CLASS ACT: Magneto outsprinting a strong field to clock near-record time with John Powell astride on Friday. Singapore Turf 08/09/2014
Well, this race day is an odd one. A $3.05 million race – that’s serious coin – but with a catch Joseph Heller would be proud of.
The 1800m showpiece is only open to horses owned by members of The China Horse Club. But given they are putting on the extravaganza (and putting up the cash) and have added an open $200,000 3YO race for locals, it looks a good deal all round except for form analysts who have to line up nine horses – eight who have travelled – with only two having race starts in 2015.
So without further adieu, this media statement from The China Horse Club; Star US race mare Parranda (USA) will face eight international rivals and an outside barrier as she tries to add to her imposing record in the inaugural $3.05 million CECF Singapore Cup (1800m) this Sunday.
The Christophe Clement-trained runner contested some of the most prestigious mare races in the United States last year and enters the richest race in Singapore’s history off the back of an imposing win in the Group 3 Marshua’s River Stakes. However, she will need to be at her best to account for runners from France, Australia, the United States and Singapore.
“The quality of racehorses, jockeys and trainers involved in the inaugural international China Equine Cultural Festival is there and we are delighted by that,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager of the China Horse Club. “Among the nine stakes winners are a local Group 1 winner (Tropaios), performers that have Group 2 races in the United States (Parranda), Australia (Zululand) and France (Auvray) as well as elite jockeys such as Christophe Soumillon, Tommy Berry, Jamie Spencer, Hugh Bowman and Darryll Holland and local stars such as Manoel Nunes, Corey Brown and Craig Newitt.
“It is a good mix of talent and this weekend it will be very interesting to see how this Cup pans out. The CECF Singapore is the first international China Equine Festival we have hosted and the field for the feature event made up by star racehorses owned by members. “Our members are excited, that is what this is all about. We are striving to create interest and participation in thoroughbred racing from the people of Mainland China so this event has a real purpose to it.
“Hopefully the industry at large sees the benefit of it, enjoys the festival and supports it going forward so we can continue to work to make it bigger and better.” Michael Freedman is the only Singapore -based trainer involved in the inaugural CECF Singapore Cup and sees tremendous merit in both the race and the festival at large. His seasoned gelding Tropaios caused a stir in China when winning the 2013 $1.35 million Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup and will again represent Singapore against international competition.
“This is a fantastic race for Singapore to be hosting. Whenever you have a race of this quality and with this prizemoney on offer it is going to be a huge boon for Singapore. It is a fantastic opportunity for racing in this country to promote itself to mainland China,” said Freedman. “I’m happy with how Tropaios is shaping up for the CECF Singapore Cup, he is ticking over well. We have changed his gear for this run. The blinker-pacifiers will come off and we will put the ear muffs back on him.
“I just want to try and have him relax in his races and not fight his rider. We know that when he relaxes he can run very well.”
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Best Bets; (MAGNETO race 8, win), (BEST TOTHELIGN race 11, win) and (KIWI KARMA/JIMMY REA race 9, forecast).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 11), race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (Field), race 11 (2, 7 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 7
Selections; 6 MR SPIELBERG – 4 FELAROF – 5 SERPICO – 2 BILLY BRITAIN
A BM67 over 2000m and MR SPIELBERG faces his biggest test. The 3YO has won in weaker grades at his past two starts but is bred for this trip and should be hard to beat. The blinkers come off SERPICO who is also bred to run the trip and should be handy throughout. FELAROF is also on trial at the journey but runs on and can get in the finish. CANNON HILL battled on last start and his last win was at this trip at BM74 level so he can make his presence felt. BILLY BRITAIN failed at his only attempt at 2000m but he does run on and can be given another chance.
