A ten race card from Singapore on Friday and the mixed surface meeting looks to have something for everyone from Class 5 Poly dashes to a cracking Open handicap over 1400m.

In fact the field assembled for the $125,000 event (race 8) warrants feature status with the ‘Old Champ’, WAIKATO, up against the likes of ALWAYS CERTAIN, the exciting GINGERBREAD MAN and the improving THE COMEDIAN.

And while the old boy WAIKATO is (somewhat ironically) the only horse coming into this race with winning form, the other contenders mentioned are in sparkling form themselves and connections of all must have a certain degree of confidence leading into this.

Add the promise of a guaranteed good pace and it might be a case of not knowing where to look late with the likes of ALWAYS CERTAIN sure to be flying late and THE COMEDIAN perhaps the one to run down given he has just 51kg to carry.

A terrific contest and while some of the other fields on the card might not have the caliber of thoroughbreds on show in race 8, there does look some nice winners to be found from IRISH LIGHTNING in race 1 to THE CARDINAL in the lucky last.

Races 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 are on the all-weather Polytrack with races 2, 6, 8 and 10 on the Long Course (A) Turf.

Best Bets; CALOMBARIS (Race 4, win), REVERSE TAKEOVER (race 7, each-way) and FLY FREELY/VOLKOV (race 3, swinger).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11 and 13) race 8 (2, 3 and 5), race 9 (3, 4 and 7) and race 10 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10).

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: CLASS 4 (2) - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "The improving 3YO, IRISH LIGHTNING - for the in-form Vorster/Shaw combination - looks set to turn some good form into a win in what is a very suitable race and field. His last win was over 1000m and from gate 3 should lead and be very hard to beat. His good recent trial suggests he has the edge here over the consistent ANAVILA who will certainly be assisted by the presence of Joao Moreira on top. The new Brazilian rider, Ivaldo Santana gets his chance on a Leslie Khoo runner, GYPSY MAGIC who whilst coming back in distance he has been racing well and did a huge job doing it tough last start. Other chances include GATEAWAY, DARING YOUTH, SPEEDY PHIL and even EL PATRON, if he ran up to his best."

RACE 2: INITIATION (4-YO)(HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2 YRS PRIOR TO NOMINATION DATE & HAVE NOT HAD MORE THAN 8 STARTS IN SIN/M'SIA)(WFA) - 1600M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "A tough race to pick with some well bred, likely improvers matching up over the 1600m. ARABIAN KNIGHT has been mixing it in much better Class having finished not far behind DISTINCTION at his most recent start and with Opie Bosson on board, he must have a major chance from the number one barrier. STRAIGHT UP obviously picks himself with a great Singapore debut run and Moreira a bonus - his effort late has him the one to beat. But ENCOSTA FARINA did more than enough in that same race as STRAIGHT UP to think he improves with a more trouble free run in this and goes mighty close as well. I also think CARUSO with a 3kg claim from the Pat Shaw stable could be the value. PRIZE FIGHTER, FALLING and SAVVY AS all good types, and if there is a real shock, Stephen Baster’s first mount for the in-form Freedman stable, THE RUDE WARRIOR could be the one. Tough race!"

RACE 3: CLASS 5 (1) - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A Class 5 for sprinters on the Polytrack is always a tough race but FLY FREELY has his foot on the proverbial till, has drawn to win and should do just that. Danny Beasley is in form and should be very confident dictating terms on the 5YO gelding and hard to pass. But Leslie Khoo has been dominating these races recently and VOLKOV is in good form and must be a top chance. He showed last start from a wide gate he is ready to win again in this Class and pay to follow. Of the rest I think ZAC HEAVEN is worth a long look dropping to Class 5 and back over winning trip/surface with the tote a terrific guide to his chances after drawing badly. For value, DECISIVE, a three year old trained by Michael Freedman, has probably got more upside than most of the others and he could run a cheeky race with Stephen Baster guiding with SIMPSON and BULL SHOT suited by the 1000m and KINGS CROSS could also surprise at odds."

RACE 4: CLASS 4 (1) - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "CALOMBARIS, first up since winning at his third start back in September, looks to have found a very winnable Class 4 race and while asked to carry top-weight, should win. In fact this field looks closer to a nice Class 5 affair with as many as five horses coming off recent wins in the bottom grade. That being the case, a horse like CALOMBARIS looks streets ahead of some 'battlers' and connections will be confident of a first up win. At the weights HEARTS has a good chance despite being a maiden. He has finished close to TERMINATOR and YIN XIN on this surface, and with Moreira taking the mount must be the testing material. Of the rest, PEGASUS VICTORY won well in a weaker class last start and worth following on that strong win with NATURAL BORN FIGHTER and SO PERFECT also around the mark at their best. MORDI, freshened and from the form Michael Freedman stable, is the joker in the pack – watch the market."

RACE 5: CLASS 5 (2) - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 20:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A very ordinary race with very few horses that know how to win - the exception being WONDER GENERAL who is in form, has a good draw and a good jockey. That combination good enough to win this. THAT'S CASH first up run after a long break was very good and the form from his last campaign is quite consistent, he should go well. WHYDOYOUASK has also raced well since blinkers added and certainly one of the few winning hopes in this. Of the others with any hope, KYLENE knows how to win but his recent form is ordinary and THAT'S MONEY might find the bad gate an issue. If it gets a start, LIGHT AS A FEATHER's showed more than enough last start (and excuses two runs back) to think he comes in for support to win this so pay to keep an eye on scratchings."

