City Lad (Jose Verenzuela, yellow cap) holds off Shuttle Man (John Powell) to score a narrow win, picture Singapore Turf Club
The “time-honoured” Yew Tee Classic is Fridays feature and a quick look at the field suggests the top-weight, CITY LAD, is a monty at the race conditions. Although not winning for some 18 months, CITY LAD had a well-earned but ambitious crack at the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup two starts ago and given the rest of this field is battling to get through Class 4, this race is his to lose.
The honest 5YO deserves a “black-type” win to his name with leading hoop, Manoel Nunes, likely to ride him like a good thing on the pace throughout with his class to shine through late. Racing is never that easy so he will need to be on his game with TANGIBLE ASSETS keeping him company on the pace and BLUE LION (on a good day) having last crack.
Elsewhere on the card, PEACE NO WAR resumes after pulling up lame when winning back in January. If right – and there is no reason to think he won’t present fit and well – the progressive 3YO could be a class above what is a solid KSC field and with a nice recent trial under his belt, expect support and a winning return to racing.
Also from the trials, ABYSS looks ready to show his best in race 6, I-SCREAM NOW some hope resuming in race 3 and the debutante, KARRATHA CALLING, worth a solid eachway look in race 2.
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Best Bets; (CITY LAD race 7, win), (PEACE NO WAR race 5, win) and (ABYSS race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3 and 9), race 7 (1, 2 and 3), race 8 (2, 3, 4 and 9), race 9 (1, 3, 4, 6, 8 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; 2 MACAU ROULETTE – 3 PEGASUS VICTORY – 1 RICHEAST – 4 SACRED CROWN
A Class 5 over 1000m on the poly kicks things off. There will be plenty of speed in this with MACAU ROULETTE and PEGASUS VICTORY likely to go forward with SACRED CROWN and RICHEAST also having speed and the winner could well come from these. MACAU ROULETTE found KSD company and a wide barrier too much to overcome last start; back to a 1000m and having the ace he will be hard to pass late. PEGASUS VICTORY was ridden off the speed and ran on well over 1200m last start; he has been a specialist at this journey in the past and should be handy all the way. The stablemate RICHEAST disappointed when resuming, he is better than that and has raced well in this grade in the past. SACRED CROWN found the mile too far last outing but this Grade and distance suit. HAPPY FOREVER’s recent form is poor but she has won in similar company and if ridden forward, could give a sight.
1 RICHEAST ** Resumed and did zero last start although did get check. Better than that and likes this grade and surface. Watch for support. 6.00
2 MACAU ROULETTE *** Did not enjoy KSD and a wide gate last start. Ran 3rd at previous start over 1000m and much better suited from the ace. 3.00
3 PEGASUS VICTORY *** Nice effort when ridden off the pace over 1200m last start. This is his trip and should be hard to beat. 3.00
4 SACRED CROWN ** Found mile too far last start. Much better suited in this and previous form in Class 5 was good. 5.00
5 INVINCIBLE DRAGON * Maiden third up from spell and getting into Class 5. Best form has been on turf over longer. Watch market. 16
6 HAPPY FOREVER ** Poor effort last start but has won in this grade. Goes best when ridden forward. 10
7 VIRGIN GALACTIC * Form poor. 33
8 FOLLOW THE KING * Maiden on quick back-up who disappointed on turf last outing when jockey reported respiratory issues. Placed on poly four starts back and could show up if right. 14
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Race 2
Selections; 8 SNITZEL SPIRIT – 4 KARRATHA CALLING – 11 INVINCIBLE MAN – 6 FLAMBOYANT
A Restricted Maiden over 1200m on the turf where the 2YO’s get a significant weight advantage over the older horses. SNITZEL SPIRIT was green but went well on debut over 1200m; he has had a quiet trial since and with Manoel Nunes up from a good gate he should have benefited from the initial experience and be hard to beat. FLAMBOYANT also put in a good debut, he will get back but should be closing off late. TRINITY is by Red Element and is a half-brother to six winners including the outstanding race-mare Ike’s Dream. His trials indicate he may have inherited the family ability so watch for support. INVINCIBLE MAN is drawn wide but has shown plenty in the trials and if Lisa Allpress can get him across, he should be in the finish. Of the older horses, the debutant KARRATHA CALLING looks a likely type and trials well – in fact hard held at a recent trial – whilst PRINCE CHAPEL did enough on debut to keep him under notice.
