Moreira has War Affair clear nearing the line – Singapore Racing 19 May 2013
The Group 1 Raffles Cup is the obvious highlight on what is a very good days racing. At the weight-for-age conditions, the best middle-distance horses in Singapore do battle for the lions share of the SGD$500,000 in prizemoney on offer in the Raffles Cup but with a rare 3YO entered, the usual suspects might just get overshadowed. WAR AFFAIR is the 3YO in question and given the juvenile champion gets in with just 49kg at the conditions, he could be a good thing. After being beaten on debut with excuses, WAR AFFAIR won his next six and while those victories were all against his own age group, he looks top-class. It is a big ask to step up to open Group 1 company at just start number eight but, given the trainer has always said the O’Reilly gelding would just get better over longer, he could easily win this and stamp himself as one of Singapore’s best. If the 3YO wasn’t in the field, the race looked to be very even with the top-rated NANDOWRA certainly worth another look after having heart issues last start and obviously CASH LUCK – winner of the Kranji Mile – one of the main winning hopes. A fascination race with one eye on the swoopers from a Gold Cup perspective.
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Best Bets; WAR AFFAIR (race 9 , win), HOT GOLD (race 10, win) and MARATHON LAD (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 5, 6 and 7), race 9 (1, 3 and 10), race 10 (2 and 4), race 11 (1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 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; 7 KLEVER MAN – 6 TOUCH OF GOLD – 1 MAKKURA – 2 MASTHEAD
KLEVER MAN might have a bit to prove at this level but after winning four races from just 11 career starts, he looks more than up to the task. Obviously the fact he has just 50kg and is coming off a very good win suggests he won’t be missed by punters, but the 4YO might be very hard to beat. The main dangers – and a couple that have a runs on the board at Group level – are the pair on top of the ratings in MAKKURA and MASTHEAD. The mare, MAKKURA, was tested at the mile last start but given her record as a sprinter – eight wins from 1000m-1200m – she very much appreciates the drop back in trip and a handy 2kg claim courtesy of Harry Kasim. MASTHEAD appreciates the handicap conditions and although only winning three from 19 starts in Singapore, he must go close. It will also pay to keep an eye on the honest METEOR MIKE and given the way TOUCH OF GOLD has trialed recently, he might be the biggest danger to KLEVER MAN – both on the minimum weight.
1 MAKKURA *** Excuses last start and back in trip looks a good move. Keep safe. 4.00
2 MASTHEAD *** Not at his best last start in Group company but looks well placed here. 3.00
3 KEEP AWAY ** Better over longer but placed last start in similar affair so have to include somewhere. 12
4 MARTINCHO CAT ** Pushed out but OK at recent trial so should improve on recent efforts. 12
5 METEOR MIKE *** Honest as the day is long and looks well placed with 52kg. 8.00
6 TOUCH OF GOLD *** Resuming and trials like he plays a part in this late. 12
7 KLEVER MAN *** In very good form and looks a big winning show with just 50kg. 3.00
8 SHAOLIN SOLDIER * Appreciates first-up run but might need it easier. 100
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Race 9
Selections; 10 WAR AFFAIR – 1 NANDOWRA – 3 CASH LUCK – 4 CITY LAD
After an oddly run Kranji Mile that saw CASH LUCK knock in a well-deserved Group win, the form for the Raffles Cup was going to tricky enough without the surprise nomination of the 3YO, WAR AFFAIR. The champion juvenile has taken all before him winning six from seven starts but given we have only seen the NZ-bred gelding against his own age group, the 3YO’s form in this Group 1 is a bit of a mystery. But with just 49kg at the WFA conditions and suggestions by the trainer that he improves over more ground, he might be one out of the box and could easily win this. So while he might be a ‘good thing’, if the company does test him there looks to be plenty of other winning hopes including the top rated horse, NANDOWRA. A model of consistency, NANDOWRA had excuses (irregular heart rhythm) last start when he finished down the track in the Kranji Mile and his form prior has him one of the leading hopes in a race like this. Obviously CASH LUCK and CITY LAD – first and second respectively in the Kranji Mile – are right in this, as are the likes of WILD GEESE, STEPITUP and SUPER NINETYSEVEN. STREET LEGAL is flying but might be better in a handicap next month.
