Kiwi Karma (Manoel Nunes) pulls away to an easy win on Friday night. (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
A great weekends racing – a million dollar race will do that – but to be fair to a few nice horses going round on Friday, the all-Polytrack meeting doesn’t reach any great heights.
In saying that, punters could have a night out with some very promising horses looking well-placed to knock in a win and none more so than KIWI KARMA in the Kranji Stakes C sprint (race 7). A Group winner as a 2YO, KIWI KARMA returns to racing after being beaten by stablemate AFFLECK in the Juvenile Championship and looked ready to show her best first-up with a quiet trial under her belt.
Obviously her best was good enough to beat AFFLECK in the Golden Horseshoe and given she is the only horse to beat the champion 2YO (and 3YO for that matter) elect, she could be top-class. She will need to be just that in what is a very good KSC field (especially after drawing the widest gate) but her speed and class should prevail.
There looks to be some other standouts on the night and happy to think LUCIUS VORENUS can break his maiden status in race 5 on the card and RED DAWN will be short and sweet with blinkers added in race 3.
For those looking for value, two fat ladies think BINGO is some hope in race 1 but as the name suggests, it could be a bit of a raffle.
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Best Bets; (LUCIUS VORENA race 5, win), (KIWI KARMA race 7, win) and (BINGO race 1, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 3 and 4), race 7 (2, 3, 6, 7 and 9), race 8 (1, 3, 4, 7 and 9), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 6 and 9).
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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.
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Race 1
Selections; 7 BINGO – 3 BLUE DIAMOND – 2 XIN TREASURE – 1 BRINGITHOME
Gold Cup weekend starts with a tricky Kranji Stakes D and with an upset in mind, BINGO is one to watch at odds. The five-time winner is very hard to follow and has drawn the outside gate but a recent good trial suggests he is ready to show his best and he will be flying late if on-song. There looks plenty of good winning hopes though with BLUE DIAMOND looking due to knock in his second career win. The 4YO has been thereabouts without really threatening but should go close in KSD company with the in-form Dan Beasley up. Likewise, XIN TREASURE should improve enough to be a winning show in this company and a market watch is in order with Oscar Chavez on-board. BRINGITHOME is probably the obviously pick given his recent form but he will be short and desperately needs a result for followers. The maiden POWER LIN and 100m specialist RORY the other two that could win without surprising.
1 BRINGITHOME *** Desperately needs a win for the support but showed enough last start to go close in this field. 3.00
2 XIN TREASURE *** Form reads only fair but will grow a leg in this company and be flying late. 5.00
3 BLUE DIAMOND *** Looks due and another who appreciates drop to KSD company. 4.00
4 IMACRUISER * Needs longer. 100
5 POWER LIN *** Maiden who finds trouble but goes close if things go his way. 9
6 SELECT GATHERING ** Respiratory issues last start and in the exotic mix if right. 20
7 BINGO *** Usually the type to keep safe but recent trial suggests he could be ready to show his best. 10
8 PACINO * Same age as trainer. 33
9 RORY *** Nothing last start but always a show this company over this trip. 8.00
10 RIGHT IS RIGHT * Back in trip and might need easier. 33
11 ZENA * Reassess easier company. 50
12 FUKU’S PET * Not the worst and gets the ace but should need easier. 33
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Race 2
Selections; 2 INVINCIBLE MAN – 7 EXCELLENT MAGIC – 6 DRAGON FURY – 1 SUN DAYTON
Favourite punters might be a bit gun-shy about this race after INVINCIBLE MAN was well-beaten into third place as the odds-on pop at his last start. And he is likely to start in the red once again given a strong recent trial with blinkers and hopefully the 3YO makes quick amends and breaks his maiden status. He also had excuses in running under Juglall last start but the same hoop should get a better run from gate 2. A couple of newcomers will keep the betting interesting with EXCELLENT MAGIC and DRAGON FURY both coming into this with good trial form under their belts. The tote will be a good guide but EXCELLENT MAGIC did impress at his most recent hit-out and could test the likely favourite. Of the rest, RACER KING and FEDERER will be thereabouts and SUN DAYTON the big improver with blinkers added.
