Kiwi Karma (Manoel Nunes) pulls away to an easy win on Friday night. (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)
The last meeting of 2014 is upon us and while the trainers premiership goes down to the wire and we look forward to the season review, a couple of jockeys can rest easy after a job well done.
Manoel Nunes – often referred to as the “other Brazilian” when Joao Moreira was plying his trade in Singapore, showed he has champion qualities by easily winning the 2014 Jockeys Premiership. For the second straight season the hard-working hoop has ridden in excess of 100 winners – that’s no mean feat in itself – but this year he is deservedly recognised as the Champion elect.
In the apprentice ranks, Harry Kassim was challenged earlier in the year but showed his class by going away from a field of talented young jockeys to knock in back-to-back Apprentice Championships. He also knocked in his first Group 2 win on WILDE GEESE to cap off a memorable year.
We previewed the trainers battle on Friday and presuming it does go down to the wire on Sunday, Laurie Laxon has his flying filly, KIWI KARMA, to perhaps secure his 10th premiership. Laxon has gone for a 3kg claimer in F Tan to do the job and it would be a masterstroke by the affable Kiwi if he does salute as it would be Tan’s first win on the year!
But sometimes you have to roll the dice and Kiwi + Karma could be the winning combination.
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Best Bets; (KIWI KARMA race 10, win), (SMART SAMURAI race 12, each-way) and (BAHEN race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 3, 4 and 5), race 10 (2, 3 and 5), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6), race 12 (1, 2, 4, 9 and 11).
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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 7
Selections; 3 EXCEED EXPRESS – 2 DRAGON DYNASTY – 1 BAHEN – 4 DARCI CHARMER
This race is worth the admission fee alone with a few up-and-coming stars doing battle in what should be a cracking sprint. Two horses should dominate the betting and no reason why EXCEED EXPRESS and DRAGON DYNASTY don’t also dominate the finish. It was a virtual toss-up between the duo with DRAGON DYNASTY bolting in last start in Class 3 over this same trip and surface and EXCEED EXPRESS doing the same two starts back before struggling late over 1400m at his most recent run. So obviously this race suits EXCEED EXPESS and he gets the nod to bounce back but nothing between the two. Both horses have won four races from 10 or less starts and with DARCI CHARMER and POWER LION having similar race records, they also figure heavily in calculations. One to watch at odds is BAHEN at the top of the ratings who is always a show on the Poly and might just slip under a radar or two in this crack field.
1 BAHEN *** Ignore last start on the turf as previous Poly form has him right in this. 12
2 DRAGON DYNASTY *** Bolted in at first Poly run last start and the one to beat on that performance. 2.50
3 EXCEED EXPRESS *** Found out late on turf over 1400m last start but won easily this surface two back. Big show. 3.00
4 DARCI CHARMER *** In good form and should get the favours from gate 2. 8.00
5 POWER LION *** Won four from eight and gets his chance in this after drawing the ace. 9.00
6 HARD STUFF * Not traveling well enough for this race. 100
7 CALIFORNIA EAGLE ** Won in easier company two back but will be competitive. 25
8 SICHUAN RULER * Excuses last start but needs to be at his very best in this field. 33
9 CHINESE CULTURE * In form but back in trip and might find these too slick. 33
10 STRUBELI ** Honest and could include in exotics. 20
11 CHEYENNE WARRIOR ** Placed behind DRAGON DYNASTY last start and looks a light-weight hope. 12
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Race 8
Selections; 2 GENOVA AT WORK – 6 BLUE LAGOON – 5 ZAC COMMAND – 7 MAGIC DIVA
A Class 5 over 1000m with many of the usual suspects involved. GENOVA AT WORK is always running on but is often supported and rarely wins; he gets another chance here. ZAC COMMAND was caught wide last start, he is better suited here from an inside gate with a 4kg claim for Desmond Chan, he should be on the speed throughout. BLUE LAGOON was ridden off the speed last start and won a very weak one; this is not a particularly strong race and he could show up again. RORY is a four time winner at this trip, he goes best with a positive ride and from his good gate that is what he should get from Joseph See. MAGIC DIVA is resuming with the tongue tie on, she trialled well recently and could be running on late. Any of the other unreliables such as GANGNAM STYLE, DRAGON WALK and WINDSOR KNOT could get in the exotics without surprising.
