HUKA FALLS gets a chance to turn around some ordinary form in the Merlion Trophy
It might not be the best feature on the Singapore racing calendar but like the first swallow of spring, the Merlion Trophy heralds the start of some exciting times at Kranji culminating in the International races in May.
The Group 3 Merlion Trophy is the first leg of the Singapore Sprint Series and being on the Polytrack, it always makes for an interesting race and this year looks like no exception.
At the Weight-for-Age conditions, the top-rated horses in HUKA FALLS, EL PADRINO and MAGNETO appeal with the latter in spanking form after an impressive first-up win in Kranji Stakes A company. The Argentinean-bred 4YO’s subsequent trial was impressive enough to think he has trained-on and the 1200m Poly sprint should be ideal. But while HUKA FALLS and EL PADRINO – both Poly specialists – keep MAGNETO more than honest, it may be another former Argentinean in PACHELBEL’S CANON who is the main danger.
A multiple Group winner in Argentina, the entire by Jump Start has impressed at the trials and while he may be better suited over longer with some racing under his belt, this race looks perfect first-up and he must be kept safe.
Elsewhere on the card, KNOW EACH OTHER looks very well placed in Kranji Stakes D company after a recent move to the Pat Shaw yard. The 3YO has had a couple of cracks at same-age Group company and given he wasn’t a mile away last start behind the impressive Kiwi Karma in the CEFC Classic, he should find this race to his liking.
Sunday 15 March
Best Bets; (KNOW EACH OTHER race 7, win), (HUKA FALLS race 8, each-way) and (INDICIO race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8), race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 9), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 5 and 7), race 10 (3, 5, 6 and 8).
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.
Race 7
Selections; 2 KNOW EACH OTHER – 7 LUCKY LION – 4 BRAD – 1 MATA MATA
A weak KSD over 1600m on turf and KNOW EACH OTHER, who has changed stables, should find this a lot easier than racing against the likes of Kiwi Karma. He has plenty of ability and should be running on late; it will be interesting to see whether Pat Shaw can improve him. A couple of horses looked to have excuses last start including AUREUS. The 4YO fought on well on that occasion and gets up to his winning distance so should race well. BRAD also had excuses last start where he battled on well in Novice company; the class and distance suit today and he must be respected. RETROSPECT battled on in higher grade last start and should be in the finish. MATA MATA, DANCING TSURU and LUCKY LION could show up in what is an ordinary affair.
1 MATA MATA *** Broke through in Initiation company last start. Rises 4kg but should be running on late. 8.00
2 KNOW EACH OTHER *** Has changed stables. Has plenty of ability, will find this easier than Kiwi Karma company and should be running on late. 5.00
3 CALLIDE RIVER * Tongue tie off. Needs to improve. 25
4 BRAD *** Last run better than the result, mile suits and can be in the finish. 4.00
5 DANCING TSURU ** Has been setting the pace in higher class races and weakening. Only win was on poly but could show up in this grade. 12
6 AUREUS *** Battled on well last start and gets up to winning distance. Should race well. 4.00
7 LUCKY LION *** Excuses last start not to go very close and pay to follow. 7.00
8 RETROSPECT *** Battled on in higher grade last start and should be in the finish of this. 7.00
9 LET’S TALK NOW * Battling of late and needs to improve. 33
10 SHENZHOU ONE * Going along OK but wants easier. 50
11 PESCATORE * Still a maiden. 50
Race 8
Selections; 3 MAGNETO – 1 HUKA FALLS – 9 PACHELBEL’S CANON – 2 EL PADRINO
The Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the poly which sees a number of the best chances drawn wide. MAGNETO has done very little wrong though Nooresh Juglall will have to overcome the outside gate if he is to continue Pat Shaw’s golden run in 2015 features. In contrast the speedy HAPPY MONEY has drawn the inside alley which gives him the opportunity to run a cheeky race at odds. Under the WFA conditions, EL PADRINO and HUKA FALLS gets a chance to turn around some ordinary form. The wild card is the muchhyped Argentinean Group 1 galloper PACHELBEL’S CANON; his recent trial was excellent but he is taking on some serious performers and his best South American form is over longer. If there is a surprise, CAVALLO has only missed a place once on the poly and he has run well in these type of races in the past, he could be running home late.
1 HUKA FALLS *** Recent form ordinary but well treated at WFA and has a great poly record at this distance. Cannot be ignored. 6.50
2 EL PADRINO *** Top sprinter suited at the WFA conditions. Trialled well recently and should be running on late. 5.00
3 MAGNETO *** High class performer who can continue Pat Shaw’s run in feature events. Awkwardly drawn but came from a wide gate last start and can be prominent throughout.
