MING ZHI COSMOS (left) – looks some hope (Photo by Singapore Turf Club)
Everyone will be nursing some sort of hangovers – both literally and metaphorically – after last weeks big weekend of racing that included impressive wins by SUPER ONE and AFFLECK on Friday evening before the Hong Kong show on Sunday.
And while no horses running around tonight are anywhere near that level, it looks a good nights racing for punters hoping to get back on track after a tough weekend.
But to be fair, MING ZHI COSMOS – who looks some hope in race 7 on tonight’s card – did race in the Group 1 China Horse Club Cup back in February where she ran third to the runway winner, PARRANDA. Given PARRANDA was penciled in to run in the SAIC last Sunday and ZULULAND (who ran second in the China Horse Club Cup) ran a solid race in the Guineas, MING ZHI COSMOS could very well find Open Benchmark 83 company to her liking. The 1700m looks ideal and a recent strong trial suggests she handles the Poly and a win would not surprise. In her favour is the fact nothing jumps off the page recent form wise with the exception of the honest FUJIN BRIGHT. The 6YO won two starts back over this trip, Class and track before placing in Open company last start and looks the benchmark.
However, trainer Steven Burridge provides half the runners in the eight horse field so plays a major hand with BOOMERANG DELUXE looking his best on paper. The 4YO has placed in Group company on this surface so must be respected back on the Poly after a couple of turf sighters this campaign.
Elsewhere on the card we can expect Manny Nunes (who also rides MING ZHI COSMOS) to have a big night with winning shows in DYLAN (race 3) and BRAHMS AND LISZT (race 9) while 3kg claimer P Dellorto also looks to have a good book with PRECIOUS GEM (race 5) and IMPERIOUS (race 6) both some hope.
Friday 22 May
Best Bets; (DYLAN race 3, win), (BRAHMS AND LISZT race 9, win) and (MACHFIVE race 1, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (2, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 13), race 7 (2, 3, 4 and 6), race 8 (1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 12), race 9 (5).
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.
Race 1
Selections; 7 MACHFIVE – 5 ALWAYS A WINNER – 8 BINGO – 3 GOOD LOOUKEN
The planets look to have aligned for MACHFIVE on Friday and all things being equal, he should be very hard to beat. The 5YO hasn’t won since April last year but given he has been racing in good company of late and now finds himself back in Class 5, he gets his chance. Also in his favour is gate 1 and a nice recent trial suggests he is cherry ripe with support likely. There are plenty of horses that will also appreciate Class 5 and will improve on recent form with GOOD LOOUKEN and OASIS SPUR both likely to grow a leg back in suitable company and given their recent form, both should be value. APPELLATION moves down from maiden company and gets Nunes so he should run well with support while ALWAYS A WINNER and GOLDEN RABBIT will be in the mix throughout. The other that could win without surprising is BINGO who should make his presence felt late so keep him safe.
1 APPELLATION *** Maiden who can disappoint but Class 5 will suit and expect forward showing. 4.00
2 GOLDEN RABBIT *** Gets winkers and a 3kg claimer and will look the winner at some stage. 8.00
3 GOOD LOOUKEN *** Form reads badly but drop in Class after a good trial suggests he gives a sight. 12
4 OASIS SPUR ** Another whose form reads very badly but last win was in this company so should improve. 20
5 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Excuses not to finish closer last start similar affair with support and looks the benchmark. 4.00
6 GYPSY MAGIC ** Goes better than form suggests in this type of race but barrier makes it tough. 20
7 MACHFIVE *** Has been running in far higher grade races and should be hard to beat after nice recent trial. 4.00
8 BINGO *** Will win one of theses owner than later and happy to follow at odds. 20
9 DRAGON NINETYNINE ** Excuses last start and worth another look at long odds with winkers added. 33
10 EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE ** Drawn badly but gets upgrade to blinkers and can include at exotics at value. 33
11 GOOD BUDDY ** Not a mile away last start and gets blinkers. 20
12 GOOD CHILD ** Recent Class 5 form good enough to keep safe. 12
13 OUR RIVER DANCER ** Never far away this company but a win would surprise. 33
14 ROOMIE PIM * No. 100
Race 2
Selections; 1 MIGHTY GLORY – 8 GREAT NINTH – 9 TIGER BAY – 3 GENERAL ZOD
MIGHTY GLORY looks the stand-out in this Restricted Maiden and happy to think he is hard to beat with any luck in running. His first-up run was easily good enough to think he has returned in solid form and 1400m looks perfect to turn a frustrating run of outs into his maiden win. Nothing jumps off the page to beat him but GREAT NINTH gets blinkers after a couple of very solid runs and that has him under notice. Likewise TIGER BAY comes into this with two solid if unspectacular runs under his belt and given they were both over this trip, he will be thereabouts at the business end. Of the rest, GENERAL ZOD showed enough late last start to think he will appreciate 1400m and the tote a good guide on most others including the newcomer, LITTLE BELLE.