1 SUN DAYTON ** Blinkers on. Race form hopeless but recent trial with head-gear suggests immediate improvement. 33
2 INVINCIBLE MAN *** Blinkers on first time after excuses when beaten as odds on pop last start. Very hard to beat on recent strong trial. 1.80
3 FEDERER ** Resuming with tongue-tie after improving when blinkers added. Keep safe. 12
4 RACER KING ** Blinkers back on after just fair effort but usually in the mix with gate 1 a bonus. 5.00
5 SO SIMPLE * No. 100
6 DRAGON FURY *** Has been trialing well and very forward showing expected on debut. 5.00
7 EXCELLENT MAGIC *** Another who comes into this with a good hit out at recent trial and worth serious thought on debut. 5.00
8 SOUTHERN ADMIRAL * Needs to lift on what we saw on debut. 100
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Race 3
Selections; 8 RED DAWN – 2 SPYDER – 5 RAPPOR – 1 AMAZEALOT
This race has depth and while RED DAWN might be a very promising horse and looks the winner, he will need to show his best. The Align 3YO has been sent off as the odds-on elect at both career starts and while he got the job down at start two, he wasn’t as impressive as he should have ben given the short price. But trainer Shane Baertschiger has put blinkers on to sharpen him up and given the form he showed at a recent trial with head-gear, he is the only one to be on. But as mentioned, he will need to be on his game and you can make a strong case for the likes of SPYDER and RAPPOR who both look due on recent form as do AMAZEALOT, ANGRY CAT and HUMOR TOWN.
1 AMAZEALOT *** Did it tough last start so effort to place was very good but will need luck from wide gate. 8.00
2 SPYDER *** Overdue to win a race like this and goes mighty close again. 5.00
3 ANGRY CAT *** Showed last start why he has to be respected in this type of race and will be flying late. 9.00
4 HUMOR TOWN *** Hard to fault form – albeit over longer – and have to respect. 8.00
5 RAPPOR *** Drawn wide but just missed last start and in this a long way. 5.00
6 DREAMCATCHER ** Form starting to taper and drawn wide but always some hope in these. 33
7 STARPERFECT * Appreciates Singapore debut run but should need longer. 100
8 RED DAWN *** Tested when winning last start but recent trial when blinkers suggest he is the one to beat here. 3.00
9 D’ARTAGNAN ** Has ability but jockey has reported issues last two starts so take on trust. 12
10 WORK AHEAD ** Another who seemed to have issues last start but up to this on a good day. 33
11 GILT LAD * Struggling of late but will enjoy being back on the Poly. 50
12 EXCAVATOR ** Not far away last start similar affair at odds and could sneak into exotics. 33
13 SACRED CROWN * Not traveling well enough. 100
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Race 4
Selections; 1 NATION THEATRE – 2 SPOT ON – 7 TRADING GOLD – 11 GENERAL CONATUS
Tough to be confident here but a couple of horses appreciating the company in NATION THEATRE and SPOT ON could be a good place to start. Also in NATION THEATRE’s favour is the fact he seems to enjoy the Poly with his only win in Singapore on the all-weather track. His only other run on the poly was also good and from gate one with a handy 2kg claimer in MM Firdaus aboard, he should go well. SPOT ON also has a 2kg claimer in Zuriman and also appreciates the Poly and the trip. Of the others, two horses that are in good form and come into this with nice recent trials under their belts are TRADING GOLD and GENERAL CONATUS. TRADING GOLD also gets pacifiers and a tongue-tie and with Juglall up, should go close. It will be honest race with BLACK BEAN and CASSIS OOLONG both likely to go forward from wide gates and either could be hard to pass if given any leeway on the pace.
1 NATION THEATRE *** Form looks ordinary but appreciates Poly, company, claim and the ace. Big show. 5.00
2 SPOT ON *** Another who gets back onto his preferred surface and trip. Can win. 4.00
3 DRAPPIER ** Showed last start she will be competitive in this type of race and in the exotic mix. 12
4 BEAUTIFUL WORLD * Has been struggling of late but run two back on this surface OK. 33
5 NO NONSENSE * Appreciates the mile but hard to have on form. 100
6 BLACK BEAN *** Will go forward from wide gate and hard to pass if any peace out front. 4.00
7 TRADING GOLD *** Been thereabouts of late but recent trial suggests he gives this a shake with pacifiers/tongue-tie added. 7.00
8 CASSIS OOLONG ** Another drawn wide that will go forward so will need luck into first turn. 12
9 POWERFUL FIGHTER ** Two runs this campaign hopeless but form prior in this type of race was good so keep safe at odds. 33
10 SILENT ARROW * Blinkers off but no. 100
11 GENERAL CONATUS *** Showed last start he is up to a race like this and recent trial suggests he goes close. 8.00
12 BEAT TO QUARTERS ** Certainly not the worst over this trip and expect him to have a say late at each-way odds. 12
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Race 5
Selections; 5 LUCIUS VORENUS – 1 SUPER JOY – 4 TRINITY – 3 BRANKSOME
LUCIUS VORENUS could be a good thing here. The 4YO resumes after placing twice from four career starts but given some recent strong trial form, he is ready to win. Also in his favour is the fact his two placings were on the Polytrack so this does look his preferred surface. His last start was his best when blinkers added so that is also in his favour. His stablemate, TRINITY, also looks one of the main hopes and in this a very long way with Juglall on-board from a fair gate. The race has depth though and you can make a strong case for SUPER JOY, HANKFULNESS, MALA MALA and BRANKSOME with the latter some hope to make amends after losing the rider at his last start. To make things even tougher for punters, the emergency – PURE WHITE – looks a leading hope if he gets a start.
