There are five races on offer from Singapore on Sunday – all on the Polytrack – and while most look to have some solid punting options, it is the Class 3 sprint (race 8) that will get most attention.
The 1200m event has some handy Class 3 performers – DAMO and NO RESPITE to name two – but is it a few Polytrack specialists that catch the eye and should fight out the finish.
AL’S KNIGHT, CALIFORNIA STAR and BM WIN all boast two wins on this surface and all rarely run a bad race.
The trio have also drawn favourably and that counts for plenty on the tight inner track at this level. Of the three, AL’S KNIGHT is the best credentialed at this level and given he did it tough last start for an eye-catching placing, a win today would not surprise. Barend Vorster takes over from an indisposed John Powell and the in-form South African hoop can make the most of a good gate on a good horse. Elsewhere on the card, one of the top rated juveniles from last season, SUPER GOOD, looks very well placed in Class 4 to start his 3YO career with a win in the lucky last. While up against some nice enough types in AMERICAN VISION and the in-form BROWN SHADOW, SUPER GOOD looks to have plenty of ability and one of the better bets of the afternoon.
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Best Bets; AL’S KNIGHT (race 8, win), SUPER GOOD (race 11, win) and THE RUDE WARRIOR (race 7, value). Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 6 and 8), race 9 (1, 2, 5 and 8), race 10 (1, 2 and 3) and race 11 (4).
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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; 7 THE RUDE WARRIOR – 4 POSITIVE THINKING – 2 DARING FIGHTER – 8 CANSAVE
This race looks tough with plenty of improvers and plenty of winning hopes. And while THE RUDE WARRIOR comes into this with ‘duck egg’ from his last start, his previous run was terrific and wins on that effort if any luck from the wide gate. There is speed from the wide alleys (MARAETI) so Santana should be able to get a fair position and win at likely each-way value. But you can make a strong case for many of these and POSITIVE THINKING is one such horse that comes under notice on his good recent form. Although only winning once form 10 career starts, the Pat Shaw-trained 4YO gives every indication he will go on with the job and looks a promising stayer. DARING FIGHTER picks himself and will get support again in a race like this. The four-time winner (three on this surface) looked a good thing beaten last start and goes mighty close if within striking distance when it counts today. Throw a blanket over the likes of DAAD’S THE WAY, MARAETI and LUCKY RISE to name but three with CANSAVE the long-shot special in race that could throw up a surprise or two.
1 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Overdue for a win but happy to follow as always going to go close. 5.00
2 DARING FIGHTER *** Just got a little too far back last start abut work late for solid placing has him winning soon. 3.50
3 MARAETI *** Will go forward early from wide gate and given any peace out front could be hard to run down. 10
4 POSITIVE THINKING *** Back up overdue maiden win with a solid placing similar affair to this – goes close here with blinkers off. 4.00
5 LUCKY RISE *** Wide gate suggests he need to get things right but foot on the till and can entertain each-way. 10
6 DO IT RIGHT ** Found some form of late and pay to follow at likely value. 20
7 THE RUDE WARRIOR *** No luck last start so happy to ignore that result as previous form on this surface has him winning this. 10
8 CANSAVE *** Led then up last start similar affair when blinkers added before fading – tongue tie may fix that so follow at odds. 33
9 FIRST EXPRESS ** Broke maiden status in fine style last start and has to be competitive in this company on that effort. 12
10 TERRA FIRMA ** Has been competitive this grade since Class 5 win but might need a drop again to get back into the winners circle. 20
11 ALVITO * Coming off a Class 5 turf win but to say he doesn’t win out of turn would be an understatement. 50
12 SAVVY AS * Maiden win was solid but this is a big step up and place looks very best. 33
13 CHIEF SECRETARY ** Always makes his presence felt late and can include in exotics. 33
14 THINK AHEAD ** Had a couple of good runs of late so comes under notice with winkers added. 33
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Race 8
Selections; 1 AL’S KNIGHT – 2 CALIFORNIAN STAR – 8 BM WIN – 3 DAMO
While there is a bit of depth in this race and horses like DAMO come in with eye-catching runs under their belts, a few Poly specialists look the safest options and happy to concentrate on AL’S KNIGHT, CALIFORNIA STAR and BM WIN. The trio all have two wins on this surface to their names and although a relatively small field, have good gates which counts for plenty. APRIL’S KNIGHT (who also boasts two turf wins on his CV) did more than enough last start from a wide gate last start to think Barend Vorster takes advantage of barrier 5 and can win. The fact he rarely runs a bad race makes him a solid betting option and happy to follow. CALIFORNIA STAR is not far behind AL’S KNIGHT in the consistency stakes (winning two and placing five times from nine starts) and will be right in this finish. The Bruce Marsh-trained 4YO did it tough in nice company last start and happy to think with a softer run today he can show his best. BM WIN also has two wins and a handful of places in his relatively short career (11 starts) to his name and picks himself in the top two or three. Of the rest you have to consider DAMO on what he has shown at his last couple with Saimee on board and BRING MORE MONEY is a horse to follow and more than happy to keep him involved as he will win a race like this on his day.
