Empress Wu (Jose Verenzuela, inside) holds off the late challenge of Gold Rutile (Alan Munro) to win on Sunday, 11 August 2013 – Singapore Racing
The E Course at Kranji is unique in the fact it does seem to favour horses in front and God help the swoopers if a horse kicks clear turning for home, especially on the Short straight. There is, and always will be, exceptions to the rule but with on-pace runners having an advantage, EMPRESS WU in the ninth might be a good thing. The 4YO mare has been ultra-impressive winning three and finishing second at just four Singapore starts and the fact she will most likely lead or be right on the pace, is in her favour. An Australian-bred mare by Street Sense, EMPRESS WU, won two starts back over this trip and while the field has depth, she is the one to beat. EMPIRE BAY and LAMBORGHINI FLAME are another two who race on the pace and could have a big say in the race with GOLD RUTILE and BALE STAR keeping all and sundry honest in what is a cracker of a race. Elsewhere on the card, the lucky last looks a race in two with ROYAL TUDOR and RUSTY BROWN likely to fight out the finish. ROYAL TUDOR showed last start that he wins again very soon back in Class 4 while RUSTY BROWN is a progressive type who will also win sooner than later in this company.
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Best Bets; EMPRESS WU (race 9 , win), LION BAROWS (race 8, each-way) and ROYAL TUDOR/RUSTY BROWN (race 11, swinger).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (Field), race 9 (5 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7), race 11 (1 and 9).
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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; 4 LION BAROWS – 7 DANGER ZONE – 1 SOUTH GATE – 2 YES BABA
This Class 4 race looks tough for punters with plenty of winning hopes including two last start winners in YES BABA and BIGCAT RHAPSODY. YES BABA steps up to 2000m for the first time but has Moreira, so support will follow. No reason why the trip will be an issue given his good win over 1600m at his last start and the 4YO is very consistent so worth serious thought. BIGCAT RHAPSODY also won well last start and given he has looked a better horse at his last two starts with blinkers added he is a horse to follow. But astute trainer, Hideyuki Takaoka, might hold two aces in this race with LION BAROWS and DANGER ZONE. Both look like out-and-out stayers and both look progressive. Hopefully value can be found as well and LION BAROWS with unofficial stable hoop, Alan Munro, could deliver the knock-out blow. Of the rest, SOUTH GATE is due and picks himself with MY DANCING DUEL also a winning hope.
1 SOUTH GATE *** Ready to win again and this looks suitable. 3.00
2 YES BABA *** Won well last start and pay to follow up to ten furlongs first time. 2.60
3 BIGCAT RHAPSODY *** Improved lengths last two starts when blinkers added and should handle this. 6.00
4 LION BAROWS *** In-form, trip not a worry and could be each-way value. Follow. 8.00
5 MAKE A RETURN * Appreciates turf but struggling. 100
6 MY DANCING DUEL *** Won this trip two back and best work late last start has him under notice. 12
7 DANGER ZONE *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and every indication this is his trip with blinkers removed. 20
8 INCREDIBLE HULK ** Not disgraced last start and the type that keeps exotics interesting late. 50
9 GIVE ME STRENGTH ** Backed and beaten easier company last start but going along OK and another for exotics. 8.00
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Race 9
Selections; 5 EMPRESS WU – 7 GOLD RUTILE – 10 EMPIRE BAY – 6 LAMBORGHINI FLAME
Presuming the track is favouring those on the pace, the smart EMPRESS WU looks very hard to beat. While the likes of LAMBORGHINI FLAME and EMPIRE BAY (from gate 2) may take her on and indeed lead, EMPRESS WU should be able to either dictate or get a nice sit for Rehaizat from gate 6 and just be too good for them. GOLD RUTILE has form around EMPRESS WU and looks a the biggest danger. Nothing separated the two mares last start and given the way she hit the line late over 1200m, the extra 200m is in her favour. The two on-pace horses mentioned – EMPIRE BAY and LAMBORGHINI FLAME – could both play a part, especially if either gets an easy time out front and plenty of other hopes including BALE STAR, FREEZEMASTER and BENJI’S EMPIRE. Great race.
