The $1 million Singapore Golden Horseshoe Series kicks off with the first leg of the six-race series this Friday, with the running of the “Magic Millions Rocket Man Stakes”. Usually the early races in this series are light on in numbers and this is no exception with just seven runners and that number thanks to three entries – BLACK FIERY, MEXBOROUGH BOY and RAPPOR – from crack 2YO conditioner Theo Kieser. Kieser has had enormous success in this series and while the South African expatriate hasn’t had a great 2013 season – winless in January and February – it will pay to watch his youngsters. Of his three runners MEXBOROUGH LAD – a trial winner – looks the most forward and is likely to run a bold race with Danny Beasley on-board from gate two. Likewise, RAPPOR won his most recent trial and should be in the mix with popular local hoop, KB Soo, booked to ride. But Mark Walker has a two-pronged attack – DR OCTOPUS and Q NINE STAR – and with the stable in red-hot form, the pair should be supported and run well. DR OCTOPUS won his trial and with Joao Moreira on-board he probably starts favourite and the one the other juveniles have to beat to win. But the feature event on the nine race card is the Group 3 Polytrack Mile. FLYING FULTON heads the ratings and at the eight-for-Age conditions, the reigning Polytrack Horse-of-the-Year looks very hard to beat and one of the better bets on the night.
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Best Bets; GREENSTONE (race 3, win), FLYING FULTON (race 7, win) and FLAG OF COMMAND/CALIFORNIA EAGLE (race 4, swinger).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 5, 7, 9 and 10), race 7 (1), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) and race 9 (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
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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 1
Selections; 7 AMERICAN VISION – 6 GOOD TOWKAY – 2 STREET RUFFIAN – 1 COUP DA VINCI
Yet another BM 53 starts the all Polytrack programme; this time over 1200m. AMERICAN VISION will enjoy being back on the Polytrack after a good run on turf last start. He also gets the in-form apprentice K. Hairi aka Harry Kassim aka K. A’Issusuhairi; this is winnable. Leslie Khoo knows how to place his horses; GOOD TOWKAY is very speedy, he will find this easier than recent outings and with the unfashionable Danny Chee to steer from the ace draw he should be value and on the speed all the way. STREET RUFFIAN won one of these three starts back, Oscar Chavez stays in the saddle and he can be assured of running on late. COUP DA VINCI disappointed last start after being held up for a run, his previous Class 4 form was sound and with Moreira to steer may be worth another chance. MY NEW BOSS resumed with a solid fourth last start, Santana retains the mount and despite the wide draw should race well. NORTHERN CAT got caught wide last start but his previous form was exemplary and Zuriman should give him a good ride.
1 COUP DA VINCI *** Despite being held up, disappointed last start but had been working up to a win prior to that; engagement of Moreira significant. 3.00
2 STREET RUFFIAN *** Has been racing well in better races and never far way; well drawn and should run on strongly. 5.50
3 MY NEW BOSS *** Not far away in stronger class last outing; should run on solidly despite wide gate. 5.50
4 THUNDERING ANGEL ** Maiden coming back to more suitable trip; well drawn and could get in the mix. 10
5 VITALICO * Resumed in Class 4, back in familiar BM53 territory but may find this too short. 33
6 GOOD TOWKAY *** Blinkers on; nicely drawn, down in class and should get on the speed for a long way. 10
7 AMERICAN VISION *** Nice effort on turf last start and much better suited on poly with inform apprentice to steer; can win. 6.50
8 NORTHERN CAT *** Caught wide last start but form prior to that exemplary; better drawn here and should race well. 9.00
9 FOUNTAIN * Won a weak Class 5 then finished down the course; not the most reliable but is well drawn and should get a nice run. 20
10 MOOVA BULLET * Back in trip a good move but would need to lift. 5011 VAN BASTEN * Battler whose only win was on turf. Prefer others. 50
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Race 2
Selections; 2 DR OCTOPUS – 5 MEXBOROUGH BOY – 6 Q NINE STAR – 7 RAPPOR
The first two-year-old race of the season and a very open event it looks with a market watch in order. With no stand-outs at the trials, DR OCTOPUS is the one that looks all dressed up and ready to go. He has the blinkers/pacifiers, the tongue tie, Moreira, a good draw, won his trial and he comes from the leading trainer Mark Walker’s stable. The stable mate Q NINE STAR has Manoel Nunes and he too should race well on debut. Theo Keiser has always done well with the babies and MEXBOROUGH BOY won his trial well, albeit in slow time; with Danny Beasley to steer he should race well. The stablemate RAPPOR is by Zizou a sire of early comers; he too won his trial and with KB Soo steering should race well on debut. However, any of the seven runners could win without surprising and the exotics could well be interesting.
