MYSTIC MASTER Juvenile Championship winner looks well placed to win again (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
A terrific days racing from Singapore headlined by the Group 3 Committee’s Prize.
Run over the metric mile at handicap conditions, the Committee’s Prize is also a great guide to one of the biggest races of the year, the Singapore Gold Cup in November.
So while we have one eye on horses at the top of the ratings like AFFLECK, TITANIUM or even a Gold Cup winner in COOPTADO, it is a few very promising stayers on lightweights that will have punters watching on with interest.
Last start winner TIME ODYSSEY looks one to follow into bigger and better races and as usual, his Pat Shaw sta
ble-mates in BLUE DANUBE and KIRKS RYKER will also be horses to keep in the black book heading to the grand handicapping prize, the Gold Cup.
But Mark Walker also has a good stayer on his hands in ROCKFAST and the Derby place-getter looks extremely well-placed on 50.5kg with gate 3 a bonus.
Most others have a say on best form and regardless of who wins, this race will be a very good form line for some of the big races in the last quarter of the 2016 season.
Sunday 18 September
Best Bets: (MYSTIC MASTER race 10, win), (SUPERNOVA race 7, each-way) and (NOVA MASTER race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 4, 5 and 7), race 9 (3, 4, 7 and 9), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) and race 11 (1, 2, 5 and 7).
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; 3 MIGHTY CONQUEROR – 1 LIM’S ACTION – 5 TIMO – 6 RUN IT TWICE
A Class 4 of moderate quality over 1200m on turf and MIGHTY CONQUEROR is going for a hat trick. He has won well at both Singapore outings and while he rises 4.5 kg, he shows promise and should be handy throughout. LIM’S ACTION won over this distance two starts back and has won twice on turf; he disappointed last start but Danny Beasley stays on and he could improve. The tongue-tie comes off TIMO who has disappointed since a good Maiden win though the most recent trial showed improvement and he will benefit from a positive ride. Of the others, RUN IT TWICE has been racing soundly in KSD Company; he drops 3.5kg on his most recent effort and could show up in this field with Glen Boss to ride. LIM’S ARCHER won a Graduation three starts back over 1400m but has battled since, his recent trial was ordinary but he could improve.
1 LIM’S ACTION *** Won over this distance two starts back and has won twice on turf. Disappointed last start but could improve. 4.00
2 LIM’S ARCHER ** Resuming with quiet trial and has enough ability to keep safe first up. 10
3 MIGHTY CONQUEROR *** Won well at both Singapore outings. Rises 4.5 kg but shows promise and should be handy throughout. 3.00
4 NINETYSEVENEMPEROR * Resuming. Recent trial was ordinary. Placed in this company three starts back but subsequently disappointed. Watch market. 16
5 TIMO *** Tongue-tie off. Has disappointed since good Maiden win. Most recent trial showed improvement. Will benefit from a positive ride. 4.00
6 RUN IT TWICE ** Racing soundly in KSD company. Drops 3.5kg on good effort in KSD company and could show up in this field with Glen Boss to ride. 10
7 ARIEL * Maiden who placed at Terang prior to Singapore arrival. Needs easier. 20
8 NOVA STAR * Pulled up with respiratory distress last start for new trainer and returned not striding at start prior. Previous two efforts were sound but might need easier. 20
9 SPECIAL FORCE * Battling and drops back in trip. May need longer and easier. 33
10 QUEEN’S SEVEN ** Won KSD three starts back and more than competitive in this. 25
11 SILVER POWER * Wants easier. 33
Race 6
Selections; 2 NOVA MASTER – 4 SACRED CROWN – 1 WHITE COFFEE – 9 FLYING NEKO
A Class 5 over 1100m on the polytrack for the journeymen sprinters – five of whom are 9YOs. SACRED CROWN is a relatively youthful 7YO and is a proven Class 5 performer who has won eight times on the poly. He gets Michael Rodd and should show up. FLYING NEKO placed over this trip last start and has changed stables; his only win was at 1000m but with Corey Brown to ride should be handy throughout. BUZET is another veteran whose only wins have been over longer but has been running on well over 1100m at recent outings. WHITE COFFEE is also nine but in his halcyon days he won in Class 3 and showed three starts back that all is not lost; he could show up. NOVA MASTER is yet to win in 16 starts but his best efforts have been on the poly at this distance, he won a recent trial effortlessly and blinker pacifiers and tongue-tie come off, watch for support.