1 MIGHTY GLORY *** Appreciates good first-up run and 1400m suits. Big show. 3.00
2 BULLET ** Still has a bit to learn so improve with race experience, 8.00
3 GENERAL ZOD ** Showed enough late last start to think extra 200m suits and gets John Powell. 8.00
4 NOT EXACTLY * Winkers on. Backing-up from last Friday but needs to show more. 20
5 VICTORY * No. 100
6 DR N WING FIGHTERS ** Not far away last start and only career placing was this trip so include in exotics. 7.00
7 GOLD STRIKER ** Will improve with race experience and trip looks OK. 20
8 GREAT NINTH *** Gets blinkers after two solid run with a nice recent trial under his belt. Goes close. 5.00
9 TIGER BAY *** Two solid runs this trip suggests he plays a part in the finish. 7.00
10 LITTLE BELLE ** Have to respect stable but like to see some support on just fair local trial form. 20
11 GOLD CROWN * Appreciates debut but may need more time. 20
12 BELLY DANCE * No. 100
13 BLACK DIAMOND * Blinkers off and no. 100
Race 3
Selections; 5 DYLAN – 3 THANKFULNESS – 4 SPIRIT OF SPEED – 6 XIN TREASURE
If there was ever a case for holding off entering your horse on a Cup weekend and waiting for easier fields the week after, this is it. Sure, DYLAN would have been competitive in most Class 4 fields that took part last Sunday but the depth of those races would have made winning tough and as it stands he only has only one to beat here. He also keeps Nunes and the race does look his to lose. His stablemate THANKFULNESS is the danger. The 4YO led them up over 1400m last start and wasn’t far away at the finish and with Michael Rodd onboard back over his only winning trip, he could give a sight. The only two other horses to consider are SPIRIT OF SPEED and XIN TREASURE who both come off disappointing runs but both showing two runs back that they go close if right.
1 MEGATHINK * Will improve with each run but may want longer. 20
2 TREASUREINTHEHEART * Did not back up only good run in Singapore and turf form a query. 12
3 THANKFULNESS *** Form better than it reads and will not find an easier Class 4 field than this. 5.00
4 SPIRIT OF SPEED ** Had issues when winning on debut (heat stress) and subsequent run just fair so take on trust. 10
5 DYLAN *** Looks to go better than most of these and very hard to beat in what is a suitable race. 1.60
6 XIN TREASURE ** Disappointing last start on the Poly but some show on big turf run prior to that. 7.00
7 HAPPY PRINCESS * Struggling and needs easier. 33
8 HAPPY SAGA * Needs Class 5. 33
9 RORY * Reassess on Poly. 33
Race 4
Selections; 2 SACRED KLASS – 8 BATTLE KING – 12 PRINCESS ZOLA – 1 BONJOUR BOB
While we have given a couple of horses each-way hopes with improvement expected, it does look a race in two on paper with SACRED KLASS and BATTLE KING likely to be fighting out this finish. Nothing much separates the pair with perhaps SACRED KLASS having more race experience in his favour with gate 3 and John Powell a bonus. He looks to enjoy the trip and surface so every chance to break his maiden status. BATTLE KING backed up his good but green debut with a close-up placing over this trip and he picks himself with Nunes staying on-board. The two that we have included as each-way hopes are PRINCESS ZOLA after a solid debut effort and BONJOUR BOB who did it tough last start and gives the impression this type of race will suit. The rest just battle.
1 BONJOUR BOB *** Did it tough last start so happy to ignore the late fade and take on good first-up run. 12
2 SACRED KLASS *** Went very close to winning a similar affair last start and hard to beat on that effort. 3.00
3 IKTO ** First-up run OK and shown enough to include in exotics in this field. 12
4 ROYAL FLUSH * Resuming with blinkers but hard to have. 33
5 MR TRY * Could make excuses on debut but like to see something before considering. 33
6 BANK ON ME * No. 100
7 HENRY THE EIGHTH ** Could have finished closer last start and gets upgrade to blinkers so can improve. 20
8 BATTLE KING *** Close-up this trip at second career start and right in this. 3.00
9 LORD DARLINGTON ** Appreciates first-up run and step up in trip helps. 20
10 SIR REGINALD ** Solid at two starts and will be battling away throughout. 8.00
11 SPEED CRAFT ** Too many excuses on debut not to think he improves with race experience. 20
12 PRINCESS ZOLA *** Solid on debut and happy to think she figures in this finish. 8.00
13 LOST A SOCK * Form hopeless but gets blinkers and loses tongue-tie. 50
Race 5
Selections; 1 PRECIOUS GEM – 8 GALAXY EXPRESS – 3 ALFONSO – 2 SERPICO
The good-old speed map will be very important in this race or more specifically if the two horses that will dictate the pace – SERPICO and ALFONSO – will ensure a solid clip throughout. If they do it will be a very busy finish with both horses racing in good enough form to stay on and figure in the finish with a plethora of others doing best work late. Either way, PRECIOUS GEM is in top form and happy to follow him. The 5YO has won his last two in Class 4 company and with a 3kg claim in this, he looks well-placed to win again. Hopefully the swoopers do get a fair crack at them late and if so, GALAXY EXPRESS goes close. SUNNY also fits into that category and ANY RUMOUR will be right there with them. Hard to leave out the consistent IKING while the two horses mentioned earlier – SERPICO and ALFONSO – both can win if given any peace out front.
