FITZROY looks like a good reason to get out of bed and out to the track (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
While the odd Group handicap race around the world occasionally catches the public’s attention (hello Melbourne!), the good horses are weighted not to win.
It’s an anomaly for sure but everyone loves to see horses overcoming adversity and as such, the Singapore Gold Cup in November – a Group 1 handicap over 2,200m – is one of the most anticipated races on the calendar.
However, the racing purists are only interested in Weight-For-Age racing where the best horse usually wins.
Two Group 1 races in particular, the Panasonic Kranji Mile and the Raffles Cup over 1800m, are the races to win in Singapore and the big guns are beginning to get ready for an assault on the riches on offer.
And it starts today with the WFA Jumbo Jet Trophy over 1400m.
The field is a beauty with two horses first-up after Group 1 wins in LAUGHING GRAVY (Singapore Derby) and DEBT COLLECTOR (Singapore Guineas) the one’s to watch.
Both horses have won their last four starts and it does look a case of whether the four or three year old form will hold up in these open WFA features.
The pair will have to be at their best though, with the other seven horses all in good form including Australian Group winner ECLAIR CHOICE who very much appreciates his solid first up run in Singapore.
Great race and bring on the Group 1’s.
Best Bets: (FITZROY race 8, win), (DEBT COLLECTOR race 9, win) and (WINNER’S SMILE race 10, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1), race 9 (9), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 12) and race 11 (Field).
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 5
Selections; 1 ROCKFAST – 7 BAHANA – 6 WINNING CAUSE – 2 CHEETAH ON FIRE
A BM83 over a mile featuring plenty that haven’t won for a long time up against some up-and-comers. ROCKFAST resumed with a good effort over 1400m and should be improved. The extra distance suits and the 3kg claim may help; he is being aimed at races later in the year but has a touch of class and should show up. BAHANA is in good form and is working his way through the classes; he has no weight and is suited at the distance. Of the others, WINNING CAUSE has been improved by recent outings and is recent trial was sound, WILD GEESE hasn’t won for a long time but his recent trial was also good and CHEETAH ON FIRE could be the best value option as he will find the company to his liking.
1 ROCKFAST *** Resumed with a good effort over 1400m and should be improved. Extra distance suits and 3kg claim may help. Has a touch of class and should show up. 3.00
2 CHEETAH ON FIRE ** Only one turf win to his name but will enjoy this company and could work into this late. 20
3 WILD GEESE ** Hasn’t won for a long time but recent trial was sound and may find this easier. 6.00
4 PACHELBEL’S CANON * Has been disappointing but trials well and could improve. 12
5 SUPERNOVA ** Placed two starts back but hasn’t won for a long time and best form is on poly. Nunes may help. 8.00
6 WINNING CAUSE ** Another that hasn’t own for a while but improved by recent outings and recent trial was sound. 6.00
7 BAHANA *** In good form and working his way through the classes. Has no weight and suited at the distance. 4.00
8 KIRKS RYKER ** Blinkers on and showed enough last start to keep safe in exotics. 16
9 THE JEUNEYMAN * Suited this distance but wants easier. 16
Race 6
Selections; 1 EASY DRAGON – 3 TEMBUSU ESTRELA – 4 GENERAL CONATUS – 7 READY FORTUNE
A Class 5 over 1600m with some very ordinary journeymen involved so a maiden in EASY DRAGON gets his chance. The 5YO has placed at his last two starts over 1400m and the mile suits so he should be right in this. GENERAL CONATUS won one of these two starts back and could be hard to beat again with Nooresh Juglall to ride. READY FORTUNE has won three times at this trip, including once on turf; he is usually thereabouts in this grade and should be in the finish. WINNING GOOD’s recent form is poor but his only win was at this trip and he is suited in this grade. KLEVER WARRIOR is suited by this distance and put in a sound effort last start; his best form is on the poly but he could show up. MOLLY BROWNE’S recent form is ordinary but she is suited by this distance and could be running on. Most of the rest are battling long term Maidens although TEMBUSU ESTRELA is suited at the distance and runs on well.
