Zac Spirit (John Powell) is airborne as he cruises home for an impressive debut win – Singapore Racing 11-02-13
One of Singapore’s elite horses makes his first appearance at the races on Sunday and all eye’s will be on ZAC SPIRIT in what looks a cracker of an Open sprint (race 9).
At the race conditions, the reigning Singapore Champion Sprinter will have to give weight to all but one and you imagine with a record that reads eight wins and six places from only 15 career starts, punters will stick with him.
Obviously with a career record like that, the 5YO races very well fresh and given his last run – where he finished third behind the star that is SPALATO – was at a similar weight spread, he should handle giving some 6kgs at the conditions to an in-form HUKA FALLS. HUKA FALLS does look well-weighted though with just 51kg and the fact that he is in winning form with Corey Brown to steer, he will get support and could prove hard to run down.
Others that get in well at the weights and make this race well worth the admission price is EL PADRINO and GOAL KEEPER and both will keep ZAC SPIRIT and HUKA FALLS honest in what could be a busy finish. But class should prevail and there are not many classier than ZAC SPIRIT who will be looking at a winning start to the new season and defending his Singapore Sprinter Crown in 2015.
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Best Bets; (ZAC SPIRIT race 9, win), (SKY ELEVEN race 11, each-way) and (XIN TREASURE race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 4, 5, 7 and 8), race 9 (1, 3, 5 and 8), race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 6), race 11 (1, 7, 9 and 10).
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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; 4 XIN TREASURE – 7 BEST NINE – 1 D’ARTAGNAN – 5 HIDDEN VENTURE
A KSD over 1200m on the poly and D’ARTAGNAN will enjoy dropping in grade. The 4YO struggled in Class 4 but his last win was in this Class at 1200m and he could be hard to beat if apprentice H Syafiq gets the best out of him. Looking elsewhere, XIN TREASURE rarely wins but always threatens at this level and he should be in the finish. He had excuses last start and this race looks winnable. The blinkers come off BEST NINE who battled on the turf last start but is better suited here. THE MIGHTY THOR is suited this surface and grade, 1200m can find him out but Michael Rodd may be able to nurse him through. In what is a fairly ordinary race GYPSY MAGIC, SAFFIR with blinkers and the resuming HAPPY FOREVER could show up.
1 D’ARTAGNAN *** Struggled in Class 4 but better suited here. Last win was in this Class at 1200m. 4.50
2 HOW HUGE * Struggling but gets down in grade and recent trial suggests improvement. 33
3 SAFFIR ** Blinkers on. Only win was at a mile but has placed over 1200m. Could make his presence felt. 12
4 XIN TREASURE *** Excuses not to go close last start similar affair and can be in the finish. 6.00
5 HIDDEN VENTURE *** Resuming after good run of form and plays a part in this. 10
6 WASSAIC * Better over longer and yet to win on poly. 33
7 BEST NINE *** Blinkers off. Excuses not to finish closer last start and better suited back on the Poly. 10
8 THE MIGHTY THOR *** Suited this surface and grade but 1200m can find him out. 5.00
9 SIMPANG ** Suited this trip and surface and will be closing late. 33
10 I-SCREAM NOW * Still a Maiden. This looks too hard. 33
11 GYPSY MAGIC ** Should be on the speed throughout and can give a sight. 8.00
12 URBAN LEGEND * No. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 1 ZAC SPIRIT – 3 EL PADRINO – 8 HUKA FALLS – 5 GOAL KEEPER
An Open Stakes over 1200m sees the return of the top sprinter ZAC SPIRIT. And whilst he may need the run, his class will carry him a long way. He is in badly at the race conditions but the fact he carried 58kg when third to Spalato two starts back suggests he can win this. The hardest to beat may be the international quality sprinter EL PADRINO. The 6YO got too far back when resuming but has trialled well sine and will be hard to hold out late. HUKA FALLS looks a monty at the weights but is better on poly although is sure to give a bold sight. He enjoys a significant weight pull over most including HAPPY MONEY who is going for five on end but faces his biggest test here. Amongst the others the speedster GOAL KEEPER and the resuming HOLY EMPIRE could show up.