1 LET’S SCREAM NOW * Showed speed but weakened when resuming. Has trialed since but needs to show improvement. 33
2 SPEEDY KID * Has yet to show up in four starts. 50
3 ACE RICH * Yet to place in nine starts but getting on turf and out to 1200m may help. 33
4 KARRATHA CALLING *** Pacifiers on. By Savabeel. Had plenty in hand in trial. May want longer but watch for support. 8.00
5 PRINCE CHAPEL ** Blinkers on. Ran on well on debut. Poorly drawn but will go back and should be closing late. 14
6 FLAMBOYANT *** Ran on well on debut over 1200m. Will keep the speedsters honest late. 5.00
7 ONE DOLLAR BETTER * Well back at only start. 50
8 SNITZEL SPIRIT *** Had excuses, was green and just missed on debut over 1200m. Has a quiet trial since and will be hard to beat. 2.50
9 TRINITY ** By Red Element. Half brother to top class mare IKE’S DREAM as well as six other winners. Trials OK, watch for support. 16
10 IMPERIAL BOY * By Mr Nancho. Trials only fairly. Watch for support. 33
11 INVINCIBLE MAN *** By top 2YO sire I am Invincible. Half brother to handy sprinter MAN OF HONOUR. Poorly drawn but has trialed very well. Watch market. 4.00
12 MATADOR ** By Darci Brahma. Brother to minor winner WEEDREAMED and 2 other small winners. Beaten a long way in a trial but could show up from the ace. 16
13 MIDNIGHT ** Efforts to date have been poor but recent blinker trial indicated improvement. 33
14 WINFREY * Needs to improve. 200
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Race 3
Selections; 8 I-SCREAM NOW – 1 GOLDEN MISSION – 5 DRAGON FORCE – 6 GOOD NEWS
A Class 4 over 1100m on the polytrack and RAPID REWARDS with NEUTRINOS should lead them along at a good clip. This should suit Manoel Nunes on GOLDEN MISSION who will welcome being back on the polytrack and whilst he does get back the likely hot speed will help him to close late. There are several horses resuming in this all of whom have ability and could sprint well fresh. Mohd Yusof has three runners in the field with ISCREAM NOW having plenty of pace and with TH Koh’s claim and a nice gate, is likely to go forward with a nice recent trial a pointer. The stable-mate, DRAGON FORCE to be ridden by Dean Beasley, has a very good first up record and if he can get across from his wide draw, he should be right in the finish. Yusof’s third runner, SCARLET STAR’s, only two wins have been on the poly and he could show up. GOOD NEWS is also resuming; HK Tan has a reputation for preparing horses for first-up tilts, he won his maiden at this journey and a market watch is advised. NEUTRINOS put in a poor effort when blitzed by BELLWETHER’s speed last start, he won a Novice prior and if can get a soft trip near the lead could be hard to pass.