1 BLACK FIERY * By Tale of the Cat. Trial only average. Well drawn and from good 2YO mentor; watch market. 33
2 DR OCTOPUS *** By Perfectly Ready. Won trial, has Moreira, blinker/pacifiers, tongue tie and good alley; should be primed for solid debut effort. 2.00
3 EASY MONEY * Argentinean bred who has not show up at trials; later. 50
4 MACAU TREASURE * By Hurricane Sky so could go well early but trial just fair; watch market. 50
5 MEXBOROUGH BOY *** Solid with about being spectacular winning only trial. Nicely drawn and from top 2YO mentor; should race well. 2.80
6 Q NINE STAR *** By More Than Ready. Solid at only trial and from strong stable with top jockey on board; watch for market support. 4.00
7 RAPPOR *** By Zizou. Won trial recently and could have early speed. From good 2YO mentor; keep safe. 8.00
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Race 3
Selections; 1 GREENSTONE – 5 SKY PROTEGE – 7 LORD ROBERTO – 3 KNIGHT’S COMMAND
An Open Benchmark 67 over 1700m where the depth falls away pretty quickly. GREENSTONE has been racing in fine fettle and goes well on both turf and poly. He is coming back from 2000m and has plenty of weight, but Greg Cheyne rides him well and he does not know how to run a bad race; he may just be too good. SKY PROTÉGÉ has been leading and getting run down, from the good draw Barend Vorster may well be able to dictate terms and he could be hard to run down. LORD ROBERTO is coming back to a more suitable trip and with Moreira in the saddle can be expected to be handy for a long way. DAHLHAUS is racing well but failed at his only Polytrack run and must be taken on trust. KNIGHT’S COMMAND put in a good effort on resuming but his best form is on turf, GORDON ROBERTS is gradually getting fitter, and THINK AHEAD is a one-pacer who will need a very solid speed. GOLDEN LIDO will run on late and DARING YOUTH and TARANKALI are ‘in-and-out” performers who could disturb the exotics.
1 GREENSTONE *** Well ridden last start to win; racing in great heart and despite the weight is better than most of these and should go well again. 3.00
2 GORDON ROBERTS * Starting to run into form but prefer over longer. 20
3 KNIGHT’S COMMAND *** Good effort on resuming; suited this trip and further improvement expected. 5.50
4 TARANKALI ** Very hard to follow and often finds trouble; take on trust but does look ready to put in a big one at odds. 16
5 SKY PROTEGE *** Likes to lead but has been getting run down; well drawn has Vorster and should give a bold sight. 12
6 DARING SPLENDOUR ** Likes this trip and always a chance in this type of race; exotics. 14
7 LORD ROBERTO *** Has been battling away on turf; won his maiden over a mile on the poly and gets Moreira; should be handy all the way. 3.50
8 DAHLHAUS ** Racing well but failed at only Polytrack start; take on trust. 8.00
9 THINK AHEAD ** One pacer who will be competitive but prefer Class 5 and longer. 25
10 GOLDEN LIDO ** Happier in Class 5 but runs on strongly and always a place chance. 16
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Race 4
Selections; 7 CALIFORNIA EAGLE – 2 FLAG OF COMMAND – 1 THE SITUATION – 3 ORIENTAL PEARL
A small Novice field over 1000m. CALIFORNIA EAGLE won well at its last start over this trip, Moreira retains the mount and he should be hard to beat again. His recent trial good enough and gate three looks perfect. FLAG OF COMMAND led most of the way last time over 1200m and was run down, he should strip fitter here and with Shafiq to steer should be on or near the lead all the way. A strong forecast is in order. THE SITUATION won a 2YO race at Wingatui in NZ and then ran unplaced in some high-value group races; his trial form is good enough to suggest a bold first up tilt and a market watch is in order. RISING AHEAD is a first starter whose trial was fair, ORIENTAL PEARL has speed but has been folding late, and CHEETAH and DRAGON COMMANDER have been disappointing.