1 WINDSOR KNOT ** Has been a maiden for a long time. Placed twice at this distance but gate a challenge. 20
2 GENOVA AT WORK *** Always running on but often supported and rarely wins. Play with care. 3.00
3 RORY ** Four time winner at this trip but disappointing of late so take on trust. 7.00
4 DRAGON WALK * Occasionally runs a race but generally disappoints. Gate no help. 16
5 ZAC COMMAND *** Caught wide last start. Better suited here from inside gate with 4kg claim. Could be on the speed throughout. 4.50
6 BLUE LAGOON *** Ridden off the speed last start and won a very weak one. Could show up again. 6.00
7 MAGIC DIVA *** Resuming. Tongue tie on. Trialled well recently and could be running on late. 8.00
8 GANGNAM STYLE ** Won and placed in two weak ones recently. Could show up again. 8.00
9 HAPPY FOREVER * Has the gate but needs to improve on recent form. 33
10 BULLDOZER ** Draw no help but goes OK when on song. 33
11 MORRIS * Been trying for too long. 50
12 FANTASTIC BOY * Unlikely. 50
13 SILVER FLY * Gets a long way back and only win was at 1700m. 33
14 KING OF KOON ** Gets back, runs on fairly but rarely threatens. 25
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Race 9
Selections; 1 JOHNNY GUITAR – 4 GOLIATH – 3 LIZARRE – 5 DUJARDIN
The Colonial Chief Stakes is the final Group race of the season and the Pat Shaw trained JOHNNY GUITAR gets his chance. He was held up and never got a crack at them last start over the mile on turf, he has won both his poly starts and should be hard to beat in this. The main danger could be the proven polytracker GOLIATH. A seven-time winner on the surface the pacifiers go back on and over his favourite trip he could be hard to beat. DUJARDIN ran on well last start, he has also a good poly record and can get in the finish. The other Pat Shaw runner LIZARRE is a gallant veteran with a good poly record including a win at this trip; he should run an honest race at odds. HUGHSY is an interesting runner, he was set too big a start last outing and is a promising horse who could surprise with his light weight.
1 JOHNNY GUITAR *** Was held up and never got a crack at them last start. Has won both his poly starts and hard to beat in this. 3.50
2 SPEEDY CAT * Hasn’t won for a long time and needs to improve. 33
3 LIZARRE *** Gallant veteran who has a good poly record including a win at this trip. Keep safe. 7.00
4 GOLIATH *** Pacifiers on. Back on the right surface over the right trip. Hard to beat. 3.50
5 DUJARDIN *** Ran on well last start, has a good poly record and can get in the finish. 6.00
6 GOLD RUTILE ** Honest mare who has won at this trip. Will be thereabouts. 12
7 VERGLATICA ** Having third run back from a spell and has won three times at this trip. Can surprise. 12
8 FUJIN BRIGHT * Placed at only try at this distance but might find these too smart. 25
9 BORSALINO * Has won this trip but class may test. 33
10 COOL CUSTOMER * Outclassed. 50
11 BOOMARANG DELUXE ** Has won at the trip but these are too good. 33
12 HUGHSY ** Was set too big a start last outing. Promising horse who could surprise with his light weight. 10
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Race 10
Selections; 3 KIWI KARMA – 2 BEST TOTHELIGN – 5 CONFIERO – 1 LUCKY MISSION
Plenty of chances in this BM67 over 1100m. The flying filly KIWI KARMA has disappointed being run down at both runs since resuming but this is easier and the claim will help; she will be the one they have to catch. BEST TOTHELIGN has been good since resuming winning his last two poly starts over 1200m; this is tougher but he could be hard to beat from the ace. CONFIERO is racing well and his recent trial was good. The gate is a challenge but Oscar Chavez may elect to sit off the speed and he can get in the finish late. ORIGIN FAST also has plenty of pace, he could go forward and be serious nuisance value. LUCKY MISSION may appreciate getting back on poly where has won once and placed from three starts and CAPTIVATE fresh could show up with ÉCLAIR SENSATION and ANGRY CAT closing late.