1 GOLDEN MISSION *** Will appreciate polytrack. Gets back in his races but will be closing late. 3.50
2 COUP DA VINCI * Finished a long way back when resuming. Needs to improve. 33
3 NEUTRINOS ** Disappointed last start but previous form has him under notice. 5.00
4 EXCAVATOR * Well drawn but a long time since he has shown anything useful. 20
5 DRAGON FORCE *** Resuming, trialing well and has a good first up record. Poorly drawn but has enough speed to get across and may be hard to hold out. 5.00
6 GOOD NEWS *** Resuming. Trialing nicely and could race well in this grade. Won Maiden over this trip on poly. Watch for support. 6.00
7 SCARLET STAR * Resuming. Trials have been only fair. Has won twice on the surface. Watch for support. 20
8 I-SCREAM NOW *** Maiden resuming. Has plenty of speed and from the good draw could run a cheeky race. 5.00
9 RAPID REWARDS * Speedy but happier in Class 5. 25
10 WINNING SUCCESS * Best form is over longer. 33
11 DRAGON WALK ** Maiden who goes OK but may want easier than this. 20
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Race 4
Selections; 1 BIG HARVEST – 4 ANGE D’ORIENT – 7 MR BEAN – 3 READY FORTUNE
An extremely ordinary Class 5 over 1600m on the turf. CONQUEST and SUPER VELOX may well lead them along but most of these are very one-paced and it is certain to be a slog to the line. This may suit BIG HARVEST who battles away no matter what the trip and if Manoel Nunes can have him handy enough on the turn, he may be too strong late. The Takaoka mare, ANGE D’ORIENT, is far from reliable but she managed a good third last start and turf is her best surface. MR BEAN has not won for 18 months but turf is his surface and his recent poly efforts are good enough to give him a chance in this. READY FORTUNE plods away and is usually thereabouts and there has been improvement note in ANY CHOICE’s recent efforts – the mile on turf may suit. A dreadful race that any horse could win.
1 BIG HARVEST *** One-pacer who battles away. Has 57kg but has been racing well in similar events and if there is a solid pace will be closing late. 4.00
2 BIG SURPRISE * Maiden who was well beaten last start and would need to improve. 20
3 READY FORTUNE ** Maiden coming back from 1900m. Rarely far away but lacks a turn of foot. Will be thereabouts. 10
4 ANGE D’ORIENT *** Close up over 2000m on turf last outing. Only win was on that surface and could make her presence felt. 4.00
5 ANY CHOICE ** Eleven start maiden for a while but improvement has been noted at past two starts and mile could suit. Gets senior rider, watch market. 12
6 SUI GENERIS ** Battles away and only placing was on turf. Could show up in this weak field. 25
7 MR BEAN *** Has won five times on turf up to 1400m and has placed at a mile. Has not won for 18 months but recent poly form is sound. 4.00
8 NEWFOUNDFAME * Only win was on poly and yet to place on turf in 12 tries. 33
9 RICH BORN * Three time winner at the poly mile but has never placed in 10 runs on turf. 33
10 CONQUEST ** Better on poly but is a three-time winner over a mile. Has been getting run down over longer journeys and with no weight could surprise. 12
11 SUPER VELOX ** 47 start maiden who has placed 14 times. Gets Vorster and the mile may be more suitable than recent longer journeys. 12
12 TRIPLE GOALS * Three wins in 62 starts and none of them on turf. Old battler who can sometimes figure. 20
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Race 5
Selections; 3 PEACE NO WAR – 4 TERMINATOR – 6 SAND LANE – 5 DUTY FREE
A Kranji Stakes C over 1000m on the polytrack with a small field of just nine acceptors. PEACE NO WAR is resuming after returning lame after winning last start. He is a horse of some promise and could get a soft run just off the speed and can win on recent trial form. TERMINATOR finds himself back on the poly in a more suitable affair than the 1400m turf events in which he has been competing – with winkers, the ace and Dan Beasley, he should race well. SAND LANE is drawn out and disappointed last start but he was first-up then and fitter now should have the speed to cross and will be the run to run down. HONEST TRUTH likewise disappointed when resuming, he is a six-time winner at 1000m and could make a bid. DUTY FREE is the one that will sit behind the speedsters and close off late.
