Moreira has War Affair clear nearing the line – Singapore Racing 19 May 2013
A cracking days racing with two features and a support card worthy of such an occasion. The 2YO’s get their last chance for Group glory as juveniles in the aptly named Juvenile Championship (race 8) where WAR AFFAIR looks very hard to beat. WAR AFFAIR already has a Group victory under his belt – a convincing win in the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe – and the O’Reilly gelding can continue his dominance with Joao Moreira again on-board. Moreira also looks to have one hand on the Chairman’s Trophy where his mount, MAWINGO, will start favourite and should really win. The much-travelled entire started his Singapore career with an excellent placing in the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup and more importantly, followed that run with a solid Open handicap win over a mile. A step up to 1800m looks ideal, as does the Weight-For-Age conditions and all thing being equal, he wins. MAWINGO does meet a very good field and it will pay to watch the Emirates Derby runner-up, WILD GEESE as well as ALWAYS CERTAIN who is is sure to make his presence felt late.
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Best Bets; WAR AFFAIR (race 8, win), MAWINGO (race 10, win) and TOTALITY (race 12, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (Field), race 10 (1), race 11 (2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12), race 12 (1, 3 and 9).
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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; 1 WAR AFFAIR – 3 PEACE NO WAR – 2 DESERT FOX – 7 MEXBOROUGH BOY
One of the smaller fields assembled for what is historically the pinnacle of 2YO racing in Singapore but one that doesn’t lack quality. Four horses in the eight horse field have multiple wins to their names but it is Golden Horseshoe winner, WAR AFFAIR that looks most likely to add a third. The O’Reilly gelding put himself under notice at his race debut when flying home late before two subsequent impressive wins had him stamped as top shelf. Obviously his win in the Group 2 Golden Horseshoe has him the one to beat and given the way he won on that occasion, he probably starts odds-on. While SILVER DOLLAR and MEXBOROUGH LAD ran second and third respectively to WAR AFFAIR in the Golden Horseshoe, it may be PEACE NO WAR who was disappointing on that occasion – that gives the fave the biggest scare. Blinkers on last start looked a good move given his nice win and a big run would not surprise. DESERT FOX did not come through the Golden Horseshoe but obviously comes under notice with two wins from two starts and expect support. MEXBOROUGH LAD the value, SILVER DOLLAR keeps them honest and include the rest in exotics.
1 WAR AFFAIR *** Won the Golden Aushorse with a leg in the air and hard to beat here. 1.80
2 DESERT FOX ** Won two-from-two and with light weight beat some OK types in Novice company last start. Watch tote. 4.50
3 PEACE NO WAR ** Blinkers added helped last start when beating a nice Graduation field, albeit with light-weight. In the mix. 4.50
4 SILVER DOLLAR ** Very honest and ran second to WAR AFFAIR in the Golden Horseshoe so keep safe with blinkers removed. 10
5 RAPPOR ** Never involved in the Golden Horseshoe from a bad gate and hard to fault otherwise. 14
6 EASY MONEY * Last start winner but was found out in the Golden Horseshoe. 33
7 MEXBOROUGH BOY ** Backed up good placing in the Golden Horseshoe with a nice win. Value. 14
8 HOT ARISTOCRAT * Backing up after solid but unspectacular debut. Market best guide. 33
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Race 9
Selections; 10 SUPER NINETYSEVEN – 3 THE COMEDIAN – 4 RED BEARD – 2 MAKKURA
On any other day this race could well be the feature and looks an absolute beauty on paper. Lining up the form was tough – made even more so with some critical claims – and while the likes of FLYING FULTON, MAKKURA, KEEP AWAY and WHAT NOW don’t figure in the top three picks, they all could show up without surprising. Obviously the field has depth but RED BEARD and THE COMEDIAN do look well placed to continue their good run of form. RED BEARD has returned to form after a change of stables and there is no doubting his class. The 5YO has won his last two – both over this trip – and with Zuriman’s claim looks in well at the weights. THE COMEDIAN chased RED BEARD down last start and with Munro retaining the ride you would expect much of the same and he might just reverse the decision today. But an an exciting type in SUPER NINETYSEVEN might just beat them all. Runner-up in both the 3YO Classic and Guineas, The Show A Heart gelding will make good use of 52kg and could blow them away if he gets some luck (and manners) in running. Great race, do your best.
