering. 50
8 COUNTRY CLUB ** Also resuming and has OK first up form but will find this tough from wide gate. 40
9 PRIMERA ESPADA *** Just struggled at his last couple but better than that and gate one always a bonus. 12
10 THAT’STHEONE ** Goes well on this surface but up in Class and might just need it a tad easier than this. 20
*
Race 11
Selections; 1 NOT MY FAULT – 6 RADIANT CHEVALIER – 5 DARWIN – 2 PRINCESS JANNA
NOT MY FAULT looks to found a nice race to ‘drop’ into and getting back to a suitable grade might just be what the Stephen Gray-trained 4YO needs to get back into winning form. The NO
EXCUSES NEEDED gelding got his career off to a flyer winning three from his first four starts before finding some serious 3YO races a bit too tough. He was then competitive in Class 3 but with a 3kg claim, a fair gate and moderate Class 4 company to contend with, he should go very close today. Of the others it looks a fairly even sort of field with a few worth keeping safe. RADIANT CHEVALIER showed last start why he has to be respected and no reason he doesn’t back up that solid run after drawing gate two today. DARWIN is also in nice form – good to see him back up his shock win with a solid run – and worth following with trainer Cliff Brown giving him the benefit of an YY Oon 4kg claim. Keep the newcomer, PRINCESS JANNA, safe with one eye on the tote for any stable support and MARKET ON OPEN and SKY STORM involved in any exotics.
1 NOT MY FAULT *** Form better than it reads and a significant Class dropper. Ready to get back to the form he showed early in his career – big show. 4.00
2 PRINCESS JANNA *** Former Australian who should be competitive in this company and has trailed well since arriving – watch tote. 6.00
3 MARKET ON OPEN *** Resuming with blinkers removed after a couple of bad ones – has ability and worth some thought fresh. 6.00
4 BULL AND BEAR ** Drops back in distance after poor run over the mile and should keep a few honest. 10
5 DARWIN *** Backed up surprise win with a very solid run and well worth following each way. 4.00
6 RADIANT CHEVALIER *** Showed what he has to offer last start when drawn better and can follow. 6.00
7 SKY STORM *** Fresh and shown he will be competitive in this company with only question mark on turf form. 8.00
8 BRAVE GLADIATOR * Better than what he showed last start but easier to ignore. 30
9 PASHA KHAN ** Competitive but eligible for easier company than this. 40
10 FUKU ICHIBAN * Happy to reassess when he gets to Class 5. 100
11 SMILING BEE * Upgrade to blinkers but needs it a lot easier than that. 100
