Sebas (Danny Beasley) claims victory in Race 2 on Sunday, picture Singapore Turf Club
“I love the smell of Napalm in the morning!” An iconic line from an iconic film and trainer Michael Clement will be hoping his Argentinean newcomer – RIDE OF VALKYRIES – becomes somewhat of a racing icon in Singapore.
Obviously that status will be a while off but with a Group 1 win under her belt, the 4YO mare is somewhat of a trail blazer given most (if not all) of the good horses to arrive from Argentina have been colts or geldings. So with class coupled with a couple of nice trials under her belt, she looks ready for a strong debut and while she has found a very good Class 3 field (race 7) that includes the likes of THESE STREETS and ASPEN, a win would not surprise.
Elsewhere on the card, SEBAS could be a good thing in race 8. The 3YO is better than Class 4 company and comes into after a freshen up after running second to the still unbeaten My Lucky Strike with a nice recent trial suggesting he is ready to show his best.
The 1000m dash looks ideal and given the field lacks both quality and depth, jockey Alan Munro should have no hesitation to ride the gelding like a good thing from gate 10 and make every post a winner. If only it was that easy!
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Best Bets; (SEBAS race 8, win), (BARNATO race 4, each-way) and (RIDE OF VALKYRIES race 7, each-way).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 3 and 4), race 7 (1, 3, 4, 5 and 6), race 8 (5), race 9 (Field).
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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; 2 OCTIVIA – 4 GOLDEN JADE – 3 BAY OF ISLAND – 9 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ
OCTAVIA broke through for a well-deserved maiden win at her last start and happy to think she can go on with the job in suitable Class 5 company. Her form previously in this grade suggests she more than handles what looks a field with no depth with Corey Brown staying on-board. GOLDEN JADE just missed last start and with winkers added from a favourable gate (2), Munro can get the job done. The veteran BAY OF ISLAND is always an each-way show in races like this and usually provides value and JOHNNY HATES JAZZ is coming off a swooping win and worth a look although he can mix his form. Of the rest, the emergency REAL GOODMAN looks ready to win again so keep safe if he gets a start and KATONG PARK gets blinkers and is overdue to break his maiden status.
1 DRAPPIER * Improves down in grade but hard on form. 33
2 OCTIVIA *** Finally broke through for maiden win last start and can go on with the job. 2.50
3 BAY OF ISLAND *** Veteran who is always an each-way show. 8.00
4 GOLDEN JADE *** Gets winkers after just missing last start and looks a leading hope. 4.00
5 WEOWNA FLYER * Hasn’t gone a yard three runs since changing yards but gets Nunes and gate 1. 20
6 KATONG PARK ** Maiden but competitive and will be thereabouts with blinkers back on. 8.00
7 A’S VICTORIOUS * Struggling this campaign. 50
8 BECOME RICH * Ironically named. 50
9 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ *** Doesn’t win out if turn but will be the one flying late if race run to suit. 12
10 NORTH STAR ** Battles away and can include in exotics. 12
11 BRILLIANT POWER * Not the worst at long odds but needs to be having a good day. 50
12 SUPER VELOX ** Cult maiden going for 60 straight this time sans blinkers. 12
13 REAL GOODMAN ** Has looked likely of late and might be value if he gets a start. 12
14 DOS EQUIS ** Usually competitive and worth thought in exotics. 20
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Race 2
Selections; 12 STORM TROOPER – 1 FALCON – 8 RINGS OF SATURN – 5 AMAZING
If there is any justice in the world, FALCON beats STORM TROOPER. Obviously FALCON was first over the line as favourite last start before being sensationally disqualified when Manny Nunes weighed in light. So you have to ignore the duck-egg in the book and FALCON gets another chance with new his new hoop, Michael Rodd, sure to check the lead bag twice before getting his leg over. But in what will be a slap in face to unlucky connections, it is Manny Nunes mount, STORM TROOPER, who is the one to beat. And given the two are both trained by Mark Walker, we can take the Nunes switch as a pointer to his winning chances. It’s not a two horse race by any means and you have to include the likes of RINGS OF SATURN, AMAZING, NUMERO UNO, EN LAUDER in the winning mix with the Pat Shaw pair of BONANZA and RAHUL likely improvers at value.
