Lim’s Racer looks good in race 4
Only ten races on the card today and while there looks to be some weak Class 5’s and maidens scattered about, a particular Class 4 field (race 4) has our attention.
Well, not the field per se but the Group 2 Golden Horseshow winner, LIM’S RACER, who resumes after making a mess of the start in the Juvenile Championship. The Kiwi filly – now a 3YO – reared when the gates opened on that occasion and given she would have enjoyed the spell and has trialled very well recently, she can make amends by winning in what is very suitable Company. In her favour is the field is not strong – the honest SUN MIRAGE looks her biggest danger – and the fact that the form from the 2YO series has more than held up will not be lost on punters.
Elsewhere on the card, Shane Baertschiger has another newcomer who makes his debut in the lucky last. Hopefully the stable had a result Friday in similar circumstances with MONTAIGNE and ROYAL GUARD can also take some nice trial form into his Singapore debut and the former Australian can win.
Sunday 15 January
Best Bets: (LIM’S RACER race 4, win), (ROYAL GUARD race 10, each-way) and (RAMZES race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9), race 9 (1, 2 and 3) and race 10 (1 and 4).
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 4
Selections; 3 LIM’S RACER – 5 SUN MIRAGE – 2 RAINBOW ROYAL – 12 CHANGBAI MOUNTAIN
A Class 4 of average strength gives the promising LIM’S RACER a chance to show her worth. The NZ-bred filly showed plenty as a 2YO winning the Golden Horseshoe before rearing and having no chance in the Juvenile Championship. Her recent trial was strong and she should be very hard to beat in this grade. SUN MIRAGE is racing consistently in KSD company and trials have been solid so should be prominent throughout. The field falls away rapidly after these though DICAPRIO could improve on his efforts in Novice class and AUSSIE EAGLE had reasonable form in NZ and could improve on his Singapore debut while RAINBOW WARRIOR is in solid form and should be thereabouts. Keep the maiden CHANGBAI MOUNTAIN safe at odds, as his recent trials have been good.
1 GANNET * Won two races in UK up to 2000m before spending time in Hong Kong without racing. Has shown little at trials and may want longer. Watch market. 33
2 RAINBOW ROYAL ** Both wins have been on poly over 1100m but OK on the turf and can include somewhere. 20
3 LIM’S RACER *** Resuming and trial was strong. Showed plenty of promise winning the Group 2 Golden Horseshoe before rearing when the gates opened last start. Should be up to this grade. 2.50
4 AUSSIE EAGLE ** Well back at Singapore debut. Won 1400m Maiden in NZ before arrival and could improve. 8.00
5 SUN MIRAGE ** Racing consistently in KSD company and trials have been solid. Should be prominent throughout. 3.50
6 DICAPRIO ** Has been battling in Novice class since Maiden win. Could show up. 8.00
7 ASTROSPEED * Did nothing when resuming after long break. Improvement needed. 33
8 IMPERIAL BOY * Not a mile away last start but only wins have been on poly over 1000m. Blinkers off and tongue-tie on but needs to improve. 20
9 RED GENERAL * Won Maiden over this trip but needs to improve on recent efforts. 16
10 ARION * Has changed stables. Has been struggling over longer but only win was at this trip. Watch market. 20
11 Q NINE MAGIC * Will find this easier than last start but best form is in Class 5. 25
12 CHANGBAI MOUNTAIN ** Resuming after two poor runs with support in maiden Company. Recent trials have been good though so keep safe in exotics. 33
Race 5
Selections; 2 AUTUMN RUSH – 3 BAYU – 1 ANCIENT WARRIOR – 7 MR EXCHEQUER
A Initiation where most have has only one or two starts so watch the market for potential improvers. AUTUMN RUSH has placed at both outings – with traffic issues at his recent run -and his recent trial was very nice. Winkers come off for his first turf outing and he should be hard to beat. BAYU is the one with turf form having placed at both outings and is recent trial was good; he should be prominent throughout with Danny Beasley to ride. The other main chances have poly form. ANCIENT WARRIOR showed improvement last start, he claim helps and should be handy throughout. The others have shown little though MR EXCHEQUER is resuming after showing some improvement over 1400m at his most recent start, he might want longer but could show up.
