A rare KSB race – this one over 1100m – highlights what looks an interesting night for punters on an all-Polytrack nine race card. PEACE NO WAR looks very well-placed with just 54.5kg to carry and can make amends for being beaten as them even money favourite at his last start.
But being beaten by the consistent and smart GOLDEN SAND STEED is nothing to be ashamed about and from gate 1 in slightly easier company, he should be hard to beat in race 7. The main dangers – HAPPY MONEY, ASTROSTAR and SAND LANE – all know how to win on the Polytrack though and will keep the likely favourite honest in what should be a cracking race.
Elsewhere on the card, GOLDEN TOMAHAWK gets to show his five-and-a-half length win on debut was no fluke when he lines up in a Novice 1200m event (race 5). The 3YO colt wasn’t missed by punters on that occasion (starting at even money) and expect much the same again with his main opposition being the last start winner, CLIP THE TICKET.
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Best Bets; (GOLDEN TOMAHAWK race 5, win), (PEACE NO WAR race 7, win) and (MAI GURU race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9), race 7 (4), race 8 (2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8), race 9 (1, 2, 4 and 5).
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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; 5 BRANKSOME – 3 SACRED SPIN – 11 HOST THE NATION – 8 GOOD MISSION
A particularly tricky Maiden over 1200m opens the all-polytrack programme. Many of these have been found wanting but there are a number of Singapore debutants and lightly raced conveyances who could make their presence felt if supported. BRANKSOME placed two starts back in a Novice over 1200m followed by solid effort in KSD over 1400m. He is better suited here and should race well despite the outside draw. HOST THE NATION has been trying for a while but has placed at last his two outings over 1200m; with Oscar Chavez replacing HK Cheng, he should be right in the finish. GOOD MISSION has been freshened after ordinary efforts on turf, he is better suited on the poly and should be handy all the way. SACRED SPIN had support but only battled on his Singapore debut, he placed twice in New Zealand before coming to Singapore and should get a gun run from the ace. The blinkers go on JUSTICE RIGHT, he is former HK galloper who placed three times from 12 runs up to a mile – he is trialling solidly and worth a market watch. Laurie Laxon sends out RED SAPPHIRE who placed twice from eight starts up to a mile at Wyong and Kembla Grange in NSW; his recent trial was good and with Dan Beasley to ride could have support.
1 JUSTICE RIGHT ** Blinkers on. Former HK galloper who placed three times from 12 runs up to a mile. Trialling solidly but this may be too short. Watch market. 10
2 MULTITASKING ** Blinkers on. Not far away in Class 4 over 1000m last start. This is much more suitable. Watch for support. 12
3 SACRED SPIN *** Had support and excuses not to finish closer on Singapore debut. Should get a gun run from the ace. 7.00
4 RED SAPPHIRE ** Placed twice from eight starts up to a mile at Wyong and Kembla Grange in NSW. Recent trial was solid. Watch for support. 10
5 BRANKSOME *** Placed two starts back in Novice over followed by solid effort in KSD over 1400m. Better suited here and should race well despite draw. 5.00
6 ELECTING * Did nothing at only Malaysian start. Resuming and did not show up in trial. 50
7 HAPPY HAPPY ** Distanced last start on turf. Much better suited on poly though best efforts have been over shorter. 10
8 GOOD MISSION *** Has been freshened after ordinary effort on turf. Better suited on poly and should be handy all the way. 5.50
9 MALA MALA ** Resuming. Has shown nothing in races but recent trial encouraging and gets Corey Brown. 16
10 PURE WHITE ** Raced handy but weakened when resuming over 1200m last outing. Poorly drawn but gets senior rider and could show up. 16
11 HOST THE NATION *** Placed at last two outings over 1200m. Gets senior rider and should be right in the finish. 5.00
12 TIME AFTER TIME * Just battled at past two outings and needs to improve. 33
13 WINFREY * Done nothing in nine starts. 50
14 SURPASS *** Excellent effort when resuming. If he can repeat will be hard to beat. 6.00
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Race 2
Selections; 9 CATCH ME GREAT – 1 GADAWON – 2 FALCON – 11 DRAGON HIGHNESS
An Initiation over 1200m with a couple knocking on the door and an interesting newcomer to keep punters on their toes. GADAWON has placed five from six career runs including his Singapore debut; he is well drawn and should get a gun run. EXCUSE ME ran on well at his turf debut over 1200m and has trialled since, he should race well from the good gate. FALCON placed twice from four starts in NZ, he trials nicely, is well drawn and should put in a good debut – watch for support. DRAGON HIGHNESS placed at both outings the first on the polytrack over 1000m, she should be handy all the way. CATCH ME GREAT is a first starter who is trialling very well; with Corey Brown to ride support can be expected. BONITA Z BULL was well beaten on turf last start after a good poly debut, back on the preferred surface he should be prominent all the way.
