THE NUTCRACKER should be hard to beat (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
The big race – the 2016 Gr1 Singapore Guineas – may have moved to Sunday but that doesn’t stop the action starting in earnest on Friday in what is a great weekend of racing at Kranji.
And the fun might start early for a new trainer in Daniel Meagher who saddles his first runner – SUGARTIME JAZZ – in race 1 on the nine race card.
But while SUGARTIME JAZZ – with blinkers added and Oscar Chavez up – looks a winning hope in what is an even opener, it may be LIM’S ACTION who gives him his maiden win as a fully-fledged trainer in race 8.
Which would be apt on Guineas weekend given Dan’s father John Meagher, trained LIM’S OBJECTIVE to win the now $500,000 feature back in 2007.
LIM’S ACTION is first-up after a solid run of form but given he finds himself in a very winnable field with a nice trial under his belt, he can win with Dan Beasley to ride.
Elsewhere on the card THE NUTCRACKER looks well placed on the Poly in BM89 Company to win first up for new trainer Pat Shaw, especially after he was entered for the Group 1 Lion City Cup at WFA only two weeks ago.
Best Bets: (THE NUTCRACKER race 7 win), (LIM’S ACTION race 8, win) and (RIVER OF GOLD race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (2, 3 and 11), race 7 (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10), race 8 (1, 3, 4 and 9), race 9 (1, 4, 5, 7 and 8).
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; 3 NATURAL NICE – 1 GRAVITY – 8 KING OF THIEVES – 4 SUGARTIME JAZZ
A solid Class 5 race to start the meeting with plenty of horses with early pace ensuring the race should be truly run. But given it’s the E Short Course those on the pace may be hard to run down and it may pay to keep two maidens in GRAVITY and JOYOUS very safe. Of the two, GRAVITY is dropping rapidly through the grades and cold surprise with Zaki up. NATURAL NICE should get a beautiful run behind the leader (s) and given what he showed last start, he looks a solid winning option in Class 5. New trainer Dan Meagher has SUGARTIME JAZZ in the right company to get his career off to a flyer with blinkers added a pointer. MISS WAIMATAITAI adds some depth to the race – she wins very soon in this company – while SUPERMART won too well last start not to be a show. The value pick is KING OF THIEVES who could improve lengths on the turf.
1 GRAVITY *** Drops in grade and will run a very cheeky race on a course that suits. 12
2 MISS WAIMATAITAI *** Just missed last start this company and pay to follow. 4.00
3 NATURAL NICE *** May have forgotten how to win but showed last start he goes close in Class 5. 3.00
4 SUGARTIME JAZZ *** Gets blinkers in right Class over right trip and can make a winning debut for trainer. 5.00
5 SUPERMART *** Won a weak one very easily last start and pay to follow. 12
6 GOLD LINE ** Around the place in this company last start and can include in exotics. 20
7 DR N WING FIGHTERS ** Nothing last start but appreciates being back in recent winning company. 20
8 KING OF THIEVES *** Form reads badly but will improve lengths at odds this trip on turf. 33
9 ONE MORE ACHIEVER * Better option on the Poly. 33
10 SUN DANCE ** Maiden who is more than competitive and keeps a few of the fancies honest. 12
11 HACKER * Struggling. 100
12 JOYOUS *** Maiden who can lead and may look the winner late. 12
13 GRAND SEVEN SEAS * 1400m suits but needs to show more. 50
14 DASHING * Solid without being a threat. 20
Race 2
Selections; 3 ECLAIR MOMENT – 7 ONE FOR ALL – 2 THE WINGED DRAGON – 9 LUCKY SUGAR
Nothing jumps off the page to win this with support likely to be shared between two newcomers in ONE FOR ALL and LIM’S BESTOW and ECLAIR MOMENT who has race experience under his belt. In this small but even field, race experience could count for plenty and John Powell will be hoping to ensure his mount, ECLAIR MOMENT, makes a clean start this time in and if so, he is hard to beat. Both ONE FOR ALL and LIM’S BESTOW have trialled like they can win on debut and not much separates the pair. For value on a handy newcomer, LUCKY SUGAR comes under notice and even GOLDEN PASSION showed enough at the trials to win without surprising. THE WINGED DRAGON looks the improver at odds and HERECOMESMYMONEY should be in the mix. Tough race.