1 WHITE COFFEE *** Veteran back to recent winning grade and should be running on at the business end. 8.00
2 NOVA MASTER *** Race form hopeless but won recent trial effortlessly and blinker pacifiers and tongue-tie come off. Watch for support. 10
3 SKYHAWK * Blinkers off but has shown nothing in five starts. 33
4 SACRED CROWN *** Proven Class 5 performer who has won eight times on the poly, three times at this trip. Rises 2.5kg but gets Michael Rodd and should show up. 4.50
5 GOOD MISSION * Yet to place in 10 outings. 25
6 DRAGON INFINITY * Only win was over 1000m and form poor since resuming. Improvement needed. 25
7 DYNASTY KNIGHT * Another veteran who battled on at most recent outing but best efforts have been on turf over longer. 20
8 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Another 9YO who battled away last start. Would prefer 1200m but could be running on. 8.00
9 FLYING NEKO *** Placed over this trip last start and has changed stables. Gets tongue-tie and should be handy throughout. 3.50
10 MAGIC PAINT * Yet to place in 13 outings and needs to improve. 33
11 BUZET *** Another 9YO whose only wins are over longer but has been running on well at this distance and could show up again. 4.50
12 RAINBOW STAR * Placed two starts back but yet to win in 26 outings. 33
13 RIO DE JANEIRO * Resuming. Placed over this distance four starts back but is yet to win in 20 outings. 25
14 REAL GOODMAN * 9YO whose best form is over longer. 25
Race 7
Selections; 1 SUPERNOVA – 2 HERMANO MENOR – 7 LIM’S CRUISER – 6 RISKY ROCKEFELLER
A strong Class 3 over 1400m with numerous chances. SUPERNOVA’s best form is on the poly but he will find this easier than recent outings and has won and placed twice at this distance; with Manoel Nunes to ride he can get in the finish. HERMANO MENOR disappointed in this Class last start and he is yet to win beyond 1200m, but the claim helps and he should be hard to run down. WARPATH is another resilient fellow who usually runs well in this class and at this distance; he has no weight and should be handy throughout. RISKY ROCKEFELLER should be improved by recent racing and is suited by this class, distance and he should be running on. LIM’S CRUISER is promising and is working his was through the classes; he drops back in trip and has 3.5kg less but this is much harder than Class 4. SUN EMPIRE can find Class 3 tough but has the speed to give a sight.
1 SUPERNOVA *** Best form is on poly but will find this easier than recent outings and has won and placed twice at this distance. Gets Nunes and can get in the finish. 3.50
2 HERMANO MENOR *** Disappointed last start and is yet to win beyond 1200m. Claim helps and should be hard to run down. 4.50
3 LUMINIFF LAD * Disappointed last start and failed at only 1400m attempt. May be better over shorter on poly. 20
4 IKING ** Iron horse suited this class and distance. Will be in the finish. 8.00
5 RAPID APPROACH * Has good Malaysian form and trial was solid. Will find this harder but could show up. Watch market. 14
6 RISKY ROCKEFELLER *** Improved by recent racing and suited this class and distance. Should be running on. 6.00
7 LIM’S CRUISER *** Promising and working his was through the classes. This is much harder than Class 4 but worth following. 8.00
8 SUN EMPIRE ** Led and fought on well in similar company last start. Can be on the speed throughout. 12
9 ROOM FOR EXCUSE ** Battling in this grade but can run on when having a good day. 25
10 HIGH TROJA * Needs easier. 33
11 WARPATH *** Suited this distance and fought on well in this company last start. Should be handy throughout. 10
Race 8
Selections; 1 DEAUVILLE – 3 ROSEGOLD – 5 SWIFT – 7 ORION
The usual suspects should fight out this Class 5 mile and on recent form it’s a raffle between the likes of SWIFT, ROSEGOLD, SUN DANCE and ORION. But likes ROSEGOLD showed last start, horses improve lengths when dropping in Class and it may be DEAUVILLE who is the one to beat. The 6YO has been in solid form of late in mainly KSD company and given he gets blinkers added dropping to Class 5, he gets his chance. As mentioned, not much separates a handful of in-form horses as winning hopes and the race has enough depth to go even wider in exotics with an eye on the tote for stable support.