1 FALCON *** First across the line last start but jockey weighed in light. Can make amends. 3.50
2 EN LAUDER *** Resumed with a good placing at odds and have to respect on that run. 10
3 EXCUSE ME * Gets winkers after two ordinary runs this campaign and have to take on trust. 33
4 JETSTAR EAGLE * On the quick back-up and needs to improve. 200
5 AMAZING *** Had plenty of support when disappointing on debut but improves for the experience and over extra ground. 8.00
6 BEAUTY GOLD * Needs to improve on what we saw at debut. 200
7 MAGIC MASTER ** Blinkers off. Did nothing on debut but best trial was sans head-gear so keep safe at long odds. 33
8 RINGS OF SATURN *** Improves for what was a solid debut and right in this. 8.00
9 BONANZA ** Appreciates debut and extra trip and worth a look with tongue-tie added. 20
10 NUMERO UNO *** Hit the line nicely after excuses in running last start and pay to keep very safe. 25
11 RAHUL ** Debut OK and anther who improves for the run with 1400m ideal. 12
12 STORM TROOPER *** Ran into a nice type last time when supported and hard to beat given that form has been franked. 2.50
13 BLACK TRISTAR * Will improve with racing. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 2 SAND LANE – 1 BELLWETHER – 3 HONEST TRUTH – 4 CORONET PEAK
A small field but a tricky one and obviously the dash to the first bend will be super important. Especially given that the two likely leaders – SAND LANE and HONEST TRUTH – have drawn gates 2 and 1 respectively. If they don’t go silly out front, both are suited the trip and company so can win. In particular SAND LANE will find the drop to Class 3 right up his alley as is the trip with blinkers added right side. HONEST TRUTH will be value and again, the race is perfect to show his best. From gate 7, Corey Brown should take a sit on BELLWETHER and that could be ideal with all the pace drawn inside him. He is the form runner of the race and could be hard to hold out late with favours in running. On paper it should be a good race for swoopers and CORONET PEAK is the one that will be motoring late with DRAGON SPIRIT and the honest MEDIA CAPTAIN in the mix on best form.
1 BELLWETHER *** Placed when supported last start in similar affair and right in this. 2.00
2 SAND LANE *** Blinkers right side. Has speed to burn and finds himself in suitable grade over suitable trip. Big show. 3.00
3 HONEST TRUTH *** Another speedster who comes under notice in what should be the perfect race. 8.00
4 CORONET PEAK ** Swooper who will get every chance here with cracking early pace expected. 6.00
5 DRAGON SPIRIT ** Found a tough race but trailed well recently and will be value. 12
6 MEDIA CAPTAIN ** Tested this this level but in-form and honest. 12
7 LIVELY DRAGON * Nuisance value only. 100
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Race 4
Selections; 4 BARNATO – 1 FOREVER LUCKY – 3 Q NINE MAGIC – 2 BLACK FURY
BARNATO looked disappointing last start and obviously hard to have on that run but given how tough he did it that day, he is worth another look. There is no doubting the well-bred 3YO has ability but he is inexperienced and that has been costly. So the blinkers go on for the first time and Pat Shaw is happy to think apprentice MM Firdaus can get the job done with his handy 2kg claim. FORVER LUCKY looks the benchmark after winning in a similar affair last start and should handle the extra weight he is asked to carry. The interesting runner is Q NINE MAGIC who is having just his second start in Singapore. He had support on debut and while he might be better over longer, he trials OK and gets Nunes so could surprise. BLACK FIERY looks the other with obvious winning credentials however there may be an improver at odds in DRAGON KING who comes into this with poor form but a good recent trial.
1 FOREVER LUCKY *** Won one of these last start and have to follow. 4.00
2 BLACK FURY *** Up in Class and distance but in good form and pay to respect. 4.00
3 Q NINE MAGIC *** Supported on debut and hit the line well enough to consider although may need longer. 3.50
4 BARNATO *** Did it very tough last start so may pay to ignore and can win this on recent trial form with blinkers added. 5.00
5 DRAGON KING ** Impossible on form but recent good trial suggests he could run a very cheeky race at odds. 33
6 SOON YI ** Will be running on late but has been costly for followers so play with care. 6.00
7 BOURNE ACADEMY * Maiden who needs easier. 50
8 ROUGH DANCE ** Excuses last start and can work into this late at odds. 20
9 D’DON * Needs easier and perhaps shorter. 50
10 JACK OF HEARTS * Reassess easier. 100
11 JONATHAN * Needs easier. 100
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Race 5
Selections; 11 SUGARTIME JAZZ – 5 SACRED CROWN – 1 GOOD MISSION – 7 HANDSOME BAB
An odd race given no horses look like winning on paper and that makes any form tough! And to make matter worse those horses who have displayed some good recent form are suspect on the turf so hopefully the tote will give us a guide. As it stands, SUGARTIME JAZZ does go OK on his day and gets his chance here. His only win was over 1400m but from gate 1 with blinkers, he should go close. GOOD MISSION is a maiden who has poor form under his belt but might appreciate the company. A nice recent trial is in his favour as it is for HANDSOME BAB who could improve at odds. SACRED CROWN is having a rare turf run but is in form so picks himself and might even start favourite.