1 SPEEDY MOMENT * Needs to show something under new trainer before considering. 100
2 THE WINGED DRAGON *** Improves on debut run with better gate a factor. 12
3 ECLAIR MOMENT *** Blew the start and his chances last start with support and can win with more luck. 3.00
4 HERECOMESMYMONEY ** Excuses last start and should figure in this finish on previous form. 12
5 GOLDEN PASSION ** Solid at the trials and a must for exotics on debut. 12
6 LIM’S BESTOW *** Trial sans headgear looked good enough to consider on debut with gate 1 a factor. 4.50
7 ONE FOR ALL *** Looked good winning Official Trial and expect support and a big run on debut. 3.00
8 MS KIDMAN ** Excuses when failing badly on debut so worth thought at odds in exotics. 33
9 LUCKY SUGAR *** Another that trialled like he knows a bit about the racing caper and has to be respected. 8.00
Race 3
Selections; 2 CAIRO – 1 GUILTY PLEASURES – 10 LET’S TALK NOW – 6 KAISER
This could very well be a race in two between last start winner GUILTY PLEASURES and CAIRO resuming. The obvious choice does look GUILTY PLEASURES who won very well in a similar affair last start. True, that was only his second career win in some 17 starts but he was overdue on form and the strong win suggests there is more to come. But there was a lot to like about CAIRO’s recent trials and he looks ready to win first-up after a spell. His form prior to the break was solid in this grade and with improvement likely on trial form; he can win. It is rarely a two-horse battle though and LET’S TALK NOW will keep them very honest and his form warrants respect in this weak field. KAISER, ANGRY CAT and DRAGON KING for skinny end of exotics.
1 GUILTY PLEASURES *** Turned some good form into a much deserved win in similar affair last start and can win again. 2.00
2 CAIRO *** Resuming after placing in similar affair in December and trials like he gives this a shake. 3.00
3 MASTER DRAGON * Resuming after a shocker and have to take on trust. 100
4 GOLDEN MISSION * Can work into this late but recent form poor. 50
5 ARROWHEAD * No. 100
6 KAISER ** Found a weak enough Class 4 to finish in the money. 10
7 PATERSON ROAD * Reassess easier over longer. 100
8 ANGRY CAT ** Recent win this trip but should need easier than this. 20
9 DRAGON KING ** Excuses not to finish closer last start in KSD Company and pay to include in exotics on that effort. 10
10 LET’S TALK NOW *** Lack of winning form a big concern but better than most here and must be respected. 6.00
Race 4
Selections; 7 ALIBI – 3 AWESOME – 4 STAR GENIUS – 9 WAR CITI
A couple of NZ-bred 3YO’s in ALIBI and AWESOME look to have a big say in this Graduation and punters should be all over that pair. ALIBI probably starts favourite given the colt won well after excuses in running on debut and that form looks to have held up. Duric stays on board and he should be prominent throughout. AWESOME had excuses last start – he returned not striding – and while some might have concern over that effort, his previous form including a 3YO Group placing, has him a horse to follow. STAR GENIUS looks the danger. The filly is in winning form and Alan Munro should give her every chance from gate 1. WAR CITI may be the value option given he comes off a poor run but she could run a very cheeky race with no weight.
1 POWER LIN * In solid form but in badly at the race conditions so prefer others. 12
2 LUCKY COIN * In badly at the weights. 33
3 AWESOME *** Returned not striding last start so ignore that run and in best at the weights here so can win. 4.00
4 STAR GENIUS *** Won two of last three and should make use of the good gate and be in the finish. 4.00
5 LADY IFFRAAJ ** Query on the turf but in solid Poly form so pay to keep safe. 12
6 SMART FORTUNE ** Could make excuses last start and worth another look on surprise maiden win two back. 12
7 ALIBI *** Won very well on debut and that form has held up so gives this a shake. 3.00
8 LUCKY BOY ** Honest and gets blinkers so another to keep safe. 10
9 WAR CITI *** Nothing at only turf outing last start but could go forward and give a sight with no weight. 12
Race 5
Selections; 1 APPELLATION – 4 TEMBUSU ESTRELA – 7 RAINBOW WARRIOR – 13 ANAK PENANG
Not a great race for punters with a few maidens in the mix as well as a few horses that have been refusing to win of late. Case in point is APPELLATION who hasn’t won since breaking his maiden status in June last year. And it’s not that he hasn’t been trying as the 4YO rarely runs a bad race and should race handy enough in this field from gate 5 to have every chance. Two maidens who go very close are TEMBUSU ESTRELA and RAINBOW WARRIOR. Both have had their chances but do look due with TEMBUSU ESTRELA likely to be prominent throughout and that counts for plenty on the E Short Course. Of the rest, keep both emergencies – ANAK PENANG and SUPER EIGHT – very safe if they get a start and those chasing odds for exotics may want to include NATURAL WATER who may run a very cheeky race.
