WONDERFUL hard to fault winning form(Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
An excellent days racing and while some of the Class 3 and 4 turf races have depth and will make for very good viewing, it is the Benchmark 97 Poly dash (race 9) that will garner most attention from punters.
And the big question will be – can WONDERFUL make it six straight Polytrack wins?
Not many horses get the full picket fence in the form book and while we have seen the likes of Debt Collector and Nova Swiss’ winning runs come to an end of late, WONDERFUL looks well-placed second up from a spell to win again and it will take a good horse to beat him.
Trainer Ricky Le Grange has three good horses in the field – THE GENERAL, ROYAL RULER and THE NUTCRACKER – and the trio may gang up on WONDERFUL.
THE GENERAL and ROYAL RULER picks themselves on Poly form – the pair have some 13 wins between them on the all-weather track – and punters will be more than happy to jump on board either one.
But don’t forget THE NUTCRACKER.
True, his form doesn’t read anywhere near as good as his two stablemates, but he is resuming after what looked like a much needed spell and his trials have been easily good enough to think he could surprise here with no weight.
He should be at odds too and in what could be a very open affair, the value might be a good punting option.
Best Bets: (LIM’S SAMURAI race 3, win), (GATO NEGRO race 10, win) and (THE NUTCRACKER race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 6), race 9 (3, 4, 7 and 9), race 10 (4, 5 and 7) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9).
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 5
Selections; 2 SUPER BUFFALO – 3 TIGER BAY – 6 DESTINY KNIGHT – 9 SPUR ME ON
A reasonable Class 5 over 1800m on turf. SUPER BUFFALO is still a Maiden but this distance suits and he should be prominent for Michael Rodd. TIGER BAY’s only wins have been on the poly but he just missed over a mile on turf last start and should be prominent throughout. DESTINY KNIGHT broke through two starts back over a mile in this Class, he may appreciate the extra distance and with Manoel Nunes staying on can be in the finish. SPUR ME ON has not been far away at recent outings and his trial was sound; he may appreciate this trip and could show up for Barend Vorster. Of the others MANMADHAN has not been far away at recent outings and may appreciate 1800m while ZAHIR could improve for Nooresh Juglall. If old KNIGHT SPIRIT is in the mood, he could charge home.
1 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** 10YO backing up quickly after a non-competitive poly effort last week after costly start. Better on turf and could improve. 10
2 SUPER BUFFALO *** Still a Maiden but this distance suits and should be prominent for Michael Rodd. 5.00
3 TIGER BAY *** Only wins have been on poly but just missed over a mile on turf last start and should be prominent throughout. 4.00
4 CARNELIAN * Only win was on poly and has battled since Maiden win. Needs to improve. 33
5 KEY ON KODIAC * Fourteen start Maiden whose recent form has been ordinary. 25
6 DESTINY KNIGHT *** Broke through two starts back over a mile in this Class. May appreciate extra distance and Manoel Nunes stays on. 5.00
7 MANMADHAN ** Not far away at recent outings and may appreciate 1800m. Has no weight and could be running on. 8.00
8 BOHEMIAN * Yet to place in 9 outings. Tested. 33
9 SPUR ME ON *** Not far away at recent outings and trial was sound. May appreciate this trip and could show up for Barend Vorster. 5.00
10 ZAHIR ** Found 1400m too short last start. Not far away two starts back and could improve for Nooresh Juglall with blinkers off. 8.00
Race 6
Selections; 6 RICH FORTUNE – 2 SURE WIN – 7 SOUTHERN CHIEF – 1 SUPER WARRIOR
Another open race. RICH FORTUNE placed on turf in this grade last start and his best form is on the poly. This distance suits and with Manoel Nunes to ride he should be running on. SURE WIN gets winkers and is suited by this class and distance; with Zaki to ride he could be hard to run down. SOUTHERN CHIEF is better suited here than at his past two outings, his only wins have been on this surface and distance; he should be hard to hold off with Alan Munro aboard. UNSURPASSED has not been far away in better company at recent starts, he has won at this trip and can be prominent from the good gate. Of the others SUPER WARRIOR is resuming and suited on the poly although his only wins have been at 1000m; he is awkwardly drawn but can give a sight. ROYAL DIWAN won a Morphettville (SA) Maiden over 1250m from two starts before arrival in Singapore, his trials have been moderate and he gets winkers and a tongue-tie; watch the market with Vlad Duric to ride.
