Mycaptainoblivious looks dangerous in race 5
A combination of post Dester Singapore Gold Cup blues as well as the end of the 2016 season in sight sees just a fair Polytrack meeting from Singapore this Friday but with that brings plenty of opportunities for punters.
In fact most races look to have only two or three legitimate winning hopes and the market could be a terrific guide on the night to send us home in front.
Case in point is the Class 4, division 1 sprint over 1100m (race 3), which has no depth whatsoever.
So a last start winner in FAITHFULLY looks the only one to be on and all things being equal, he should win with gate 2 a bonus.
But there is a definite highlight on the card and that is NOVA SWISS trying to make it four wins in Singapore from four starts in race 5 on the card.
The 3YO has bolted in at his three wins thus far and while up in Class and up in trip, he looks extremely hard to beat and is a horse with a huge future in Singapore.
The danger does look MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS with John Powell on-board and given he has last start form around My Lucky Strike, it will give us an excellent guide on just how far NOVA SWISS can go if he is successful.
Friday 25 November
Best Bets: (FAITHFULLY race 3 win), (NOVA SWISS race 5, win) and (MR BLOSSOM race 6, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1 and 2), race 7 (2, 3, 6 and 7), race 8 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12), race 9 (2 and 4).
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 1
Selections; 10 GREY FALCON – 8 SECRET SQUIRREL – 1 KEYSTONE – 4 NINEPINS
While a few raced horses look ready to knock in their maiden wins, a newcomer in SECRET SQUIRREL keeps things interesting in the opener. The 4YO gelding looked very comfortable winning his most recent trial and while the son of Exceed and Excel didn’t break any records, he did enough to think he can win on debut. In saying that, GREY FALCON does look the one to beat on exposed form. The 3YO gets a weight pull on some of the other fancies and should be in this from the start with an upgrade to blinkers. Of the other raced horses in form, KEYSTONE resumed with a solid placing for his new trainer and must be respected while SUPER BALL and NINEPINS both placed last start but both may find the 1000m too short. Market best guide on the other debutantes and keep ELHAMME safe as he improves with race experience.
1 KEYSTONE *** Appreciates good first up run and wins one of these sooner than later. 3.00
2 SUPER BALL ** Ran on well in Class 4 last start and this is easier but may be too short. 12
3 KNIGHT HARLOOK * Winkers off but struggling. 100
4 NINEPINS ** Goes better than most here but dropping back from the mile is a concern. 12
5 ELITE TAKES ALL * Top hoop rides for in-form trainer but would need support on quiet local trial. 33
6 HIDDEN PROMISE * Gate 1 always handy for newcomers but like to see support on exposed local trial form. 33
7 LIM’S SEASON * Another newcomer who failed to later at local trial and market best guide. 33
8 SECRET SQUIRREL *** No records broken when winning two trials but looked good enough to win this. 5.00
9 ELHAAME ** Will improve with race experience and could play a part in this finish. 10
10 GREY FALCON *** Had support at both career starts and shown enough to win this with blinkers added. 2.50
Race 2
Selections; 2 LIM’S OPERATION – 1 SILKINO – 11 RIVER OF DREAMS – 3 STAR INVINCIBLE
A newcomer will steal the pre-race headlines in race 2 as the half-brother to the mighty Rocket Man in RIVER OF DREAMS makes his much anticipated race debut. The 3YO will probably start “unders” given the pedigree but has certainly trialled well enough to win on debut with gate 1 in his favour. However, he is up against some nice types in SILKINO and LIM’S OPERATION who both have their feet on the till. LIM’S OPERATION still has a little to learn about the racing caper but from gate 2 with race experience under his belt, he could win this. SILKINO had excuses when just missing last start when his saddle slipped and wins this without surprising but will need some luck in running from the wide gate. STAR INVINCIBLE and POMP both finished third last start and will be in the winning mix.
