Spanish Bay looks well placed in race 9
The Saas Fee Stakes is the feature event of the day and the Singapore Group 3 event looks a very even affair on paper.
At the race conditions, most horses look to be carrying fair weights but it might be a case of catch me if you can on the Short Course (E).
If this is the case (and it will pay to keep an eye on the earlier races), SPANISH BAY looks well placed to continue his winning run.
Already with a Group win on his CV (albeit at 3YO level), the Australian-bred gelding showed last start he is more than capable in Open Company and should figure prominently on the pace from “go to whoa”.
GOODMAN will also race on the speed – he may even lead from gate 2 – and the 5YO is certainly up to winning a race like this on his day with the experienced John Powell a more than capable judge of pace.
There are plenty of others with winning hopes including DARCI CHARMER with Manny Nunes up and BALE STAR, one of two runners for Pat Shaw.
Elsewhere on the card, Laurie Laxon should go very close to saddling the winner of the lucky last in LAKE HUKA. The lightly raced 4Y0 backed up a solid debut with a good win with support and will find this average Class 4 field to his liking.
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Sunday 18 October
Best Bets: (LAKE HUKA race 11, win), (LIGN EM UP race 10, each-way) and (GOODMAN race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 5 and 7), race 9 (2, 3 and 6), race 10 (1, 3, 9 and 10), race 11 (5 and 6).
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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; 5 WARSPIRIT – 3 LUCKY SIX – 1 I’M KOOL – 7 TIM
The claimers take centre stage in this strong Class 5 field and given a few of these find themselves back in winnable company, it will be tough to find the winner. LUCKY SIX showed last start that he can turn some very solid recent form in good company into a win in Class 5, especially after doing it tough and still placing at his last start. In a similar boat, WARSPIRIT placed dropping back into Class 5 last start and he gets the advantage of R Shafiq who is having a very good year. In fact while you could make a strong case for LUCKY SIX to start favourite and win, the Shafiq factor could be telling. The field has depth but the maiden I’M KOOL did more than enough last start to think he wins soon in this company and while TIM seems to have forgotten how to win, he is in form and must be seriously considered with Rueven steering from gate 2.
1 I’M KOOL *** Maiden who showed last start he wins soon in this company. 4.00
2 INFERMO ** Ignore last start on the turf as showed two back that the Poly is his caper. 12
3 LUCKY SIX *** Was wide last start when placing in similar affair and happy think he can win this. 5.00
4 REAL HERO ** Form reads just fairly but back into Class 5 no the Poly could see a result. 12
5 WARSPIRIT *** Yet another who showed last start that he wins sooner than later in Class 5. Huge show. 4.00
6 JOHN DUKE * Reassess longer. 33
7 TIM *** In form but hasn’t won since December 2013 which is a worry given support of late. 5.00
8 STOCK BROKER * Blinkers off and may need an easier field than this. 20
9 WINDSOR KNOT ** Long-term maiden but can sneak into the exotic mix. 16
10 FLAMING FIREHEART ** Returned to form last start and another to include in exotics. 12
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Race 9
Selections; 3 SPANISH BAY – 2 GOODMAN – 6 DARCI CHARMER – 7 BALE STAR
Given most of the top-liners will be in their stalls waiting for next weeks WFA Raffles Cup, the sprinter/handicapper’s get their chance in Saas Fee Stakes with BORN TO FLY the top-rated horse. The 8YO is honest and gets blinkers back on but Michael Rodd will need to be within striking distance when things get serious given the race will be run on the Short Course (E) which often suits on-pace runners. With this in mind, SPANISH BAY could be hard to beat. The 4YO showed last start he is more than capable in Open Company and Tim Bell will be hoping he can lead or at least sit right on the pace and knock in the young hoops first Singapore feature. GOODMAN also will be prominent throughout and can win if he gets a soft lead under the experienced John Powell in a race that looks suitable. Most other runners have some show but DARCI CHARMER does look a threat dropping back to 1400m.
