Slew Of Lode looks hard to beat (Pic by Singapore Turf Club)
The last race meeting of the 2015 season and fittingly, the last feature of the year – the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes – looks a beauty.
Over 1700m on the Polytrack, the race has attracted a very strong field but oddly the equal top-weight in SLEW OF LODE looks extremely well in at the race conditions and could be one of the better bets on the day.
Obviously with a rating of 98 points, the Pat Shaw-trained 5YO goes better than most in this field but it is his outstanding Polytrack record that has him under serious notice in this race.
In fact SLEW OF LODE has had only six starts on the all-weather track but has knocked in four wins and a second placing behind Stepitup and that form has to hold up here.
There are some others in the race with excellent Poly form including BEST TOTHELIGN and MAJESTIC MOMENTS while CHEETAH ON FIRE will also appreciate being back on his favourite 
surface after a tough Gold Cup campaign on the turf.
SEBROSE has yet to win on the Poly but is in exceptional form that culminated in a gallant fourth in the Gold Cup so he has to be considered with Munro and gate 3 in his favour.
A great race to finish the year and hopefully with SLEW OF LODE, a great winner to finish the year as well.
Happy Holidays!
Sunday 13 December
Best Bets: (SLEW OF LODE race 9, win), (MAC VOLKS race 5, value) and (QUETZAL race 7, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11), race 9 (1, 5, 7, and 8), race 10 (2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9), race 11 (1).
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 5
Selections; 1 MAC VOLKS – 3 MR FANTASTIC – 6 WINNING MAN – 10 MEDIA CAPTAIN
A BM67 over 1200m with a few class droppers engaged up against others who have been racing well in Class 4. MAC VOLKS may be the bolter at each way odds. The 5YO has drawn badly but will appreciate the company and a recent trial suggests he will go well back on the Poly. MEDIA CAPTAIN was headed and came again to win in Class 4 last start; he drops 3kg and if he gets his way in front will be hard to run down. MR FANTASTIC is in good form and trialled well recently; he will be handy throughout. WINNING MAN disappointed on the turf last start but a recent trial was good and won in Class 4 easily two starts back. MEXICAN GAL is awkwardly drawn but if she can get a good run she can figure. KEEN DRAGON has been battling over shorter in Class 3; he may be better suited here and is well drawn.
1 MAC VOLKS *** Drops in Grade. Awkwardly drawn but can be handy throughout with recent trial a pointer. 8.00
2 MEXICAN GAL ** Well back when resuming. Down in grade and awkwardly drawn. Won a Class 4 over this trip three starts back and could show up. 8.00
3 MR FANTASTIC *** In good form and trialled well recently. Will be handy throughout. 4.00
4 CASH BOX * Resuming. Trials only fair but has speed and can give a sight. 16
5 SMART IDEA * Resuming and might find these too sharp. 33
6 WINNING MAN *** Disappointed on turf last start but recent trial was good. Won Class 4 easily two starts back but this field is stronger. 5.00
7 FAITHFULLY * Has been disappointing of late but drop in grade will help. 16
8 CAPTIVATE * Battled when resuming but could be better suited on poly. 20
9 KEEN DRAGON ** Has been battling over shorter in Class 3. May be better suited here and well drawn. 7.00
10 MEDIA CAPTAIN *** Headed and came again to win in Class 4 last start. Drops 3kg and if he gets his way in front will be hard to run down. 5.00
11 OM * Dropping back in trip and yet to win on poly. Might find these too fast. 33
12 SERGEANT PEPPER * Resuming. Yet to place in six polytrack outings. 50
Race 6
Selections; 1 CLASSIFIED – 3 ZARULES – 8 GURU-GURU – 2 SWAN SONG
An Initiation over a mile may give CLASSIFIED his chance. The 4YO has been runner-up at his past two outings on the turf and this distance should suit. He has also trialled well recently and should be hard to beat. ZARULES ran on well over this distance last start and from the good gate should be in the finish. The blinker pacifiers go on the stablemate SWAN SONG; he battled at his only poly run over 1200m but may be better suited at this distance. GURU-GURU has placed over this trip at his past two starts; if he gets a solid tempo will be hard to beat. Most of the others are on trial at the journey with TEMBUSU ESTRELA, EDEN GARDEN and ZIP A DEE DOO DAH looking likely types at the mile.
