VIVIANO has winning form and that means plenty (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
With the running of the 2016 Dester Singapore Gold Cup just round the corner, there are still plenty of good races on offer this weekend, including a very intriguing Kranji Stakes A turf sprint over 1200m (race 7).
What makes this race interesting is the fact nothing really jumps off the page and only one horse, VIVIANO, comes into the race with last start winning form to his name.
That was in BM83 Company but given a few of his opponents are either in just fair form or resuming, he will have admirers to knock in another win with Manny Nunes to jump from gate 1.
So a progressive horse resuming in STORM TROOPS may be one to watch.
The 5YO Argentinean-bred gelding has four wins to his name in Singapore – two on the turf – and his 
last start second over 1400m was in similar Company to this.
A recent good trial suggests he is ready to fire first-up and the Pat Shaw stable is certainly firing on all cylinders.
Elsewhere on the card NOVA SWISS can continue his unbeaten run in Singapore when he takes on a very good Class 3 field (race 5), as he does look a hose destined for bigger and better races.
Friday 4 November
Best Bets: (NOVA SWISS race 5 win), (STORM TROOPS race 7, win) and (THE DODGER race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7), race 7 (1, 2, 3, 5 and 9), race 8 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12), race 9 (1 and 4).
Race cards in Singapore 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 1
Selections; 10 SPEEDY WARRIOR – 2 SACRED ARMY – 6 MAI DARKO – 9 LUCKY STRIDE
A maiden over 1400m starts the program and there does look four or five that are due so the tote will be a good guide. Two in particular – SACRED ARMY and SPEEDY WARRIOR – should be supported by punters on recent form and both should figure in the finish. John Powell stays onboard SACRED ARMY and given the 4YO’s racing style, you would expect he will be the one the leaders have to worry about late. SPEEDY WARRIOR gets Nunes and while he has been green and often has excuses in races, he looks to have ability and the 3YO could be prominent throughout. Of the rest that have winning hopes, LUCKY STRIDE has been solid at the races and gets a tongue-tie and visor to get a result while MAI DARKO very much appreciates his race debut and he should be handy throughout. KEY ON KODIAC first-up after a spell is also a show on the form from his first campaign.
1 HYDRANT ** Maiden from Australia who was has been OK at local trials so can consider in exotics. 20
2 SACRED ARMY *** Runs on well so 1400m suits and hard to hold out late. 3.00
3 DREAMER LEGEND ** Not a mile away last start so form better than it reads and appreciates senior hoop. 20
4 EL DON ** Improved at second start which was over this trip but might need longer again. 12
5 GALILEO’S APPROACH ** Solid without being a threat at two career starts but recent trial OK and could figure from gate 1. 12
6 MAI DARKO *** Very much appreciates debut and will be in this for a very long time. 6.00
7 NESSUN DORMA * Trials just fair and wide gate an issue on debut. 33
8 KEY ON KODIAC *** Resuming after a very solid first campaign and must go close. 6.00
9 LUCKY STRIDE *** Showed more than enough last start to follow with tongue-tie and visor added. 8.00
10 SPEEDY WARRIOR *** Green but has ability and wins a race like this very soon. 5.00
Race 2
Selections; 2 CADET – 6 KRATOS – 8 PERFECT COMMANDO – 9 PREMIER FIGHTER
Another maiden but this one looks tough with a few handy newcomers and some horses ready to improve keeping the in-form raced brigade on their toes. Of the raced brigade with form on their side, there was enough to like about CADET’s first campaign to think he can win first up. His recent trial was good and trainer Pat Shaw is having a very good run of late. KRATOS just missed last start when resuming and picks himself on that effort while PREMIER FIGHTER and SPECIAL RAIN can both improve on exposed race form with the market a good guide. Of the debutantes, PERFECT COMMANDO has the best exposed trial form under his belt and can win with John Powell up while Dan Meagher has three newcomers and obviously stable support would be a good guide.
