A great day of racing from Singapore on Sunday with the Group 2 Three-Year-Old Classic headlining the five races on offer.
SUPER EASY – unbeaten at eight starts in Singapore – looks head and shoulders above the rest of this field at the set-weight conditions.
The Michael Freedman-trained star is world class and will start at a very short quote given his easy win in the first leg over 1200m.
But a couple of interesting entries in BETTER LIFE and RUNNING TALL certainly add some intrigue to what could have been a one-horse affair.
BETTER LIFE in particular looks a filly with loads of ability and with three wins and a close up second (behind the unbeaten SHUTTLE MAN) from just four career starts to her name, could just provide the knock-out blow.
It is a big ask given there is some 35 rating points between the two, but BETTER LIFE looks to have plenty of upside and is a horse to follow through to the mile of the Guineas in May and beyond.
And while the SGD $350,000 feature (race 10) is the undoubted highlight of the meeting, BETTER THAN EVER – a winner of the 3YO Classic in 2010 – does provide the prefect entrée in race 9.
Coincidentally (or perhaps someone with a sense of the theatre in the Singapore Turf Club), the race is named after the reining Singapore Champion 4YO and the pride of the Jupiter Stable gets a chance to win the BETTER THAN EVER Stakes.
The Champ does have to carry 59.5kg but it does look a genuine handicap affair so all fair at the weights and win number 17 at start 25 is on the cards.
It is a mixed surface meeting with races 8 on the all-weather Poly with races 7, 9, 10 and 11 on the Short Course (C), Turf.
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Best Bets; SUPER EASY (race 10, win), MONTEREY (Race 11, each-way) and SUPER EASY/BETTER LIFE (race 10, swinger/exacta).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 4), race 9 (1), race 10 (1) and race 11 (field).
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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 7
Selections; 2 ZAC VELOCITY – 3 MARTIN – 1 PHANTOM KNIGHT – 4 NOT MY FAULT
Plenty of good form to go on in this race and while we can make a strong case for the likes of MARTIN, PHANTOM KNIGHT, NOT MY FAULT and FOREIGN EXCHANGE; ZAC VELOCITY looks the one to be on. Moreira stays on and when you consider he rode all but PHANTOM KNIGHT at their last starts – Joao staying on-board is a good pointer. Obviously he is in terrific form and blinkers off stepping up to the mile looks a good move. He will be short though and certainly worth looking at the others mentioned with MARTIN coming off a nice maiden win as good as place to start as any. Blinkers did the trick that day and the step up to the mile no drama for this progressive 3YO. PHANTOM KNIGHT will need things to suit back-markers but did look a good thing beaten last start, so happy to follow. NOT MY FAULT looks suited here to show his best – and that is good enough to win this – with FOREIGN EXCHANGE too consistent to leave out.
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1 PHANTOM KNIGHT *** Looked a good thing beaten last start and expect big run here if race set up for swoopers. 6.00
2 ZAC VELOCITY *** In super form and goes close again with blinkers removed stepping back up to the mile. 2.50
3 MARTIN *** Broke his maiden status in fine style when blinkers added and pay to follow. 4.00
4 NOT MY FAULT *** In solid form and good work late suggests mile suits – keep safe. 6.00
5 SOCIAL NETWORK ** Not at his best last start but form prior good and pay to keep safe sneaking out to value. 30
6 EMPLOYED * Shown nothing. 200
7 URBAN DANCER ** Form obviously starting to read badly but this race suitable and could surprise. 30
8 FOREIGN EXCHANGE *** Very consistent and no reason he isn’t in the mix again today; each-way. 8.00
9 PADDY O’REILLY ** Resuming after breaking through for well-deserved maiden win over this trip in January – prefer to watch. 40
10 BUNGAE ** Form starting to read badly but goes OK on his day this type of race and will be value. 40
11 LOOK AT ME ** Showed last start why he can never be discounted and will be thereabouts. 20
12 PRIME MOVER * Better form over shorter and perhaps Poly so happy to just watch. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 1 SIR FLEETWOOD – 3 CABRERA – 4 SANTA ANITA – 5 ZAC STAR DESTROYER
There are two Class droppers in this race – one good, one bad. We will concentrate on the good one, SIR FLEETWOOD, who looks ready to win in Class 5 company. The Laurie Laxon-trained 4YO has three victories to his name and while competitive of late in Class 4, Class 5 is just what he needs to knock in win number four. But with Moreira on he will be short and there might be better value and punting options elsewhere. Case in point is CABRERA who goes very well on this surface and will win in this Class. True, the son of FALVELON has only one win to his name from 28 starts but the fact he has placed 13 times suggests he has more to offer. He also missed the start badly last time out so the run better than it looked and a big run here would not surprise. SANTA ANITA will be thereabouts as he has done at his last three and it will pay to follow and a horse like ZAC STAR DESTROYER will also give a good account of himself, hopefully at value. So while SIR FLEETWOOD is the one to beat, there are plenty of options.