1 CLASSIFIED *** Runner-up at past two outings on turf and this distance should suit. Trialled well recently and should be hard to beat. 4.00
2 SWAN SONG *** Blinker pacifiers on. Battled at only poly run over 1200m but may be better suited at this distance. 6.00
3 ZARULES *** Ran on well over this distance last start and from the good gate should be in the finish. 4.00
4 BONJOUR BOB * Resuming. Recent trials ordinary and needs to improve. 33
5 TEMBUSU ESTRELA ** Improved last start and can be handy throughout. 12
6 EDEN GARDEN ** Blinkers and tongue-tie back on. Has battled at both outings over shorter but could be better suited at this trip. 12
7 ZIP A DEE DOO DAH *** Tongue-tie on. Debuted well on turf and could be suited here. Should be running on late. 12
8 GURU-GURU *** Placed over this trip at past two starts. If he gets a solid tempo will be hard to beat. 6.00
9 BORN A FIGHTER ** Battles away and this distance should suit. 16
10 BIG BANKER ** Improved last start and can be thereabouts. 16
11 ROYAL EXPLORER * Winkers off. Weakened over this trip on poly last start and needs to improve. 33
12 GOLD CUSTOMER * Needs to improve on efforts to date. 33
13 NOVA POWER * Well beaten at both outings and poorly drawn. 50
14 SILENT CONNECTION * Tested. 50
Race 7
Selections; 1 QUETZAL – 2 SINGSURAT – 9 BUZET – 10 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ
A moderate field of Class 5 battlers compete over the 1900m. So with this in mind we will put a maiden having his first start in this company in QUETZAL on top. The lightly raced 5YO hasn’t set the world on fire in some six career starts but looks well placed in Class 5 over this trip to show up – hopefully at odds. BUZET has placed at this distance and can be running on late. SINGSURAT struggled last start in better company but has won twice at 1800m and may be better suited in this class and distance. PINYIN will be improved by recent racing and this distance suits. JOHNNY HATES JAZZ is always a chance in these and will be running on late. GODS SPEED had support last start when resuming; he battles away and could show up. The others are just battlers, though DR N WING FIGHTERS and SALUT AMOUR could show up.
1 QUETZAL *** Maiden who will very much appreciate Class 5. Keep safe. 16
2 SINGSURAT *** Struggled last start but may be better suited in this class and distance. Has won twice at 1800m. 5.00
3 SALUT AMOUR ** Maiden who battled at a mile last start. Could show up from the good gate. 10
4 DR N WING FIGHTERS ** Battled away last start to place over 1700m. Could go forward and give a sight. 10
5 GALAXY EXPRESS ** Battles away and distance suits but only wins have been on turf. 25
6 PINYIN * Goes OK on his day but recent form ordinary. 6.00
7 GRAND PARIS * Battling and needs to improve. 20
8 STANZOUT ** 10YO having his 95th start being tried at the trip for the first time. Take on trust. 20
9 BUZET *** Has placed at this distance and can be running on late. 6.00
10 JOHNNY HATES JAZZ *** Always a chance in these and will be running on late. 6.00
11 GODS SPEED *** Had support when resuming. Battles away and could show up. 6.00
12 WINNING SUCCESS ** Excuses last start and was going along OK in similar affairs. 33
13 RON ** Has been battling away and could show up on best form. 16
14 FOREVER BEST ** Blinkers back on. Struggles to win but has placed at this trip and could get involved. 16
Race 8
Selections; 3 RUAPEHU – 1 BLACK FURY – 10 NINETYSEVEN GOLD – 11 THE GENERAL
Hard to get a gauge on this race with eight or so horses capable of winning without surprising and the tote may give us a good guide on the day. But as it stands, winning form is good form and RUAPEHU can continue on his merry way. Yes, the 5YO did need a drop to Class 4 to win but that effort looked like he is back to his best, which should be good enough here. There are two other last start winners in the race who have to be respected with BLACK FURY a big show back on his preferred surface after a rare turf win and CLIP THE TICKET in very good form. Both have wide gates to overcome but both should go well. Others that play a big part in this finish include NINETYSEVEN GOLD who has made a very good start to his career with RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES resuming some hope at value. THE GENERAL, EATONS GOLD and MY BROTHERS KEEPER all with winning hopes. Tough race!