1 FREEZEMASTER *** Form better than it reads and appreciates the company and claim. Keep safe. 20
2 ACCELAROMETER * Solid last start and might be ready to show his best. 33
3 BALE STAR *** In super form and the one to beat in what is a suitable race. 2.50
4 BENJI’S EMPIRE *** Form reads only fair but leads and could be hard to pass late. Value. 20
5 EMPRESS WU *** Smart mare who picks herself on winning form. Hard to beat. 2.50
6 LAMBORGHINI FLAME *** Will appreciate gate one and in-front for a very long way. 6.00
7 GOLD RUTILE *** Beaten a whisker by EMPRESS WU last start but can make amends. 3.00
8 SULMONA ** Good recent form has been on the Poly but going well enough to include in exotics at value. 20
9 CALIFORNIAN JET ** Last couple better than the result in the book and distance suits. Keep safe at odds. 50
10 EMPIRE BAY *** Will be handy all the way and smart enough to be there at the end. 10
11 HONEST TRUTH * No. 200
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Race 10
Selections; 3 SARONG – 2 GOOD BOSS – 5 SO FREE NOW – 6 ZAC GALLANT
Not many horses come into this race with good form but unfortunately for punters, there looks to be plenty that can win. SARONG does have OK form – a solid fourth after doing it tough last start – and this looks suitable. With the stable opting for a 3kg claim, the good gate is a factor and win would not surprise. GOOD BOSS is resuming but was in good form last campaign and given his recent trial looked promising, he can race well first-up sans blinkers. Two maidens in SO FREE NOW and ZAC GALLANT also look ready to win and respective connections will be hoping to break their maiden status. FANTASTIC BOY might be worth another shot with value in mind and FUKU’S PET for Joao Moreira, the other two that can win.
1 FANTASTIC BOY *** Something amiss last start and has to be respected on previous form this type of race. 12
2 GOOD BOSS *** Resuming. Looked due last campaign and recent trial suggests he goes close sans blinkers. 4.00
3 SARONG *** Loomed large last start and certainly wins a race like this on her day. 5.00
4 SINGLE STAR ** Back in Class 5 is in his favour but starts always a risk. 8.00
5 SO FREE NOW *** Maiden with pace that might be suited in Class 5 over the shortest trip. 6.00
6 ZAC GALLANT *** Another maiden who looks well placed to win in this company. Market a great guide. 6.00
7 FUKU’S PET *** Coming off a shocker but won two back and always a chance. 5.00
8 FONG SU * Appreciates Class 5 but obviously hard to have on form. 100
9 I’M SUPERMAN * Two runs since win have been disappointing. 33
10 OASIS SPUR ** Form reads only fair but enjoys the company so look for improvement. 20
11 OUR ALCHEMIST * Resuming, no. 100
12 SACRED CROWN * Not for me. 100
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Race 11
Selections; 1 ROYAL TUDOR – 9 RUSTY BROWN – 5 AGENAIS – 6 TAI COMMANDS
Royal or Rusty? The last does look a race in two between two promising types in the lightly-raced 5YO, ROYAL TUDOR and the 3YO, RUSTY BROWN. ROYAL TUDOR has has three starts this campaign and did look a good thing beaten last start as the odds-on punters elect. A Class 4 win is imminent and with Moreira staying on-board and jumping from gate three, he looks the obvious choice. RUSTY BROWN is a big threat though. The Darci Brahma gelding looked like he need the experience when racing greenly on debut before winning handsomely at his second career start. That was against his own age group but given he has 53.5kg and ROYAL TUDOR has the top-impost of 58kg, he looks well placed to win. Others to include in exotics are AGENAIS, TAI COMMANDS, IRISH LIGHTNING, SPINNING SUCCESS, ARAPUNI and ORAKEI KORAKO who is having just his third career start.
1 ROYAL TUDOR *** Beaten as odds-on pop last start but wins soon this Class. 2.00
2 SILVERON WARRIOR * Struggling for form but race does suit. 100
3 IRISH LIGHTNING ** Form OK but query first time over 1400m with blinkers off. 12
4 ORAKEI KORAKO ** OK work late last start suggests 1400m could suit. 12
5 AGENAIS ** Will be doing best work late and worth thought if race run to suit swoopers. 12
6 TAI COMMANDS ** Disappointing last couple but 1400m should be his caper this company. 20
7 ARAPUNI ** Always competitive but might need it easier to win. 20
8 DAZZLING DAME * Crap run last start but maiden win was over this trip. 50
9 RUSTY BROWN *** Promising 3YO who should more than handle the company and trip. Can win. 3.00
10 SPINNING SUCCESS ** Blinkers on and likes the trip so a must for exotics. 20
11 HOOPER * Needs easier than this. 100
12 HUMOR TOWN ** Like to see in Class 5 but goes good enough on his day to include for value. 33
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