Elusive Emperor winning the GRADUATION (Photo by Singapore Turf Club)
The month of June is upon us and while there is only one Group race on the horizon, the Group 1 Patron’s Bowl on June 21 will be a beauty as we head towards bigger and better races – including the Derby – in July.
But on Friday we can concentrate on a few very interesting races for punters including a good Restricted Maiden (race 2) which pits a few promising 3YO’s giving weight to some promising juveniles.
From the trials, SPECIAL ID might be the 3YO that the punters jump on. The Australian-bred gelding makes his debut after winning his Official Trial in a slick time and while he has an awkward draw to contend with, he should go forward and try to make every post a winner for Oscar Chavez.
The 2YO’s that keep him honest with no weight are ALOHA, the emergency BIG MAN – who both have shown enough at the races to win a race like this – and the newcomer, RAFAELLO.
In particular ALOHA looks like he can improve on what was a solid debut in good 2YO company and RAFAELLO trailed like he wins a race early in his career.
The good racing continues in race 3 on the card with an excellent Graduation event over 1200m that sees DIVIDED HOUSE and SOLARIS SPECTRUM go head to head. Both are gunning for a hat-trick of wins and while DIVIDED HOUSE gets a sight edge on weights, the pair should fight it out to the wire and a race not to be missed.
It gets even better later in the card when some very good Class 3 sprinters go round in race 7 over 1400m. T
he “field” could be the box to tick in any exotics betting but ELUSIVE EMPEROR should appreciate this company after taking on AFFLECK in the Group 1 Guineas while ASPEN, REACH FOR THE SUN and AERO WINGS JUNIOR (to name just three) could easily win without surprising.
Friday 5 June
Best Bets; (ELUSIVE EMPEROR race 7, win), (LIM’S ACTION race 4, value) and (BIG
BANG KING race 5, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9), race 7 (1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8), race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 10), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7).
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; 2 GOOD LOOUKEN – 5 ALWAYS A WINNER – 3 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT – 1 BEAT TO QUARTERS
Two horses that fought out the finish behind Good Child last start in GOOD LOOUKEN and ALWAYS A WINNER look the benchmark in the opener. GOOD LOOUKEN was having his first start back in Class 5 and went awfully close on the back of a good trial with Mario Esposito on-board. The Italian stays on and while drawn a tad awkwardly in 12, he goes close. ALWAYS A WINNER picks himself on recent form. The 5YO goes round most weeks and is one of the more honest conveyances in Class 5 so well worth following. Two horses that look in average form that could play a part at odds are LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT and BEAT TO QUARTERS. Both will go well in Class 5 and LUCK EIGHTY EIGHT resumes with a nice trial under his belt so look for a big first-up run. Of the others, two down in the weights in LUCKY COME and BROWNE’S ANATOMY could win without surprising as could BANKERS CALL.
1 BEAT TO QUARTERS *** Did it tough last start so effort good enough to follow eachway form better gate. 12
2 GOOD LOOUKEN *** Awkwardly drawn but showed last start he wins a race like this sooner than later. 4.00
3 LUCKY EIGHTY EIGHT *** Resuming with good trial under his belt and could give this a shake on best form. 20
4 STREET CHAMP * Resuming after a long break and have to take on trust. 33
5 ALWAYS A WINNER *** Foot on the till and will get every chance from the good gate. 3.00
6 BANKERS CALL *** Just battled last start but previous good form has him figuring in this finish. 9.00
7 HARDEN UP ** Can mix his form but gives this a shake on a good day. 12
8 HEAR ME * Drops in grade but has been struggling for a while now. 33
9 OASIS SPUR ** Did it tough last start so worth another look in exotics in this company. 20
10 SUVARNABHUMI * Struggles as a rule. 50
11 BROWNE’S ANATOMY *** Resuming after winning over this trip last start and pay to keep safe. 8.00
12 LUCKY COME *** Excuses last start and well worth an each-way look. 8.00
Race 2
Selections; 7 SPECIAL ID – 11 ALOHA – 14 RAFAELLO – 15 BIG MAN
While the 2YO’s – ALOHA, RAFAELLO and BIG MAN in particular – will play a big part in this finish, SPECIAL ID on debut could be hard to beat on trial form. The 3YO has only had the one official hit-out but his effort in winning in a slick time easily good enough to win on debut. He has drawn wide but expect a positive ride from Oscar Chavez. Of the 2YO’s mentioned, ALOHA – incidentally SPECIAL ID’s stablemate – looks the danger. The Australian-bred gelding wasn’t beaten far on debut against his own age group and improves for the run and obviously appreciates a 7kg weight-pull against the 3YO’s. RAFAELLO has trailed well enough to go close on debut with no weight and BIG MAN (emergency) had issues last start so ignore and take on his big debut effort. The race has depth so keep the likes of LIM’S BATTLE, JOE SWIPER, ANONYMOUS and HUMDINGER safe.