1 ANCIENT WARRIOR *** Showed improvement last start and having first turf outing. Claim helps and should be handy throughout. 3.00
2 AUTUMN RUSH *** Placed at both outings and recent trial was very nice. Winkers off for first turf outing and could be hard to hold out. 3.00
3 BAYU *** Placed at both turf outings and recent trial was good. Should be prominent throughout with Beasley to ride. 2.40
4 HOLY THOMAS * Has shown nothing to date. 33
5 SOBRE LAS OLAS * Needs to improve on debut. 20
6 ALARANCH * Has shown little to date. 33
7 MR EXCHEQUER * Resuming. Showed some improvement last start but trials have been moderate. Might need longer. Watch market. 12
8 MAGNIFICENT * Needs to improve on debut. 50
Race 6
Selections; 9 KING KONG – 1 LIBECCIO – 4 RIVER GOLD – 3 SMIDDY BYRNE
Another Initiation with a number of chances where again most have only had one or two starts. KING KONG has been runner-up at both outings one which was on turf; he drops 3kg and with Danny Beasley to ride gets a chance to break through. The blinkers come off LIBECCIO after two moderate poly efforts; he placed three times from four starts up to 1200m at Victorian provincials before arrival and should show up over this trip. Of the others SMIDDY BYRNE is resuming and his recent trial was solid, he just missed over this trip last preparation and should be handy throughout. THE GOLDEN GOAT showed improvement last start, he is having his first turf outing and could show up. JACK’S SECRET placed over this trip 3 starts back and the tongue-tie and claim for Zawari may help; he should be running on. COMMANDO ECLIPSE is resuming with pacifiers off, he ran on nicely last start and whilst his trials have been moderate he could show up fresh. Watch the market on the first starters CONFOUND and RIVER GOLD both of whom trialled well.
1 LIBECCIO *** Blinkers off after two moderate poly efforts. Placed three times from four starts up to 1200m at Victorian provincials before arrival and should show up over this trip. 5.00
2 JACKS SECRET *** Placed over this trip three starts back and tongue-tie may help. Claim helps and should be running on. 8.00
3 SMIDDY BYRNE *** Resuming and recent trial was solid. Just missed over this trip last preparation and should be handy throughout. 4.00
4 RIVER GOLD *** By No Excuse Needed. Won trial in NZ before arrival and recent trial was good enough to win on debut. Market a guide. 12
5 THE GOLDEN GOAT ** Showed improvement last start. Having first turf outing and could show up. 12
6 SUPER TRIPLE ACE * Needs to improve on efforts to date. 33
7 COMMANDO ECLIPSE ** Resuming. Ran on nicely last start. Trials have been moderate but could show up fresh. 12
8 CONFOUND ** By Tavistock. Trial was solid. Watch market. 12
9 KING KONG *** Runner-up at both outings and traffic issues last start. Drops 3kg and gets a chance to break through. 3.50
10 ONE DEGREE NORTH ** Resuming with tongue-tie on. Nothing on debut but did have support. 20
11 SUCCESS COME TRUE * Blinkers on and could improve. 33
Race 7
Selections; 3 GALAXY EXPRESS – 4 OVER EASY – 2 RAMZES – 5 ABOVE THE HORIZON
Yet another Class 5, this one over 2000m with some tough old journeymen involved. GALAXY EXPRESS is suited this class and has won twice at the trip. The 7YO is resuming and rises 3kg on his last start win but should be running on. OVER EASY is having his 97th start and seeking his 10th win. The veteran is yet to win beyond 1900m but will go forward and give a sight. ABOVE THE HORIZON’s only win was at a mile but he placed over this trip three starts back and can be on the speed throughout. CHAIRMAN WIND is a Maiden who has placed three times on the poly but yet to show up on turf, this distance suits and he should be handy throughout. Keep RAMZES safe as his form is poor but he might just grow a leg dropping to Class 5.
1 CHAIRMAN WIND ** Maiden who has placed three times on poly but yet to show up on turf. Distance suits and should be handy throughout. 6.00
2 RAMZES *** Only win was over a mile in NZ before arrival and can improve on ordinary form since arriving dropping to Class 5. 33
3 GALAXY EXPRESS *** Resuming. Suited this class and has won twice at the trip. Rises 3kg but should be running on. 3.00
4 OVER EASY *** Veteran having his 97th start and seeking 10th win. Yet to win beyond 1900m but this race suits, will go forward and give a sight. 3.50
5 ABOVE THE HORIZON *** Only win was at a mile. Placed over this trip three starts back and can be on the speed throughout. 4.00
6 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** 10YO who is yet to win beyond a mile. Hasn’t won for a while but could be running on. 8.00
7 SHABBAT * 27 start Maiden who placed at only try at this distance. Could show up. 25
8 URBAN LEGEND * Unreliable but distance suits and could be running on. 14
Race 8
Selections; 4 PENTAGON – 9 NOVA SPIRIT – 2 DUKE OF NORMANDY – 6 LITTLE BIG MAN
Hopefully the previous races will give us an indication whether or the E Short Course will be favouring on pace runners, as PENTAGON could be the lamplighter in this Class 4 mile. The 4YO looked a more than handy type before finding it tough in some better fields than this of recent times but showed last start this trip and Class is his caper. NOVA SPIRIT might not be right on the pace but the 4YO never got a crack last start due to traffic issues and could very well play a big part in this with more luck in running. DUKE OF NORMANDY is an interesting runner. The one-time Derby aspirant will be better over longer but can race on the pace and showed enough last start to keep safe. Plenty of others that play a part in this finish including LITTLE BIG MAN at odds, MANGATOETOENUI, IMPERIAL MARCH and ARR FLAIR.