1 CANNON HILL ** Battled on last start and last win was at this trip at BM74 level. 7.00
2 BILLY BRITAIN ** Runs on and whilst he failed at only 2000m attempt should be given another chance. 7.00
3 MESHMAKER * Tongue tie on. Battled on last start and suited this grade. Distance could test. 11
4 FELAROF *** Runs on and could be suited at the journey. 4.00
5 SERPICO *** Blinkers off. Battles on and should be handy throughout. Bred to run the trip. 4.00
6 MR SPIELBERG *** Won very well over 1800m in weaker grade last start. Should find 2000m to his liking. 3.50
7 DANCING TSURU * Only win was on poly and tested here. 20
8 RISING TIDE * Battled on last start at first try over 2000m. Could show up. 12
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Race 8
Selections; 3 MAGNETO – 5 DANIEL – 6 HAPPY MONEY – 11 DARCI CHARMER
A very competitive KSA with some smart ones resuming and a couple on the way up. MAGNETO is a high class performer; he may want longer but his trials suggest he will sprint well fresh (and he has a WAR AFFAIR scalp under his belt). DANIEL is also resuming, he also may want longer but with Manoel Nunes up, can sprint well fresh. HAPPY MONEY was held up and fought on well last start, he should be handy throughout. DARCI CHARMER was very good when resuming, he is up in Grade but with only 50.5kg should be running on strongly late. SUPERNOVA is another smart one resuming who is trialling well and could show up. EL PADRINO has been getting too far back but if given a more positive ride, could be hard to hold out.
1 HUKA FALLS ** Struggled last start when caught wide. Up in weight here but always have to respect. 8.00
2 EL PADRINO *** Has got too far back at recent outings. If ridden closer can be in the finish with handy claim a factor. 5.00
3 MAGNETO *** Class performer resuming. Trialling nicely. May want longer but could show up fresh. 6.00
4 CAVALLO ** Resuming after changing stables. Can run on and will appreciate a solid speed. 33
5 DANIEL *** Resuming. Like Magneto, may want longer but can sprint well fresh. Can be in the finish. 4.00
6 HAPPY MONEY *** Held up and fought on well last start. Should be handy throughout. 6.00
7 SUPERNOVA *** Blinkers on. Recent trial was good. Yet another who may like longer but could show up fresh. 12
8 SIR LOVESALOT * Resuming after bleeding attack and need to at his best against this lot. 33
9 INDIAN JADE ** Honest but tested here. 20
10 METEOR MIKE * Needs to improve on recent efforts. 33
11 DARCI CHARMER *** Strong when resuming. Horse on the way up who should make his presence felt with just 50.5kg. 6.00
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Race 9
Selections; 2 JIMMY REA – 1 KIWI KARMA – 4 HERMANO MENOR – 3 MEXICAN GAL
The CECF Singapore Prestige Classic over 1400m and JIMMY REA should be the one to beat. The 3YO has looked the part at his past three starts and while up in grade he has a good turn of foot and will be hard to hold out. KIWI KARMA is a class filly who will give them something to chase; she is on trial at 1400m but should give a bold sight. MEXICAN GAL also has plenty of speed and has placed in Graduation company at this trip, she will be prominent throughout. HERMANO MENOR found the Three Rings Trophy too much but is better suited here, he has placed behind AFFLECK at 1400m and should race well. the others may be tested but all could figure in the minors.
1 KIWI KARMA *** Class filly who will give them something to chase. On trial at 1400m. 4.00
2 JIMMY REA *** Boom horse who has looked the goods at his past three starts. Up in grade but has a good turn of foot and will be hard to hold out. 2.10
3 MEXICAN GAL ** Has plenty of speed and placed in Graduation company at this trip. Will give a sight. 5.00
4 HERMANO MENOR ** Found Three Rings too much but better suited here. Has placed at 1400m and should race well. 5.00
5 WIMBLEDON * Honest but tested at this level. 20
6 A LA VICTORY * Battled on last start. Distance suits but tested at this level. 16
7 KNOW EACH OTHER * Runs on but looks tested in this. 16
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Race 10
Selections; 4 PARRANDA – 1 TROPAIOS – 8 SUMMER SURPRICE – 7 MING ZHI COSMOS
The inaugural running of the CECF Singapore Cup over 1800m on the turf and with horses having come from Europe, US, France and Australia as well as one Singapore entry, it is not easy to line them up. The class horse is the US mare PARRANDA who is proven on turf at the distance and won a Group 3 at her last start in January; she is the one they have to beat. TROPAIOS has not won since his victory in the Singapore Gold Cup but he may have an edge in fitness on many of the others. MY OPTION has some quality, she won the Arlington Oaks (Gp3) over this trip but has never run on turf, if she handles the surface she could show up. Of the others SUMMER SURPRICE and MING ZHI COSMOS have run recently enough and have the talent to get in the finish.
