Goodman (Corey Brown) scores another dominant win at Kranji on Wednesday. Picture Singapore Turf Club.
Gong Xi Fa Cai. Which in some parts of the world roughly translates to “cheers and beers”. And nothing goes better with a beer or a cheer than a punt! But while horse racing and Chinese New Year go hand in hand, it’s often a tough weekend for punters with big fields and plenty of winning hopes. Case in point is the Group 3 Fortune Bowl, a condition weight feature over 2000m. The field might be small – only eight runners – but with six having serious winning hopes at the weights, it looks a cracker on paper. Adding to the intrigue is the fact the top-weight – STEPITUP – is a query at the distance and while well in at the conditions, might be a risk for punters. Obviously winning eight from 11 career starts – which includes four Group wins and a clean sweep of the 3YO series – has him ranked very highly in the Singapore racing ranks, however, a failure in the Group 1 Raffles cup over 1800m throws a query on him seeing out this trip. True, he did win over 1700m – albeit on the Poly – at Group level last start but with 58kg in the Fortune Bowl and giving weight to some proven stayers, he may be overlooked by a few punters. Obviously the form out of the recently run Woodlands Classic over the same trip will hold up with DUJARDIN, LORD BROMPTON and MUSKETEER finishing first, second and third respectively in the Group 3 race. Nothing much split the trio and given MARTIN had excuses not to be in the winning mix, all four play a part in this finish. But STEPITUP – who trailed very well last Tuesday – is a winner and that counts for plenty at this level and hopefully provides punters with a very happy start to the Chinese New Year weekend.
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Best Bets; GOODMAN (race 8, win), MEXBOROUGH BOY (race 9, each-way) and ALAN (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (5, 9 and 10), race 9 (1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 11), race 10 (1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8), race 11 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 13).
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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 8
Selections; 10 GOODMAN – 9 EURO ZONE – 5 EMPIRE BAY – 1 INDICIO
It’s a big ask to take on good Class 3 company at only start number four but the Laurie Laxon-trained GOODMAN looks well up to the task. The 3YO put in a solid effort with support on debut under leading hoop, Manoel Nunes, but bolted in at start two under the guidance of Corey Brown. Brown stayed on-board for a step up to Novice company over 1400m on the turf at his most recent run and while the field wasn’t overly strong, his dominant win has him well and truly pegged as open class material. Laxon has two runners in the race and don’t discount the stable-mate, EURO ZONE. The 4YO also won a Novice well over 1400m two starts ago and backed that run up with a good effort in a tough Graduation field. The horses with the runs on the board are EMPIRE BAY – who looks ready to win over 1400m with blinkers removed – INDICIO who showed last start he wins again soon with SINGLE ACT and MY SHINE well and truly in the winning mix.
1 INDICIO *** Didn’t miss by much similar affair last start and right in this. 6.00
2 TERMINATOR ** Not far away in good turf company over the mile last start and pay to keep safe. 33
3 BENJI’S EMPIRE * Enjoys gate one, claim and company but needs to find more late. 100
4 ECLAIR FLYER * Been struggling of late. 100
5 EMPIRE BAY *** Showed enough last start to think he can win again with blinkers removed over 1400m. 4.00
6 MY SHINE *** First-up run good and might appreciate a rare turf run over 1400m. Value. 12
7 DUTY FREE * Form OK but tested over this trip in this company. 33
8 SINGLE ACT *** Heavily supported and not far away over 1200m last start and pay to keep following. 7.00
9 EURO ZONE *** Another who was heavily supported last start and while not winning gives every indication he goes close here. 8.00
10 GOODMAN *** Backed up dominate maiden win by spanking them again in Novice company this trip. Hard to beat. 2.50
11 MULAN ** Thereabouts last start similar affair and worth a look at likely value. 33
12 VIDEO CALL * Resuming and has first-up form so keep safe in exotics at odds. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 1 MEXBOROUGH BOY – 6 FLYING WILD – 4 LADY TRIO – 7 STREET CHAMP
With no standout in what looks an even field, value might be worth looking for. The topweight, MEXBOROUGH BOY is a good place to start. The two-time winner has been racing in some pretty serious company of late – strong Progress fields – so the almost innocuous drop to KSD should see him go very close. Not sure punters will miss him though – but worth a look regardless. FLYING WILD could also win and although leading hoop, Manoel Nunes, goes on-board, the 5YO gelding could be a solid each-way option. The upgrade to blinkers won’t hurt his chances and given he looks to be coming off just a fair run when given no chance in transit, a big run is on the cards with gate three handy. LADY TRIO is due and no reason to think she doesn’t play a part late in this company with last start winner, STREET CHAMP, also one that should figure late. Can’t pick them all but BEAUTY HARMONY deserves a mention and the tote might be a fair guide.