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1 SIR FLEETWOOD *** Form reads badly but significant drop in Class puts has him the one to beat. 2.20
2 THANKSGIVING * Drops to Class 5 a relief but shown nothing since maiden win back in 2010. 100
3 CABRERA *** Stood flat footed last start so ignore and follow as he will win this grade/track/distance race. 6.00
4 SANTA ANITA *** Honest and law of averages suggest he wins a race like this sooner than later. 3.50
5 ZAC STAR DESTROYER *** Last start better than the result after tough run from bad gate – watch today with claim and better alley. 20
6 BULL SHOT ** Freshened after fading badly last start – watch market and goes OK on his day. 12
7 AUDIO FRIEND ** Last run better than the result after doing it super tough and while drawn badly again he is one to follow. 30
8 KUKAI ** Started favourite last start and failed. Goes well in this Class but wide gate an issue. 8.00
9 MIDLIFE CRISIS ** Better than what he shown last few and worth some though at long odds in exotics. 40
10 CHIEF FIRE THUNDER ** Last run his best effort for some time – pay to start following. 30
11 SPECIAL SOLDIER ** Home well last start but needs to show more before we consider. 50
12 MR COOL MAN * No. 200
13 SPECIAL ACCOUNT *** In form and follow each-way if he gets a start. 10
14 ROMAN KNIGHT * Easier to miss. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 1 BETTER THAN EVER – 4 MR RAFFLES – 8 KNIGHT SPIRIT – 5 U GOT IT
Not sure how many times a horse has won a race named in his honour but BETTER THAN EVER can do just that today in the BETTER THAN EVER 2010 Kranji Stakes A over 1400m. The Champ has the ‘good horse’ weight of 59.5kg but oddly not badly in considering he is ‘only’ up against what looks a solid handicap field. The fact Laurie Laxon hasn’t gone a claim suggests he thinks the horse is going well enough to win with the big weight and given a slick recent trial, he looks the one to beat. He may be risked on a rain-affected track but as it stands, a win would not surprise on his way to International duties in May. The in-form MR RAFFLES looks the biggest danger and a bold run is expected from gate 3 with 53.5kg. In saying that, with plenty of early speed in the race, ‘Smiling’ Stephen Baster may elect to get a sit and a lot will depend on what the likes of U GOT IT, DAVIDE and KNIGHT SPIRIT show early. Of those three, I think KNIGHT SPIRIT is one to watch with blinkers added and no weight but it is a big ask against the likes of BETTER THAN EVER. MERCHANT always a show for exotics.
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1 BETTER THAN EVER *** Probably found the track conditions not the heavy weight he carried all too much last start and certainly worth another look in what is a winnable race. 2.50
2 JAMAL MALIK * Resuming and while goes very good on his day is a risk given form prior to break. 40
3 MERCHANT ** Continues to run well without a result for his efforts – each way. 5.00
4 MR RAFFLES *** In form and likely to run a very forward race – watch. 3.50
5 U GOT IT ** Goes well enough on pace to think he plays a role in this with handy 3kg claim. 8.00
6 BLACK ICE ** Very much appreciates first up run and will improve with gate one a bonus. 20
7 DAVIDE ** Showed last start that 1400m is ideal and has to be some hope with no weight. 7.50
8 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Big ask stepping up to this company but in form, no weight and blinkers added could see a very bold run. 12
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Race 10
Selections; 1 SUPER EASY – 10 BETTER LIFE – 8 INDICIO – 6 RUNNING TALL
The only surprise in this race is that Michael Freedman, who dodged the first leg with the likes of MASTHEAD and MR BIG has thrown in DISTINCTION against his stable star SUPER EASY. The DARCI BRAHMA colt won the first leg with relative ease and given the 1400m is no drama (two of his eight wins in Singapore over this distance) he wins and probably easy again. Obviously he will be short in the betting but why not with the only query being does Freedman continue with his plan to win the Guineas in May or go for International glory? But while SUPER EASY looks a very good thing, BETTER LIFE does add something to the mix. The SMARTY JONES filly has looked very impressive winning three from four and certainly comes into her own over 1400m and better again over the mile in the third leg in May. Throw in INDICIO who did well enough over 1200m in the first leg to think he enjoys the extra 200m today and RUNNING TALL who looks smart and could surprise if on his best Australian form.