1 SILKINO *** Saddle slipped when just missing last start and hard to beat in this. 3.00
2 LIM’S OPERATION *** Has a bit to learn but drawn to advantage and can win this. 5.00
3 STAR INVINCIBLE *** Foot on the till and Nunes gets his chance to get a result. 4.00
4 POMP *** Green but will improve with racing and will win sooner than later. 8.00
5 BELIEVE IT OR NOT * No. 100
6 CAPTAIN ROYAL * Freshened with a trial but easier to ignore. 100
7 SUPER RED * Blinkers off but needs to show more. 50
8 KUBERA’S CHIEF * Shown glimpses but hard to have on recent efforts. 20
9 AEOLUS * No. 100
10 JANGO * Very green on debut and not for me. 100
11 RIVER OF DREAMS *** Half brother to Rocket Man. Recent trial good enough to win at race debut. 4.00
12 TAIL SPIN ** Gets blinkers and could improve at odds. 33
Race 3
Selections; 1 FAITHFULLY – 8 AMAZING MAN – 2 SURE WIN – 5 DESERT FOX
This is perhaps one of the weakest Class 4 fields seen in recent times and as such, a last start KSD winner in FAITHFULLY may start at a very short price and be very hard to beat. The 6YO had a rare turf win last start over 1400m but given his good run prior in this Company and his good overall Poly form, he should really win this. The race is so weak it may be a maiden in AMAZING MAN who is his only serious danger. The 4YO has two placings from some seven-career starts but has been competitive and shown enough speed in Class 4 to give a sight from gate 3. No other horse wins on current form but SURE WIN has pace and could give a sight while DESRET FOX gets blinkers and doesn’t need to find much to be competitive.
1 FAITHFULLY *** Up in Class but won on the turf last start and better suited back on the Poly and must go close. 1.60
2 SURE WIN ** Has speed to burn and may look the winner late. 8.00
3 DOHATSUTEN ** Resuming after bleeding attack and market only guide. 20
4 HONEST TRUTH * Downgrade to visor but hopelessly out of form. 100
5 DESERT FOX ** Form looks hopeless but not a mile away last couple and gets blinkers. 12
6 SOUTHERN CHIEF * Resuming after a poor run of form but did win maiden this trip. 50
7 Q NINE MAGIC * Recent good form in Class 5 over 1400m. 33
8 AMAZING MAN ** Maiden who has been competitive in this Company and can figure from gate 3. 3.00
9 FORTUNE SPIRIT * Reassess easier over longer. 50
Race 4
Selections; 1 AMAZEALOT – 2 FLYING SHADOW – 3 INVINCIBLE MAN – 7 PRETTY ELUSIVE
Horses dropping to Class 5 with solid form under their belt are always one’s to watch and AMAZEALOT certainly ticks those boxes. He also finds himself over a suitable trip and track and given he jumps from gate 1 with a 3kg claimer onboard, he might be hard to hold out. But two horses in FLYING SHADOW and INVINCIBLE MAN have both been in form since dropping to this Company two starts back and both win without surprising. Not much separates the two on form and both should figure very prominently with support. Nothing else appeals but the maiden, PRETTY ELUSIVE, is in solid form and is a must for exotics while DRAGON RUBY and RUN CHEETAH RUN could improve at odds.
1 AMAZEALOT *** Significant drop in Class and form good enough to win with gate 1 a bonus. 5.00
2 FLYING SHADOW *** Foot on the till since dropping to Class 5 and wins sooner than later. 3.00
3 INVINCIBLE MAN *** Likewise placed twice with support at two runs since dropping to Class 5 and can win this. 3.00
4 WINNING STAR * Drops to right grade but should need longer to win. 50
5 JOE * Shown nothing at last two starts and have to take on trust. 50
6 DRAGON RUBY ** Excuses when resuming and improves for the outing over only winning trip. 20
7 PRETTY ELUSIVE ** Maiden who showed enough last start to keep safe in exotics. 8.00
8 REAL HERO * Better than what he has showed of late but would need to lift. 50
9 RUN CHEETAH RUN ** Not a mile away last start and has trialled well since so worth thought in exotics. 20
Race 5
Selections; 3 NOVA SWISS – 1 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS – 8 BOARD WALK – 7 DRAGONHEAD
It’s fair to say that former Kiwi, NOVA SWISS, has made an impression at three starts in Singapore and is the one punters will be on in this BM83 Sprint. The 3YO had solid support when winning in Class 4 at his Kranji debut and duly won by over three lengths. He did much the same at his next two starts and the no reason to think he is not only up to the step up to 1200m, but is more than up to this Company. However, MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS will keep him honest. The 7YO has finished second by half a length to MY LUCKY STRIKE and VIVIANO at his last two starts and that form will test the favourite and tell us how good NOVA SWISS is. These two should fight out the finish with BOARD WALK, DRAGONHEAD, A LA VICTORY and perhaps PIONEER SEVEN, all in the exotic mix.