RACE 6: NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS) - 1400M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "There won't be many tougher races on the day than this Novice event over 1400m and with not much between the runners at the race conditions, finding the winner will be tough. And with the old adage of 'winning form is good form' ringing in my ears, I have last start winners featuring heavily in my top four. TOM, with John Powell retaining the winning ride for Laurie Laxon, was impressive winning at his second career start and the fact he was supported in droves, suggests he 'goes OK'. I also like that the field he beat had some nice types featuring in the finish and that form is more than going to hold up at his next few starts. And while TOM is in OK at the race conditions, FONG SU, with the experienced Barend Vorster on-board, is in best at the weights/ratings with just 50kg. The Irish-bred 3YO showed plenty winning at his Singapore debut and one to follow while getting the nice weight pull courtesy of his age. MARANELLO was also an impressive last start winner and fresh enough to run another big race back over 1400m with WORK AHEAD another to keep safe down in the weights. But you can also make a winning case for the likes of CONTINENTAL FLYER and NATURAL NICE to name just two, so go very wide in any exotic combinations."

RACE 7: CLASS 5 (2) - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 21:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "While hard to make a strong winning case for more than a few of these, the nature of Class 5 events suggests we keep one eye on the tote and go wide in any exotic combinations. That said, a horse like TOP HAPPINESS backed up a recent win (Poly mile) with a very solid run so looks the form horse and an obvious choice. His jockey, Stephen Baster, would also be looking at making an impression at his first weekend of his ridding contract in Singapore so expect a bold effort by all concerned. But I have a couple ahead of him in my selections with REVERSE TAKEOVER and EQUIENCE both looking ready to show their respective best. REVERSE TAKEOVER is a maiden - always a concern up against some multiple winners - but his recent trials good enough to think he runs a huge race fresh. The DANSKE 5YO has drawn awkwardly but with no weight, I expect a very aggressive showing from the start and can win with tongue added first time a factor. EQUIENCE is in very solid form and I like the fact that of my top picks he has drawn the best in gate 5. That could make all the difference in what looks a field with little depth with his 3kg claim more than handy come the business end. The others to look at are HAPPY MORE, INCREDIBLE HULK and SIMPLE MAN with one eye on the emergency, THREE KINGS, at long odds if he gets a start."

RACE 8: OPEN - 1400M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$125000

Larry says, "As you would expect, a quality field will head to the starter and at the handicap conditions, a race with more than just the one or two winning chances. And while GINGERBREAD MAN will no doubt start as favourite, the SHAMARDAL entire will have to be at his very best and might just be feeling the pinch late with 57kg in what will be a very genuinely run race. In fact, with the likes of GOLDEN NUMBER and HAPPY EVERYBODY likely to be flying along early and leading into the long straight, the race should suit swoopers with ALWAYS CERTAIN a huge chance under his new rider, Stephen Baster. But with ALWAYS CERTAIN carrying 58.5kg, WAIKATO 59kg and GINGERBREAD MAN 57kg, THE COMEDIAN could just have - dare I say it - the last laugh. The ENCOSTA DE LAGO 5YO was in rattling form at his last campaign and no reason to think he is returns on top of his game with a short break and only 51kg to carry. But not much between the top three or four picks with HAPPY EVERYBODY playing his normal cameo role in what should be a very, very good race."

RACE 9: CLASS 5 (1) - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 22:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "An interesting Class 5 Poly mile with a couple of improvers in CLAIRVOYANCE and DYNAMIC MASTER back in what should be winning company up against solid horses in the form that has them winning sooner than later. But with both Class droppers drawing badly the stage does look set for ZAC GENERATION from gate three to show his best and get back into the winners circle. Sure, the AL AKBAR gelding has been costly for followers at five starts in Class 5, but his placing in a nice enough field last start good enough to use the gate to his advantage today and win. KAEPEEYAI won last start over 1200m - not that much of s surprise fresh in what was a weak field - and well worth following as this is a much more suitable distance. In fact prior to his last start win, his three previous were over 1600m (twice) and 1900m, so this does look ideal. AMERICAN TYCOON is another who has drawn well and has pace so might get a soft run and be hard to run down with plenty of other hopes in what is an even field."

RACE 10: CLASS 4 - 1200M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 22:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "If today wasn't tough enough already, the 'lucky' last has thrown up a very wide open affair and value will be the key. Even the likely favourite - THE CARDINAL - might get out to nice odds and well worth a look given his big run with excuses last time out. On that occasion young R Shafiq found a wall where the gap should have been late and with a clear inside run he would have gone mighty close to winning. For better or for worse, the EXCEED AND EXCEL 4YO jumps from gate 10 today with Olivier Placais entrusted with the job of sending his followers’ home happy. If you are not keen on THE CARDINAL, you can take your pick from most of the others runners with a couple down in the weights in ACE ARMANDO and RISKY VENTURE taking my fancy. ACE ARMANDO showed enough last start leading from the wide gate to follow from gate one and RISKY VENTURE the improver with blinkers added first time. LUCKY DIAMOND will also give a good account of himself at value and again, go super wide in exotics/jackpots."

Gear
BB - Blinkers for the first time
PP - Pacifiers for the first time
B - Blinkers
BRS - Blinkers on the right side
BLS - Blinkers on the left side
P - Pacifiers
BP - Blinkers and Pacifiers
BP1 - Blinkers and Pacifiers for the first time
TT - Tongue Tied
WK - Winkers
VIS - Visor