1 IMPERIAL MARCH *** Not a mile away at his last two and must be considered dropping to Class 4. 8.00
2 DUKE OF NORMANDY *** Will be better over longer again but all sorts of excuses last start over 1400m and goes close if in the hunt earlier. 5.00
3 MANGATOETOENUI *** Showed last start why Class 4 is his caper and with best work expected late. 6.00
4 PENTAGON *** Just missed last start over this trip and very forward run expected in this. 3.00
5 TALES OF SUMMER ** Just OK last start but usually in the mix in this type of race. 20
6 LITTLE BIG MAN *** Form better than it reads and well worth a look at good each way odds. 12
7 ARR FLAIR *** Placed last start over this trip and must be considered although will be better over longer again. 20
8 SUN THUNDER * Needs to show more at the track but recent trial OK so market watch in order. 33
9 NOVA SPIRIT *** All sorts of issues last start so pay to forget but that effort and previous form suggests he goes close. 6.00
10 PRECIOUS GEM * Winkers of and going along OK but needs longer than this to win. 33
11 SATELLITE PRINCE ** Better than what he shown of late but might need easier than this to win. 20
12 PLATOON * No. 200
13 BIG BANKER * Recent good form in Class 5 and may need that Company. 33
14 MOON RIVER * No. 200
Race 9
Selections; 2 SATCHMO – 1 AMAZING MAN – 3 BARNBURGH LAD – 5 MAJOR GREEN
Plenty of claimers involved in this Class 5 Poly sprint and two of them – N Nurshahril and S Shafrizal – look to have serious winning hopes on AMAZING MAN and SATCHMO respectively. SATCHMO was extremely impressive when winning by more than five lengths last start but he did have the services of Manny Nunes. That was also his maiden win and Shafrizal (and his 2kg claim) would be keen to show he is more than up to the job in what is a similar affair. Shafrizal coincidentally rode AMAZING MAN last start when the maiden just missed. Nurshahril claims 4kg and that extra 2kg could be what the doctor ordered for AMAZING MAN to break his maiden status. Another maiden in MAJOR GREEN look the only other serious winning hope with a blanket over most others.
1 AMAZING MAN *** Showed last start he breaks his maiden status in this Company sooner than later and will go close with 4kg claimer. 3.00
2 SATCHMO *** Smashed them to break maiden status last start in similar affair and hard to beat on that effort. 2.00
3 BARNBURGH LAD *** Pulled up lame last start so pay to forget as form prior was excellent and gate 1 won’t hurt. 12
4 LEADERSHIP * Goes OK but looks a better option on the turf. 33
5 MAJOR GREEN ** Maiden who has looked due and pay to keep safe. 9.00
6 ONE O NINE ** Wide gate a concern but in form so another to keep safe. 20
7 SUPER JOY * Has enough speed to overcome wide gate but should be found out late. 33
8 GOOD BET * Battled on OK to place last start and another cheeky run expected. 33
9 MR BLOSSOM ** Form reads badly but enjoys the Poly and recent trials have been OK. 33
10 BASTION * Fresh but should need longer with tongue-tie off for this. 50
11 RAINBOW STAR * Goes OK on his day but long-term maiden status always a concern. 33
12 SECONDWAVE ** Lowly rated but excuses last start and has been in the exotic mix of late. 20
13 I-SCREAM NOW ** Will not win out of turn but always a place hope. 12
14 GRAVITY * No. 100
Race 10
Selections; 4 ROYAL GUARD – 1 NOBLE LIAISON – 5 HAYTHAM – 2 EATONS GOLD
Not an overly strong Class 4 field assembled for the lucky last and as such a newcomer in ROYAL GUARD might be a good option. The former Australian galloper arrived with a moderate race record but local trials suggest he is enjoying his time at Kranji and can win with blinkers on for John Powell. NOBLE LIASON is the one he has to beat. The 4YO has won twice from just three career starts but is yet to race on the Poly, which is a concern. He has also given the impression he will be better over longer but again, this field is not strong and he will be motoring late. Nothing else jumps off the page, however, HAYTHAM broke his maiden status last start and the like of EATONS GOLD and LET’S TALK NOW are always in the mix.
1 NOBLE LIAISON *** Hard to fault winning form but is having first start on the Poly and might be better over longer. 3.00
2 EATONS GOLD ** Longtime between wins but solid as a rule and in the mix from gate 3. 10
3 PURE JUSTICE ** Solid without threatening at six Singapore starts and expect much the same. 12
4 ROYAL GUARD *** Former Australian who has trialled well enough to think he can win at Singapore debut. 3.50
5 HAYTHAM ** Broke through for maiden win last start and should be competitive. 8.00
6 CAVATINA ** Had a few excuses last start but might need easier than this. 12
7 LET’S TALK NOW ** Placed last start over 1200m this Company and in the mix again from gate 1. 12
8 SILVER POWER * Competitive last start but like to see in easier Company. 33
9 LIVELY DRAGON ** Has enough pace be involved throughout but should need easier to win, 10
10 SACRED CROWN ** In the exotic mix as a rule and this is not a strong Class 4. 20
11 FORTUNE SPIRIT * OK last start but like to see over longer. 33