1 TROPAIOS *** Has not won since he scored in the Singapore Gold Cup but will have a fitness edge on a number of these. Can get in the finish. 5.00
2 AUVRAY * Won five from 11 in France including two Group 3s at 3000m. Hasn’t raced since October when he was sent to Australia. Unlikely to be ready and this looks way too short. 20
3 ORBEC ** Has won three from seven in France up to 2500m. Has not raced since August. Ran 4th of 7 at his only attempt at group level over 2200m. Moved to Australia to be readied for 2015 Spring carnival. Nice horse but unlikely to be ready. 10
4 PARRANDA *** Very smart US mare who has won 11 from 29 including two at this trip. Last run was a win was in a Group 3 at Gulfstream Park on turf over 1700m. The one they have to beat. 2.50
5 MY OPTION ** Has won five from 17 in US with all runs being on dirt. Won Arlington Oaks (Gp3) over this trip. Last run was in November 6th of 10 over a mile at Churchill Downs. Chance if she handles the turf. 8.50
6 BAJAN (USA) * Last win was a 2YO fillies race over 1400m on all-weather at Hollywood Park. Last run was 8th of 11 in a Group 2 over 1400m on dirt in October. Looks outclassed. 20
7 MING ZHI COSMOS *** Has won six from 13 up to mile in France and Italy including one at Group 3 level in Milan. Failed at only attempt beyond a mile. Last ran in November where she finished well back over 1200m. Smart when right and with Nunes up will give a sight. 6.00
8 SUMMER SURPRICE *** Won two races in France up to 2000m. Failed at Group 1 level at his last start in Italy in October. Could show up. 6.00
9 ZULULAND * Last raced in November during Melbourne Spring Carnival at which he disappointed. Only win was in VRC Sires Produce over 1400m. Unlikely. 20
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Race 11
Selections; 2 BEST TOTHELIGN – 10 STIRLING – 7 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT – 3 BOGART
A Class 3 over 1200m on the turf finishes what is certain to have been a long day. BEST TOTHELIGN ran well in this grade last start and with John Powell up he will be hard to beat again. BOGART ran on nicely last start in the same race when resuming, he is consistent and will be in the finish. SPUN GOLD resumed with a good run on poly, he would prefer 1400m but turf suits and he should be running on well. Laurie Laxon has a pair of chances, STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT with Tommy Berry up and STIRLING with Manoel Nunes to ride, they should get every chance.
1 JOYFUL MELODY * Resuming. Has not shown up at trials. Prefer to see. 33
2 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Ran well in this grade last start. Hard to beat again. 4.00
3 BOGART *** Ran on nicely last start when resuming. Consistent and will be in the finish. 4.00
4 LASER STORM ** Smart but failed at only turf outing. Take on trust. 12
5 PHILANTHROPIST ** Resuming. Trialled nicely and could show up fresh. Watch market. 12
6 SPUN GOLD *** Resumed with good run on poly. Would prefer 1400m but turf suits and should be running on well. 6.00
7 STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT *** Consistent and will be on the speed throughout. 6.00
8 KNIGHT SPIRIT * Runs on but best form is over longer and may find these a bit sharp. 16
9 BLUE DIAMOND * Has plenty of speed and will give a sight from the ace. Class may test. 16
10 STIRLING *** Ran on from a long way back last start. With Nunes up can get in the finish. 8.00
11 ART OF WAR * May have found his mark and be looking for easier. 50
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