1 BEIJING STAR ** Green at the trials but shows enough to keep safe on debut with market a fair guide. 20
2 CADET *** Resuming after two good runs as a 2YO and can win on recent good trial form. 5.00
3 DAYFLIRT ** Had plenty of quiet trials and pay to consider if supported with senior hoop. 12
4 ELITE GOLD *** One of three from Dan Meagher stable and trials good enough to go close no debut. 8.00
5 IMMORTAL LEGACY ** Gets a tongue-tie after hitting the proverbial wall on debut and could give a sight. 20
6 KRATOS *** Just missed when supported first-up and gets his chance here with tongue-tie off. 3.00
7 LIM’S SIGNATURE ** Appreciates debut look for improvement with one eye on the tote. 20
8 PERFECT COMMANDO *** Trials very well and can win on debut for leading stable. 4.00
9 PREMIER FIGHTER *** Has support but disappointed last start but trials well and goes close from gate 1 with blinkers back off. 9.00
10 SPECIAL RAIN *** Plenty of excuses on debut and the effort good enough to keep very safe at odds. 20
Race 3
Selections; 1 LIM’S SAMURAI – 2 HERACLES – 3 RUN IT TWICE – 6 I’VE GOT A FEELING
Not a great deal of depth to this Class 4 sprint and we can expect LIM’S SAMURAI to come in for heavy support and be the one to beat. The 4YO resumed with a good win after looking like having issues at 3YO Group level last preparation but apart from that poor effort, his form has been excellent. This field is no harder than he faced last start and regular hoop Dan Beasley from gate 4 looks a good combination. The only two horses that can threaten the likely favourite are HERACLES and RUN IT TWICE – both with recent wins over this trip in this Company to their names. You can make excuses for HERACLES at his last start and RUN IT TWICE will find this easier than Class 3. Of the rest, IN BOCCA AL LUPO is in solid form and is a must for exotics while I’VE GOT A FEELING is trialling well and could make his presence felt.
1 LIM’S SAMURAI *** Won well when resuming with heavy support and pay to keep following. 2.00
2 HERACLES *** Never in the hunt last start and pay to keep very safe on best form with senior hoop a factor. 5.00
3 RUN IT TWICE *** Won in this grade two starts back and will find this easier than last start. 4.00
4 PROUD PINOY * Resuming after breaking maiden status over a year ago and have to take on trust on recent trial form. 33
5 THREE LIONS * Former Japanese galloper who may need the run. 33
6 I’VE GOT A FEELING ** Resuming after a poor run but recent trial was good and worth thought at odds. 20
7 ASPEN ** Will be running on but like to see over longer in perhaps easier Company. 33
8 SUPER BALL * Maiden who has blinkers off after fading badly last start and should need easier. 33
9 A LOT IN HAND * Not a mile away last start but hard to follow. 33
10 IN BOCCA AL LUPO ** In very solid form and a must for exotics. 8.00
11 WINNING STAR * Reassess over longer on the Poly. 50
Race 4
Selections; 1 PINT SIZED PRINCE – 6 SUPER EIGHT – 2 MISS WAIMATAITAI – 5 NATURAL NICE
Danger bells are ringing for punters in this Class 5 event over 1400m with the likely short priced favourite – MISS WAIMATAITAI – yet to win in some 17 career starts. Yes, it’s hard to fault her extremely honest form (she has eight placings to her name) but she often goes round at the 4-1 mark which is a worry for followers given the lack of a result. She is the obvious pick but looking or something to beat her it may pay to consider PINT SIZED PRINCE. The 8YO has shown enough since dropping to Class 5 to think he wins soon with the step up to 1400m sans tongue-tie in his favour. SUPER EIGHT is another that appreciates the turf and extra trip while BREAKING VAULTS also appreciates the 1400m. NATURAL NICE looks due but last won in 2013 and he might have forgotten how to win.
1 PINT SIZED PRINCE *** Appreciates turf over 1400m and recent trial suggests he goes close with tongue-tie off. 5.00
2 MISS WAIMATAITAI *** Honest but refuses to win so have to take on trust with winkers added. 2.60
3 ARLO ** Just battling of late but could improve with blinkers off. 12
4 JOY AND HAPPY ** Long-term maiden but placed last start at odds and worth thought. 12
5 NATURAL NICE *** Hasn’t won since Moses was a boy but has looked due of late so keep safe. 6.00
6 SUPER EIGHT *** Form better than it reads and has been running on well enough to think step up to 1400m is ideal. 8.00
7 RACING TALENT ** Hard to have on race form but recent trial sans tongue-tie was good and worth a look at odds. 20
8 SATELLITE STAR ** Could run into exotic calculations late but a better option on the Poly. 20
9 BREAKING VAULTS *** Excuses last start and worth thought over this trip with no weight. 12
10 LION WAVE * Hard to have on form. 50
11 ALADDIN * Nothing last start but previous form solid in similar affairs. 20
12 GREENBACK * No. 200
13 PRESENT ARMS * Gets tongue-tie added but not for me. 100
Race 5
Selections; 4 NOVA SWISS – 6 SUPER LINE – 2 MR LUCK – 3 SUPER SIX
Plenty of winning form to go on in this Class 3 Poly dash but all eyes will be on the very smart 3YO, NOVA SWISS. The NZ-bred gelding came with a fair reputation and duly saluted at his Singapore debut with support. But is was his second start and strong win at an odds-on quote that has him stamped as a horse to follow through the grades and he is hard to beat in this. In saying that, he will have to be good to win in this field with SUPER LINE, SUPER SIX and MR LUCK all in red-hot Poly form. SUPER LINE in particular won very well in OB74 Company last start and the Vlad Duric/Michael Clements combination is proving one to follow. MR LUCK has won three of his last four and picks himself as a winning hope and likewise SUPER SIX wins more often than not on the Poly, so keeps them honest.