3.50
4 GOODMAN * Resuming after Singapore Gold Cup effort. Being aimed at events in the future but can sprint well fresh. 25
5 CAVALLO ** Has surprised in the past and has only missed a place once in 14 starts on the poly. Will be closing late. 12
6 HOLY EMPIRE ** Trialling well and won his only poly start. Could show up. 20
7 STEPITUP ** Blinkers off. Honest little horse who has been struggling of late but recent trial was good. 33
8 GOAL KEEPER ** Form reads poorly but has a great poly record and the conditions suits. Can be prominent throughout. 10
9 PACHELBEL’S CANON *** Argentinean Group 1 winner with a big reputation. Taking on a huge task first up but could show up. 6.00
10 HAPPY MONEY ** Top poly sprinter perfectly drawn. Could run a cheeky race. 8.00
11 SUPERNOVA * Tested. 50
12 HYPERNOVA * Honest but tested at the conditions. 20
13 CITY LAD * No. 50
14 RAPIDO STAR * Outclassed in this company. 50
Race 9
Selections; 5 PEACE NO WAR – 7 INDICIO – 1 PIONEER SEVEN – 3 PETRENUI
A BM89 over 1100m on the poly with plenty of speedsters involved. PEACE NO WAR is in super form and backing up quickly; if he has fully recovered from last week’s outing he will be hard to run down once again. INDICIO wasn’t a mile away in the same race and will keep him honest again. PIONEER SEVEN disappointed last start and gets a crossed nose band to help him breathe; he is speedy when right and can improve. PETRENUI was ridden back and got held up last start in Class 2 company; the outside gate could test and he will need some luck in running. KLEVER MAN is resuming with blinkers off and a tongue tie on; he is a smart sprinter but his best form is on turf. VALEVOLE was caught wide and fought hard in Class 2 last start but rises 5.5kg and that could test.
1 PIONEER SEVEN *** Excuses last start with support and gets a crossed nose band to help him breathe. Speedy when right and can improve. 4.00
2 VALEVOLE *** Caught wide and fought hard in Class 2 last start and will be thereabouts. 8.00
3 PETRENUI *** Was ridden back and got held up last start in Class 2 company. Gate could test and will need some luck in running. 4.00
4 KLEVER MAN ** Resuming with blinkers off and tongue tie on. Smart sprinter but best form is on turf. 8.00
5 PEACE NO WAR *** In super form and backing up quickly. Will be hard to run down once again. 3.50
6 HOT GOLD * Form is at 1400m on turf. Take on trust. 25
7 INDICIO *** Not a mile off Peace No War last start and plays a part if close enough at the business end. 10
8 BLACK FIERY ** Racing well but up in grade. Speedy but taking on some good ones here. 10
9 ABASTOR * This is much too hard. 66
10 MACHFIVE * Totally outclassed. 100
Race 10
Selections; 3 EURO ZONE – 5 SPANISH BAY – 8 LIKA TIGER – 6 MEXICAN GAL
A very good BM67 over 1200m on the turf closes the programme. Many of these horses are better than this grade and it should turn out to be a good form race. EURO ZONE has been freshened following a couple of good poly runs, he is better on turf and will be hard to beat. SPANISH BAY is an improving type resuming who has won two and been placed at his only other two Singapore start; he has been freshened by a recent barrier trial and could be very hard to hold out from the good draw. The filly MEXICAN GAL will find this easier than last start, her best form is on the poly but she should be handy throughout. LIKA TIGER will also find this easier than recent outings, he gets back but will be hitting the line hard. NORTH ATLANTIC ICE won a good Class 4 last start and while he has found a tough one here, could show up.
1 HARD STUFF ** Recent form poor but drops in grade and could show up with handy 2kg claim. 16
2 GOLD RUN * Has been struggling and needs to improve on recent efforts. 20
3 EURO ZONE *** Has been freshened after good poly runs. Will be hard to beat. 5.00
4 EXQUISITELY SWEET ** Gets back and runs on but best form has been on poly. 12
5 SPANISH BAY *** Improving type resuming. Will be very hard to hold out from the good draw. 4.00
6 MEXICAN GAL *** Quality filly who will find this easier than last start. Best form is on the poly but should be handy throughout. 6.00
7 SICHUAN RULER * Resent form ordinary and needs to improve. 33
8 LIKA TIGER *** Gets back and hits the line hard. Will find this easier than past few outings and will be closing late. 4.00
9 ART OF WAR * May have found his level and better on polytrack. 33
10 ORIGIN FAST * Better on poly. Tested here. 20
11 NORTH ATLANTIC ICE ** Won a good Class 4 last start. Up in grade but could show up. 10
12 WINNING STAR * Broke through last start but wants longer and easier. 33