1 BORN TO FLY ** Blinkers on and always an each way hope. 6.00
2 GOODMAN *** Should be on the pace throughout from gate 2 and hard to pass. 8.00
3 SPANISH BAY *** Knocked in his first Open Class win last start and pay to follow. 2.50
4 DAVIDE ** Will make his presence felt late and often value. 20
5 CAVALLO ** Super consistent but will need race to suit swoopers. 12
6 DARCI CHARMER *** All sorts of excuses over the mile last start and looks a big show in this. 5.00
7 BALE STAR ** Has had his issue but showed first up after bleeding attack he is back in good order. Keep safe. 7.00
8 GOOD NEWS ** Recent good form on the Poly but handles the turf and will be flying late. 20
9 GOLD RUTILE ** Honest mare who will add value to exotics with best work expected late. 20
10 DRAGON FURY * Going along in good order but should be tested in this company. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 1 LIGN EM UP – 10 UNSURPASSED – 3 ROYAL FORTUNE – 9 MASTERMIND
An excellent race looms here with two newcomers in UNSURPASSED and ZHUHAI coming under notice with the smart Poly sprinter, LIGN EM UP, also in the winning mix. Of the two newcomers, UNSURPASSED has the more impressive raced form from New Zealand and looks an out-and-out sprinter. The 3YO has trialed very well since arriving and while drawn wide, he could win this without surprising. LIGN EM UP is the interesting runner. The now 5YO last raced in elite Poly company and a recent good trial with blinkers suggests he is ready to show his best first-up with John Powell from gate 6 a good combination. ROYAL FORTUNE could be the safest option though. The 3YO won his first two races before finding Graduation Company too tough last start but will find this more to his liking. MASTERMIND also looks a solid option as he may lead from gate 4 and that is his caper.
1 LIGN EM UP *** Progressive type resuming with blinkers and hard to beat in what is a suitable race. 4.00
2 WHITE COFFEE * Form reads badly and should need longer but improves back in Class 4. 50
3 ROYAL FORTUNE *** Will find this easier than Graduation Company and pay to follow. 6.00
4 ZHUHAI ** Two-time winner from Australia who should be competitive. Market a good guide. 20
5 HONEST TRUTH ** Placed last start in similar affair at odds and worth an each-way look. 12
6 MIGHTY CREATION ** Resuming after long break and wide gate suggests exotics best option. 12
7 BLUE DIAMOND * Better than what he has showed of late but looks a risk. 33
8 SAVAGE STORM ** Resuming and another that goes well enough in this type of race to follow the market. 12
9 MASTERMIND *** Can lead from the nice gate and always a show if he does. 10
10 UNSURPASSED *** Former Kiwi who has some nice form to his name and local trials good enough to think he can win. 3.00
11 GADAWON ** Not far away last start when closing late and another that has to be included in exotics. 20
12 RUN CHEETAH RUN ** Competitive but like to see in Class 5. 20
13 TOAST’S ANGEL * Hard to follow on form. 33
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Race 11
Selections; 5 LAKE HUKA – 6 STARSKY – 4 MILLION ROUND – 9 SOUTHERN HUSSLER
This Class 4 has no depth whatsoever and as such two horses in LAKE HUKA and STARSKY will get plenty of punters attention and should fight out the finish. LAKE HUKA in particular looks a very progressive type and will find the handicap conditions of this race to his liking after a solid run at Novice level. It is his first start on the grass but given the mediocrity of this field, he will be hard to beat. STARSKY won on debut and while he might not have been super impressive, the form will hold up in a race like this. Kif Toh claims 3kg and that looks a good move by trainer Michael Clements. One they might have to pass late to win is MILLION ROUND. The 4YO has good early pace and should be suited on the Short Course (E). Hard say anything positive about most others but the maiden SOUTHERN HUSSLER has been going well since blinkers added and could be value.
1 AMAZEALOT * Will appreciate drop to winning company but like to see improvement before considering. 20
2 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT * No. 50
3 WAKINO NEXUS * Appreciates Singapore debut and gets winkers but like to see more. 33
4 MILLION ROUND ** Always puts himself in with a chance and should be prominent throughout. 6.00
5 LAKE HUKA *** Progressive type who looks suited at the handicap conditions and hard to beat. 2.00
6 STARSKY *** Just got the chocolates on debut and can follow in what looks just a fair Class 4 field. 3.00
7 GENIUS * Appreciates first run back but like to see support before considering. 20
8 WONDERFUL ERA * Should need longer. 50
9 SOUTHERN HUSSLER ** Maiden who has been competitive since blinkers added and drop back to 1200m looks a good move. 12
10 SPIRIT OF SPEED * Struggling. 50
11 PROBO CHANDROSO * Needs Class 5. 50
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