1 PRECIOUS GEM *** In terrific form and well-placed with 3kg claim so must go close. 6.00
2 SERPICO *** Will lead and hard to run down if allowed to dictate terms. 4.00
3 ALFONSO *** Another that will race handy and right in this if given any peace throughout. 4.00
4 SUNNY *** Promising stayer who appreciates first-up run and step up to this trip. 12
5 IKING *** Refuses to run a bad race but needs a result while in form. 10
6 ROYAL DOMINANCE * Hard to have on form. 50
7 ANY RUMOUR *** Another that needs a result while in good form but looks a leading hope again. 6.00
8 GALAXY EXPRESS *** Will be running on strongly late and can win if race run to suit the swoopers. 6.00
9 ZIPANGU ** Mixed form of late but can figure if having a good day. 20
10 KING SAVINSKY ** Should need easier but last two runs OK and will add vale to exotics. 20
Race 6
Selections; 7 IMPERIOUS – 2 KING OF KOON – 6 CASSIS OOLONG – 4 TIME AFTER TIME
The usual suspects in this Class 5 (div 2) Poly sprint and the likes of KING OF KOON and CASSIS OOLONG will both figure prominently and it may be case of whoever gets the best run in transit wins. As it stands, KING OF KOON gets to jump from gate 6 while CASSIS OOLONG is out in 11 so the latter might need an ounce of luck. Trainer David Hill has two runners with winning hopes in TIME AFTER TIME and IMPERIOUS. Both win without surprising but IMPERIOUS gets a 3kg claimer and a good gate so he looks the better chance on paper. Nothing much else to get excited about but YOUNG LADY showed more than enough last start to win this if she can back up that effort while the first emergency, DRAGON WALK, is right in this if he gets a start.
1 ANGSANA ** Not far away last start similar affair and pay to include somewhere. 20
2 KING OF KOON *** Has won and went mighty close at two starts since blinkers added and have to follow. 3.50
3 STOCK BROKER ** More bear runs than bull but gets blinkers again and could show up. 12
4 TIME AFTER TIME *** Drawn badly but hard to fault form of late and must go close. 6.00
5 SACRED CROWN ** Form reads badly but recent trial good and can give a sight. 12
6 CASSIS OOLONG *** Drawn badly but excuses last start and right in this finish if on his game. 8.00
7 IMPERIOUS *** Maiden but foot on the till and looks well-placed with a 3kg claimer. 4.00
8 JACKPOT ** Always a show in Class 5 but will need race to run swoopers. 12
9 SO PERFECT * No. 50
10 YOUNG LADY *** Draw a concern but went very close last start and could be worth following. 12
11 BLUE LAGOON ** Won one of these two starts back before excuses last start so worth another look. 20
12 FANTASTIC WARRIOR * No. 200
13 DRAGON WALK *** In very solid form but desperate for a result. 10
14 FOLLOW THE KING * Nuisance value only with tongue-tie removed. 100
Race 7
Selections; 4 MING ZHI COSMOS – 2 BOOMARANG DELUXE – 3 FUJIN BRIGHT – 6 VERGLATICA
MING ZHI COSMOS gets the distinction of being the first import from the $3m China Horse Club Cup that gets tipped by us to win a race in Singapore. A couple have gone round since the Group 1, 1800 event back in February – most notably ZULULAND who did OK in the Guineas last Friday – but MING ZHI COSMOS looks suited over 1700m on the Poly after a good recent trial. And while the field is solid, it’s not spectacular with a few horses that are competitive at a higher level but have struggled to win of late. Of those, BOOMERANG DELUXE looks like the race and company suits and could be Steve Burridge’s best hope – with means something given the Aussie handler has four runners in the eight horse field. FUJIN BRIGHT won two back and pick himself while VERGLATICA will improve back on the Poly.