1 GOOD MISSION *** Maiden resuming and recent trials suggests he is competitive in this company. 8.00
2 HAPPY SAGA * Excuses last start but turf form remains a query. 10
3 FOREVER AHEAD * Coming off a shocker and have to take on trust. 20
4 GODS SPEED ** Blinkers off. Always competitive but wins have been over longer. 12
5 SACRED CROWN *** Rarely seen on the turf but racing in very consistent form and has to be considered from gate 2. 8.00
6 SO PERFECT ** Just battled last start but form prior has him under notice. 8.00
7 HANDSOME BAB ** Form reads only fair but gets blinkers and recent trial suggests he improves. 20
8 FLYING NEKO ** Tongue-tie added and improves for first-up run. 20
9 JAPPANELLA * Resuming after poor run of form and may want longer. 33
10 BEST LIFE * Resuming and while form hopeless his recent trial OK. 50
11 SUGARTIME JAZZ *** Gets blinkers, gate one and will not find an easier race to win than this. 3.00
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Race 6
Selections; 4 JUST NAME IT – 1 WHITE COFFEE – 3 BLACK MAGIC – 5 SILVER STAR
A solid Class 4 Poly sprint and JUST NAME IT gets blinkers and could be the one to beat. His form is good but more importantly a recent trial with head-gear suggests that blinkers could do the trick with gate 2 a bonus. Inside him in gate 1 is WHITE COFFEE who should appreciate being back on the Poly. A three-time winner this trip and surface, his recent form suggests he goes close with the in-form Michael Rodd staying on-board. BLACK MAGIC has shown more than enough at three career starts to think his connections have some fun and his Poly runs have him right in this. Of the rest, FEDERER is a last start winner and has to be respected while SILVER STAR will find this easier than good Novice company last start and could run a very cheeky race at value.
1 WHITE COFFEE *** In form and will enjoy being back on the Poly. Big show. 4.00
2 CONGO ZANDOR * Not a mile away last start but should need longer. 33
3 BLACK MAGIC *** Won maiden and placed in this company at two Poly starts. Goes very close. 3.00
4 JUST NAME IT *** Blinkers on and recent trial with head-gear suggests he can turn good form into another win. 3.00
5 SILVER STAR ** Did well in good Novice company last start and could run a cheeky race at each-way value. 12
6 FEDERER ** Won well in easier company last start and will be competitive on that effort. 8.00
7 METAPHOR * Maiden who needs easier. 50
8 YOURSTOKEEP * Will work into this late if having a good day but needs easier. 50
9 MOONBEAM DAZZLER ** Backed up maiden win with good effort this grade and cheeky run expected at odds. 20
10 OCEAN POWER ** Maiden resuming and was in solid form last start so pay to include in exotics. 20
11 PROBO CHANDROSO * Struggling. 200
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Race 7
Selections; 4 RIDE OF VALKYRIES – 1 THESE STREETS – 5 FRAAJILISTIC – 3 ASPEN
This race is a beauty and while it might be considered a punting risk given the quality of the field, RIDE OF VALKYRIES might just show that she is a horse with a big future in Singapore. Part of an ambitious buying spree from connections of trainer Michael Clements, RIDE OF VALKYRIES is a Group 1 winning mare who has trialed like she has settled in very well to the Kranji environment and gate 1 with M Rodd on-board looks a good combination. If she doesn’t fire on debut (or maybe even is she does), THESE STREETS is the horse she has to beat. The 5YO just missed as the odds-on elect first-up after a spell and 1400m is his caper. Hard to leave out last start winner ASPEN, FRAAJILISTIC and can never discount both trainer Clifford Brown or GOLD RUN over 1400m.