1 EASY DRAGON *** Still a Maiden after 10 starts but racing soundly at this distance. Goes up 2.5 kg and awkwardly drawn but should show up. 3.00
2 WINNING GOOD ** Recent form poor but only win was at this trip and should be doing better in this grade. 33
3 TEMBUSU ESTRELA *** Fifteen start Maiden but has placed twice from twice starts over this distance and should be running on. 7.00
4 GENERAL CONATUS *** Won one of these two starts back and should be in the mix again with Juglall to ride. 5.00
5 MOLLY BROWNE ** Recent form ordinary but suited this distance and could be running on. 14
6 JOY AND HAPPY ** Yet to win in 23 starts but has placed over this trip and will be handy throughout. 20
7 READY FORTUNE *** Just fair of late but has won three times on this trip including once on turf. 5.00
8 KLEVER WARRIOR ** Suited this distance and put in a sound effort over this trip last start so pay to follow with tongue-tie on. 8.00
9 VOLCANO * Yet to place in 13 starts. 33
10 BONJOUR BOB * Yet to win in 23 starts and failed at only attempt at a mile. 33
11 SHUYING XIAOXIAO * Has yet to place in 17 starts. 50
12 HEAR ME * 12YO who has won twice at the trip but hasn’t won for a year. 33
13 CASSIS OOLONG * Can go forward but needs to improve on recent efforts. Only wins have been on poly. 33
Race 7
Selections; 1 MAGNUM – 6 DIVIDED HOUSE – 2 TOUCH ME NOT – 7 ANONYMOUS
A competitive Class 3 over 1200m featuring a couple of smart 3YOs from last season who are resuming up against some established older sprinters. MAGNUM placed in all three legs of the Singapore Triple Crown and he will find this company more to his liking. His recent trial was sound and he could be hard to beat fresh. DIVIDED HOUSE ran on when resuming and should be improved; she gets a claim and should be running on. GOLDEN SWORD is also resuming; he only battled in the 3YO sprint and his recent trials have been moderate but he showed plenty of early promise. There are a couple that may be helped by gear changes including ANONYMOUS with winkers; he is racing soundly but is awkwardly drawn. Blinkers go back on TOUCH ME NOT who fought on well in this grade when resuming after long break; he should be improved and get a good run throughout. Blinkers come off SOLARIS SPECTRUM; he was racing soundly in this grade last preparation and can race well fresh – watch the market.
1 MAGNUM *** Resuming. Placed in all three legs of the Singapore Triple Crown. Recent trial was sound and should be hard to beat. 2.00
2 TOUCH ME NOT ** Blinkers back on. Fought on well in this grade when resuming after long break. Should be improved and get a good run throughout. 8.00
3 SOLARIS SPECTRUM ** Resuming with blinkers off. Racing soundly in this grade last preparation. Can race well fresh. Watch for support. 8.00
4 IKING * Drops back in trip. Is versatile but might find these too sharp. 50
5 SOUTHERN BOSS * Has speed but recent form poor and best on poly. 100
6 DIVIDED HOUSE ** Ran on when resuming and should be improved. Claim looks a good move. 4.50
7 ANONYMOUS ** Winkers on. Racing soundly but awkwardly drawn. Should be running on. 8.00
8 GOLDEN SWORD ** Resuming. Only battled in 3YO sprint but showed plenty of early promise. 12
9 REACH FOR THE SUN * Better off on poly and tested in this class. 100
10 GATO NEGRO ** Placed in this grade two starts back but better in Class 4. 33
11 POWER LIN * Tested in this class and better on poly. 50
12 RED DAWN * Speedy and showed enough last start to include in exotics at value. 33
Race 8
Selections; 1 FITZROY – 2 CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE – 9 QUEEN ROULETTE – 4 LUCKY LINCOLN
FITZROY looks like a good reason to get out of bed and out to the track. True, the 4YO has only won twice from six career starts, however, his combined winning margin is some 14 lengths which suggests he goes alright when on-song. And his last start Class 4 win was uber impressive and punters may even send him out on the minimum ($1.20) given he is very well weighted at the Graduation set weight conditions. Also well weighted in QUEEN ROULETTE. The 3YO filly showed last start why a nice pull in the weights is so important and that win good enough to keep FITZROY honest. The wildcard is CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE. The NZ-bred 4YO has shown glimpses but looks to have some upside with a nice recent trial suggesting we could see his best today. But FITZROY the one to watch.
