With the depth and standard of apprentice jockeys in Singapore improving with each season, 2013 might be a year to keep the claimers well and truly in mind when punting. Obviously 2012 Champion Apprentice, Tengku Rehaizat, is one to follow and with his strike rate for last season comparable to some of the leading senior hoops, he holds his own in most races. In race 9 the talented hoop claims 2kg on NOT SIMPLE and that could be enough to break the geldings Singapore maiden status. The former Australian 4YO has looked promising as his four Singapore starts and goes very close today in what is a suitable race. Rehaizat also look sot have a nice ride on CITY LAD (race 7), a horse he regularly rides and won on back in August 2012. Troy See might not have ridden as many winners as Rehaizat in 2012 but his strike rate of 11.02 made him a very handy light-weight claimer. His 3kg claim in 2013 will see him a popular choice for trainers and Michael Freedman has again looked at See to get PINT SIZED PRINCE over the line in race 8. The 4YO gelding hasn’t tasted victory since winning on debut back in June 2011 but has looked due, placing at his last three starts, the most recent with Troy See on-board. Other young hoops to follow in 2013 include two-time Champion Apprentice, R Shafiq and relative newcomer to Singapore, K ‘Harry’ A’isisuhairi, with special mention to WX Wong and LQ Kek who opened their 2013 winning accounts on New Years Day.
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Best Bets; SUPER VICTORY (race 10, win), NOT SIMPLE (race 9, each-way) and BM WIN (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 11), race 9 (1, 2, 4 and 5), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7).
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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; 3 PINT SIZED PRINCE – 4 SHEN KIM – 2 JONATHAN – 11 ABYSS
This is not an overly strong field for a ‘division one’ Class 5 event and as such the frustrating PINT SIZED PRINCE gets his chance to break through. The one time winner has plenty of pace so gate 9 is not an issue and it really has looked a matter of time before he finds himself still in front when it counts. But he was supported last start and again disappointed followers so obviously punters would want to play with some care. If he is too short to be a comfortable betting proposition, a horse like SHEN KIM back to his winning grade appeals. His recent form in Class 4 can be ignored (to some extent) as he has won three from his last five when in Class 5 so this company is his caper. JONATHAN should also appreciates Class 5 company but the maiden has been disappointing more times than not in his short career so another to play with care. Of the rest, the top-weight DIRAC and the bottom-weight ABYSS are worth serious consideration in exotics.
1 DIRAC *** Back in trip after fading when working hard to lead over mile; can consider form gate two with handy claim. 8.00
2 JONATHAN *** Recent form shocking but Class should see improvement with winkers removed. 6.00
3 PINT SIZED PRINCE *** Plenty of pace but found out late last few; wins soon. 2.50
4 SHEN KIM *** Forget last few as grows a leg back in winning Class; goes very close. 5.00
5 TOP HAPPINESS ** Did very well to place last start this trip but better option over longer. 20
6 BEST BARGAIN ** Had some support dropping to Class 5 last start and have to include somewhere in this weak field. 20
7 MONGOLIAN STAR * Reassess longer. 100
8 NOT FREE NOW * No. 100
9 LOOK AT ME * Another who looks to need longer to be a winning threat. 40
10 CAUTION ** Improving each run this campaign and some hope on best form. 10
11 ABYSS *** Excuses last start not to finish closer and must be close to knocking in his second career win. 6.00
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Race 9
Selections; 4 NOT SIMPLE – 1 RISING EXPECTATION – 5 SANTA ANITA – 2 HUSH HUSH
The former Australian galloper, NOT SIMPLE, looks well named as after four starts in Singapore – one as odds on fave – he has yet to taste victory. But all four runs have shown enough to think he is due and this race looks perfect to open his Kranji account with gate three and 2012 Champion apprentice T Rehaizat factors. RISING EXPECTATION looks his biggest stumbling block. The four-time winner has shown more than enough in this company since headgear added two starts back to win this and hopefully he remains terrific each-way value. Of the others with winning hopes, SANTA ANITA is up in Class but his last start win impressive enough to follow and HUSH HUSH – although disappointing last start – is a big show if near his best.