1 LUCKY MISSION ** May appreciate getting back on poly where has won once and placed from three starts. Can be in the finish this company. 12
2 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Been good since resuming winning his last two poly starts over 1200m. Will be hard to beat from the ace. 3.00
3 KIWI KARMA *** Has disappointed being run down at both runs since resuming. This is easier and the claim will help. should give a sight. 3.50
4 DANNY RICARDO * Tongue tie off. Best form is on turf and this looks too hard. 33
5 CONFIERO *** Racing well and recent trial was good. Gate a challenge but can get in the finish. 8.00
6 ORIGIN FAST ** Speedy. Will go forward and give plenty of cheek. 12
7 CAPTIVATE ** Resuming. Down in grade and has a good poly record. Can show up. 12
8 JEFFERSON BAY * Better over longer. 20
9 ECLAIR SENSATION ** Good effort when resuming. This is harder but should be closing late. 12
10 KAISER * Disappointed last start and will be tested in this. 25
11 ANGRY CAT ** Runs on and will be closing late. 12
12 LUCKY COME * Won Class 5 last start but outclassed here. 50
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Race 11
Selections; 1 FELAROF – 4 TAKEOVER – 6 ANY RUMOUR – 2 FLYING AHEAD
A fairly strong KSD over a mile with a number of solid turf horses tackling the polytrack. The saddle slipped on FELAROF last start, he is an Echuca Maiden winner who placed at Group 3 in South Australia over 1400m and could show up at first poly run. FLYING AHEAD is getting down in grade and this surface and distance suit; Zuriman should give him every chance. TAKEOVER is poorly drawn but is very honest and his only win was at this trip so he can be prominent throughout. ANY RUMOUR also has ability but was trapped wide last start and battled on well; his only win was at a mile but is having first poly start. Amongst the numerous other chances are the resuming BLOSSOMS SEQUEL who is trialling well but has drawn a difficult gate and ULTIMATE WARRIOR who is far from reliable but is well drawn and this grade and distance suit.
1 FELAROF *** Winkers to blinkers. Saddle slipped in Graduation last start. Echuca Maiden Winner who placed at Group 3 in South Australia over 1400m and could show up at first poly run. 5.50
2 FLYING AHEAD *** Getting down in Grade and this surface and distance suit. 5.00
3 RED SAPPHIRE *** Won a weak KSD over this trip last start. Up 1.5kg and could show up. 10
4 TAKEOVER *** Poorly drawn but only win was at this trip and can be prominent throughout. 6.00
5 IKING ** Battled on in an ordinary field last start. Exotics only. 16
6 ANY RUMOUR *** Trapped wide last start and battled on well. Only win was at a mile but having first poly start. Should be handy all the way. 5.00
7 SLAYER ** Fought on very well when resuming in an ordinary KSD. Gets senior rider but gate no help. 20
8 FABER HEIGHTS * Having first poly start and should get a nice run from the gate. Could show up. 16
9 GRAND SEVEN SEAS * Has been disappointing. 33
10 MACHFIVE * Trialling well but best form is over shorter. 50
11 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL ** Resuming. Trialling nicely and suited at the distance. Gate a challenge. 7.00
12 ULTIMATE WARRIOR ** Far from reliable but this grade and distance suit. Could show up from the good gate. 12
13 BREAKING VAULTS * Only wins have been on turf and poorly drawn. 33
14 SIMPANG * Better in Class 5. 33
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Race 12
Selections; 9 SMART SAMURAI – 11 GREAT SCOTT – 2 DRAGON SPIRIT – 1 YIN JIE
A Class 4 over 1000m closes off the 2014 racing season. SMART SAMURAI is a three time winner at the trip, he will find this easier than last start and the distance suits; with Corey Brown up he should get a gun run from the ace. DRAGON SPIRIT (who could be HW Tan’s last roll of the training Premiership dice) is suited this trip and he will be close up throughout. YIN JIE is consistent and will be handy throughout; Munro takes over from Rueven and the stronger rider may help. MAC VOLKS has faded late at his past two outings; he is better drawn here and should give a sight. Amongst the others, SECRET LIBERTY was run down last start, his only win was at 1000m and this may be more suitable. The interesting runner is the resuming GREAT SCOTT he won both starts in Malaysia, trials nicely and blinkers go on – watch the market.
1 YIN JIE *** Consistent and will be handy throughout but desperate for a result. 4.50
2 DRAGON SPIRIT *** Suited this trip and will be close up throughout. 4.00
3 LION WAVE ** Crowded and was never sighted at Singapore debut. Two time NZ winner who could improve. 25
4 MAC VOLKS *** Faded late at past two outings. Better drawn here and should give a sight. 6.00
5 ALPHA CENTAURI * Resuming. Blinkers off. Has disappointed at past few outings and needs to improve. 33
6 AZURE * Didn’t stretch out on poly last start and needs to improve. 33
7 DOUBLE CASH * Battles on but needs to improve. 20
8 SECRET LIBERTY ** Was run down last start. Only win was at 1000m and this may be more suitable. 12
9 SMART SAMURAI *** Will find this easier than last start and distance suits. Should get a gun run from the ace. 5.00
10 FANTASTIC NEWS * Resuming. Was distanced in recent trial. Prefer to see. 33
11 GREAT SCOTT *** Resuming. Unbeaten at two Malaysian starts. Trials nicely. Watch market. 10
12 SUPER SIX ** Strong last start but may be tested in this. 10
13 ZAC HEAVEN * Racing consistently but poorly drawn and wants easier. 20
14 DR OCTOPUS * Better in easier grade. 20
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