1 FLYING FULTON ** First up after a well-earned break and will come into his own late. 12
2 MAKKURA ** In career best form but tested over 1400m and will need every bit of 2kg claim. 12
3 THE COMEDIAN *** Best work late for close up second behind RED BEARD last start has him in the mix. 8.00
4 RED BEARD *** In super form winning last two and 3kg claim looks a very good move. 3.00
5 WHAT NOW ** Placed behind RED BEARD last start and certainly in the mix on best 1400m form. 12
6 KEEP AWAY ** Drawn wide but continues to show he is up to the each-way task. 12
7 MARTINCHO CAT ** Good effort last start over the mile and in this a long way from gate two. 12
8 BORN TO FLY ** Not at his best last start but expect him to working into this late on previous good form. 33
9 HEAD START * Issues at first run back (epiglottic entrapment) but have to take on trust. 100
10 SUPER NINETYSEVEN *** First-up after two close-up placings in 3YO Group company. Huge show with 52kg. 3.00
11 SHUTTLE MAN ** Not far away in similar company over the mile last start. Exotics. 20
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Race 10
Selections; 1 MAWINGO – 10 WILD GEESE – 3 ALWAYS CERTAIN – 7 READY TO STRIKE
All things being equal – which they are at the WFA scale – MAWINGO should win. The former Australian ran under the Singapore flag in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at his Kranji debut and stunned a few good judges by placing third. At his first run based in the local stables, he showed his class by winning comfortably over the mile at handicap conditions. With a rating of 112, at the level weights and stepping up to 1800m he could be a good thing. Oddly, the lowest rated horse in the field, WILD GEESE, might be his biggest danger. The former Irish maiden has been a revelation since arriving in Singapore and in just five starts has won twice and more importantly ran second to BETTER LIFE is the Derby. Given that race was at set weights, he is certainly up to this class of race. Throw in the usual suspects – ALWAYS CERTAIN and DEEP POCKETS will be finishing on strong and not much between NANDOWRA and READY TO STRIKE – and it looks a strong field and the likely fave will earn his keep.
1 MAWINGO *** Backed up placing in SAIC with strong win and hard to beat at WFA conditions. 2.50
2 CHASE ME ** Showed glimpses last start behind MAWINGO but still a few lengths off his best. 20
3 ALWAYS CERTAIN *** Will be doing best work late and some hope if race run to suit swoopers. 8.00
4 FLAX ** Appreciates WFA conditions but hasn’t been at his best of late and would need to improve to win this. 20
5 DEEP POCKETS *** Coming off a nice enough win and should be up to this. 8.00
6 NANDOWRA *** Very hard to argue with form and right in the thick of the finish. 8.00
7 READY TO STRIKE *** Only bad run of late was in the SAIC but happy to think he plays a part in this. 9.00
8 TENZING * Would need plenty of rain. 100
9 FATKID * Not a mile away at his last two starts and could sneak in exotics at value. 50
10 WILD GEESE *** Has been a revelation since arriving in Singapore and a big show coming off a second placing in the Derby. 3.50
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Race 11
Selections; 9 DANGER ZONE – 11 SWEET LODGE – 12 SEASONS ECHO – 5 FUNCA
This race has an abundance of two things; winning hopes and early pace. So while we don’t want to discount horses like SUPER VICTORY, DARING JOURNEY, FLANEUR and even SPINNING and WINNING SUCCESS, the swoopers look suited and we put a tentative line through the pace influences mentioned. Which swooper is the $55,000 question. DANGER ZONE – for the in-form pairing of Takaoka/Munro – looks a live chance given what he showed at his two starts since breaking his maiden status. The 3YO drops back to the mile but given he has drawn well and could get a beautiful sit with so much pace around him, he could have first crack at the leaders and win. But likewise, another 3YO in SWEET LODGE also showed plenty in this company after a nice maiden win and he could just as easily show up without surprising. SEASON’S ECHO is coming off a strong maiden win and given the company looked OK, he has to be followed. Special mention to FUNCA and THEBUZZDOWNUNDER with one eye on PENSAMIENTO and even STANZOUT at long odds.