1 NANDOWRA *** Pay to overlook last start (irregular heart rhythm) and take on excellent form prior. 12
2 FLYING FULTON * Hasn’t been at his best of late. 100
3 CASH LUCK *** Won the Kranji Mile in fine fashion and step up to 1800 at same conditions not an issue. 4.00
4 CITY LAD *** In very good form and showed last start he more than handles the WFA conditions. 8.00
5 BORN TO FLY ** In career best form but faces his biggest test at WFA conditions. 20
6 STREET LEGAL *** Flying but may be better suited at handicap conditions in the Gold Cup. 8.00
7 WILD GEESE *** Blinkers off as he steps up in trip and certainly in the mix late. 10
8 SUPER NINETYSEVEN *** Never in the hunt in oddly run Kranji Mile but better than that and pay to follow. 10
9 STEPITUP *** On trial at the trip but first-up run in Kranji Mile good and goes close. 8.00
10 WAR AFFAIR *** Champion juvenile who can step up and win in Open Company with 49kg. 3.00
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Race 10
Selections; 4 HOT GOLD – 2 TOM – 7 U GOT IT – 1 BAHEN
Some horses in top-form ensure this finish will be a a busy one and the win will be well earned. There are three last start winners – including the Malaysian raider, CRAZY CLUB – but HOT GOLD does look the pick of that winning bunch. The Irish-bred 4YO has been competitive in Group company previously but it is his recent form in this type of field that has him under notice – including a very strong win over 1400m at his last start. That effort makes him hard to beat with gate one a bonus but he will have to be on his game with TOM also in the field. TOM has won six times over this trip and is is the type of form that suggests he can knock on his seventh sooner than later. BAHEN – the third of the last start winners – also has to be respected with U GOT IT the bolter in what has to be suitable company.
1 BAHEN *** Showed last start he can win on the turf and pay to follow with 2kg claim. 5.00
2 TOM *** Always a winning show this type of race and hard to beat. 3.00
3 CRAZY CLUB ** Malaysian raider who looks in-form but market will be best guide in this company. 20
4 HOT GOLD *** Coming off a very strong win over same trip and recent trial strong. Goes close. 3.00
5 WHITE COFFEE ** Resuming sans blinkers and is usually thereabouts. 20
6 BENJI’S EMPIRE ** Will probably lead them up and in this a long way. 20
7 U GOT IT *** Another who adds early speed to the race and could play a part with a light weight. 16
8 PHANTOM KNIGHT * Might need longer and easier. 50
9 TRAVERTINE ** Showed more than enough last start at long odds to follow over a more suitable trip. Value. 33
10 GOLDEN MISSION ** Showed last start in albeit easier company that he is ready to win this trip. Keep safe. 6.00
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Race 11
Selections; 9 KATE’S KEEPER – 5 FUNCA – 10 MARATHON LAD – 12 BIG RESPECT
This race is a raffle. And you would want plenty of tickets – at least 12 – if you want a result. With only one last start winner in the race – RAVOUX who steps up in Class – it may pay to look at a couple of horses who placed at their last start and look ready to win. KATE’S KEEPER certainly fits that bill given the 4YO gelding has excuses not to win last start and it is hard to argue with his form. He is also drawn well – and that is a bonus given some of the dangers will need luck after drawing badly – and Lisa Allpress should get all the favours. As will Barend Vorster on another serious hope in FUNCA, who drew the ace. The 6YO hasn’t managed to win in Singapore from some 23 starts but certainly looks due and 1400m looks ideal. Throw the blanket over the field with an eye on value – WINNER’S SMILE and BIG RESPECT – to name just two.
1 FARRAND *** Foot on the till and right in this. 7.00
2 JUST DASHING * Will win in this company but like to see over longer. 100
3 GREEN TRACER *** Is a handful but will be working into this late and wins soon. 12
4 KAISER BRIGHT *** Backed and just fair last start but usually a solid each-way option. 12
5 FUNCA *** Another ready to win gets all the favours from gate one. 4.50
6 RAVOUX *** Coming off a win in easier company but up to this with claim a factor. 8.00
7 SACRED CITY *** Drawn wide but showed last start he is ready to win in this company. 20
8 WALL STREET BOY *** Appreciates handicap conditions and the run in Singapore under his belt. Improves. 12
9 KATE’S KEEPER *** Excuses not to win last start and has to be a strong winning chance. 3.50
10 MARATHON LAD *** First-up run a beauty, recent win was this trip and could be hard to run down. 20
11 SUPER READY *** Progressive type who has looked likely at his last couple. 14
12 BIG RESPECT *** Drawn badly but excuses last start and right in this at odds. 20
13 WINNER’S SMILE *** Continues to run well without a result and pay to follow eachway at value. 33
14 OVER EASY * Blinkers off and might need longer than this. 100
15 AFFIRMATION ** Placed at odds last start and while capable, like to see in easier company. 50
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