1 MYCAPTAINOBLIVIOUS *** Foot on the till and looks suited in this Company to win. 3.00
2 NOVA WARRIOR * Struggling of late and have to take on trust. 50
3 NOVA SWISS *** Smashed them last start in Class 3 to remain undefeated in Singapore and hard to beat in this. 1.60
4 A LA VICTORY ** Placed last start in KSA Company on the turf but like to see over longer than this. 8.00
5 PIONEER SEVEN ** Mixing his form of late but blinkers and tongue-tie off and recent trials have been promising. 20
6 GOLDEN SAND STEED * Not a while away last start but needs to lift. 50
7 DRAGONHEAD ** Former Malaysian who placed at very long odds at second start in Singapore and have to respect on that effort. 20
8 BOARD WALK ** Honest and will work into exotic calculations late. 16
Race 6
Selections; 1 MR BLOSSOM – 2 BARNBURGH LAD – 5 SECRET SPICE – 6 TIME AFTER TIME
Another race with no depth and it really does look a two horse race between MR BLOSSOM and BARNBURGH LAD. And while the latter does have the recent form on the board, MR BLOSSOM back on the poly could be the one to beat. The 5YO turned around some poor form to knock in two Poly wins in Class 5 when a shadow roll was added to his gear and given his next three runs were on the turf, he can win again with gate 1 a bonus. As mentioned BARNBURGH LAD is the safer pick on recent good form that included a win three starts back in a very similar affair to this and should start favourite. Again, nothing else jumps off the page to win but a few including SECRET SPICE sans headgear could improve with market best guide.
1 MR BLOSSOM *** Ignore recent turf form and can win back on right track and trip. 3.00
2 BARNBURGH LAD *** In very good form in similar affairs to this and pay to keep following. 2.00
3 PETITE VICTOIRE ** Mixes his form but plays a part when having a good day. 20
4 ACROSS THE SEA ** Solid but should find this too short. 12
5 SECRET SPICE ** Issues last start but recent good trial sans headgear suggests he can improve. 20
6 TIME AFTER TIME ** Always some show at odds in what is a suitable Poly event. 20
7 DYNASTY KNIGHT * Prefer on the turf over longer. 33
8 CASSIS OOLONG * Hard to win on form but has pace so cheeky run expected. 33
9 GREENBACK * No. 100
10 SECONDWAVE ** Appreciates being back on the Poly and a must for exotics. 8.00
11 RAINBOW STAR ** Long-term maiden who plays a part in skinny end of exotics if having a good day. 33
Race 7
Selections; 2 SUPER SIX – 3 SUN PIONEER – 7 NORTHERN BOSS – 6 MAIDANZ BEAUTY
One of the better races on the day and enough depth to think it is a very competitive betting affair. In saying that, SUPER SIX and SUN PIONEER have the Poly form on the board in this Company and look the obvious picks. Not much separates them on paper but SUPER SIX placed behind Nova Swiss last start and that form should more than hold up in this race. In fact, bar a poor turf effort, his Poly form has been excellent and he can knock in another win with gate 4 and a Troy See 2kg claim in his favour. Likewise, it’s hard to fault SUN PIONEER’s recent Poly form although CC Wong will need some luck in running after drawing awkwardly in gate 10. Two last start winners in MAIDANZ BEAUTY and NORTHERN BOSS also come into consideration, although this race is obviously tougher than Class 4.