1 SUPER VICTORY *** Will lead and it might be a case of whoever passes him late, wins. 5.00
2 STANZOUT ** Solid enough late as a rule to include in exotics. 33
3 DARING JOURNEY *** Drawn badly but in-form, has pace and should be handy throughout. 12
4 BLUE LION ** Maiden who has shown enough at two Singapore stats to think he goes close with blinkers added. Watch market. 20
5 FUNCA *** Excuses not to win last start and in the mix with luck in running. 5.00
6 PENSAMIENTO ** Form reads badly but appreciates first up run and thereabouts this type of race as a rule. 100
7 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER *** Sensationally lost rider with support last start. Can win this. 12
8 DISCO ** Pay to ignore last start as did look due so keep safe with winkers added. 16
9 DANGER ZONE *** Not far away this company last start and will be doing best work late in this. 8.00
10 FLANEUR *** Another on-pace runner who is in form and figures somewhere. 8.00
11 SWEET LODGE *** Ran on well to place this trip/company last start and pay to follow. 8.00
12 SEASONS ECHO *** Broke maiden status last start but the win strong enough to go close in this. 10
13 SPINNING SUCCESS ** Thereabouts without a result but pay to keep safe at value in exotics. 50
14 WINNING SUCCESS *** Competitive last start and won with Nunes up two back. In this a long way. 12
15 AFTERNOON DELIGHT ** Form poor but recent trial with blinkers OK so could improve. 50
16 BUNGAE * OK last start in easier race and Class 5 may be his caper. 50
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Race 12
Selections; 1 TOTALITY – 9 IRISH REBEL – 3 BLACK JACK – 5 MEAISIN
One of the toughest races on the card to find the winner closes what should have been a terrific days racing. Bar a couple of horses struggling for form – BLACK WARRIOR and SILVERON WINGS – you can make a serious winning case for the rest of the field and good luck if you have the field covered in a “live” exotic bet. Four last start winners suggests there is plenty of good form to go on but a horse with recent Group form to his name – TOTALITY – is the one to be on. After winning a Group race six starts back, TOTALITY has held his own in good company before two good runs in the 4YO series. His last run good enough to think he can win this with only 56kg courtesy of a 3kg claim for M Airy. You can throw the blanket over the rest but IRISH REBEL looks due and he can break through for his first win in Singapore. Nunes stays on-board and he has drawn gate one so every chance. BLACK JACK also appeals. The 6YO always seemed to race well without winning until Oscar Chavez jumped on-board; follow. Most others can also win.
1 TOTALITY *** Good efforts in a couple of Group races suggests he appreciates the company and claim. Goes close. 5.00
2 SILVERON WINGS * Pulled up lame last start and works into this late if right with winkers removed. 33
3 BLACK JACK *** Grown a leg since being introduced to O Chavez. Follow. 6.00
4 CHINESE CULTURE ** Always going to be competitive in this type of race. Each-way. 12
5 MEAISIN *** Turned some good form into a win last start and pay to follow. 5.50
6 GUIDED LIGHT *** Another who knocked in a well deserved Class 4 win last start and can go on with it. 6.00
7 TIGER MASTER *** Back in trip but fresh enough to keep safe at possible value. 8.00
8 SUPER JUNIOR *** Going along OK without a result but pay to keep safe. 11
9 IRISH REBEL *** Foot on the till with excuses last start. Big show with gate one a bonus. 4.00
10 BLACK WARRIOR * No. 200
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