1 GOLIATH ** Showed glimpses of his best on this surface last start and pay to keep safe. 8.00
2 BOOMARANG DELUXE *** Has been placed in Group company this trip/surface and looks ready to start showing his best. 3.20
3 FUJIN BRIGHT *** In very good form and showed more than enough last start to think he wins again soon. 3.00
4 MING ZHI COSMOS *** Placed in the China Horse Club Cup and recent trial suggests she can show her best over a suitable trip. 3.50
5 TIGER MASTER * Struggling of late but reverting to Poly may see improvement. 50
6 VERGLATICA *** Hasn’t won since June last year bur recent Poly form suggests he hoses very close in this with 50kg. 8.00
7 DRAGON G ** Recent form reads badly but another who improves lengths back on his preferred surface. 20
8 OVER EASY ** Having eleventh run this year and can pick up another cheque with no weight. 20
Race 8
Selections; 1 KEEP SPINNING – 2 READY FORTUNE – 8 SHENZHOU ONE – 12 URBAN LEGEND
A very open Class 5 race and to be honest, it might be one to either go wide in exotics or leave alone completely. As it is a leg in the “jackpot” or “quaddie”, we can narrow it down to six horses with winning chances (we hope) with a couple of maidens in KEEP SPINNING and SHENZHOU ONE leading the charge. KEEP SPINNING in particular looks ready to show his best and the 3YO can win at his first start in Class 5. True, he has only placed once from 10 career starts but some of his runs have been good and Michael Rodd looks a positive booking. SHENZHOU ONE had excuses last start so pay to follow and given he comes off a poor result, he might be the value. Of the rest with winning hopes, READY FORTUNE picks himself on form and probably starts favourite while SUGARTIME JAZZ always looks a show and some hope up in trip with blinkers off. GRAND PARIS and URBAN LEGEND the other two to watch with the latter hopefully long odds.
1 KEEP SPINNING *** Maiden who does well enough to think Class 5 is very winnable. 6.00
2 READY FORTUNE *** Backed up good run with another top effort and ready to win. 4.00
3 SUGARTIME JAZZ *** Blinkers off as he steps up to 1800m for the first time and appeals each-way. 12
4 AGELESS * Maiden coming off a poor run and have to take on trust. 20
5 BIGCAT RHAPSODY ** Usually competitive this type of race and pay to include somewhere. 10
6 GRAND PARIS *** Always a show this type of race and worth watching for support. 5.00
7 ENCOSTA ZONE ** Form reads only fair but race suits and recent trials suggests he goes OK. 12
8 SHENZHOU ONE *** Long-term maiden but had excuses last start and previous form has him right in this. 8.00
9 WINNING SUCCESS ** Very cheeky run expected and can include in exotics. 12
10 WEOWNA FLYER * Struggling of late. 50
11 SUPER VELOX ** Always looks some hope but 63 start as a maiden suggests place at best. 12
12 URBAN LEGEND *** Form looks hopeless but back up to suitable trip has him under notice at odds. 20
13 YELLOW BIRD * Will improve with racing. 50
14 PURE RABID ** Respiratory issues last start and could show up at long odds in this company when right. 50
Race 9
Selections; 5 BRAHMS AND LISZT – 2 SECRET LIBERTY – 1 TERMINATOR – 6 COTE
DE NUITS
No depth to this race and the beautifully named BRAHMS AND LISZT gets his chance. The 5YO resumed after a very long lay-off with a good placing over this trip and while his only career win was over the mile, he looks well-placed in this field with Manny Nunes up and looks hard to beat. SECRET LIBERTY looks the danger. The 4YO mare had all sorts of excuses last start in this company when supported so well worth another look with Shafiq up. It falls away very quickly after this so TERMINATOR has to be considered and when you think he went round in Open company last start, he could grow a leg in Class 4. COTE DE NUITS the improver but hard to make a case for the others.
1 TERMINATOR *** Form reads badly but drop in Class coupled with claim and winkers could see a result. 12
2 SECRET LIBERTY *** All sorts of issues when disappointing with support last start and happy to have another look. 4.00
3 GOLD LINE ** Resuming. Recent trials only fair. Watch market. 8.00
4 COOL CAT ** Battled on OK late last start similar affair and can include in exotics at value. 20
5 BRAHMS AND LISZT *** Only career win was over the mile but showed last start he can win a race like this. 2.30
6 COTE DE NUITS ** Improves for debut run and could be handy throughout. 12
7 SACRED CITY ** Resuming and always a show but yet to win in Singapore. 8.00
8 GRAND VITESS ** Blinkers off. Going along OK but should need easier to win. 20
9 SUPER SPUR * Nothing last start and happy to wait for easier. 33
10 TONGARIRO * Gets tongue-tie but not sure this is suitable. 50
11 MOONBEAM DAZZLER ** On the cusp of Class 5 but the type who can run a very cheeky race at odds. 20