1 APPELLATION *** Hard to fault form and will loom late but needs a result for followers. 3.50
2 SLAVONIC DANCE * Resuming and needs to show more. 33
3 LION WAVE ** Resuming and recent trial suggests he may improve on poor form. 33
4 TEMBUSU ESTRELA *** Maiden who is in this a very long way. 4.00
5 ALADDIN * Not a mile away last start but easier to ignore. 50
6 NATURAL WATER ** Form reads badly but could run a very cheeky race at odds from a good gate. 20
7 RAINBOW WARRIOR *** Maiden back in trip but has looked due and gets an in-form hoop. 6.00
8 ROAN RANGER ** Will be doing best work late in a race that suits. 6.00
9 LUCKY COME ** Usually seen on the Poly but goes good enough to include in exotics. 12
10 SHARP KNIGHT * No. 100
11 REAL GOODMAN ** Another in OK form but query on the turf. 12
12 GYPSY STAR ** Ran on well at odds last start and expect much the same. 8.00
13 ANAK PENANG *** Maiden who will be on the pace throughout and worth a long look if he gets a start. 12
14 SUPER EIGHT *** Excuses when heavily supported last start and pay to very safe. 6.00
Race 6
Selections; 3 RIVER OF GOLD – 2 BLACK MAGIC – 11 STOCK BROKER – 6 LADY ROULETTE
A terrible Class 4 field and as such a horse like RIVER OF GOLD has a chance to knock in his second career win. The 3YO is honest and has looked due to win again and connections will be very confident after drawing gate 3 to get a result. Also in his favour is the main danger looks to be BLACK MAGIC who is resuming after just a fair run of form. In saying that BLACK MAGIC has won first-up previously and given a nice recent trial and the opposition, he should get some support and a big run wild not surprise. The depth falls away dramatically so an honest horse in STOCK BROKER has to be a winning hope with no weight with LADY ROULETTE, SUPER JOY and FIGHTING WARRIOR the skinny end of exotic choices.
1 FIGHTING WARRIOR ** Worked home OK at both Singapore starts but may need longer than this. 20
2 BLACK MAGIC *** Resuming and has won first up previously with recent good trial a pointer. 4.00
3 RIVER OF GOLD *** Form better than it reads and looks a very solid each-way hope in this. 3.00
4 SUPER JOY ** Recent good runs have been in slightly easier company but have to respect in this field. 4.00
5 MONEY KING * Needs longer and easier. 200
6 LADY ROULETTE ** Last start better than the result and always worth a look at odds in races like this. 10
7 SATELLITE GENIUS * Maiden who had excuses last start but better suited elsewhere. 33
8 CLERMONT CLUB * Reassess over longer. 33
9 BEAT TO QUARTERS * Will work into this late but should need easier. 33
10 MEAISIN * Another who works into this late but should need longer to show his best. 20
11 STOCK BROKER *** On the cusp of Class 5 but honest and gets his chance with no weight in this weak field. 6.00
Race 7
Selections; 8 THE NUTCRACKER – 4 GOOD NEWS – 1 OLYMPIC ANTHEM – 13 THE GENERAL
I think it’s safe to say when you leave out a horse gunning for four straight Poly wins in NOVA WARRIOR out of your selections, the field has depth. And while we think NOVA WARRIOR can win and may even start favourite, others appeal. NUTCRACKER in particular first up after a bleeding attack after changing stables should be hard to beat. The 4YO won well at his Singapore debut before having issues at start two and when you consider Pat Shaw nominated him for the Lion City Cup and his trials with blinkers have been impressive, why not against this field? It will be fast and furious out front so GOOD NEWS will come into winning calculations late while OLYMPIC ANTHEM won too well last start not to follow. The emergency THE GENERAL also deserves a mention in a race that suits while INDIAN JADE and JUSTICE DAY could show up at odds. Great race.