1 AL’S KNIGHT *** Needs a result for faithful followers but showed more than enough last start from bad gate to win this from barrier 5. 3.00
2 CALIFORNIAN STAR *** Did it tough on the pace last start and run good enough to follow as he will win again soon. 4.00
3 DAMO *** Big effort late last start suggests he appreciates better gate today and goes close. 7.50
4 MOOVA HOOVA ** Did it tough last start so worth another look at odds on OK effort two starts back. 50
5 VELLFIRE * No. 100
6 BRING MORE MONEY *** Wide gate some concern but form better it reads and worth keeping safe with one eye on the market. 12
7 MODEL CITIZEN ** Thereabouts two runs this campaign and appreciates the one gate. 20
8 BM WIN *** Hard to fault consistency and gives every indication he is up to this level. Goes close. 4.00
9 NO RESPITE ** Another consistent type and can be value so a must in exotics. 12
10 TOM ** Made his debut this trip/surface but seen exclusively over 1400m since. Capable but take on trust. 12
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Race 9
Selections; 8 RICH BORN – 1 CONQUEST – 3 VITALICO – 5 BERT
Tough old Class 5 mile and hard to be confident with a few battlers in from and a few who can disappoint. RICH BORN made his intentions clear last start and led and hopefully can do the same today with a result. He wasn’t that far away from holding on that occasion a slightly better gate is in his favour. CONQUEST Is resuming but would win this if near his best. Gate one is always handy over the mile and the fact they are racing first up over a suitable trip suggests he is a chance. VITALICO is probably the most honest horse in the race although he should never run as an odds-on chance (the Joao factor) and BERT is worth another look if you see it in your heart to overlook what was a shocker last time out.
1 CONQUEST *** Resuming over what looks his best trip – goes close with gate one a bonus. 5.00
2 MESTI BOLEH ** Returned to form last when not far from the winner and might pay to start following. 12
3 VITALICO *** Did it tough enough as beaten odds-on pop last start to give another shot as usually a solid each-way hope. 3.50
4 SUBDUE ** Maiden who looks ready to win given effort late last start and previous solid form – wide gate the issue. 12
5 BERT *** Something terribly amiss last start but form prior had him winning again soon and pay to keep following. 20
6 GOLDEN JAMBHALA ** Very disappointing last start in what looked a similar suitable race but worth keeping safe as he really should do better. 20
7 MERLIN ** Battling away similar races to this and will no doubt be somewhere in the action late. 6.00
8 RICH BORN *** Led them until late last start from bad gate and happy to think he can do the same here with perhaps more in the tank. 4.00
9 LUCKY EMPRESS ** Form reads badly but recent trial OK and has won over the trip. Watch for support. 20
10 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN ** Showed a return to form last start with a solid run late to place and will pay to follow. 12
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Race 10
Selections; 1 BULL SHOT – 2 SPEEDY DWARF – 7 WONDER GENERAL – 4 SHEN KIM
BULL SHOT was backed and beaten last Sunday with Moreira on-board and the stable is hoping to make quick amends today with a 3kg claimer in Tengku Rehaizat. The popular apprentice returned from ‘enforced leave’ with a couple of winners last weekend and worth noting his strike rate in 2012 is a shade under 15% and an impressive 25% from his last 20 rides. The claim and the fact the ‘punting’ stable has thrown an in-form horse straight back in suggests they think he can win and happy to follow. But he was beaten by a Class dropper last weekend and there is another to contend with today in SPEEDY DWARF. The 5YO has only won once form 19 starts but his very honest form in Class 4 suggests he won’t stay long at this level. A few regular Class 5 horses in WONDER GENERAL and SACRED PRINCE could win on their day with HILARY looking better last start and worth a look. Keep SHEN KIM safe with one eye on the tote.