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1 SUPER EASY *** Won the first leg, unbeaten at eight starts in Singapore and looks to have a mortgage in this at set-weights. 1.20
2 DISTINCTION ** Better than honest, loves this distance and while not in the same Class as SUPER EASY, goes well. 25
3 EL MILAGRO * In form but query on turf and happy to leave out. 80
4 TOTALITY ** In rare form with three wins on the trot but obviously a tough ask at Group level. 25
5 DAMO ** Has Group winning form from Argentina but need to be at his best on Singapore form. 40
6 RUNNING TALL ** Backing up after narrow defeat at second Singapore start – has ability and could be the joker in the pack. 12
7 LET’S SEE ACTION ** Doesn’t do a lot wrong and should figure in the exotics. 25
8 INDICIO ** Only one of three horses to come through the first leg where his placing holds him in good stead – can figure again. 25
9 IRISH COFFEE ** Blinkers off after good run late in the first leg and certainly worth thought on that effort with blinkers removed. 50
10 BETTER LIFE ** Exciting filly who lost no friends losing narrowly for the first time last start – 1400 ideal fresh and adds plenty to this finish. 6.00
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Race 11
Selections; 2 MONTEREY – 10 NO DOUBTS – 11 GUIDED LIGHT – 1 DEVONSHIRE
A very open race to close proceedings and it does look a case of good luck if you find the winner or better still and exotic or two! I certainly have value in mind and a horse like MONTEREY back in Class 4 could provide just that. The SCENIC 6YO is a model of consistency in races like this but just found it tough to break though in better company. So after two runs this campaign over unsuitable distances, Shame Baertschiger steps him up to the mile, throws a 2kg claimer on and for good measure, winkers. All those factors suggest he is ready to show his best in Class 4 and happy to have a good look at him (hopefully at each-way odds) on the day. But as mentioned it is wide open and worth having a look down the weights with the likes of NO DOUBTS and GUIDED LIGHT also both good each-way options. In saying that the top weight DEVONSHIRE is no slouch so keep him safe with some other more obvious types like last start winner CINDERELLA MAN and perhaps SPINNING SUCCESS also in the mix.
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1 DEVONSHIRE *** In form and step up to mile in his favour given great work late last start – big show. 5.00
2 MONTEREY *** Looks perfectly placed at third run back this campaign stepping up to suitable trip with winkers added and claim – can win. 10
3 COOL CAT *** Another who improves back up to suitable trip – each way. 12
4 THE CINDERELLA MAN *** Knocked in an overdue win last start as odds-on fave and have to follow on that performance. 2.50
5 TAI COMMANDS ** Broke through for maiden win last start and certainly goes well enough to be competitive stepping up to this company. 20
6 RAFFLES KNIGHT ** Yet to deliver – often with support – at four starts in Singapore and have to take on trust. 30
7 TAKIS ** Very much appreciates first run back and will be the improver. 30
8 SPINNING SUCCESS *** Backed up maiden win with a very good effort this company and pay to keep safe on that effort. 12
9 MARATHON LAD *** Last start good enough to think he figures in the finish today with handicap conditions in his favour. 8.00
10 NO DOUBTS *** Ignore last start when the saddle slipped and seriously consider on eye-catching run two back on the turf. 12
11 GUIDED LIGHT *** In super each-way form and happy to follow down in the weights. 14
12 MERLIN ** Honest as the proverbial day is long but love to see him in Class 5. 30
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click here for the racecard