1 THESE STREETS *** Just missed when resuming over 1200m and hard to beat in this. 3.00
2 TIGER MASTER ** Appreciates first-up run and can run a very cheeky race at odds. 33
3 ASPEN *** Coming off a solid win similar affair and must be respected. 4.00
4 RIDE OF VALKYRIES *** Former Argentinean Group winner who looks well prepared to make a strong debut over 1400m. 5.50
5 FRAAJILISTIC *** Ran second to Kiwi Karma last start and step up to 1400m looks ideal with winkers added. Goes close. 5.00
6 GOLD RUN *** Form only reads fair but both horse and trainer are 1400m specialists and pay to respect. 12
7 KATE’S KEEPER ** Resuming after a cracking run of form but has found a tough race first-up. 20
8 NEW YORK CITY ** Never got going first-up after spell and worth another look at odds with best work expected late. 33
9 RUSTY BROWN ** Two recent wins over this trip but will find this field a lot tougher to handle. 20
10 ALFONSO ** Another Laxon runner who didn’t fire first-up after a spell but gets blinkers and will run a forward race. 33
11 POLE PARADISE * Going along OK but a tough ask in this field. 33
12 WAR LORD ** Should need easier but the type to keep safe in exotics with no weight. 33
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Race 8
Selections; 5 SEBAS – 1 ORIENTAL PEARL – 2 ROYAL FINISH – 9 MASTERMIND
SEBAS could be a very good thing in this class 4 dash. The 3YO hasn’t done much wrong bar a bad fade in Group 3YO company back in November but given his subsequent and latest outing was a close-up placing behind the unbeaten Lucky Strike, he goes better than most. A very good recent trial suggests he is spot on to run super after a freshen-up and it might be a case of catch-me-if-you-can. Of the rest, ORIENTAL PEARL placed in a similar affair last start and will keep SEBAS honest and MASTERMIND goes quick and looks the type that will pinch a race like this on his day. The newcomer ROYAL FINISH looks to have done enough at the trials to suggest he gives this a shake on Australian form and the market a good guide for his chances on debut.
1 ORIENTAL PEARL *** Placed last start in similar company and goes close again. 3.00
2 ROYAL FINISH *** Former Australian who has two wins over 1100m from four career starts and trials like he goes close here. 4.50
3 LADY ROULETTE * Has been struggling when it counts. 50
4 U GOT IT * Back in trip sans blinkers and easier to ignore. 50
5 SEBAS *** Resuming after going close last start and recent strong trial suggests he can win this. 2.50
6 FUKU ICHIBAN * Going OK but prefer over 1400m on the turf. 20
7 TOU SHOU BRIGHT ** Resuming after nice maiden win and while recent trial was good, should need longer. 12
8 HOW HUGE * No. 200
9 MASTERMIND ** Has early speed so can make use of the ace but can be found wanting late. 20
10 PIASAU GARDEN ** In good form in easier company but worth thought in exotics. 20
11 DOUBLE CASH ** Checked when making ground late in similar affair last start and will be value. 20
12 FLAMING FIREHEART * Needs easier. 100
13 NAOMI * Resuming after long break and easier to ignore. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 3 HIGH TROJA – 1 DANNY – 2 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON – 8 DRAGON
We can only hope the first eight races have been kind to the “sky rocket” as the ninth is an absolute doozy. In fact bar ZAC BENEVOLENT, all can win on paper suggesting that there will be value about for those looking for an each-way finish to the night. HIGH TROJA is one the should be value given he has been going round at long odds of late. Obviously his last start second has him under notice and given he has excuses in running, he could win this and might still be odds. DANNY is another that can win back in Class 4 and as he is one of three Laxon runners, he should be value with the unfashionable Benny Woodworth on-board (Nunes rides RED SAPPHIRE and Rodd rides BORDEAUX for Laxon who can both win). SQUIRE OSBALDESTON showed more than enough at his Singapore debut to think he can win without surprising and don’t forget DRAGON or RUM N RAISINS both at value. Include the rest somewhere.
1 DANNY *** Last start better than the result and finds himself in suitable company. Eachway. 13
2 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON *** Put in a super effort at Singapore debut and a leading hope on that run. 4.00
3 HIGH TROJA *** Excellent effort to place at odds last start and right in this. 12
4 INTENSE GOLD *** Resumed with good win over 1400m and looks well-placed in this. 5.00
5 BORDEAUX ** Yet to win on the turf but always thereabouts and another to keep safe. 20
6 IKING ** Not a mile away last start and plays a part at odds if on his game. 20
7 ZAC BENEVOLENT * No. 100
8 DRAGON *** Ran on well when resuming and suited this trip. Value. 20
9 RUM N RAISINS *** In solid form and and another that comes into this late at value. 12
10 RED SAPPHIRE *** In very good form and Nunes booking significant. 6.00
11 BRING MONEY HOME *** Broke maiden status this company last start and very well placed with 53kg. 5.00
12 JUST THE TIP ** In form in easier company but gets blinkers first time so have to keep safe. 12
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