1 ASTROSTAR * Nothing when resuming and have to take on trust. 100
2 SUPER SIX *** Recent Poly form very good and must go very close. 2.70
3 SUN PIONEER *** Another that has found a rich vein of Poly form and looks a leading hope. 3.50
4 JUSTICE DAY ** Hard to fault recent form but query on the Poly so play with care. 12
5 DRAGON SPIRIT ** Should need easier to win but could figure from the ace. 20
6 MAIDANZ BEAUTY ** Improved to win at second Singapore start but this is tougher so place looks best. 6.00
7 NORTHERN BOSS *** Another last start Class 4 winner but has shown previously he is up to this Company. 6.00
8 ALASAMO * Appreciates first-up run but should need longer. 100
9 HERO I AM ** Ran on well late last start and expect much the same again. 12
10 SUPERNOVA * Reassess over longer. 50
11 HADES * Resuming sans blinkers and have to take on trust. 20
Race 8
Selections; 5 GREAT WARRIOR – 7 DRAGON G – 8 GALLANT HEIGHTS – 6 MR CONNERY
This race looks a dead-set raffle which makes it extremely tough to find the winner and it will pay to go very wide if playing exotics. But winning form is good form and GREAT WARRIOR showed enough breaking his maiden status last start to follow. He does look to have a bit of upside given he was held up during that particular run and gate 1 is in his favour. Too many others with their foot on the till to mention them all but DRAGON G will appreciate a better gate today and can win for Dan Beasley while GALLANT HEIGHTS very much appreciates two runs this campaign and more importantly, the step up to a suitable trip. Of the rest, MR CONNERY, FLYING WINNER and MONEY KING can all win on what they showed last start while last start winner, RACING TALENT, is also a show. Keep DANNY safe if he gets a start.
1 BUCKS OH SEVEN * Race form hopeless but may improve stepping up in trip. 100
2 CHAIRMAN WIND * Nothing first up after spell but may improve on the Poly as recent trial OK. 50
3 CHEETAH KING * Right grade and right trip but Poly form a big concern. 33
4 FLYING WINNER *** Drawn badly but in form and wins again sooner than later. 4.00
5 GREAT WARRIOR *** Won maiden over the mile last start and happy to follow in this field with gate 1 a bonus. 4.00
6 MR CONNERY *** Another fancy to draw wide but wins one of these without surprising. 6.00
7 DRAGON G *** Always a winning show in race like this and hard to beat. 5.00
8 GALLANT HEIGHTS *** Appreciates two runs this campaign and plays a big part stepping up to suitable distance with tongue-tie added. 8.00
9 HANDSOME RABID * Needs to lift on recent efforts. 33
10 MONEY KING *** Showed last start this type of race is his caper and must be considered. 10
11 HAKAMGONG ** All sorts of excuses last start and that effort suggests he can improve at odds. 33
12 RACING TALENT *** Won one at odds of the back of a good trial and pay to keep following, 12
13 DANNY *** Showed last start why he always has to be considered in this type of race. 12
14 TANGIBLE ASSETS ** Not a lot last start but could improve at long odds back in Class 5. 50
Race 9
Selections; 2 LADRONE – 4 LUCKY MISSION – 7 SILVER POWER – 3 CAVATINA
Another race with no depth and again it looks like we can hopefully narrow the winning hopes down to just two horses in LADRONE and LUCKY MISSION. Again, not much separates the two but while only having one win to his name (and that was twelve months ago), LADRONE does look due and can overcome a wide gate and win. Given the field, John Powell will go forward on the 5YO and should get a forward position and have every chance. LUCKY MISSION on the other hand gets to jump from gate 1 and could be hard to run down if Placais can make use of the ace. Regardless where he does settle, he will figure in the finish on recent form. Nothing else appeals but two horses with recent winning form in SILVER POWER and CAVATINA both could be considered.
1 SUPER BRILLIANT ** Nothing last start but goes OK on his day so keep safe. 33
2 LADRONE *** Has the pace to lead and will look the winner late. 3.00
3 CAVATINA ** Broke maiden status two starts back over this trip and track so worth another look. 5.00
4 LUCKY MISSION *** Another speedy type who will figure at the business end. 3.00
5 TASSAJARA ** Has shown pace but Poly form is a concern. 20
6 LIVELY DRAGON ** Turned around some poor form when winkers went on last start and pay to keep safe. 7.00
7 SILVER POWER ** Needed Class 5 to win but that effort good enough to include in exotics in this weak field. 12
8 BEST JADE * Hard to have on recent form and will need easier. 50
9 LUCKY BOY ** Not a mile away last start and subsequent trial good enough to be competitive in this. 12
10 DELFYNE * Form better than what is reads but should be needing easier. 50