1 ASTROSTAR ** Resuming after indifferent form but does trial well and this type of race is his caper. 30
2 MR LUCK *** In excellent winning form and right in this finish. 5.00
3 SUPER SIX *** Excuses last start on the turf and has a big say on winning Poly form prior. 12
4 NOVA SWISS *** Smashed them last start to make it two-from-two in Singapore and the one to beat. 1.80
5 GHOST ** Ignore last start on the turf as last win was over this trip on the Poly so can improve at odds. 20
6 SUPER LINE *** Loves the Poly and last start win was very good and looks the danger. 4.00
7 DRAGON SPIRIT ** May need easier to win but drawn well and can include in exotics. 20
8 WINNING MAN * Resuming and prefer others. 100
9 ALASAMO * Resuming after bleeding attack and will need longer. 100
10 GATO NEGRO ** Often value and often runs a big race so keep very safe. 20
Race 6
Selections; 2 FLYING WINNER – 4 MR CONNERY – 5 TOOBIGTOFAIL – 1 DRAGON G
A tricky race to start the “jackpot” or “quaddie” and it may pay to have a late look at the tote before making selection. But as it stands FLYING WINNER is due and showed last start he can win in Class 5. In his favour is also some good recent form in better races than this and the Poly mile look ideal with blinkers added for good measure. MR CONNERY’s form isn’t great on paper and has drawn wide but he will improve lengths in Class 5 and enjoys the Poly. TOOBIGTOFAIL will also improve after a first-up sighter over 1000m and the step up to the mile has him under serious consideration. What makes this race tricky though is two DRAGON horses – one with a G and one without – both look suited and can win and the two emergencies also can both win without surprising. Good luck!
1 DRAGON G *** Foot on the till and can overcome bad gate and win. 6.00
2 FLYING WINNER *** In form and gets his chance to knock in another win with blinkers on from gate 3. 3.00
3 MASTER BANGER ** Nothing last start but appreciates Class 5 cheeky run expected. 20
4 MR CONNERY *** Wide gate a concern but will win in this Company sooner than later with winkers to visor. 4.00
5 TOOBIGTOFAIL *** Very much appreciates first up run and step up to suitable trip. 8.00
6 CARNELIAN ** Not a mile away last start at odds and gets another chance from gate 1. 20
7 DRAGON *** Form reads very badly but this race is very suitable and Beasley booking a factor. 8.00
8 GRAVITY * Should go forward and give a sight but hard to have on recent form. 33
9 READY FORTUNE ** Had issues at his last two starts but gives this a shake if right. 20
10 AUREUS * No. 100
11 GODS SPEED ** Nothing last start but some previous form good enough to include in exotics. 20
12 JIMTOWN ** Long-term maiden who goes OK on the odd occasion. 20
13 NOVA LEGEND *** Excuses last start when dropping to Class 5 and got home well enough to think 1600m suits. 6.00
14 SEASONS ECHO *** Another that showed last start that Class 5 is his caper and worth following. 12
Race 7
Selections; 9 STORM TROOPS – 5 VIVIANO – 1 CAVALLO – 2 GOOD NEWS
Nothing jumps off the page in this Kranji Stakes A sprint and as such a few horses that haven’t tasted success for a long time get their chance. Case in point is CAVALLO who looks well placed to break a 17-month drought and he certainly deserves a win on his solid form of late. Likewise, FLAK JACKET always gives a sight and is in form but two years between Champagne room visits for his owners is a concern. A progressive type in STORM TROOPS also gets his chance to knock in a win. The 5YO is resuming after just missing over 1400m in this same Company last start and recent good trials has him under notice. Of the rest in what is a wide-open race, VIVIANO has winning form and that means plenty while JAY EFF EXPRESS should go close after a solid first-up run. GOOD NEWS the swooper on a track that suits.