1 MEXBOROUGH BOY *** Very much appreciates KSD company and one of the leading hopes. 5.00
2 PALOMBARO * Blinkers off after disappointing last start and have to go a long way back to find any turf form. 12
3 BEAUTY HARMONY *** Probably should have done more for the support this trip in Class 4 last start but can in this company. 5.00
4 LADY TRIO *** Is due for a result and must be a strong hope dropping to KSD. 5.00
5 TAI COMMANDS * Better than what he has shown of late but hard to have on recent form. 33
6 FLYING WILD *** Form better than it reads and happy to ignore last start and follow each-way in what is a suitable race. 9.00
7 STREET CHAMP *** Wide gate not a concern as gets back and will be doing best work late. 7.00
8 BANKERS CALL * Struggled two runs since winning weak maiden. 50
9 CAN’T TOUCH ME ** Honest and certainly competitive again stepping up from Class 5 win. 8.00
10 RON * Blinkers off but happy to wait for Class 5. 50
11 STAR RAINBOW *** Backed up good maiden win with close-up effort this company and well worth following. 10
12 SIMPANG * Upgrade to blinkers but would need to be having a very good day. 50
13 ENZO ** Always a show this trip but prefer in Class 5. 33
14 DIAMOND ON THE BAY * Resuming, no. 200
15 WHO ELS * No. 200
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Race 10
Selections; 1 STEPITUP – 5 MUSKETEER – 4 MARTIN – 7 LORD BROMPTON
Can STEPITUP do just that and step it up and win at his first attempt over 2000m? If you are prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt after finding it all too tough at Group 1 level in the Raffles Cup over 1800m, why not? His last start win – albeit on the Poly – was over 1700m and given he trailed like he would go two laps on his ear on Tuesday, a win would not surprise. He has top-weight to contend with and is up against some in-form stayers but the fact he has won eight-from-eleven and is the Champion 3YO elect, suggests we follow. And in what is a wide-open race it might be easier to pick two that can’t win and shouldn’t really place – NANDOWRA and MITRE PEAK – as you can make a strong case for the remainder.
1 STEPITUP *** First-time over the trip but back in winners circle last start and pay to follow. 3.00
2 DUJARDIN *** Hard to argue with back-to-back Group wins and showed last start 2000m no issue. 6.00
3 NANDOWRA * Obviously a big show if near his best but recent form some concern. 33
4 MARTIN *** Excuses not to finish close-up behind DUJARDIN last start and ready to win. 5.00
5 MUSKETEER *** Close-up when beaten as favourite in the Woodlands Classic and can make amends. 3.00
6 MITRE PEAK * Placed in easier company last start and should struggle here. 50
7 LORD BROMPTON *** Showed last start he handles all company over this trip and right in this. 6.00
8 WORLD WAR *** Honest and excuses not to win last start over the mile. Light-weight hope. 8.00
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Race 11
Selections; 1 ALAN – 5 MILITARY TACTIC – 6 XIN TREASURE – 3 CRAZY TIMES
ALAN might be a risk in the lucky last on exposed form but the race looks suitable and from gate one he might show his best and win. His two career wins were both over this trip and given last start he was up against some nice types in a Progress event (with support), a big run is expected with Corey Brown to ride. The newcomer, MILITARY TACTIC, could show up at his Singapore debut. The former Australian didn’t set the word on fire winning once and placing twice from five starts down-under, but his trial looked good and the Freedman/Nunes combination looks a good one. XIN TREASURE has been a good horse to follow at each-way value and he also looks to have found nice race to show his best with a claim from gate two in his favour. You have to include last start maiden winner CRAZY TIMES in winning calculations and down in the weights, BINGO could surprise with Lisa Allpress a factor.
1 ALAN *** Ignore last start and looks a huge show back at handicap conditions from gate one. 4.00
2 DREAMCATCHER ** Not in the hunt last couple but gives this a shout when on song. Value. 20
3 CRAZY TIMES *** Backed up good debut with a win and worth following in Class 4. 5.00
4 FIST * Disappointing at Singapore debut but should improve for the run. 33
5 MILITARY TACTIC *** Former Australian who has trailed well enough to think he gets support at Singapore debut. Tote best guide. 4.00
6 XIN TREASURE *** Due and often value so pay to follow with gate two and 1200m in his favour. 7.00
7 MAC VOLKS ** Disappointing with heavy support last start but worth a look with claim fist time on turf in Singapore. 8.00
8 FUNCA ** Resuming and while always a big show, his Singapore maiden status a concern. 12
9 DRAGON NINETYNINE * OK late start but prefer in easier company. 50
10 KISS ME ** Resuming and certainly worth a look at odds over winning trip. 33
11 NOT SIMPLE ** Not a million miles away last start and another that could add value to exotics. 33
12 OASIS SPUR ** Did well to place last start given excuses (saddle) and cheeky run expected. 25
13 BINGO *** Senior hoop noted and worth a look on best swooping form. 20
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