1 BLACK FURY *** Knocked in his first turf win last start and better suited on the Poly so can overcome wide gate. 11
2 TOTALITY * Dropping rapidly in ratings but needs to lift. 33
3 RUAPEHU *** Resumed with good Class 4 win and pay to follow. 4.00
4 TAFFETAS ** Form probably better than it reads and will be flying late. 20
5 RIDE OF VALKYRIES *** Resuming after ambitious first campaign and recent trial good enough to think he could show up here. 12
6 EATONS GOLD *** In solid each-way form and pay to follow with gate 1 a factor. 12
7 MY BROTHERS KEEPER *** Having a rare Poly run but has handled the surface and form suggests he gives this a shake. 8.00
8 CLIP THE TICKET *** This is harder but impossible to fault honesty and has to be a show. 10
9 LIM’S SHOWCASE * Resuming sans blinkers and market only guide. 33
10 NINETYSEVEN GOLD *** Backed up good Singapore debut win with a close-up placing and has to be respected. 3.50
11 THE GENERAL *** Always in the mix and another that wins without surprising. 6.00
12 SERPICO * Blinkers off but no. 200
13 POLE PARADISE ** Might need easier to win but going along OK and can follow each-way. 20
Race 9
Selections; 1 SLEW OF LODE – 7 SEBROSE – 8 BEST TOTHELIGN – 5 CHEETAH ON FIRE
Pat Shaw has a very good record in these Poly features and with his two confirmed runners in SLEW OF LODE and MAJESTIC MOMENTS and the emergency POWER PLAY all with winning hopes, he could easily take home the last Group race of the year. Of the trio, SLEW OF LODE looks the best option and can add to his already impressive Poly record. In fact the 5YO has won four and placed second (behind Stepitup) in only six start on the all-weather track in Singapore and that form has to hold up here. He is very well at the race conditions as well so looks a very good punting prospect. You can make a case for most others in what looks a super competitive race but SEBROSE was impressive in his run to the Gold Cup and has to be respected while BEST TOTHELIGN has hit winning form and could go on with the job. CHEETAH ON FIRE the big improver back on the Poly at the race conditions.
1 SLEW OF LODE *** Blinkers off back over suitable trip on his best surface. Hard to beat. 4.00
2 GOLIATH ** Could make excuses at his last couple and always some show on this surface. 8.00
3 LASER STORM ** Tested the trip but knows how to win on the Poly and pay to keep safe. 12
4 WILD GEESE ** Blinker back on. Rarely seen on this surface but did place in the Marsling Classic in 2014. 20
5 CHEETAH ON FIRE *** Found the Gold Cup campaign a bit tough but will relish being back on the Poly and big run expected. 12
6 VALBUENA * Recent form poor and having first crack on the Poly. 50
7 SEBROSE *** Hit some terrific form including a fourth in the Gold Cup and gives this a shake. 5.00
8 BEST TOTHELIGN *** Wide gate an issue but showed he is up to this by winning over the mile last start. 7.00
9 BOURBON GOLDMAN ** Facing some stiff opposition but just goes too well on this surface to ignore. 8.00
10 ORDER OF THE SUN ** Yet to win in Singapore but gets blinkers and expect very cheeky run from the ace. 20
11 MAJESTIC MOMENTS ** Gets blinkers and another that more than handles the Poly and keeps a few honest. 8.00
12 MR SPIELBERG ** Issues last start (heart) but form prior has him involved somewhere. 20
13 POWER PLAY ** Not far away last start behind Best Tothelign and pay to respect if he gets a start. 12
Race 10
Selections; 3 POWER PLAY – 4 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL – 6 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON – 9 TIME ODYSSEY
An interesting scenario where the likely favourite for this race, POWER PLAY, may very well get a start in the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes and you would imagine, he won’t back up in 30 minutes for this (insert smiley face). But obviously is he does start in this race, his form behind Best Tothelign will more than hold in Class 3 Company and with Juglall up, he is very hard to beat. In saying that there are some horses in cracking Poly form including BLOSSOMS SEQUEL. The 6YO wasn’t far away from making it four straight wins when placing behind Bourbon Goldman and from gate 3; he could win this without surprising. Both IDYLLIC SCENERY and TIME ODYSSEY are coming off back-to-back wins and obviously play a part in this and it will also pay to include SQUIRE OSBALDESTON as he does look a more than handy stayer with HIGH BLADE showing enough last start to include.