1 FITZROY *** Resumed with commanding win and well placed here to go on with the job. 1.20
2 CHOPIN’S NOCTURNE *** Smart type freshened with good trial and looks to have some upside so keep safe. 6.00
3 TOP NOTE * Blinkers off but hopelessly outclassed. 100
4 LUCKY LINCOLN * Handy enough type resuming but has run into some good one’s here. 15
5 CERTAINLY * Just fair last start and better suited at handicap conditions. 33
6 DIVERGENT * Maiden from NZ and should find a few of these too slick. 100
7 THE RAID * Headgear off but reassess in Class 5. 200
8 GOLDEN PASSION * Tongue-tie on but needs to show more. 200
9 QUEEN ROULETTE *** In best at the race conditions and have to respect on winning form. 6.00
Race 9
Selections; 9 DEBT COLLECTOR – 5 ECLAIR CHOICE – 8 RAFAELLO – 1 LAUGHING GRAVY
Things just got serious in Singapore! The Jumbo Jet is always a great race but when you consider two horses are resuming after knocking in four straight wins each, it does look special. Add the fact that the horses in question – LAUGHING GRAVY and DEBT COLLECTOR – won the Group 1 Singapore Derby and Group 1 Singapore Guineas respectively at their last starts, it also sets up for a terrific couple of months of racing. Both can obviously win but it will pay to note LAUGHING GRAVY will only get better over longer and has yet to win over this trip. DEBT COLLECTOR on the other hand has won twice over this trip and the form-line from the 3YO series has more than held up with the likes of NOVA STRIKE matching it with the best. The field has class and depth as well and the former Australian star, ECLAIR CHOICE will improve on what was a solid (with excuses) Kranji debut and can win with the progressive RAFAELLO also a big show after winning at Group level at his last start. Great race and one not to missed.
1 LAUGHING GRAVY *** Star resuming after a winning run that culminated in the QEII Cup but yet to win shorter than a mile. 5.00
2 EMPEROR’S BANQUET ** Resuming with winkers and too honest to leave out of exotic calculations. 20
3 SPANISH BAY ** Always a winning show this trip and looks the benchmark. 8.00
4 AFFLECK ** Bounced back to winning form carrying 53.5kg last start but will give a sight. 8.00
5 ECLAIR CHOICE *** Former Australian who had excuses at Singapore debut and can show his best here. 8.00
6 ODE TO JOY * Won two of his last three but tested at WFA conditions. 50
7 NOVA STRIKE ** Finished in the mix with Affleck and Spanish Bay last start and expect the same with gate 1 a bonus. 8.00
8 RAFAELLO *** Very hard to fault winning form including a last start Group victory and looks up to WFA level. 5.00
9 DEBT COLLECTOR *** Star 3YO resuming with winkers after strong win in the Gunnies and that form will hold up at this level. 3.00
Race 10
Selections; 1 SOLITAIRE – 3 WINNER’S SMILE – 2 GADAWON – 12 AMAZON GOLD
Barring Murphy’s Law, one thing looks certain in this race; GADAWON will lead and will be hard to run down. The 6YO had looked like he had forgotten how to win after being stuck on just one career victory for well over a year but as is often the case, he won again two starts back and backed that up with another. Patient connections would be over the moon and given his penchant for leading, he usually picks up a cheque and he will look the winner for a long time in this race. But we are hoping someone keeps him honest early and the back markers get their chance. SOLITAIRE in particular looks very well placed in KSD Company and should really win a race like this. WINNER’S SMILE will also be doing best work late and will be the value runner given his form is better than it looks on paper. Throw in the honest AMAZON GOLD as a winning hope and go even wider in exotics.