1 SUPER JOY *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and can win this. 4.00
2 THANKFULNESS *** Can be disappointing and drawn wide but appreciates maiden company and the Poly so goes close. 7.00
3 BRANKSOME *** Lost rider at start when supported last start and this race suitable to show his best. 6.00
4 TRINITY *** Honest and in this a very long way. 6.00
5 LUCIUS VORENUS *** Resuming after going close with blinkers last start and recent trials has him the one to beat. 3.00
6 EASY EASY ** Usually about the place and worth a look in exotics. 20
7 FATKID WONDERER ** Has speed and will improve with race experience. 33
8 YOUNG LADY * Appreciates maiden company and excuses last two (saddle) but impossible on form. 100
9 MALA MALA *** Excuses not to win last start but Poly form is a query. 8.00
10 RAPTURE * Prefer others. 100
11 MORRIS * Long-term maiden. No. 100
12 CHINESE TYCOON * Start 56 and counting. 100
13 PURE WHITE *** Drawn wide but ready to win and has to be respected. 4.00
14 DOUBLE JEOPARDY ** Would like to see over longer but showed enough last start to keep safe in exotics. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 4 HAPPY PRINCESS – 1 DR OCTOPUS – 3 TROPICAL FOREST – 9 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT
The tote will be an excellent guide for this KSD sprint especially given two of the horses with winning hopes – DR OCTOPUS and HAPPY PRINCESS – are resuming after poor runs. HAPPY PRINCESS looks the better option of the pair given some of the form she showed prior to her break and with Corey Brown up from gate 2, she will get every chance. DR OCTOPUS is a riskier proposition given the 4YO has had respiratory issues at his last two starts (roarer) and obviously that is a concern so stable support would be handy. There doesn’t seem a lot of depth to this race but TROPICAL FOREST can win on what we have seen at recent efforts and the grey will be the one flashing home late. For exotics you can include LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT, HARDEN UP and PROBO CHANDROSO.
1 DR OCTOPUS *** Resuming in very winnable race after having issues last campaign (roarer). Goes close if right. 4.00
2 TONGARIRO * Resuming and should need longer. 33
3 TROPICAL FOREST *** Due to win a race like this and should figure late. 4.00
4 HAPPY PRINCESS *** Resuming and looks extremely well-placed to win first-up with gate 2 a bonus. 2.00
5 HARDEN UP ** Form looks hopeless but could improve back on the Poly. 33
6 PROBO CHANDROSO ** Long time between drinks but can include in exotics fresh. 20
7 CLERMONT CLUB * Resuming and needs longer. 100
8 DORAEMON * Struggling. 100
9 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT ** Always some hop on the Poly and will work into calculations late. 12
10 PIASAU GARDEN * Resuming sans blinkers and should need longer. 33
11 ACE RICH * Not a mile away last start but like to see in something easier. 20
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Race 7
Selections; 9 KIWI KARMA – 7 SURE WIN – 2 GATO NEGRO – 3 DOUBLE STAR
This race saves what can only be described as a mediocre at best Polytrack meeting. In fact this race would hold it’s own as a feature given the flying filly KIWI KARMA is first-up as a 3YO and meets a cracking field that includes SUPER KENNY at the top of the weights to name just one. But KIWI KARMA is the only horse to be on given what she showed as a juvenile including winning the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe when she became the only horse to beat now star 3YO, AFFLECK. She has speed so the wide gate is no issue and Danny Beasley should ride her like a good thing. If you don’t like the filly first-up after a spell, you can make a case for most others with SURE WIN coming off a good win, GATO NEGRO ready to win again and DOUBLE STAR likely to offer value in what is a wide open race. So KIWI KARMA or take your pick.