1 DUJARDIN * Struggling of late. 50
2 HIGH BLADE *** Improved lengths on the Poly with a tongue-tie added last start and a big show on that effort. 12
3 POWER PLAY *** Emergency for the Colonial Chief Stakes and hard to beat if he races in this field. 4.00
4 BLOSSOMS SEQUEL *** In spanking form and gets all the favours from gate 3. 4.00
5 FUJIN BRIGHT * Hard to have on recent form. 100
6 SQUIRE OSBALDESTON *** Progressive type who had excuses at only Poly run and well worth following. 12
7 ALASAMO ** Recent form ordinary but gets blinkers and can improve on the Poly. 33
8 IDYLLIC SCENERY *** Hard to fault winning form and must go close although this is obviously tougher. 7.00
9 TIME ODYSSEY *** Another gunning for a hat trick of Poly wins and looks a leading hope. 5.00
10 CLUTHA LAD ** Draw a concern but in form and does look due for a result. 12
11 SUPER JOE ** Honest but exotics looks best after drawing badly. 20
12 BRAHMS AND LISZT ** Surprised a few by winning over 1200m last start as this trip looked his caper. Keep safe. 12
13 SKY ELEVEN ** Excuses last start (saddle) and can include in exotics on honest run of recent form. 20
Race 11
Selections; 1 LINCOLN ROAD – 6 BRIEFNESS – 11 SUPERSONICSURPRISE – 7 COTE DE NUITS
The last race of the 2015 season and Shane Baertschiger and John Powell can finish off the year on a high with LINCOLN ROAD. The 4YO NZ-bred won well on debut (in albeit a weak field) before winning in this company at start two. He has drawn wide but the experienced Powell should give him every chance and he may be hard to beat. Nothing else jumps off the page but a newcomer from Australia in BRIEFNESS will get some attention. The 4YO had one win and three places from just five starts back home and has shown enough at the trials to think he goes close at his Singapore debut. Of the others, SUPERSONICSURPRISE and COTE DE NUITS are both in form and both should figure somewhere late.
1 LINCOLN ROAD *** Backed up strong maiden victory with a very good win in this company and hard to beat again. 2.50
2 AMAZON GOLD ** Resuming after a good run of form that included a KSD win. Wide draw no help. 6.00
3 PURE TACTICS ** Showed last start he has something to offer in this company and appreciates nice gate. 12
4 MIGHTY CREATION ** Blinkers off and would be thereabouts on a good day. 20
5 BAAB AL NASR * Raced in France and HK for one win and prefer to watch on Singapore debut. 50
6 BRIEFNESS *** Handy enough ex-Australian galloper who has looked good enough at local trials to consider. 8.00
7 COTE DE NUITS *** Broke through for maiden Singapore win in KSD company last start and pay to follow. 7.00
8 KAZUO ** Placed at long odds when resuming after long spell and pay to keep safe on that effort. 12
9 HIKO YUNIKON ** Got home OK similar affair last start and expect much the same. 12
10 BATTLE BOY * Resuming sans blinkers and needs longer. 200
11 SUPERSONICSURPRISE *** Hard to fault recent form and excuses not to finish closer last start so must be considered. 11
12 FRAGRANCE EMPIRE ** Wide gate can test but not far away last start and will be value. 20
13 HEE’S EGO ** Like to see in Class 5 but can include in exotics. 33