1 DEAUVILLE *** In solid form, drops to Class 5 and gets blinkers so can win. 6.00
2 FORTUNE SPIRIT * Placed at long odds last start but maybe a better option on the Poly. 20
3 ROSEGOLD *** Wide draw some concern but showed last start he wins sooner than later in this type of race. 6.00
4 SUN DANCE *** Broke maiden status in fine style this trip last start and can win again. 6.00
5 SWIFT *** In form and can make use of the ace to be very handy throughout. 4.50
6 HANDSOME RABID ** Not a mile away last start and can include in exotics at value from better gate. 33
7 ORION *** Has looked due to break maiden status and gets blinkers. 8.00
8 DRAGON G * Goes OK but a better winning option on the Poly. 12
9 HAKAMGONG ** Had excuses of late and would give this a shake if things go his way. 33
10 SLAVONIC DANCE ** Has struggled since maiden win but should be competitive in this company. 33
11 WATER PARK ** Just battled last start but previous form OK with blinkers to winkers for this. 20
12 ZAHIR ** In solid form and pay to keep following. 12
13 ZAC BENEVOLENT ** Might need longer again but appreciates first up run and could improve at odds. 20
14 JIMTOWN ** Not a mile away last start over 1800m and can include in exotics. 20
15 FRENCH VINTAGE ** Better than what he has shown at last couple and can improve. 20
16 KING OF THIEVES *** Found some form and wins one of these sooner than later. 8.00
Race 9
Selections; 9 ROCKFAST – 3 AFFLECK – 7 TIME ODYSSEY – 4 TITANIUM
While the Group 3 Committee’s Prize is race well worth winning, at this time of year trainers will always have one eye on the bigger prize for stayers – the Gold Cup in November. So horses like ROCKFAST, BLUE DANUBE and TIME ODYSSEY will all enjoy the lightweights at the handicap conditions and while they will all improve over longer, they can also win this. ROCKFAST in particular looks well placed with 50.5kg after a great Derby campaign and had enough excuses last start to make amends and win here. The race is wide open though and AFFLECK will be prominent throughout and has found the form to win while TITANIUM will be ready to show his best after a frustrating run in the Derby.
1 EL PADRINO * Recent form only fair and prefers the Poly. 33
2 COOPTADO ** Has found some form of late and should figure at the business end. 12
3 AFFLECK *** Can race handy and recent form suggests he is hard to pass late. 8.00
4 TITANIUM *** Freshened after a frustrating Derby run and this looks suitable to show his best. 6.00
5 BOURBON GOLDMAN ** Long time between wins but honest and a must for exotics. 12
6 TWICKENHAM ** Honest and should be handy throughout. 12
7 TIME ODYSSEY *** Racing and trialling well and get this chance at this level with 51.5kg. 10
8 BLUE DANUBE ** Form better than it reads but might find this a tad shorter than his optimum trip. 12
9 ROCKFAST *** Had excuses last start and always going to be a big show with 50.5kg. 6.00
10 WILD GEESE * Solid of late but might need easier than this. 33
11 CHEETAH ON FIRE * Better on the Poly but will work into this late if race run to suit swoopers. 20
12 KIRKS RYKER ** Progressive type who knows how to win and pay to keep safe with lightweight. 12
Race 10
Selections; 3 MYSTIC MASTER – 2 PURE JUSTICE – 4 GRAND CROSS – 1 KEEN DRAGON
An unusually tough Class 4 race to line up the form with a few handy types ready to show their best in Singapore after a sighter or two and the return of the 2016 Juvenile Championship winner, MYSTIC MASTER. And it’s not often we see a Group winner backing up in Class 4 and while his form and that win make him hard to beat, that win was his maiden victory so he will need to be at his best against older horses. Three relatively new to Singapore horses that should be ready to show up are PURE JUSTICE, GRAND CROSS and ABSOLUTE MIRACLE. All three have the ability to win at this level and can show up with more luck in running. Not much separates the trio and both PURE JUSTICE and GRAND CROSS get blinkers added to their gear. KEEN DRAGON and LADRONE two others that win without surprising.
