Gazoo (Ivaldo Santana) claims and impressive victory on Friday night. Picture Singapore Turf Club.
A tough finish to Sundays 11 race card in Singapore with two somewhat ugly Class 5’s, a very interesting Kranji Stakes C and the usual nice Class 4 to close the meeting. The two Class 5’s might even be the easier races to find the winner given they both lack depth. In race 8 on the card – a Class 5 over 1000m – last start winner PEGASUS VICTORY could be a good thing given only two other horses look to have any hope and both of those – JET SET and SOARING WIN – are coming off career best (and uncharacteristic) runs. The other Class 5 – race 10 over 1900m – looks a race in three with SEASONS WONDER, ROCKY GARDEN and THE GIANT likely to dominate both the betting and the finish. The Kranji Stakes C (race 9) looks a raffle and it would pay to go as wide as the budget permits in exotics with many down in Class and many in form. The lucky last also looks a raffle but a couple of progressive types in GAZOO and FRANCES look worth following but the race has depth so again, go as wide as you can in jackpots or quaddies.
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Best Bets; PEGASUS VICTORY (race 8, win), GAZOO (race 11, each-way) and FLASH GIFT (race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1), race 9 (Field), race 10 (1, 4 and 5), race 11 (Field).
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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 PEGASUS VICTORY – 3 JET SET – 7 SOARING WIN – 9 ANCHIETA
Races don’t come much worse than this and realistically only two – three at a pinch – can win. Starting at the top, PEGASUS VICTORY broke through for a win last start and given that was his fourth win over this trip, he is worth following. Especially when you consider he has found a terrible field with no depth and Nunes stays on. He has drawn wide but that won’t make much of a difference as most of these could be tailed off into the first bend. The only two horses he has to beat are both on the improve and hopefully can back up their respective good last start efforts. JET SET and SOARING WIN both put in easily their best efforts last start – both placed for the first time – and a repeat has them involved in this finish. JET SET has drawn the ace and has Vagner Leal and that makes him the pick of the two but PEGASUS VICTORY the one to beat.
1 PEGASUS VICTORY *** Back in winning form and found an easy race again. Hard to beat. 2.00
2 CHI LIN * Going along OK but this looks well too short. 13
3 JET SET *** Backed-up good trial with a very solid run and pay to follow. 3.00
4 SINGLE STAR * Goes OK on his day but starts can be costly. 12
5 STARSTRUCK * Not at his best last couple and have to take on trust. 12
6 TRIPLE A PLUS * Struggles late as a rule. 33
7 SOARING WIN ** Showed plenty of improvement last start and worth a thought in exotics on that run. 12
8 PRINCIPAL * No. 100
9 ANCHIETA ** Maiden and while better than most of these, a win would surprise. 12
10 LUCKY BANKER * No. 50
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Race 9
Selections; 3 FLASH GIFT – 1 IRISH COFFEE – 7 HOLY WARRIOR – 6 PERFECT CHARGER
This field looks better than the average Kranji Stakes C field and the equal top-weights in IRISH COFFEE, LET’S SEE ACTION and FLASH GIFT all very much appreciate the company and can improve on recent results. FLASH GIFT in particular very much appreciates the grade and the fact he gets to jump from gate 2. The four-time winner was given little chance last start when ridden back from the wide gate and we can expect a more positive ride from an inside draw (two). IRISH COFFEE had issues of his own last start (respiratory) and he is another that improves lengths and can win with a handy 1kg claim for top novice rider, Harry Kassim. You can also make a case for PERFECT CHARGER and BOARD WALK – both are in good enough form to win this type of race – with one eye on the Irish newcomer, HOLY WARRIOR, who has trialed well and should show something at his Singapore debut under leading hoop, Manoel Nunes.