1 THE SITUATION ** Formerly trained by John Sargeant in NZ and won small race as 2YO at Wingatui before finishing down the course in Group races. Trial OK and could go well fresh; watch market. 10
2 FLAG OF COMMAND *** Good effort last start when just overrun by fave and should go very close from good draw. 2.40
3 ORIENTAL PEARL ** Faded at last two outings since strong maiden win; awkwardly drawn and prefer others. 8.00
4 CHEETAH * Well beaten when resuming and needs to lift; engagement of Nunes may help. 20
5 DRAGON COMMANDER * Never in it at last two starts and needs to improve. 50
6 RISING AHEAD * Having first start; trials OK but prefer to see. 33
7 CALIFORNIA EAGLE *** Won easily last start, Moreira retains the mount and well drawn; recent trial suggests he will be hard to beat. 1.80
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Race 5
Selections; 5 BIG READY – 4 MR MARVEL – 2 GOLIATH – 1 SICILIAN DRAGON
A pretty ordinary but very open maiden over 1200m. BIG READY is drawn awkwardly but Laurie Laxon has put Joao Moreira on and a forward first-up showing can be expected. His trial good enough for this and reports from the track are positive; can win. MR MARVEL could not possibly have gone wider on the course last start, yet he boxed on well. This time he has drawn the ace; he has plenty of speed and should have the gun run with O Chavez back on. GOLIATH is well named but his last run was sound and he should strip fitter, from his reasonable alley Khairi should have him on the speed all the way. SICILIAN DRAGON ran on well last time and if he can get a sit just off the speed should be right in the mix. There was support for PETITE VICTOIRE at its first outing when ridden by Moreira, he has trialed well since and Stephen King takes the mount. SPEEDY BOLT ran on well last start but his best efforts have been on turf. Of the first starters, ZAC SUGGESTION from the Mark Walker stable has had several trials and Manoel Nunes takes the mount; he too can be expected to go well first-up.
1 SICILIAN DRAGON *** Fought on well last start and should race well again. 8.00
2 GOLIATH *** Has battled away manfully at most recent start and subsequently trialed well; should be in the mix again. 8.00
3 SPEEDY BOLT *** Showed more than enough last start – albeit in Class 5 – to follow this campaign. 124 MR MARVEL *** Raced very wide last time and boxed on well; well drawn and could be hard to beat. 6.50
5 BIG READY *** Won trial recently. Has Moreira and despite wide draw should race well on debut. 3.00
6 DRAGON LUCK * Tongue tie on, did not show up at only start; later. 33
7 KEEPER’S FINDER * Trials only average and from wide draw prefer to see. 33
8 NOBLEMAN STAR ** Not far away at last outing; awkwardly drawn but stays under notice. 25
9 PETITE VICTOIRE *** Blinkers on. Reasonable effort on debut and has trialed OK since. Could show up in this field. 7.00
10 SILVER AND GOLD ** Should be improved by recent outing and nice gate helps. 33
11 ZAC FLAMBOYANT ** Well back on debut (start helped that) but is well drawn and could improve sharply with blinkers removed. 33
12 ZAC SUGGESTION *** First start. Trialling well enough to suggest a forward showing on debut with engagement of Nunes significant. 6.00
13 SHARAKU GOLD * Blinkers and tongue-tie on. Finished well back at only start and would need to improve. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 2 SEASONS WONDER – 1 CASINO KING – 9 GOLDEN JAMBHALA – 4 MY FIELD
SEASONS WONDER is in form and ready to break his maiden status. A testament to his consistent form is the fact he has had 16 starts without a win and has 40 rating points; gate one suggests he goes very close. Pat Shaw doesn’t have may Class 5 runners and CASINO KING might not stay long in the bottom grade. Blinkers go on for the first time at the races after four career starts and expect an improved run although he will have to work from the wide gate; watch the tote. Moreira on a Leslie Khoo horse in a suitable race equals support and a big run. GOLDEN JAMBHALA also has blinkers added after an OK first up run over a shorter trip and is in the mix. The others need to improve on some just fair recent efforts but one eye on MY FIELD, MAGIC ICON and SUPER GOODMAN.
1 CASINO KING *** Last start OK and blinkers on first time at races should see improvement; watch for support. 8.00
2 SEASONS WONDER *** 16 start maiden but certainly looks due with gate one a factor. 3.503 TOP HAPPINESS ** Thereabouts last start and certainly in the exotic mix. 20
4 MY FIELD ** Just fair last two but form prior has him playing a part late. 12
5 SUPER LUCKY ** Saddle slipped last start and was competitive; keep safe. 8.00
6 FORTUNE EIGHT * Easier to ignore. 50
7 MAGIC ICON ** Better run last start and will come into his own late with tongue-tie added. 12
8 GALLANT FORCE ** Coming off a rare good Poly run but wide gate suggests place at best. 20
9 GOLDEN JAMBHALA *** Appreciates first run back, up in trip, blinkers and Moreira; will be supported and run accordingly. 3.00
10 REAL GOODMAN ** Followed up maiden win with a solid effort; exotics. 12
11 WONDER HOPE * No wonder, no hope. 100
12 CONQUEST ** Put in an ordinary one last start but form prior OK. 20
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Race 7
Selections; 1 FLYING FULTON – 2 BLACK ICE – 3 LIZARRE – 4 NANDOWRA
FLYING FULTON might be a good thing here. The reigning Polytrack Horse of the Year, FLYING FULTON has won five out of his last seven on this surface – most at Group level – and at the Weight-for-Age conditions today, who beats him? Oddly given the 6YO is trained by Mark Walker, Moreira goes on for the first time and from gate two it is a case of whoever beats him wins. But respect must be given to the likes of BLACK ICE, LIZARRE and NANDOWRA. BLACK ICE won handsomely last start – reward for some good form without a result – and given he goes OK on this surface, it will pay to follow. LIZARRE backed up his win on this surface in the New Year Cup with two solid placings on the turf and he must go close here. NANDOWRA is due but obviously needs a result for his good form.