1 SOLITAIRE *** Never got a crack at them last start and will find this company to his liking it tongue-tie off. 6.00
2 GADAWON *** Hard to fault winning form and will look the winner at some stage. 3.00
3 WINNER’S SMILE *** Form better than it reads and will work into this late at odds. 20
4 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE ** Won in this company last start on the Poly and subsequent trial was good so can follow. 12
5 FLYING SHADOW * Gets blinkers after two poor runs this campaign and have to tae on trust. 20
6 MISS BLANCHETT ** Two career wins have been in Class 5 but in form and pay to keep safe. 8.00
7 MR TRY * Freshened after win over 1700m and may need longer than this to show his best. 20
8 RAPID KID * Blinkers off and needs to show more. 50
9 A LOT IN HAND ** Found a bit of form and could run a cheeky race at odds. 20
10 LUCKY BOY ** Blinkers off and another that could run a big race if having a good day. 20
11 MORALES ** Placed last start in similar affair and will appreciate the ace. 12
12 AMAZON GOLD *** In form and wins this without surprising. 5.00
13 HEE’S EGO * Battled at his last couple and better suited in Class 5. 33
Race 11
Selections; 7 SATELLITE PRINCE – 1 BRAVO CHARLIE – 2 LUCKY JUSTICE – 9 MUSCULAR SPRINTER
Never be afraid to jump on a bandwagon. True, in the back of the punters mind you always think you have missed the boat and the races get tougher with each win, but given the way SATELLITE PRINCE has won at his last two, we are jumping on. The 5YO hadn’t won in some 12 starts in 2016 but that changed two starts back in Class 5 when winning by over four lengths. A six-length (plus) win at his last start in KSD company suggests he is in career best form and he can win this. In saying that, this race has depth and you can make a case for most of the capacity field. And while you can’t pick them all, BRAVO CHARLIE appreciates a drop in Class, LUCKY JUSTICE doesn’t have to improve much on his good Singapore debut and NAZIR just missed last start and must go close here. Throw in REDDOT RISING, BANDIDO and MUSCULAR SPRINTER as winning hopes.
1 BRAVO CHARLIE *** Found some form last start and comes under serious consideration dropping to winning grade. 8.00
2 LUCKY JUSTICE *** Singapore debut was good enough to think he wins soon and step up to the mile looks ideal. 5.00
3 NAZIR *** Just missed last start at odds after improving at each run. Big show. 8.00
4 REDDOT RISING *** Got the chocolates in a busy finish over 1400m last start and pay to follow. 8.00
5 TALES OF SUMMER ** Yet to place in Singapore but usually thereabouts and can include in exotics with blinkers and tongue-tie off. 33
6 ELUSIVE EMPEROR ** Placed last start but yet to win over the mile so take on trust. 12
7 SATELLITE PRINCE *** Bolted in at his last two and those wins suggest he is up to this company. 5.00
8 BANDIDO *** Excuses when placing last start and could win a race like this with tongue-tie added. 12
9 MUSCULAR SPRINTER *** Backed up maiden win with very good effort in Graduation company and goes close in this field. 8.00
10 SUCCESSION ** Just missed last start in KSD company and only win was this trip so must be respected. 10
11 BLACK THUNDER ** Continues to race well and should figure in the exotic mix. 20
12 KAI POWER ** Should need easier to win but can make his presence felt late. 50
13 SPECIAL FORCE ** Nothing last start but would be running on strongly late if having a good day. 100
14 GLORIOUS PROSPECT * Might need longer and easier. 50
15 AMISTAD ** In very solid form but should need easier to win. 33