1 SUPER WARRIOR *** Resuming and trial was moderate. Suited on poly but only wins have been at 1000m. Awkwardly drawn but can give a sight. 10
2 SURE WIN *** Gets winkers and suited this class and distance. With Zaki to ride could be hard to run down. 5.00
3 DUTY FIRST ** Never threatened on turf last start. Better suited on poly but last win was in KSD company and may need easier. 12
4 JUSTICE FAIR * Went from France to Hong Kong To Singapore. Won a 2000m race in France from four outings. Trial was fair but might want longer. 20
5 ROYAL DIWAN ** Won a Morphettville (SA) Maiden over 1250m from two starts before arrival in Singapore. Trials have been OK so watch market with Vlad Duric to ride. 10
6 RICH FORTUNE *** Placed on turf in this grade last start and best form is on poly. Distance suits and with Manoel Nunes to ride should be running on. 4.00
7 SOUTHERN CHIEF *** Better suited here than at past two turf outings. Only wins have been this surface and distance. Should be hard to hold off with Alan Munro to ride. 5.00
8 SATELLITE PRINCE * Has won at this trip but best recent efforts are over longer. Might need easier. 20
9 ECLAIR FIESTA * Blinkers come off but only win was in France over 2250m. Will find these too sharp. 25
10 AMAZEALOT * Suited this distance but might need Class 5. 20
11 UNSURPASSED ** Not far away in better company at recent starts. Has won at this trip and can be prominent from the good gate. 7.00
12 GOLDEN MISSION * Only battled when resuming. Hasn’t won for a long time and needs easier. 33
Race 7
Selections; 1 ARES – 3 TOLIMAN – 10 OXBOW SUN – 6 SOLARIS SPECTRUM
An interesting Class 3 over 1400m. ARES has performed solidly at his past two outings and will find this easier; with Michael Rodd to ride should be hard to hold out. TOLIMAN has changed stables, he fought on well last start in this grade over a mile behind Jupiter Gold and his recent trial was good; he should be handy throughout from the good gate with Manoel Nunes aboard. SOLARIS SPECTRUM was caught wide and never likely last start, his previous effort was good and he will get a better run from the nice gate, he is yet to win beyond 1200m but can be prominent. OXBOW SUN has been improved by recent Singapore outings; he won twice over this distance in Australia and should be prominent. Other chances in an open race include FIRST PRECINCT who won a Class 4 two starts back and has Glen Boss, MURRAY FIELD who may appreciate dropping back in trip and the enigmatic PARLIAMENT whose recent trial was an improvement with tongue-tie added.
1 ARES *** Has performed solidly at past two outings and will find this easier. With Michael Rodd to ride should be hard to hold out. 5.00
2 BRAHMA CIRCUS ** Battled on last start and will appreciate Vlad Duric getting aboard. Has won at this class and distance and could show up. 10
3 TOLIMAN *** Has changed stables. Fought on well last start behind Jupiter Gold and that form will hold up with Nunes to ride from gate 2. 4.00
4 DRAGONHEAD * Distanced at recent starts but is dropping in grade. Has struggled since arriving from Malaysia and needs easier. 33
5 PARLIAMENT ** Has shown nothing at two outing in Singapore but gets tongue-tie and recent trial suggest improvement. 14
6 SOLARIS SPECTRUM ** Caught wide and never likely last start. Previous effort was good and will get a better run from the nice gate. Yet to win beyond 1200m but can be prominent. 8.00
7 ARHAT ** Resuming and trial was solid. Promising middle-distance horse who could show up fresh but wants longer. 20
8 FIRST PRECINCT ** Won Class 4 over this trip two starts back and battled on well in KSC last start. Well drawn with Glen Boss up should get a good run throughout. 8.00
9 MURRAYFIELD ** Battled on over a mile in this class last start and subsequent trial was solid. Suited this distance and could improve. 12
10 OXBOW SUN *** Improved by recent Singapore outings. Won twice over this distance in Australia and should be prominent. 6.00
11 SUPER JOE * Dropping back in distance. Best form is over longer on poly. Looking for easier. 25
12 SUPERNOVA ** Ran on well over 1200m in this grade last start. Not the most reliable but on best form can be in the finish. 16
Race 8
Selections; 2 GREY FALCON – 1 AHMAR – 3 HERACLES – 10 DICAPRIO
The lightly raced horses in form look the ones to be on in his KSD and last start maiden winner GREY FALCON certainly fits that bill. The 3YO took nine starts to break his maiden status but it was hard to fault his honest form prior. And that last start win was impressive enough to think he is better than KSD Company with M Rodd retaining the ride. AHMAR has yet to win in Singapore but did win once n NZ before arriving and his recent form has him winning this without surprising with a 2kg claim a big factor. Plenty of others that win without surprising including HERACLES, SUN SEEKER, CHANGBAI MOUNTAIN, SMART FORTUNE and at odds, DICAPRIO. Keep the first emergency, PUBLIC FIGURE, safe at a price.