1 ZAC SPIRIT *** Star sprinter freshened by strong recent trial but tested at the race conditions. 3.00
2 CHASE ME * Has not raced for a long time and wants longer. 200
3 EL PADRINO *** Got too far back when resuming. Has trialled well since in very well at the weights. Big show. 5.00
4 EL MILAGRO * Needs to lift on recent outings. 20
5 GOAL KEEPER *** Speedy and will give a sight for a long way. 5.00
6 HOLY EMPIRE ** Resuming. Talented and has a good first up record but might find these too sharp. 16
7 MAKKURA * Trialled well recently but tested at this level. 33
8 HUKA FALLS *** Has a better winning record on the Poly but weighted to win this and could be hard to pass. 4.00
9 HAPPY MONEY ** Going for five on end but not well weighted and this is his biggest test. 8.00
10 INDICIO * Honest but outclassed. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 2 ALPHA CENTAURI – 1 MY BOY JACK – 6 BLACK MAGIC – 3 KAISER BRIGHT
A Class 4 over 1400m on the turf and ALPHA CENTAURI ran on well last start and should be in the finish. Nunes stays on-board and the 5YO is due and gets his chance here. The very honest MY BOY JACK will enjoy being back on the surface and should give a bold sight. KAISER BRIGHT is another who will enjoy being back on the grass and he should be prominent throughout. BLACK MAGIC has speed and will give a sight though 1400m could test. Of the others IMPERIAL FIGHTER got tightened late last start he is suited at the 1400m and MAJESTIC MOMENTS could show up fresh.
1 MY BOY JACK *** Honest and will enjoy being back on turf. Will be handy throughout. 3.50
2 ALPHA CENTAURI *** Ran on well last start and should be in the finish. 4.50
3 KAISER BRIGHT *** Will enjoy being back on turf and should give a sight. 5.00
4 RUSTY BROWN ** Gets back on turf over his preferred distance. Should be on the speed throughout. 12
5 MAJESTIC MOMENTS ** Resuming sans blinkers. Has had several trials and could show up fresh in what is a suitable race. 12
6 BLACK MAGIC *** Has speed and will give a sight. 1400m could test. 5.00
7 DUTY FREE ** Better on poly but will be running on late. 16
8 ALAN * Tested this distance and might want easier. 25
9 IMPERIAL FIGHTER ** Was tightened late last start. Gets a handy claim and could get in the finish. 12
10 KISS ME ** Not far away last start but may need easier to win. 25
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Race 11
Selections; 10 SKY ELEVEN – 9 SMART LAD – 1 TO BE REMEMBERED – 7 HARDCORE ROCK
A BM67 over 1600m on turf and the talented 3YO SMART LAD returns. He may be tested at this level first-up but he has had several trials and could run a bold race fresh. The blinkers are downgraded to winkers on SKY ELEVEN he only battled last start but drops 3kg and with Manoel Nunes up may appreciate 1600m. Both these horses look weighted to run big races. TO BE REMEMBERED drops in grade and gets back on turf, he usually runs on and will be in the finish. HARDCORE ROCK ran on nicely in Class 4 over 1400m last start and can get in the finish. SPYDER and BOARD WALK are an honest pair of Pat Shaw’s and they could show up.
1 TO BE REMEMBERED *** Drops in grade and may appreciate being on turf. Usually runs on and will be in the finish. 4.00
2 SERGEANT PEPPER * Did nothing when resuming and needs to improve. 33
3 SPYDER ** Better at 1400m in Class 4 but honest and could show up. 8.00
4 BOARD WALK ** Placed twice this trip but yet to win beyond 1200m. Will be thereabouts. 12
5 DANGER ZONE ** Resuming, Only win was at 1400m and could show up fresh. 33
6 JUSTICE WORLD * Pacifiers to blinkers. Racing well in weaker company on the poly. Tested here. 20
7 HARDCORE ROCK *** Ran on nicely in Class 4 over 1400m last start. Can get in the finish. 4.00
8 ZAC BENEVOLENT * Suited this trip but may want easier. 33
9 SMART LAD *** Talented 3YO resuming. Has had several trials and could show up. 4.00
10 SKY ELEVEN *** Blinkers to winkers. Only battled last start but drops 3kg and may appreciate 1600m. 6.00
11 AROWANA DOT COM * Has been struggling. 33
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