1 CAVALLO *** Hasn’t won for a while but in form and this looks suitable with tongue-tie added. 10
2 GOOD NEWS *** Swooper who will be running on at value and pay to keep safe. 12
3 JAY EFF EXPRESS *** Very much appreciates first-up Poly run and looks suited here. 6.00
4 DRAGON FURY ** Appreciates first up run but may need longer again to show his best. 12
5 VIVIANO *** Tested at this level but in winning form and will have admirers from gate 1. 4.00
6 A LA VICTORY ** Had support when resuming and run good enough to follow but may need longer again. 8.00
7 FLAK JACKET ** Two years between wins is a concern but in honest form and will give a sight. 12
8 L’APPRENTI SORCIER ** Resuming after just fair debut but does trial well so keep safe. 14
9 STORM TROOPS *** Resuming after just missing over 1400m in this Company last start and trials like he can win this. 3.00
Race 8
Selections; 5 THE DODGER – 3 FRENCH VINTAGE – 4 MARGAUX – 6 REAL HERO
Another Class 5 raffle to make it tough for exotic players and it will pay to go extremely wide in this leg if the budget permits. In fact you can make a winning case for most of the capacity field (including the first emergency) and again, the tote may be the punters pal. In our favour is that there should be value about and THE DODGER may be the big improver. The 5YO is having his first start in Class 5 and certainly showed enough running on last start after excuses in running to win this. Two more obvious choices are FRENCH VINTAGE who has his foot on the till in similar affairs to this and MARGAUX who won two starts back before showing more than enough last start to follow. Too many others to mention but CHAIRMAN WIND improves with blinkers added, LUCKY COIN improves back on the turf and SUPERMART had excuses last start and will be running on.
1 ACIPENSER ** Form reads badly and is a maiden but could improve in Class 5. 33
2 CHAIRMAN WIND *** Resuming after a poor run of form but gets blinkers and recent trial suggests he improves lengths. 12
3 FRENCH VINTAGE *** Foot on the till in similar races to this and gets his chance. 3.00
4 MARGAUX *** Drawn wide but in form and should figure prominently. 5.00
5 THE DODGER *** Excuses before running on well last start over this trip and can win dropping to Class 5. 8.00
6 REAL HERO *** Will win in Class 5 sooner than later and will figure at the business end. 12
7 SUPERMART *** Excuses not to go very close to winning similar affair last start and pay to follow. 8.00
8 LUCKY COIN *** Appreciates being back on the turf over two-time winning trip. Value. 20
9 KING SAVINSKY * Reassess on the Poly over longer. 100
10 PUSONG PINOY ** Maiden who will be more than competitive at each-way odds. 20
11 TURQUOISE SON ** Another maiden who looks due to win one of these but obviously needs a result. 12
12 ACROSS THE SEA *** Not far away last start over 1200m and has to be a show here. 8.00
13 SUVARNABHUMI ** Can go forward from the good gate and pay to include somewhere if he gets a start. 20
14 SILENT POWER * Appreciates first up run but easier to ignore. 100
Race 9
Selections; 4 ARAMCO – 1 SATELLITE MAN – 3 MARINE TREASURE – 10 WHITE COFFEE
SATELLITE MAN could be all the rage with punters hoping to leave on a winning note but in a race with no depth, a newcomer in ARAMCO could spoil the party. Obviously SATELLITE MAN comes into this with two KSD wins under his belt and winning form will hold up in a race like this. Add a good recent trial and the speedster could very well show this lot a clean pair of heels at a likely short quote. However, ARAMCO was racing in good company back in Australia and while only winning once, he did have six other placings from 10 race starts. His local trials have been nice and easy and from the good gate, he might have something to offer late in this race. Nothing else appeals but WHITE COFFEE is in solid form and will keep the pair honest and a few others can improve on recent poor efforts.
1 SATELLITE MAN *** Won his last two in KSD Company over 1200m but recent trial good enough to go close in this. 2.10
2 BILLY MOJO * Needs to show more before considering. 50
3 MARINE TREASURE ** Issues when resuming with support and worth another look from gate 1. 12
4 ARAMCO *** More than handy former Australian who looks extremely well placed in Class 4 to win after two nice trials. 3.00
5 ISANOTHERONE * Resuming with blinkers after very poor Singapore debut and have to take on trust. 33
6 COLONEL LINCOLN * Resuming sans blinkers and was competitive on best form. 33
7 MUSCULAR SPRINTER ** Better than what he has showed at his last couple and could add value to exotics. 20
8 SUN FORCE * Recent trial OK but race form hopeless. 50
9 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Coming off a rare poor run but versatile and a must for exotics. 12
10 WHITE COFFEE ** Will need easier to win but in solid form and keeps the favourites honest. 12
11 CHEETAH KING * Reassess in Class 5 over longer. 100
12 HOT GOLD ** Just fair of late but recent good trial suggests he can improve. 12