1 KEEN DRAGON *** Finds himself in the right Company and can win with gate 1 a factor. 12
2 PURE JUSTICE *** Excuses at Singapore debut and subsequent trial with blinkers good enough to give this a shake. 12
3 MYSTIC MASTER *** Juvenile Championship winner who looks well placed in this company to win again. 3.00
4 GRAND CROSS *** Had excuses with support at both Singapore starts and can make amends with blinkers added on good trial form. 5.00
5 LADRONE *** Returned not striding when beaten as odds-on pop last start but gets blinkers and goes close if right. 6.00
6 ABSOLUTE MIRACLE *** Supported and ran well enough at Singapore debut to give this a shake. 6.00
7 BABY GRAND ** Has ability but has had issues at trials and races so take on trust. 12
8 FINE CHOICE ** Two runs this campaign have been good but wide gate makes this tough. 20
9 HOSHIKO ** Always an each-way chance in races like this and often value. 20
10 RIKIOH ** Blinkers and tongue-tie off and has a say on best form but long time between wins. 33
11 SPLENDOR ** Appreciates solid first up run and subsequent trial with blinkers added was good so keep safe. 33
12 HIKO YUNIKON * Likes the Poly and gets blinkers but should need easier. 100
13 STOCK BROKER * Enjoys the Poly but wide gate in this Company suggests we look elsewhere. 33
14 GOLDEN MILE ** Form looks only fair and should need easier but appreciates being back on the Poly. 33
Race 11
Selections; 5 LUCKY LINCOLN – 1 LIM’S BULLET – 2 LUCKY GIANT – 7 CERTAINLY
The lucky last and it doesn’t get much easier for punters with a nice type resuming in LIM’S BULLET making the form lines tougher than they should be. The 5YO has been off the scene since November last year but showed more than enough at his first campaign to think he is a horse that can go through the grades. But on exposed recent form LUCKY GIANT is the benchmark. The 5YO has had a few excuses not to win of late and gets his chance here. LUCKY LINCOLN is also one to watch. Vlad Duric jumps on the 5YO who showed more than enough first up after a spell to think he wins this and is a horse with a future. CERTAINLY the other to watch on recent form with TRINITY and NOVA SPIRIT both good value options for exotics.
1 LIM’S BULLET *** Progressive type resuming from long spell. Quiet trials and can win with market best guide. 5.00
2 LUCKY GIANT *** Ready to win and should be prominent throughout. 3.00
3 MAJOR IMPROVEMENT * Former Australian who placed at only start. Market best guide on exposed local trial form. 20
4 NOVA SPIRIT ** Disappointing last start and drawn awkwardly but previous form had him winning again soon. 12
5 LUCKY LINCOLN *** Very much appreciates nice enough first up run to give this a shake. 4.00
6 INSOFAR * Resuming after having issues (heart) last start and may need the run. 50
7 CERTAINLY *** Gets blinkers after just fair run with excuses last start and should be more than competitive. 6.00
8 STARPERFECT * Resuming sans blinkers and no. 100
9 TRINITY ** Freshened with some nice trials and could be a good value option. 10
10 LET’S TALK NOW * In solid form but should need easier than this. 33
11 AMAZING MAN * Speedy maiden who should need easier. 33
12 FAST JET * Not a mile away two starts back similar affair but should need easier and the Poly. 33