1 CONGO ZANDOR * Has been struggling on turf over longer. Unplaced at three poly starts. Take on trust. 16
2 HONEST TRUTH *** Did nothing when resuming. Six time winner at the trip who should make a bid. 4.50
3 PEACE NO WAR *** Promising 3YO resuming after pulling up lame. Has won first-up before and recent trial was good. Should race well. 3.50
4 TERMINATOR *** Winkers on. Will enjoy being back on the poly over a more suitable distance. Should race well with Dan Beasley up from the ace. 4.50
5 DUTY FREE ** Runs on stoutly and will be the one keeping the speedsters honest late. 8.00
6 SAND LANE *** Returned a roarer (again) when resuming last start but has speed and can win if right. 5.00
7 SOUL COMMANDER * Poor effort when resuming. Needs to improve. 20
8 MAPLE STAR ** Only battled last start in BM83. Placed this grade and distance start prior. Doesn’t win often but could be closing late. 10
9 AFROJACK * Outclassed. 33
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Race 6
Selections; 9 ABYSS – 1 FUKU’S PET – 2 GOOD BOSS – 3 ZAC GALLANT
Brian Dean has had a bit of fun with ABYSS and the 7YO looks to have a few more runs left in him yet. A recent trial suggests he is ready to add to his four career wins with a nice gate, claim and a field with no depth in his favour. The dangers will come from the horses at the top of the weights with FUKU’S PET, GOOD BOSS and ZAC GALLANT all some hope. Of the trio, FUKU’S PET has the pace to cross from the wide gate and with a handy 3kg claim, he is in this a very long time. The race certainly suits and worth a long look on race-day. GOOD BOSS only gets a 1kg claim but has gate 4 and solid form under his belt so looks the benchmark with the maiden, ZAC GALLANT, also in this a very long way with Manoel Nunes up. Nothing else jumps off the page but it will pay to wide in exotics with one eye on the tote.
1 FUKU’S PET *** Excuses last start not to finish closer and in this a very long way. 4.00
2 GOOD BOSS *** In-form and goes very close if he makes use of the good gate. 4.00
3 ZAC GALLANT *** Maiden who placed with excuses last start over 1000m. Keep safe. 7.00
4 SUPER CAPTAIN ** Never involved last start so ignore and some hope in what is a suitable affair. 20
5 MOOVA BULLET * Disappointing last few. 50
6 CONQUEROR * Nuisance value only. 50
7 BEST BARGAIN ** Second run for new stable and will have benefited from recent trial. 20
8 JET SET ** Maiden resuming after poor run but previous form has him under notice. Watch market. 12
9 ABYSS *** Form better than it reads and recent trial good enough to win this. 4.00
10 GANGNAM STYLE ** Long-term maiden who has been thereabouts of late so a must for exotics. 8.00
11 LUCKY BANKER * Not miles away two starts back but a long-time between drinks. 20
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Race 7
Selections; 1 CITY LAD – 3 TANGIBLE ASSETS – 2 BLUE LION – 6 FAT KIDDY
This is perhaps the weakest Group race seen in a very long while. And while it was always going to an average Group field given the plethora of top races this time of year, having CITY LAD as the only horse rated better than 67 is a worry. A bigger worry is the fact CITY LAD – who is rated fairly on 89 – hasn’t won since January 2013 and he probably starts odds-on! The good news is that apart from his good form in good races, CITY LAD races on the pace and this race is his to lose with just 57kg at the race conditions. Who beats him? Bar SILVER STREAK who is closer to Class 5 than a $150,000 feature, you could make a case for the rest of the field with the tote a fair guide. Perhaps TANGIBLE ASSETS given his racing style – he will be handy – is the biggest danger but CITY LAD the only one to be on to win.