1 AHMAR *** Desperate for a result while in form but get this chance here with handy 2kg claim. 3.00
2 GREY FALCON *** Broke overdue maiden status in fine style last start and pay to follow. 3.50
3 HERACLES *** Turned around some poor form to just miss last start and have to respect on that effort in Class 4. 12
4 LIM’S CASINO ** Just fair two starts since resuming but this Company is suitable and worth thought with one eye on the market. 33
5 SUN SEEKER *** Showed last start this type of race is his caper and will work into winning calculations late. 12
6 STAR INVINCIBLE *** Took a while to break maiden status but in solid form and happy to follow in Class 4. 12
7 CHANGBAI MOUNTAIN *** Has enough pace to cross from the wide gate and in good enough form to give this a shake. 12
8 SMART FORTUNE *** Won on the Poly last start and maybe better again on the turf so pay to follow. 12
9 PROUD PINOY ** Form reads badly but Company suits and can run very cheeky race. 20
10 DICAPRIO *** Form a lot better than it reads and will be working into this late at each-way value. 12
11 HIKO YUNIKON ** Wide gate makes this tough and yet to win on the turf but in form and pay to respect. 20
12 THANKFULNESS * Solid when resuming but like to see over longer. 33
13 PUBLIC FIGURE *** Resuming with good trial under his belt and would give this shake on best form. 20
14 LUCKY SIX * Reassess in Class 5. 100
Race 9
Selections; 9 THE NUTCRACKER – 7 ROYAL RULER – 3 WONDERFUL – 4 THE GENERAL
Ricky Le Grange has three runners in this BM97 sprint and while most pundits will have ROYAL RULER and THE GENERAL in the winning mix, it may be his third runner – THE NUTCRACKER – who springs a surprise. And hopefully at odds! The Argentinean-bred grey had a chequered first campaign but recent trials suggests he will be back better for the break and worth noting his only win in Singapore was at his local debut. No weight to carry helps as does gate 2. As mentioned, ROYAL RULER and THE GENERAL pick themselves on form in this type of race and will figure throughout. WONDERFUL must be wondering what he has done wrong not to be the top pick given he has won his last five and SUN PIONEER is also in winning form. Great race with GOOD NEWS and CAVALLO always a show late at odds.
1 SEBAS ** Pace to burn and has won once this trip but better suited over 1000m. 12
2 GOOD NEWS ** Will always be doing best work late at odds and a must for exotics. 20
3 WONDERFUL *** Tested again stepping up in Class but hard to fault winning form and must go close. 3.00
4 THE GENERAL *** Disappointing in the Merlion Trophy but always a show in races like this and must be respected. 4.50
5 LASER STORM ** Better suite din this Company than Merlion and will be competitive but will need luck from wide gate. 20
6 CAVALLO ** Another who will work into exotic calculations late at value. 20
7 ROYAL RULER *** Progressive Poly sprinter freshened with some nice trials and looks well placed to win. 3.00
8 SUN PIONEER ** In winning form but big step up in Class and place looks best from wide gate. 12
9 THE NUTCRACKER *** Resuming after a chequered fist campaign but has won on the Poly and recent trials good enough to give this a shake with no weight. 20
10 SECRET MISSION * Resuming. Honest but needs easier than this. 50
11 EATONS GOLD * Needs Class 4. 50
Race 10
Selections; 5 GATO NEGRO – 7 HALO BRIGHT – 4 BLUE DIAMOND – 9 GOLDEN MILE
Not many horses in this field that would instill much confidence in punters, which could give GATO NEGRO a chance to knock in a win. The 6YO has seven wins under his belt – three on the Poly – and his recent form suggests he is ready to win again with regular hoop Oscar Chavez onboard from gate 6. HALO BRIGHT pulled up lame last start so it will pay to forget that run, as the 3YO’s form prior has him winning race like this. Not many others appeal but BLUE DIAMOND – who is tough to follow – wins a race like this on his day and does looked well placed in this field with O Placais from gate 3. GOLDEN MILE is the only last start winner in the field – albeit Class 5 – and has to be respected with market best guide on the rest including the newcomer from France, JACKFISH.