1 RISING EXPECTATION *** Foot on the till at each-way value and pay to follow. 5.50
2 HUSH HUSH *** Very disappointing last start with support but form prior has him winning a race like this. 5.00
3 MULAN ** Freshened after disappointing with support over 1400m; might need longer than this. 11
4 NOT SIMPLE *** In-form and breaks Singapore maiden status sooner than later; follow. 4.50
5 SANTA ANITA *** Up in grade after very strong Class 5 win and pay to respect. 6.00
6 BROWN SHADOW * Better than what he has showed last couple but recent form is a concern. 33
7 COOL LUKE ** Very much appreciates handicap conditions and always worth an each-way look. 8.00
8 GOLD HALO ** Won a weak maiden last start and will have to improve again in this field. 10
9 DIAMOND SITARA * Reassess Class 5. 33
10 PREMIER GRADE ** Looked to have every chance last start similar affair and might need easier company than this. 10
11 SMITTEN KITTEN ** Never involved first run back but the type who surprises with no weight; keep safe. 2
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Race 10
Selections; 1 SUPER VICTORY – 5 LONESOME ME – 4 DARIEN GAP – 3 MARAETI
SUPER VICTORY is chasing a hat-trick of wins and looks well placed in Class 4 to do just that. His last win was in a Graduation and the fact he carried 55kg in that type of company suggests he handles 58kg over 1900m. The race has depth though and a case could be made for most and value will be on offer somewhere. LONESOME ME has gate one and as he did it tough last start, he might be a solid each-way option given he should be on the pace all-the-way. MARAETI will also race on the pace from gate two and the early tactics/pace of these two could play a big role in who wins from where. DARIEN GAP and WONDER will be in the thick of things late and both can win with last start winner, GIVE ME STRENGTH also some hope down in the weights.
1 SUPER VICTORY *** Backed up excellent maiden victory with another strong win in nice company; big show. 3.00
2 WONDER *** Didn’t want to go a yard early last start so effort to place was very good; follow this type of race. 8.00
3 MARAETI *** Did it tough enough last start to think run better than the result; in this a long way. 8.00
4 DARIEN GAP *** Excuses last start and form good enough to think he wins soon in this company. 3.40
5 LONESOME ME *** Another who did it tough in similar company last start to think run better than the result; each way all the way with gate one a bonus. 6.00
6 SAINT VALLEY ** Form hopeless but always look for improvement with blinkers added first time. 33
7 SUPER ZUCCA ** Better than what he showed last start but will need luck from wide gate. 12
8 LOYAL STEED ** Not a million miles away last start and can improve again although like to see in Class 5. 50
9 GIVE ME STRENGTH ** Broke maiden status last start and has to be considered in exotics with no weight. 8.00
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Race 11
Selections; 2 BENJI’S RULE – 1 BRING MORE MONEY – 5 SUPERNOVA – 3 BM WIN
A terrific race to close the card with at least six serious winning hopes. And while there is only one last start winner in the field – SUPERNOVA, who won on debut – most at the top of the order come into this with eye-catching runs under their belts. Probably the best of those ‘get-onme-next-time’ runs was by BENJI’S RULE who made up good ground on a leaders bias turf track. That was his first run back in Class 4 and with two Poly wins to his name the switch to this surface is in his favour as is Joao Moreira. But BRING MORE MONEY last start was every bit as good and he must be a big show here. A three-time winner – one on the Poly – he also showed back in Class 4 that he wins sooner than later with gate two in his favour. The debut winner, SUPERNOVA, also comes under notice as does BM WIN, TZAR and ATLIXCO who can all win without surprising.
1 BRING MORE MONEY *** Showed last start dropping to this Class that he wins sooner than later; right in this. 4.00
2 BENJI’S RULE *** Made up ground against the norm last start and better gain on the Poly; hard to beat. 2.80
3 BM WIN *** Had excuses of late and looks well placed here from gate one to think he goes close. 6.00
4 TZAR *** In-form and often value so well worth following in what is a suitable race. 7.00
5 SUPERNOVA *** Strong win on debut at odds and have to respect on that very good effort. 8.00
6 DEN ** Solid as a rule and can include in skinny end of exotics at value. 33
7 ATLIXCO *** In the mix two runs this company since Class 5 win and pay to follow eachway. 8.00
8 EXCITING AHEAD * Resuming sans blinkers; no. 100
9 THINK AHEAD * Reassess easier/longer. 100
10 DAHLHAUS ** Maiden but showing enough in maiden company to follow at odds with no weight here. 33
11 DYNAMIC VENTURE ** Another maiden who showed enough last start to keep safe with no weight. 20
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