1 SUPER KENNY ** Big weight to carry but has speed and should be prominent throughout. 10
2 GATO NEGRO ** Always a show and usually value so pay to follow. 10
3 DOUBLE STAR ** Ignore last start as he will grow a leg back on the Poly in this company. Value. 20
4 CORONET PEAK ** Disappointing last start but will be closing late if right. 20
5 LIVELY DRAGON ** Never likely last start but that could be an anomaly and pay to keep safe. 10
6 STRUBELI ** Honest and yet another to respect in a race with depth. 8.00
7 SURE WIN ** Smart and right in this finish with any luck from wide gate. 5.00
8 MY SHINE ** Nothing last start but trialed well since and this race looks suitable. 33
9 KIWI KARMA *** Resuming after excellent Juvenile campaign that included a group win over Affleck. The one to beat. 3.00
10 ORIGIN FAST ** In very good form but will need to be at his very best in this crack field. 10
11 WHITE COFFEE ** Broke through last start in Class 4 but exotics look best. 20
12 FLAG OF COMMAND ** Resuming after winning first-up so have to respect. 20
13 DANNY RICARDO * In form but needs longer and easier with blinkers off. 50
14 SILVER DOLLAR ** Resuming with winkers after long break but has ability and could show something. 20
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Race 8
Selections; 1 DEMON KING – 4 GOOD LOOUKEN – 7 ULTIMATE WARRIOR – 3 LONESOME ME
DEMON KING got blinkers last start and almost won over 1200m and could be hard to beat stepping up to the mile in this company. A one-time winner over 1400m, the mile should not pose a threat, however, gate 11 on the tight Poly mile track is a concern so play with some care if he is very short in the betting. And the beauty of this race is that value looks on offer with the likes of ULTIMATE WARRIOR and GOOD LOOUKEN both likely improvers. GOOD LOOUKEN in particular could start at long odds given his form on paper but back on the Poly from gate 2 looks a good move and he could easily run a big race. ULTIMATE WARRIOR disappoints more often than not but will not get a better chance than this to show his best with gate 1 a bonus. LONESOME ME also finds himself back in a suitable race and should be prominent throughout with MONEY KING also in the winning mix on recent form.
1 DEMON KING *** Drawn wide but just missed last start with blinkers added and mile no issue. 2.80
2 ABOVE THE RAINBOW * Would need to lift. 50
3 LONESOME ME *** Will go froward from wide gate and should run a bold race over what is a suitable trip and track. 4.00
4 GOOD LOOUKEN *** Form reads badly but finds himself in the right race so expect a big run. 12
5 HEAR ME * Has been struggling but the type who pops up at odds so keep safe. 33
6 RON ** Usually in the mix and a must for exotics. 12
7 ULTIMATE WARRIOR *** OK late last start and could be ready to show his best from gate 1. 12
8 CAN’T TOUCH ME ** Coming off a shocker but usually competitive in these fields. 12
9 MONEY KING *** In form and should be prominent throughout. 6.00
10 DYNASTY KNIGHT ** Hasn’t won for a long-time but has looked due and Poly mile may suit. 12
11 CARNIVAL STAR * Gets blinkers but best form is on the turf. 20
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Race 9
Selections; 6 DAY BY DAY – 9 TIP OF BORNEO – 2 LITTLE JUMBO – 1 IMPEL
An interesting end to what could have been a good night for punters and hopefully we can finish on a winning note with DAY BY DAY. The 4YO won on debut before finding Graduation company too tough at start two. A break and a solid first-up run in Novice company should see him ready to show his best at handicap conditions and from gate 1, John Powell should try to make every post a winner. TIP OF BORNEO also looks a good winning hope in Class 4 after winning tough on debut. On that occasion the 3YO did work and was bumped heavily at a crucial stage so his win has merit and obviously his trainer Laurie Laxon is in fine form. Others with serious winning hopes include LITTLE JUMBO, IMPEL resuming after a bleeding attack, PURE TACTICS, ROYAL TUDOR and ROCK OF AGES.
1 IMPEL *** Resuming after a bleeding attack but recent trial suggests he gives this a shake with handy 4kg claim. 6.00
2 LITTLE JUMBO *** Gets tongue-tie after excuses last start and goes close on previous winning form. 4.00
3 PURE TACTICS *** Form looks hopeless and drawn badly but goes close with luck after nice recent trial. 20
4 ROYAL TUDOR ** Very disappointing last start but better than that and pay to keep safe at odds. 20
5 RISING EMPIRE ** Last run better than the result and another that is always a hope in races like this. 20
6 DAY BY DAY *** Appreciates first-up run and handicap conditions and will be handy throughout from the ace. 6.00
7 HAPPY HAPPY ** Should have more to offer this company than what he showed last start but exotics best. 11
8 LOVE EXCEL * No. 100
9 TIP OF BORNEO *** Didi it tough to win on debut and have to respect on that effort. 5.50
10 ROCK OF AGES ** Gets tongue-tie after breaking maiden status last start and another to follow. 6.00
11 DRAGON KNIGHT * Tongue-tie off after failing to flatter at Singapore debut and prefer to just watch. 33
12 I-SCREAM NOW ** Maiden resuming after having issues (roarer) last start but worth a look in exotics. 12
13 PERFECT PRIZE * No. 200
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