1 LIM’S BATTLE *** Has been running on well over 1000m at his last three starts and gives this a shake. 10
2 JOE SWIPER *** Not a mile away last start and looks right in this finish. 10
3 COMONBABY ** Resuming with some nice trials under his belt so look or improvement at odds. 33
4 ANONYMOUS *** Drawn awkwardly but showed more than enough on debut to think he wins sooner than later. 10
5 HUMDINGER *** Makes debut after two good trials and has to be respected with red-hot hoop on-board. 4.00
6 MR NEWMAN ** Very much appreciates debut and look for improvement at odds. 33
7 SPECIAL ID *** Drawn the high-way but won Official trial in slick time and expect very forward showing. 4.00
8 TARAMEA ** Shown little at trials but market watch in order. 20
9 THE DODGER ** Ran on well enough on debut to think he is worth following with nice recent trial a pointer. 20
10 FOREST KING * Prefer to just watch on trial form. 100
11 ALOHA *** 2YO who showed more than enough on debut to follow with nice pull in the weights. 8.00
12 DRIVE * Not on exposed trial form. 50
13 EXCELLENT ONE ** OK at the trials and can include in exotics for value. 20
14 RAFAELLO *** Looked very comfortable at the trials and can show up with lightweight. 8.00
15 BIG MAN *** Ignore last start (heart rhythm) and take on excellent debut. 20
16 HEAVENLY GIFT * Gets winkers and tongue-tie but easier to ignore. 100
Race 3
Selections; 4 DIVIDED HOUSE – 1 SOLARIS SPECTRUM – 2 FAST EDITION – 3 NORTHERN BOSS
This looks a dead-set race in two with both SOLARIS SPECTRUM and DIVIDED HOUSE coming off very nice wins in Novice company. Nothing separates the pair but the filly – DIVIDED HOUSE – does get a slight weight-pull at the race conditions and her effort on International day to beat FAMOUS ARTIST (with daylight third) was excellent. In saying that, SOLARIS SPECTRUM is undefeated in two career starts and hard to argue with winning form. The two wins easily good enough to go on with the job and a horse to follow through the ranks. While these two will dominate the beating it might pay to keep FAST EDITION safe as he gets back onto his preferred surface after a solid first-up effort on the Poly.
1 SOLARIS SPECTRUM *** Backed up strong debut win with another very good victory and hard to beat in this. 2.00
2 FAST EDITION *** Appreciates good first-up run and goes close back on winning surface. 6.50
3 NORTHERN BOSS ** Resuming after looking to have issues last start and happy to keep safe at odds. 20
4 DIVIDED HOUSE *** Smart filly who dug deep to win last start and very hard to beat here. 2.00
5 KING SAVINSKY * Back in trip a concern. 50
6 LIM’S GREETING ** Nothing first-up after spell but should improve for the run and will add value to exotics. 20
7 EXCELLENT MAGIC * Shown little after maiden win. 100
8 LIM’S MIRAGE * Maiden back in trip. No. 100
Race 4
Selections; 6 THUNDER CAT – 1 JUBILATION – 5 LIM’S ACTION – 7 HUMMING BIRD
Not a lot of depth to this maiden and as such a couple of horses overdue to win in JUBILATION and THUNDER CAT gets their chance to win. Not much separates the two but THUNDER CAT did back up a nice trial with a good run back on what is his preferred surface and he must go close. JUBILATION doesn’t do much wrong expect not win but again, he gets his chance here and must go very close. It gets a bit trickier after these two but LIM’S ACTION was supported on debut and while he found it all a bit a tough on race day, he can be followed and might sneak out to value. HUMMINGBIRD looks the best of the newcomers and well worth a look on debut with the market best guide on any of the others.
1 JUBILATION *** Continues to run well without winning but again looks the benchmark. 2.50
2 STEED EXPEDITE ** Never in the hunt last start but pay to keep safe back on the poly on what he showed two back. 12
3 MCGREGOR ** Form looks hopeless but back in maiden company with M Rodd looks a good combination. 12
4 DAWN OF THE WORLD ** Last run better than the result and could improve again in this field at long odds. 50
5 LIM’S ACTION *** Supported when finding it tough on debut but worth another look with that experience under his belt. 12
6 THUNDER CAT *** Showed last start why the Poly is his caper and win sooner than later. 3.50
7 HUMMING BIRD *** Trials good enough to consider on debut with market a good guide. 8.00
8 RED KIDS ** Has looked comfortable a the trials and happy to include in exotics on debut. 20
9 SO THE THING ** Improved last start and cheeky run expected. 8.00
10 MIGHTY KENNY * Hard to have on exposed trial form but has no weight and jumps from the ace so could show up. 25
Race 5
Selections; 4 CASSIS OOLONG – 7 DRAGON WALK – 9 BIG BANG KING – 2 GOLDEN PASTURE
Extremely hard to be confident in this Class 5 especially as it is a division 2 field with plenty of unreliables. A last start winner is probably a smart place to start and GOLDEN PASTURE much be considered. Sure, he turned around some hopeless form to win but winning form is good form in this field. Two that went close last start and can make amends are CASSIS OOLONG and WINFREY. Not much separates the pair and both have drawn to advantage with support likely. One we will throw in at hopefully long odds is BIG BANG KING. The maiden has no race form but a recent trial good enough to surprise here with TH Koh from gate 2 a good combination. DRAGON WALK is overdue and could easily win this while EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE should go well on what we saw last start with excuses.