1 GADAWON *** Placed five from six career runs including Singapore debut. Well drawn and should get a gun run. 3.50
2 FALCON *** Placed twice from four starts in NZ. Trials nicely, from the good alley should debut well. Watch market. 3.50
3 JOHN DUKE * Runs on but well beaten at three starts. 100
4 AIM HIGH * Barely beaten a runner home in four starts. 200
5 ENTIRELY POSSIBLE * Well back at all five outings. 200
6 EXCUSE ME *** Ran on well at turf debut over 1200m and has trialled since. Should race well from the good gate. 6.50
7 TURQUOISE SON * Copped interference but finished well back on debut. 100
8 AWINISAWIN * Distanced at only start. 200
9 CATCH ME GREAT *** By Circular Quay. Trialling impressively and has Corey Brown. Should debut well. 4.00
10 BONITA Z BULL ** Well beaten on turf last start after good poly debut. Suited this surface and should be prominent all the way. 10
11 DRAGON HIGHNESS *** Placed at both outings, the first on the polytrack over 1000m. Should be handy all the way. 6.00
12 SO WHAT * Blinkers on. Well beaten at only start. 50
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Race 3
Selections; 5 HE’S A STRIKER – 1 BORSALINO – 2 DAAD’S THE WAY – 4 DANNY
A Class 4 over 1700m on the polytrack with multiple chances. HE’S A STRIKER has been running on well over shorter distances on turf, his only win was in the UK over 2000m on a synthetic surface and he should be well suited in this. An interesting runner is BORSALINO. Although only winning once in Singapore, he looks well-placed in Class 4 and a recent trial was good so pay to keep very safe. Of the rest, DAAD’S THE WAY is a grand old veteran who likes the polytrack and this distance, with Zuriman up he will be closing late. DANNY is another veteran who ran on strongly to win over 1800m on poly in KSD company two starts back; he should be running on once again. SINGLE ACT was beaten six lengths when second in a BM67 over 1700m on poly last start; well drawn here, he should get a gun run.
