Street Legal cruises to victory under Joao Moreira on October 6
The first meeting of 2014 and hopefully the New Years hangovers are forgotten early with a winning start to the new season for punters. Where to start? There is no Joao so compatriot Manoel Nunes will be hoping to win the jockeys premiership after knocking in over a 100 wins in 2013. A solid start to 2014 should see a couple of winners added to his early tally and he might be worth following late in the card with I LIKE (race 8), DUJARDIN (race 9) and FLYING MISSION (race 10) all some hope. Corey Brown could be Nunes biggest threat to the title and the Aussie hoop also has a good book late with PINYIN (race 8), GOLIATH (race 9) and GOODMAN (race 10) all with winning chances. It goes without saying trainer Laurie Laxon will start off where he finished in 2014 but the veteran handler will again face tough opposition from a plethora of young guns. A couple of new apprentices will keep things interesting in the claimers ranks but for now, Harry Kassim still stands out as the junior hoop to follow. Bring on 2014.
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Best Bets; STREET LEGAL (race 9, win), GAZOO (race 10, each-way) and PICTURE (race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2 and 3), race 9 (2, 6 and 7), race 10 (1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10), race 11 (1, 5, 6 and 7).
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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 PICTURE – 2 PINYIN – 3 I LIKE – 5 ROCKY GARDEN
The usual bunch of desperadoes fight it out in a Class 5 over 1900m on the poly. With CONQUEST in the field there should be a reasonable speed and this may suit the Leslie Khoo trained PICTURE. Since winning at this trip he has been engaged in unsuitable races but now finds himself in the right type of race and with Zuriman’s 2kg claim he should be able to sit off the speed and be hard to beat. PINYIN is a Mark Walker trained Maiden who has been steadily improving as the distances have increased; with Corey Brown to ride he should race well again. I LIKE is a tough stayer suited this grade, he has been racing well on the poly and with Nunes on top as long as there is solid speed throughout he should be in the finish. The rest are an unpredictable lot though ROCKY GARDEN, DOUBLE HOCK and GOLDEN HALO have shown enough to suggest chances.
1 PICTURE *** Finds himself back in a suitable race after several unsuitable outings. Only win was at this trip and with the claim will be hard to beat. 3.50
2 PINYIN *** Maiden, who fought well at past two outings over 1800m. Should race well again with Corey Brown to steer. 3.50
3 I LIKE *** Tough stayer suited this grade. Has been racing well on the poly and with Nunes on top should be in the finish. 5.00
4 GARATTA KID ** Last three efforts poor (debris in trachea last start) after two promising runs over this trip. Gets David Flores and could improve. 20
5 ROCKY GARDEN ** Freshened by recent trial. Hard to catch but with Lisa Allpress up from the ace should get a gun run. 8.00
6 NORTH STAR * Stays all day, but slowly. 33
7 DOUBLE HOCK ** Failed last start when well supported. Previous form sound but 1900m may test. 10
8 GOLD HALO ** Ran on very strongly last start at first attempt at 1800m. Chance if he can repeat. 12
9 CHENGDU WARRIOR ** Two runs since resuming have been sound – last start better than the result – but yet to place on the poly in 13
attempts. 33
10 ALL FORUS * Blinkers off. 27 start maiden who often threatens but usually disappoints.25
11 CONQUEST ** Gets Harry Kasim and will probably set the speed. If he gets a soft run could give a bold sight. 14
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Race 9
Selections; 2 STREET LEGAL – 7 THE RUDE WARRIOR – 6 GOLIATH – 1 NANDOWRA
The New Year Cup over 1900m with several horses running out of their Class yet proven at the distance against a bunch who are of higher grade but suspect for various reasons. STREET LEGAL was one of the success stories of 2013; he was never involved in the Gold Cup but his form prior was exemplary; at his last outing he motored home for third in the Colonial Chief and has since trialed very smartly. With Alan Munro to take the mount if he can get away and not give them too big a start he should be the one coming over the top late. THE RUDE WARRIOR is up in Class but he loves the poly and will run the 1900m right out, with only 50kg and Vagner Leal he should be right in the finish. DUJARDIN is also on the minimum, he has battled away at his last two outings on the polytrack, he gets Nunes and should appreciate the weight drop and extra distance. Steven Burridge has two runners engaged ILUMINADO who should race handy and may well set it up for the promising GOLIATH who is being tried beyond 1700m for the first time. NANDOWRA is the Class galloper and has the ace, he should give a bold sight but having to give them all weight may be a challenge. LORD BROMPTON disappointed last start but he does have a 1900m placing to his credit and BORSALINO whilst way out of Class did score a strong win over the distance at his last outing.