1 FLYING FULTON *** Polytrack record is exceptional and looks very hard to beat at the WFA conditions. 2.00
2 BLACK ICE *** Blitzed a nice field last start and has Poly form to his name; goes close. 4.00
3 LIZARRE *** Won the New Year Cup at his last start this surface – albeit with 50kg – and form since obviously strong; can win. 4.00
4 NANDOWRA *** In terrific form but desperate for a result for followers. 5.005 WHAT NOW ** In form and smart enough but slight query on the surface this company over this trip. 18
6 AROWANA DOT COM * Form just fair but not a million miles away this race last year. 50
7 SILVERON WINGS * Tough ask at the race conditions and query this surface. 50
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Race 8
Selections; 2 ROUGH DANCE – 4 ARAPUNI – 3 SUPER CAPTAIN – 6 DUTY FREE
ROUGH DANCE might have only won once in 15 starts since arriving in Singapore but his form suggests he can double that tally in what is a very suitable race. Gate 3 is a factor as he can race handy in this company and given he should be within striking distance late, he looks hard to beat. The field is fairly even so a horse like ARAPUNI – honest and in form – picks himself with Moreira likely to have every chance on the 8YO from gate 4. You could throw a blanket over most others but SUPER CAPTAIN had excuses not to finish closer last star and worth some thought with DUTY FREE in very solid each-way form and well worth a look at value.
1 YOURSTOKEEP *** Showed last start why this surface might be his caper; goes close. 7.00
2 ROUGH DANCE *** In solid form in Class 4 and that should hold up here; hard to beat. 3.00
3 SUPER CAPTAIN *** Last run better than the result and gives this a shake with positive ride from awkward gate. 12
4 ARAPUNI *** Always a show this type of race and keeps them all honest from gate 4 with Moreira on board. 4.00
5 BEAT TO QUARTERS *** Last run better than the result and certainly in the mix with gate one a bonus. 8.00
6 DUTY FREE *** Wide gate an issue but excellent work late last start and solid previous form has him right in this; each-way. 12
7 HIS MY IDOL ** Winning Class 5 form usually holds up in these so pay to keep safe in what is an even race. 10
8 ZAC WARRIOR ** Good work late last start suggests he is on the improve; value. 33
9 FUKU ICHIBAN ** Ever so close last couple in Class 5 and pay to respect. 12
10 MAGICAL SUNSET * Form reads terribly but enjoys this surface. 100
11 STATE TROOPER * Improves on first up run but will need luck from wide gate. 5012 JERAM ROSE WOOD * Disappointing last start but previous form OK; skinny end of exotics. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 4 PIONEER SEVEN – 2 CAIYAYA – 6 MANNY PACUIAO – 5 CHILLI
PIONEER SEVEN looks a super winning hope here although once again will need to overcome an awkward gate (8). The 3YO has not jumped from better than gate 8 since winning his Restricted Maiden back in November but his runs have been excellent and wins sooner than later. It helps that nothing else really jumps off the card but CAIYAYA has been given a freshen up since just a fair run in January but his winning form prior obviously has him playing a part in this. It would be remiss not to include newcomer MANNY PACUIAO somewhere in the top three given he has the top hoop on-board and his trainer, Mark Walker is also in red-hot form. The former Kiwi has trailed OK and should give a good sight although will appreciate the run. CHILLI resuming is the only other that looks a serious winning hope and the 7YO certainly goes well enough first up to follow.
1 CHEYENNE WARRIOR ** Put in a shocker with support at Singapore debut but should benefit from the experience. 6.00
2 CAIYAYA *** Never really got seriously involved last start but form prior has him right in this; each way. 6.00
3 IRISH LIGHTNING ** Not far away last start and in this a long way. 6.00
4 PIONEER SEVEN *** Doing everything bar win of late but goes close here although no favours with barriers again. 3.00
5 CHILLI *** Resuming after excuses last start; has first up form and worth a look each-way. 8.00
6 MANNY PACUIAO *** Newcomer from NZ who has looked OK at the trials and must be respected given stable/jockey combination. 5.00
7 SUPER JETSET ** Back in trip but versatile enough to run a very cheeky race at odds. 20
8 VOLKOV ** Pinched one as an emergency starter last time out; this is tougher but competitive on his day. 20
9 DANGER MONEY * Reassess Class 5. 100
10 OVER EASY * Needs longer and probably easier. 100
11 VENI VICI * Desperately needs Class 5. 10012 BROWN SHADOW * Better than what his form suggests but happy to wait for Class 5. 100
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