1 HERO CHAMPION * Resuming sans visor after one just fair run in Singapore and prefer to watch on trial form. 20
2 JACKFISH * Former French galloper who should need longer than this. 20
3 AWATERE ** Resuming with OK trial under his belt but both career wins have been on the turf so take on trust. 10
4 BLUE DIAMOND *** Can be tough to follow but won one of these four starts back and gets his chance from gate 3. 5.00
5 GATO NEGRO *** In form and this race looks very suitable to knock in another win. 4.00
6 CLARTON SUPER * Will improve with debut run under his belt but prefer to watch from the wide alley. 33
7 HALO BRIGHT *** Pulled up lame last start so ignore and can win on form prior. 4.00
8 SAVAGE STORM ** Excuses last start and not far away in similar affair to this two starts back so keep safe at odds. 20
9 GOLDEN MILE ** Won well in Class 5 when blinkers were added and pay to follow. 5.00
10 UNCLE LUCKY * Won in Class 5 three starts back and looking to get back there. 50
11 JOHN DUKE ** Competitive and gets to jump from the ace but should need it easier to win. 12
12 SCORPIO * Maiden who looks hopeless on form but should improve with blinkers first time. 100
Race 11
Selections; 4 O’WHAT A FEELING – 3 LIM’S BULLET – 1 CLASSIFIED – 5 ASTROJET
One of the better Class 4 fields assembled in recent times given you can make a strong winning case for nine or so runners which includes the first emergency, SUCCESSION. Of those confirmed starters, two last start winners in CLASSIFIED and O’WHAT A FEELING appeal. Both horses keep their winning hoops in Alan Munro and John Powell respectively and of the two, O’WHAT A FEELING – who led from gate 12 last start – might be the better option from gate 6. Too many other with their foot on the till to go into depth on each runner so the winning blanket goes over IMPERIAL MARCH, LIM’S BULLET, ASTROJET, DAMON and GOLDEN PENINSULA. Great race!
1 CLASSIFIED *** Won similar affair last start and only rises 1.5kg for the effort so must go close. 4.00
2 IMPERIAL MARCH *** Wide gate always a concern but not a mile away last start and will win one of these sooner than later. 16
3 LIM’S BULLET *** Blinkers off to try and turn some very good for into a win with best work expected late. 5.00
4 O’WHAT A FEELING *** Got a well deserved result when stepping up to the mile last start in this Company and right in this. 3.00
5 ASTROJET *** Another very honest progressive type who may appreciate the step up to the mile. 8.00
6 DAMON *** Needs a result for the good work of late but has to be considered. 8.00
7 MR CLOONEY * Competitive and has a recent turf win to his name but may be better suited in this Company on the Poly. 20
8 LAUGHING BUFFALO ** Maiden who will appreciate the mile but obviously eligible for easier. 20
9 GOLDEN PENINSULA *** Always looks an each-way hope in this Company and the mile looks ideal with blinkers removed. 20
10 MOON CHARM * Not a mile away last start similar affair but should need easier. 33
11 SUN THUNDER * Nothing last start and this field is very strong. 100
12 COLONEL LINCOLN * Reassess in easier Company. 100
13 SUCCESSION *** Saddle slipped last start when supported in similar affair so worth another serious look. 12
14 SUN FORCE * Needs easier. 50