1 IRISH COFFEE *** Issues last start (respiratory) with support so well worth another chance in suitable company. 6.00
2 LET’S SEE ACTION ** Form reads badly but a big drop in Class will see an improvement. 12
3 FLASH GIFT *** Given no chance last start from wide gate and expect more forward showing here. 4.00
4 HAMMER DOWN ** Another who improves dropping to this company with handy 2kg claim. 20
5 BOARD WALK *** Never comfortable in running last start and worth another look. 5.00
6 PERFECT CHARGER *** Disappointing last start with support and every chance but up to this on his day. 4.00
7 HOLY WARRIOR *** Irish-bred 4YO who raced at a good level in France and the UK. Trials well and could give this a shake. 5.00
8 WARSPIRIT ** Excuses for poor run last start and could add plenty of value to exotics. 33
9 SKY EMPATHY ** Blinkers on after the bubble burst last start and while a handful, goes OK. 33
10 KNIGHT SPIRIT ** Resuming with blinkers and certainly goes good enough on his day to include in exotics. 33
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Race 10
Selections; 4 ROCKY GARDEN – 1 SEASONS WONDER – 5 THE GIANT – 2 SUPER ZUCCA
There only looks three horses with any chance in this race with SEASONS WONDER, ROCKY GARDEN and THE GIANT the one’s to watch. You can make a good case for any of the trio but given ROCKY GARDEN has been in consistent form of late, keeps S Noh and his handy claim and jumps from gate 4, he ticks most boxes. SEASONS WONDER won three starts back and his effort last start in a similar affair suggests he wins again soon. Santana stays on-board and he might be the one they back. THE GIANT did it tough last start when supported and given he had excuses the run previous to that, he must be a show with Nunes from gate 1. Forget the rest.
1 SEASONS WONDER *** Won similar affair three back and OK last start. Big show here. 3.00
2 SUPER ZUCCA ** Blinkers on after disappointing run from gate one similar affair last start. Goes close on a good day. 8.00
3 RECIPROCATE * Has been disappointing since dropping to this level. 50
4 ROCKY GARDEN *** Stringing together a few good runs and wins soon. 3.00
5 THE GIANT *** Did it tough when supported last start so worth another look with gate one a factor. 3.00
6 GOLD HALO ** Just fair last couple but some hope on good effort three back. 20
7 ANGE D’ORIENT ** Better than a few of these but does struggle as a rule on the Poly. 10
8 HONEST WIND * Tongue-tie on, no. 200
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Race 11
Selections; 9 GAZOO – 8 FRANCES – 12 WAR LORD – 10 GOLD DANCER
A very intriguing race is the lucky last with a few down the weights but on the way up in GAZOO and FRANCES the ones to watch. GAZOO broke his maiden status two starts back and that win looked impressive. Given he had excuses last start with support, he is well worth following in Class 4 and 1400m looks ideal – John Powell from gate 6 doesn’t hurt either. FRANCES also looks a horse to follow in Class 4 and the filly looks well placed at her first time on the turf in Singapore over 1400m. Corey Brown rides and from gate 5 the pair should show their best. Of the rest, while LADIES FIRST with 56kg should run a very forward race, it is another trio down in the weights that play a part in winning calculations with WAR LORD, GOLD DANCER and last start winner, FUKU ICHIBAN, all some hope.
1 SMILESWITHHISEYES ** Two-time winner from the UK making Singapore debut. Trials OK with market best guide. 20
2 LADIES FIRST *** Will race handy and switch back to turf looks a good move. 8.00
3 WASSAIC ** Disappointing last start in similar affair to this but goes close if having a good day. 12
4 WILKINSON ** Disappointing last couple but blinkers on might see an improvement. Watch market. 20
5 CLAIM ** Another former UK winner making Singapore debut for the Walker stable. Market best guide. 20
6 THE OMEGA MAN ** Freshened with nice trial after disappointing run. Chance on good win two back. 9.00
7 BLACK FRIDAY * Improves on Singapore debut run but like to see more. 33
8 FRANCES *** Last start OK and should appreciate 1400m and turf. Big show. 8.00
9 GAZOO *** Plenty of excuses this trip last start with support and happy to follow. 5.50
10 GOLD DANCER *** Appreciates first-up run and will be more than competitive this type of race. 8.00
11 FUKU ICHIBAN *** Won a similar affair last start and still looks to have a winnable weight. 5.00
12 WAR LORD *** More than up to this company and another light-weight hope. 6.00
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JET SET