1 BORSALINO *** Stepping up to a suitable distance after two runs back from a spell and recent trial was good. Should be running on strongly. 8.00
2 DAAD’S THE WAY *** Grand old veteran who likes the polytrack and this distance. Will be closing late. 5.00
3 BUNGAE ** Blinkers on. Ran on well last start at third run back from a let-up. Suited on the polytrack and should race well. 8.00
4 DANNY *** Ran on strongly to win over 1800m on poly in KSD two starts back. Should be running on once again. 5.00
5 HE’S A STRIKER *** Has been running on well over shorter distances on turf. Only win was in UK over 2000m on synthetic and should be well suited in this. 4.50
6 DARK PULSE ** poor effort last outing. At prior start boxed on well in Class 4 at this trip on poly. Could show up. 12
7 JIMTOWN ** Form better than it reads and gets winkers. Keep safe at odds. 20
8 RON * Knocked up last start but can give a bold sight if allowed to roll along. Only two wins have been at a mile. 20
9 SINGLE ACT *** Beaten six lengths when second in BM67 over 1700m on poly last start. Well drawn and should get a gun run. 5.00
10 BLACK BEAN * Likes to roll along in front but better suited in Class 5. 25
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Race 4
Selections; 4 HIDDEN VENTURE – 1 CHUNGHUA – 2 BLUE DIAMOND – 3 TROPICAL FOREST
Another difficult KSD over 1200m on the polytrack. BLUE DIAMOND’s only win was at 1200m and he will find this easier than recent runs in Class 4 over 1000m; from the good alley he should be on the speed all the way. The blinkers go on CHUNGHUA, he has been well back at two Singapore outings in Class 4 company but had a win and two placings on the all-weather in UK. He trialled well recently and with Noh Senari’s claim should show up. TROPICAL FOREST is a veteran who can find trouble but he is usually running on strongly and if Oscar Chavez can have him handy enough from the good gate, he should be closing late. HIDDEN VENTURE was slowly away last outing but fought on stoutly. If Ivaldo Santana can get him to begin well he should be prominent all the way. The depth falls away after this but SELECT GATHERING if at his best and CHEETAH KING fresh could be closing late.
1 CHUNGHUA *** Blinkers on. Well back at two Singapore outings in Class 4 company. Had win and two placings on all-weather in UK. Trialed well recently and should show up. 5.00
2 BLUE DIAMOND *** Only win was at 1200m and will find this easier than recent runs in Class 4 over 1000m. 3.80
3 TROPICAL FOREST *** Can find trouble but usually running on in this company. 4.50
4 HIDDEN VENTURE *** Slowly away last outing but fought on stoutly. If he begins well, should be prominent all the way. 6.00
5 HEAR ME * 10YO who has not looked likely since surprise win in KSC five starts back. 33
6 PACINO ** Having 116th lifetime start but age may be catching up. 20
7 SATELLITE KING ** Generally races handy but best runs have been on turf. 12
8 SELECT GATHERING ** Raced handy and put in better effort last start. Could show up. 12
9 CHEETAH KING ** Resuming. Best form is on turf but runs on strongly and could get in the finish. 10
10 ROMA * Better in Class 5 but has speed and will give plenty of cheek from the ace. 20
11 BARGAIN BID * Has some speed but better in Class 5. 33
12 FAITHFUL WARRIOR * Blinker Pacifiers on. Resuming and best form is over longer. 50
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Race 5
Selections; 8 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK – 9 CLIP THE TICKET – 2 LIM’S CAPTAIN – 10 LUCKY GIANT
A Novice over 1200m with a couple of smart, young last winners involved. GOLDEN TOMAHAWK streeted them in his Maiden win over 1000m; from the good draw with only 51.5kg, he will be hard to beat. CLIP THE TICKET showed plenty of speed and hung on to win over 1200m on the turf last start; from the ace he will give plenty of cheek. On revealed form this pair look the main hopes and it may be left to the Singapore debutants to provide the additional interest. LIM’S CAPTAIN won on debut in NZ over 1000m and then placed over 1200m, he is trialling nicely and should race well. The pacifiers go on LOVE EXCEL he won and placed at 1400m in the UK, he too is trialling well and worthy of a market watch. BRIGHT GENERAL scored in Maiden company last start but has to give the younger horses weight whilst LUCKY GIANT has been competing in better company and could show up.