1 EXCEPTIONAL CHOICE *** Excuses not to go closer last start and worth thought with downgrade to winkers. 20
2 GOLDEN PASTURE *** Turned around some poor form to win this trip/track last start and have to consider. 12
3 BRILLIANT BEAUTY ** Blinkers off. Hard to follow of late but goes OK on his day. 20
4 CASSIS OOLONG *** Excuses not to win last start and gets his chance here. 3.50
5 SACRED CROWN ** Disappointing of late but another that can show up on best form. 20
6 WINFREY *** Supported when not far away last start and is due with gate 1 a bonus. 3.50
7 DRAGON WALK *** Overdue to win a race like this and gets his chance from fair gate with downgrade to winkers. 5.00
8 BUZET *** Always an each-way chance and can be value. 12
9 BIG BANG KING *** Fifteen start maiden with poor form but recent good trials suggests he can show up at value. 20
10 SECONDWAVE ** Another long-term maiden but thereabouts as a rule and a must for exotics. 12
11 FOUNTAIN ** Low rating but never far away and have to include somewhere. 12
Race 6
Selections; 2 ALFONSO – 3 CITY OF KIRKWALL – 5 TEQUILA SHOT – 4 IKING
This race could be a tricky affair for punters with plenty of chances and a lot depending on the pace of the race. ALFONSO can and probably leads (pending on BLACK FRIDAY) and if he gets an easy enough time of it out front and Rodd can dictate terms, he could be very hard to pass. Stephen Gray has two runners with winning hopes and CITY OF KIRKWALL and BILLY BRITAIN – who both had excuses last start – could show up without surprising. TEQUILA SHOT also had excuses last start – put a line through that – and take on his good effort two back and IKING has to be respected as he refuses to run a bad race. If there is a cracking pace, GALAXY EXPRESS will make his presence felt late.
1 BILLY BRITAIN *** Issues last start over the mile and happy to follow this Class with JP up. 6.00
2 ALFONSO *** In form and this race and company looks very suitable. Big show. 3.00
3 CITY OF KIRKWALL *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and pay to follow. 6.00
4 IKING *** Continues to run well without winning and has to be respected. 6.00
5 TEQUILA SHOT *** Put a line through his last start where he had excuses and take on good run two back. 12
6 ZEUS ** Thereabouts at three Singapore starts and can include in exotics. 12
7 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER ** Won in easier company three back and not much since but step up in trip might see improvement. 20
8 KLEVER WARRIOR * Gets tongue-tie but struggling of late. 100
9 GALAXY EXPRESS *** Always a show this trip with best work expected late. 8.00
10 BLACK FRIDAY * Can run a cheeky race but tested this company. 50
11 ZIPANGU ** Not at his best of late but could easily show up in a race like this. 12
Race 7
Selections; 7 ELUSIVE EMPEROR – 2 ASPEN – 1 REACH FOR THE SUN – 6 AERO WINGS JUNIOR
With the exception of TOM and to a lesser extent the likes of “exotics at best” types in PINT SIZED PRINCE and WHITE COFFEE, most can win this on their day and expect a fierce betting affair. ELUSIVE EMPEROR might start favourite given the 3YO will find this easier than the Group 1 Singapore Guineas. His two previous runs saw him winning in Novice and Graduation company over this trip and bar the one blemish, he looks a top-liner. ASPEN also looks hard to beat on best form. His three career wins have all been over 1400m and given he had excuses when resuming, he should be well up to this. Both REACH FOR THE SUN and AERO WINGS JUNIOR are yet to win on the turf but come into this in good form and have recent strong trials under their belt so could show up while SNITZEL SPIRIT and STIRLING pick themselves on recent form.