1 BULL SHOT *** Beaten as odds on pop last start so claimer goes on – goes close. 3.50
2 SPEEDY DWARF *** Resuming and while only one win to his name, this grade is what he been after and a bold run is expected. 5.00
3 BENGAWAN * Right company, needs longer. 50
4 SHEN KIM *** Excuses first run back this grade and pay to watch for support as he will be more than competitive. 8.50
5 STARSTRUCK * Last run better than it looked but still needs to lift. 50
6 HILARY *** Placed last start similar affair and pay to start following. 9.00
7 WONDER GENERAL *** Looks due and wins a race like this on his day. 5.00
8 ZAC GENERATION ** Form has him winning soon but not seen over a short trip like this for a long time – take on trust. 20
9 ALPHA INFINITY * No. 100
10 SOLDIER OF HONOUR ** Resuming after another disappointing run with support. Tongue tie added and can win but is a risk. 12
11 WIN LOTS ** Had some support last start where he did it very tough – worth another look from gate 4. 10
12 SACRED PRINCE *** Would have finished a lot closer last start bar late check – each way hope on some good recent form. 10
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Race 11
Selections; 4 SUPER GOOD – 9 AMERICAN VISION – 6 BROWN SHADOW – 3 ROBERT E
With most of the top 2YO’s from last season heading through the ‘condition weights’ events it will be interesting to see how short SUPER GOOD starts in Class 4. The one time even money favourite for one of the Juvenile Group races, SUPER GOOD faces older horses at handicap conditions for the first time but if his placing in the Magic Millions is anything to go by, he should win this. Barend Vorster takes over from regular hoop Stephen Baster but the diminutive South African was on him two starts back when he won a Novice event by a whisker. All points to a big run here and obviously short and hard to beat. There is one other 3YO in this race – albeit Northern Hemisphere – and AMERICAN VISION does look a danger. His preference for this surface and some close up runs in this company suggests he wins soon and a horse to follow. BROWN SHADOW is also in great form and had enough excuses last start to think he goes close with luck in running with gate 4 in his favour. Throw in ROBERT E with J Saimee on-board and RISING EXPECTATION expected to grow a leg back in this company. DANZIG ROCKET wins sooner than later but love to see over his winning trip – 1000m.
1 DANZIG ROCKET ** Back in grade a positive and will win soon but prefer over 1000m. 10
2 RISING EXPECTATION *** Recent runs have been ordinary but should grow a leg back in Class 4 – follow. 20
3 ROBERT E *** Did it tough first run back so the run was good and can make amends here. 7.00
4 SUPER GOOD *** Smart 3YO who placed in the Magic Million Juvenile Championship – hard to beat. 2.70
5 TZAR * Struggling. 100
6 BROWN SHADOW *** Can find trouble but in form and should figure somewhere. 6.00
7 TAI COMMANDS ** Last start winner but back in trip with blinkers removed suggests we take on trust. 20
8 VOLKOV ** Can be value and usually thereabouts so worth some thought. 20
9 AMERICAN VISION *** Did it tough last start in similar affair and happy to think he wins with softer run. 5.00
10 STREET RUFFIAN ** Form good without a result so blinkers back on. Keep safe. 12
11 DANGER MONEY ** Showed last start he will be competitive this grade and pay to include somewhere. 20
12 GOOD BOSS ** Showed his best when back on the Poly last start so can back up that good run here. 33
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