1 BRIGHT GENERAL ** Broke through over this trip last start. Has to give them all weight and will find this a challenge. 10
2 LIM’S CAPTAIN ** Won on debut in NZ over 1000m and then placed over 1200m. Trialling nicely and should race well. 10
3 LOVE EXCEL ** Pacifiers on. Won and placed at 1400m in UK. Trials solidly. Watch for support. 12
4 ARMADILLO * Maiden yet to show up in two outings. 200
5 BECOME RICH * Checked last start after solid debut. This looks too hard. 25
6 FIRST OPTION * Resuming with tongue tie on. Slow out at trials and has shown nothing at two outings. 200
7 ESCALATION * Shown nothing at two outings. 200
8 GOLDEN TOMAHAWK *** Streeted them in Maiden win over 1000m. Hard to beat with only 51.5 kg and good barrier. 2.00
9 CLIP THE TICKET *** Showed plenty of speed and hung on to win over 1200m last start. Will give plenty of cheek from the ace. 3.30
10 LUCKY GIANT ** Found AFFLECK and company too strong last start. Won Maiden three starts back and could show up. 10
11 MEXICAN GAL ** Blinkers on. Showed speed to win 1000m Maiden three starts back but has failed twice since. Take on trust. 16
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Race 6
Selections; 4 KISS ME – 5 BARNBURGH LAD – 6 STORMY ALONG – 9 GYPSY MAGIC
A very open KSD Poly sprint and with plenty of early pace and some nice enough swoopers involved, the finish will be busy. KISS ME might have won only once from some twenty starts but his form of late has been good including a close up second-placing to the smart RUAPEHU. Given said horse would start odds-on in this race, KISS ME – who should be OK value – could be a good betting option. The only last start winner in the race – BARNBURGH – picks himself with gate one a bonus. True, he won a weak maiden last start but the win was strong and he looks a horse to follow in races like this. While you could make a case for plenty of others, a maiden in STORMY ALONG is going along in good order and more significantly gets blinkers for the first-time so he could break-through with GYPSY MAGIC very much enjoying being back in KSD company and one to included at value.
1 ZAC HEAVEN *** In solid form and will be in this a very long way. 5.00
2 GILT LAD *** Pay to ignore last start as two previous runs have him right in this. 10
3 ROSADO *** Improved at second Singapore start in similar race to this. Keep safe. 6.00
4 KISS ME *** Excuses last start and recent second placing to RUAPEHU will certainly hold up here. 6.00
5 BARNBURGH LAD *** Ran down I’M KOOL in weak maiden last start. Previous form solid and should be closing late. 6.00
6 STORMY ALONG *** Maiden but in-form and can win with blinkers added first-time. 5.00
7 FLYING WILD ** Drawn wide but will be working into this late with upgrade to blinkers. 20
8 FISCAL WINGS ** Appreciates being back on the Poly and could pinch a place at very long odds. 100
9 GYPSY MAGIC *** In solid form and his last two wins were in this company. Each-way. 20
10 GOOD SCORE * Has plenty of pace but should be found out late. 33
11 GENOVA AT WORK * Will be working into this late but prefers Class 5. 14
12 SUGARTIME JAZZ ** Tough horse to follow but capable on his day and another to keep safe with winkers off. 12
13 SOLID WOOD * Struggling of late. 100
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Race 7
Selections; 4 PEACE NO WAR – 2 SAND LANE – 1 ASTROSTAR – 5 HAPPY MONEY
The horses might not be top shelf but when you consider that of the 18 or so combined wins of the four horses we will look at – ASTROSTAR, SAND LANE, PEACE NO WAR and HAPPY MONEY – nearly all have been in Poly sprints, the race should be a beauty. Of the four, PEACE NO WAR looks best placed with 54.5kg to carry after a smart Zuriman claim. The 4YO was beaten as the even money favourite at his last start, however, would have lost few friends given the smart winner and should get all the favours after drawing gate 1 today. HAPPY MONEY comes into this with a nice win under his belt and given the quality of this small field, might be the value pick with Dan Beasley from gate 2 a good combination. ASTROSTAR (also a last start winner) and SAND LANE round off the quartet and both should figure heavily.