1 CITY LAD *** Hasn’t won since January 2013 but in-form, race suits and looks a monty at the weights. 1.90
2 BLUE LION ** Excuses last start and some hope for a big pay-day on strong win two starts back. 6.00
3 TANGIBLE ASSETS ** Been in good form of late and races handy which will be in his favour. 6.00
4 INVICTUS ** Facing biggest test to date but winning form of late has him in this mix. 6.00
5 DANCING TSURU ** On the quick back-up after disappointing run with support but maiden win prior was impressive. 12
6 FAT KIDDY ** Broke maiden status in Class 4 company last start and in the exotic mix here. 6.00
7 SILVER STREAK * Maiden in poor form. No. 100
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Race 8
Selections; 2 DANNY – 3 CAN’T TOUCH ME – 9 OVER EASY – 4 ENZO
“Oh Danny Boy, the punters, the punters are calling”… What the punters are calling is please win one sooner than later as DANNY is well overdue since dropping to Class 5 company. True, it’s only been three starts in the lowest grade and he has shown more than enough to think he wins when things go his way. Manoel Nunes goes back on and from gate 1 with winkers removed stepping up to the mile, he should get every chance. The benchmark and the horse DANNY will probably have to pass somewhere late to win is CAN’T TOUCH ME. The Pat Shaw-trained gelding has been a model of consistency of late and this race looks perfect to knock in a well-deserved win. OVER EASY could be worth a sneaky look after returning to form with blinkers on last start. That was over 2000m but he did race handy so the mile might be fine with Saifudin up. A few others to watch but ENZO had excuses last start and his previous form has him well and truly under notice.
1 BRAD * Looks one-paced but OK effort late last start. 20
2 DANNY *** Overdue and hard to hold out with winkers off as he steps up to the mile. 3.00
3 CAN’T TOUCH ME *** Hard to fault recent form and in this a very long way. 3.00
4 ENZO *** Excuses last start and happy to give another chance on previous winning form. 8.00
5 DOS EQUIS ** Excuses last start so happy to ignore and include somewhere at odds. 12
6 LORD GRANTHAM ** Unreliable maiden but goes OK on his day and gets JP. 16
7 MYSTICAL DIAMOND ** Form reads badly an dis a maiden but the race is suitable and not the worst at odds. 50
8 ESCALADE PEAK * No. 100
9 OVER EASY *** Turned around some poor form when blinkers added last start so pay to keep safe. 8.00
10 BANKERS CALL ** Thereabouts of late and tough run last start has him under notice. 8.00
11 LUCKY STRATEGY ** Excuses last start and another to include at odds in exotics. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 1 SOON YI – 6 KAZUO – 4 REACH FOR THE SUN – 9 KAISER BRIGHT
A very tricky race to close proceedings especially given REACH FOR THE SUN probably starts very short in the betting and comes through a weak maiden race. True, the former Australian did trial very well prior to his Singapore debut and won in a relative canter at an odds-on quote, but this field has plenty of depth and as mentioned, he didn’t beat much over 1000m. He has plenty of pace though and he could just be too good for them but given KAISER BRIGHT also has pace, is in form and has drawn the ace, the race could be set up for swoopers. And the swooper in form is the top weight, SOON YI. And there is no denying the 4YO is due and could be value given the money on REACH FOR THE SUN and with the early pace expected, he can win. KAZOU also looks a swooping show on what he showed on debut before winning well at start two and might be value with the 3kg claimer, TR Barnabas on. Last start winner, ARROW TO POST, and WORK AHEAD are also both right in this and go wide in exotics.
1 SOON YI *** In very good form and will be motoring late. 5.00
2 SUPER SPUR ** Showed last start this trip his caper and a must for exotics. 13
3 ARROW TO POST *** Up in Class but down 2kg after solid KSD win. Follow. 5.00
4 REACH FOR THE SUN *** Won a weak maiden at Singapore debut but was impressive and right in this. 2.50
5 ANGRY CAT ** Unreliable but showed last start he goes OK when on his game. 20
6 KAZUO *** Backed up eye-catching debut with a good win and will be closing late. 8.00
7 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE ** Former Australian whose only win was on the the Geelong synthetic track and worth thought on OK trials. 20
8 WORK AHEAD *** Just missed last start similar affair at long odds and pay to respect. 16
9 KAISER BRIGHT *** In solid form and will give them something to chase from the ace. 10
10 CLAIM * Not a mile away last start but that was over 1700m. 100
11 GILT LAD * Puts in the odd good one and needs to be on his game. 33
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