1 REACH FOR THE SUN *** Yet to win on the turf but has gone very close and recent strong trial suggests he is up to this. 4.00
2 ASPEN *** Had excuses when resuming and that effort coupled with a suitable race has him hard to beat here. 5.00
3 SNITZEL SPIRIT *** Looks well-placed here with 55.5kg after winning this trip at BM67 company last start. Big show. 6.00
4 CORDOBA ** Appreciates first-up run and should be competitive. 33
5 TOM * OK two starts back but otherwise disappointing. 33
6 AERO WINGS JUNIOR *** Another yet to win on the turf but has gone close and comes into this with a nice trial under his belt. 12
7 ELUSIVE EMPEROR *** Not disgraced in the Guineas and will find this company more to his liking. Big show. 3.00
8 STIRLING *** Needs a result for the support of late but step up to 1400m might do the trick. 8.00
9 GOLD RUN ** Disappointing last start but previous form has him involved somewhere. 33
10 PINT SIZED PRINCE ** Plenty of excuses last start in similar affair so worth another look at long odds in exotics. 50
11 WHITE COFFEE ** Won in easier company last start and competitive this trip on top form. 33
Race 8
Selections; 1 ZENZERO – 2 SUGARTIME JAZZ – 3 OCTIVIA – 10 GYPSY STAR
Not much science to this handicap with the three highest rated horses in form and the one’s to be on. ZENZERO is a 16 start maiden but gets his chance here. His recent maiden form has been good enough to win in Class 5 and Corey Brown should give him ever chance. SUGARTIME JAZZ is in good form and 1600m looks perfect given his runs over 1800m last start and 1400m the start prior. Michael Rodd looks a very good booking for OCTAVIA and the 4YO mare can easily win this. Of the rest, GYPSY STAR and CHENGDU WARRIOR will be the two storming home late and can win if the race is run to suit while most others have to be included on best form in exotics so good luck.
1 ZENZERO *** Maiden who looks well-placed in Class 5 company and be hard to beat. 2.50
2 SUGARTIME JAZZ *** Foot on the till and should figure in this finish. 4.50
3 OCTIVIA *** Always a show and can be value. 7.00
4 STAGE BRIGHT * Struggling. 100
5 IKTO ** Form hopeless but gets blinkers over the mile so look for improvement. 20
6 SIMPANG ** Better on the Poly but turf run two back OK so can include win exotics. 20
7 MOON OF NEPTUNE ** Only placed once from some 11 starts but has been thereabouts of late. 33
8 GODS SPEED ** Had excuses last start and could sneak a place at odds on best form. 33
9 ENCOSTA ZONE ** OK late last start and maiden win was this trip. 20
10 GYPSY STAR *** Hit some good form and will be the one flying late. 6.00
11 BERNARD’S FIGHTER * OK late last start but easier to ignore as a rule. 50
12 ANGE D’ORIENT * Needs longer. 33
13 CHENGDU WARRIOR *** Lowly rated but showed last start he can figure if race run to suit swoopers. 20
14 SUPER VELOX ** Yet to win in 63 starts but can figure one exotics. 20
15 DOS EQUIS ** Better on the Poly but pay to keep safe in exotics. 20
Race 9
Selections; 1 INVINCIBLE MAN – 2 STILETTO – 6 MILLION ROUND – 3 MINGS MAN
Rangi “Bruce” Marsh has a big say in what looks like a tricky Class 4 Poly sprint with three runners – STILETTO, MINGS MAN and CITY OF SAILS – all with winning hopes. Of the trio, STILETTO resumes down in grade with Michael Rodd up so it looks like Marsh is not mucking around. MINGS MAN was disappointing last start but Class 4 looks his company so can win while CITY OF SAILS placed last start first-up and has to be respected. But the horse they all have to beat is INVINCIBLE MAN. Apart from having his foot on the till, he gets to jump from gate 1 with a 3kg claim so must go close. MILLION ROUND gets back onto his winning surface so he can bounce back and of the rest, DRAGON KING can also win.
1 INVINCIBLE MAN *** Foot on the till and looks well placed with 3kg claim from gate 1. 4.00
2 STILETTO *** Resuming in suitable race and recent trial suggests he gives this a shake. 4.00
3 MINGS MAN *** Didn’t fire a shot last start but this is easier and previous form has him right in this. 12
4 TERMINATOR ** Form reads badly but last start OK and does enjoy the Poly. 33
5 DRAGON KING *** Been in good form this campaign and right in this. 12
6 MILLION ROUND *** Nothing last start but Class 4 should suit and will be the value runner. 33
7 CITY OF SAILS *** Resumed with very good run over 1000m and gives this a shake on a repeat. 6.00
8 ORIGIN FAST * Struggling of late. 50
9 I’M KOOL ** Maiden resuming but certainly showed enough last campaign to keep safe. 20
10 LUCKY SIX * Tongue-tie off but should need easier. 33
11 SUPER SPUR * Excuses last start but like to see in Class 5. 33