1 ASTROSTAR *** Five career wins all on this surface and looks very well placed with 2kg claim. 3.00
2 SAND LANE *** Found out late last start so drop back to his only winning trip a big factor. 5.00
3 BAHEN ** PLaced at long odds last start behind ASTROSTAR and might be worth another look in exotics. 12
4 PEACE NO WAR *** Beaten as even money fave last start but can make quick amends back over his recent winning trip. 2.15
5 HAPPY MONEY *** Smart last start winner who may fly under the punters radar in this good field so worth thought. 8.00
6 MY SHINE ** Another that placed at good odds last start and keeps them honest. 12
7 CONGO ZANDOR * No. 200
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Race 8
Selections; 2 NOT SIMPLE – 6 NORTH STAR – 8 BANKERS CALL – 3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE
A battlers race but a few horses with honest form should be thereabouts with each-way the punting mantra. NOT SIMPLE has been thereabouts over shorter trips of late and 1700m sans blinkers might be just what the good doctor ordered. NORTH STAR and BANKER’S CALL are also in solid form and get their chance. NORTH STAR is one-paced but gets the ace and Zaki so should be prominent throughout. BANKERS CALL has been supported at a few recent runs and does look due. FOREIGN EXCHANGE also fits in the honest category and must be respected and it might be a case of watch the tote for the others although two other stars – GYPSY and SUPER – should figure somewhere.
1 VIVA RAAJ ** Maiden who will appreciate Class 5 and should improve. 33
2 NOT SIMPLE *** In good form and step up to this trip might see a result with blinkers removed. 6.00
3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE *** Never involved last start but usually in the mix this type of race. 8.00
4 MISCHEF LOVE US * Yet to place in seven starts. 50
5 GYPSY STAR *** Will be motoring late and well-placed with J See claim. 4.00
6 NORTH STAR *** Consistent and has won for Zaki this company previously. 6.00
7 SUPER STAR *** Will go forward from wide draw and some hope if given any peace early. 8.00
8 BANKERS CALL *** Has been supported of late and not far away from a result. 4.00
9 JUSEAGLEYE * Blinkers off but easier to ignore. 50
10 BRILLIANT POWER ** Placed last start over 1900m and that form should have him in this somewhere. 12
11 SUPER LUCKY * Prefer others. 33
12 KTRONIC ** In the skinny end of exotic mix if having a good day. 33
13 REAL GOODMAN ** Wide gate an issue but goes close if any luck in running. 20
14 CLASSIC THUNDER ** Long-term maiden who will be running on. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 5 SURE WIN – 2 APPRECIATION – 4 CRAZY TIMES – 1 MAI GURU
A solid Class 4 sprint to close proceedings and oddly, two horses coming off shockers – SURE WIN and APPRECIATION – look hardest to beat. Coincidently, both horses were having rare runs on the turf so it will pay to just put a line through the “duck-eggs” in the book and take on excellent Poly form. Not much separates the two but SURE WIN with two of his wins being over this trip and some very good recent form behind some smart one’s, gets the bout on points. CRAZY TIMES resuming is also worth thought especially with a nice recent trial under his belt. The 5YO has won two from just six career starts and certainly good enough to been prominent in this fresh. One to watch at odds is the topweight, MAI GURU. The 5YO did it super tough when resuming so pay to ignore that run and expect a bold run with J Low in the saddle – hopefully at odds.
1 MAI GURU *** Speedster who did it very tough first-up so pay to forgive and give another chance. 8.00
2 APPRECIATION *** Ignore last start failure on the turf as the Poly is his caper. Big show. 3.50
3 CASH DOT COM * Not at his best of late. 33
4 CRAZY TIMES *** Resuming with nice trial under his belt so expect a bold first-up run. 6.00
5 SURE WIN *** Another who comes of a shocker on the turf and can win back on his preferred surface. 2.50
6 BAZINGA * Very hard to follow but the race is suitable. 50
7 WARSPIRIT ** Will make his presence felt late with just 50kg to carry. 12
8 DOUBLE CASH ** Showed enough last start to consider over his pet trip. 12
9 SILVER AND GOLD ** Mixing his form and distances but goes OK on his day and back in trip may suit. 20
10 SMART SAMURAI ** Resuming in what looks a suitable race so pay to keep an eye on the tote. 20
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