1 NANDOWRA ** Winkers on. Having second start since changing stables. Well drawn but has to give them all weight. A fighter, but could be found out late. 8.00
2 STREET LEGAL *** Charged home last start over 1700m and trialed well since. If he gets away will be finishing over the top of them. 3.50
3 DUJARDIN ** Battled away at last two outings on polytrack. Gets Nunes and could appreciate weight drop, surface and extra distance. 5.00
4 ILUMINADO ** Found Colonial Chief too tough last start. Goes well for Harry Kasim and with no weight could make his presence felt. 10
5 FATKID * Hasn’t won for 2.5 years and unlikely to break through here. 33
6 GOLIATH *** Was found out late in the Colonial Chief over 1700m. Promising horse but distance may test. 4.50
7 THE RUDE WARRIOR *** Up in Class but he loves the poly and will run the 1900m right out. Lightweight knockout hope. 4.50
8 LORD BROMPTON ** Tested this class but has been placed at 1900m and could get in the mix. 16
9 BORSALINO ** Strong win last start over this distance but this much tougher. 20
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Race 10
Selections; 10 GAZOO – 9 ROOM FOR EXCUSE – 8 GOODMAN – 11 EASY MONEY
A 1400m Novice on the turf with plenty of chances many of whom are unknown on the surface. GAZOO looked a likely type overcoming interference to win over 1200m on turf last start; with Ivaldo Santana on top from a good gate he could go on with it. ROOM FOR EXCUSE has had no luck being held up at his past two outings, well drawn with Alan Munro up, he will appreciate the 1400m and should finish off strongly. EASY MONEY is a smart youngster who trialed well recently; he charged home in Class 4 over 1400m at his last start and if Sam Subian rides him more positively this time, he will be hard to hold out. The tongue tie goes on JAPPANELLA, she had every chance when 3rd in this grade last start but gets David Flores and should race well again. There are plenty of other chances, GOODMAN spanked them on debut, he has to go 200m further, on turf and from an awkward draw, however, he does have Corey Brown to help him. CLERMONT CLUB and MAYWEATHER are last start winners and both ZAC SUGGESTION and FLYING MISSION are not without hope.
1 CLERMONT CLUB ** Broke through over a mile on poly last start. Decent efforts on turf over 1200m at only two prior starts. 12
2 GREENBACK ** Never a show last start and previous form over this trip have been good. Keep safe. 25
3 THEBUZZDOWNUNDER * Will appreciate being back on turf and this distance suits. Chance if he does not give them too much start. 25
4 ZAC SUGGESTION ** Last race unsuitable and will appreciate being back on turf at 1400m. Not well weighted here but should get a good run from inside gate. 12
5 JACKPOT * Blinkers to Winkers. Thereabouts as a rule but not in well at race conditions. 33
6 JAPPANELLA *** Tongue tie on. Had every chance when 3rd in this grade last start. Gets David Flores and should race well again. 8.00
7 FLYING MISSION ** Tongue tie on. Disappointed when favourite last start over 1200m in Graduation company on the poly. Unknown on turf but has Nunes and a good alley. 14
8 GOODMAN *** Spanked them over 1200m on the poly last start. First try on turf, 1400m and has awkward draw but Corey Brown stays on. 6.00
9 ROOM FOR EXCUSE *** Held up at past two outings. Has a win and two placings one at 1400m on turf. Well drawn and has top rider. 4.00
10 GAZOO *** Overcame interference to win over 1200m on turf last start. Could go on with it. 5.00
11 EASY MONEY *** Smart youngster who trialed well recently. Charged home in Class 4 over 1400m at his last start. If ridden positively will be hard to hold out. 8.00
12 MAYWEATHER ** Raced greenly but won Maiden at this trip last start. Should be in the picture again. 12
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Race 11
Selections; 1 GOLDEN CURL – 7 SAVAGE STORM – 5 EXQUISITELY SWEET – 6 POTLUCK
A difficult 1200m Class 4 on turf closes out the programme. GOLDEN CURL has finished close up at his past seven starts in this company without breaking through; Lisa Allpress gets aboard and he gets his chance again. SAVAGE STORM has ability but knows how to find trouble; he is well drawn, the distance suits and he has Santana. No reason to think he will be on the speed all the way and hard to pass. MACHFIVE is well drawn and has been placed at his only three turf outings; he will find this easier than recent engagements and could surprise. The blinker/pacifiers come off EXQUISITELY SWEET; he is resuming after showing promise at his first preparation winning over 1400m; he could race well fresh with Corey Brown up for Bruce Marsh. MY BROTHER fresh and POTLUCK could get in the mix.
1 GOLDEN CURL *** Has finished close up at his past seven starts in this company without breaking through. Gets his chance again. 3.50
2 DAAD’S THE WAY * Wants poly and longer. 20
3 MR MANI * Getting down in grade but wants poly. 16
4 MACHFIVE ** Well drawn and has been placed at only three turf outings. Will find this easier than recent outings and could surprise. 5.50
5 EXQUISITELY SWEET *** Blinker/Pacifiers off. Resuming. Showed promise at first preparation winning over 1400m. Could race well fresh. 6.00
6 POTLUCK *** Ran on well last start and recent trial was sound. Could show up with blinkers added. 10
7 SAVAGE STORM *** Has ability but knows how to find trouble. Well drawn, distance suits and has Santana. Should be on the speed all the way. 3.50
8 MY BROTHER ** Has been freshened and could show up. Was racing well in similar company before his let-up. 20
9 BRILLIANT BEAUTY * Resuming. Only win was at 1200m but form before break was poor. 20
10 BINGO ** Unreliable galloper who could win if wanted but may be better suited in Class 5. 14
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