1 OLYMPIC ANTHEM *** Won very well when resuming after bleeding attack and subsequent good trial suggests he can win again, 3.50
2 INDIAN JADE *** Solid at two runs since resuming and wins a race like this without surprising. 12
3 EL MILAGRO ** Resuming sans blinkers and trials have been solid. 20
4 GOOD NEWS *** Always makes his presence felt late and recent good trial suggests he can win this. 5.00
5 GOT LUCK ** Had a few issues of late but showed enough last start at odds to consider. 12
6 NOVA WARRIOR *** This is obviously a test but hard to fault winning form and must go close. 6.00
7 SEBAS ** Always a show on the Poly and a must for exotics. 12
8 THE NUTCRACKER *** Resuming with blinkers after bleeding attack and trials like he has plenty to offer. 4.50
9 PIONEER SEVEN ** Wide gate a concern but showed a return to some form last start at odds and pay to keep safe. 20
10 JUSTICE DAY *** Looked to have every chance on debut but trials suggests he has more to offer and could sneak out to odds. 20
11 TURQUOISE KING * No luck at the barriers again and happy to ignore. 100
12 TASSAJARA * Needs to show more. 100
13 THE GENERAL *** May pay to ignore his last two poor runs as back on the Poly with blinkers added is his caper. 8.00
14 SECRET MISSION ** Drawn badly but another that always looks a show on the Poly at odds. 33
Race 8
Selections; 3 LIM’S ACTION – 1 LAKE HUKA – 4 SUN MIRACLE – 9 ROCK OF AGES
Nothing jumps off the page in this KSD 1400m event, which gives a progressive type in LIM’S ACTION a chance to knock in another early win. The 5YO resumes after a solid run of form and given his recent good trial, he can win this with Dan Beasley up. There might be some value about elsewhere and LAKE HUKA should improve lengths on recent efforts. He had excuses last start – returned not striding – and he really should be competitive and win races like this. You may also may want to consider SUN MIRACLE at any old odds as he could run a very cheeky race on a course that should favour on-pace runners. Last start winner ROCK OF AGES and the first emergency BIG GUARDIAN two others to watch.
1 LAKE HUKA *** Returned not striding last start so worth another look in company that suits. 5.00
2 MR CONNERY ** Resuming. Yet to win on turf or trip but company suits. 12
3 LIM’S ACTION *** Progressive type resuming and recent nice trial suggests he is well worth a look. 2.80
4 SUN MIRACLE *** Impossible on form but will lead and could surprise at first turf run. 20
5 MY REACH ** Form ordinary but recent trial OK so could improve at odds. 33
6 MAPLE STAR ** Some improved efforts of late and could be ready to show up. 20
7 SEASONS ECHO ** Has been running on well at his last two so has to be considered. 8.00
8 CHIPS ** Nothing last couple but could go OK if handier in running. 33
9 ROCK OF AGES *** Took a drop to Class 5 to win but has raced well in this company previously and pay to follow. 5.00
10 THUNDER CAT ** Showed enough at long odds last start in this company to consider. 33
11 JUBILATION ** Last two starts OK and might pay to keep safe in exotics at value. 20
12 LEE MAN ** Another who needed Class 5 to break though but worth following. 12
13 BIG GUARDIAN *** Resuming and trials like he improves lengths on first preparation with tongue-tie added. 12
14 GUILTLESS ** In solid form and should figure somewhere if this type of race. 8.00
Race 9
Selections; 7 BRAHMA CIRCUS – 1 HERMANO MENOR – 5 IDEAL GUIDE – 4 VON KRUMM
An interesting race to finish the night with most having some show and two of the leading hopes with serious gear changes. Case in point is IDEAL GUIDE who gets blinkers for the first time. The 5YO has shown at his last couple he is ready to win again and gets his chance with the headgear likely to make a difference. VON KRUMM on the other hand loses blinkers after just one run with headgear added. The 5YO improved with blinkers but connections must think he is ready to show his best without this time in. However, a horse that looks ready to win is BRAHMA CIRCUS. The 4YO doesn’t race often over 1400m or on the turf but looks like it may see a result this time in. Of the rest, HERMANO MENOR improves on what he showed last start (not striding) and could be hard to catch while SPLICE is always value and a solid each-way choice.
1 HERMANO MENOR *** Returned not striding when resuming so pay to give another chance on best form. 5.00
2 MR SPIELBERG ** Progressive stayer resuming with best work expected late. 20
3 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON ** Back in trip but honest and in solid form so should play a part in the finish. 6.00
4 VON KRUMM *** Blinkers back off after improved run last start and pay to keep safe in a race that suits. 8.00
5 IDEAL GUIDE *** Always a chance in races like this and comes under notice with blinkers on first time. 6.00
6 ABOVE THE SKYLINE ** Issues last start (lame) but some hope on form prior. 12
7 BRAHMA CIRCUS *** In form and looks a winning hope at a rare run over 1400m. 6.00
8 SPLICE *** Each-way all the way in a race that suits. 7.00
9 GOBI RANGER * Needs to lift on recent efforts. 33
10 WONDERFUL PRINCE ** Excuses last start and worth another look at value. 33
11 PANAMA CITY ** Improves on first-up run and could be a good value option for skinny end of exotics. 20
12 RED ANT ** Hard to catch but showed last start why it pays to keep safe. 12
