There are nine races on offer from Singapore on Friday night - all on the Short Course (C), Turf – and with some nice types going round in the in the first three races on the card, it will pay to get there early.

In race three, the smart MARANELLO looks to be one of the better bets on the card and should account for his Class 4 rivals.

The TESTA ROSSA 3YO showed promise at his first couple of race starts before blitzing his opposition over 1600m and 1400m respectively at his last two.

No doubt connections will look at this Class 4 mile as a stepping stone to bigger things with a run in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas in May certainly on his agenda.

And while race one is a ‘lowly’ Class 5 event, the field is strong and MONEY BEE looks a very good option to start the punting day.

Trainer Leslie Khoo is having a great start to the season and MONEY BEE showed at his first start dropping to this company he wins soon and can continue the stables excellent run of form.

Race two may be a Maiden but MOEROCK has certainly shown enough in Class 4 company to think he wins this and is a horse to follow.

The Japanese-bred entire might even turn into the type that could sneak into Derby contention and given trainer Hideyuki Takaoka’s ability with stayers, he might just do that.

Elsewhere on the card, Joao Moreira looks to be on a nice newcomer in SEBASTIEN in race 5 and should also play a hand in the lucky last on ZAC VELOCITY with the Pat Shaw/Barend Vorster combination looking for back-to-back winners in races six and seven with DAMO and ATO respectively.

RACE 1: THE MAPLE LEAF STAKES CLASS 5 (1) - 1400M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Class 5’s are always unpredictable but the Leslie Khoo trained MONEY BEE looks almost a good thing here. The SHREWDY 6YO was a strong second last start, is up to his preferred distance of 1400m, Shafiq will claim and has the gun draw - he must be hard to beat. NOBLE KNIGHT is one of a number of class droppers in the field, and at his last start in Class 5 over this course and distance with Tengku Rehaizat up, he won and history could repeat. SIR ELTON ran well at his last start and with Moreira on for Laurie Laxon must represent a strong chance. SILVER LINING has Stephen Baster taking over, and he also likes this Class, course and distance. JACK was in good form in this Class in December and has been freshened up. WINNING DAN and ALL THE BEST also go well in this type of race and obviously go very wide in exotics in a Class 5 with depth. "

RACE 2: FAIRMONT SINGAPORE CUP INITIATION (4YO-) (HORSES NOT WON IN 2YRS PRIOR TO NOMINATN DATE & NOT HAD > 8 STARTS IN SIN/MSIA) (WFA) - 1600M C(SC) TIME: 18:50 PRIZEMONEY:S$65000

Larry says, "A very even field of Maidens, many of whom have been racing against each other recently. But MOEROCK has been steadily improving in better company than this and the Munro-Takaoka partnership gets a chance to make another strike here. Class 4 form should more than hold up in Maiden company and he won't be missed by punters. THE RUDE WARRIOR’s last run was excellent despite racing greenly, and if the visor helps, a win would not surprise. A couple of Bruce Marsh charges that have disappointed recently get another attempt at redemption. ARABIAN NIGHT was hampered last start and should be suited over the mile but he can be a bit one-paced at the finish of his races. ALL FORUS runs on well but has had a few chances and not delivered, Opie Bosson rides the stablemate, so Greg Cheyne jumps on. VERY VERY GOOD was very, very bad last start but had excuses (pulled up lame) and has since trialed very well. He is trained by Leslie Khoo and has Joao Moreira riding; he can only be ignored at peril. Steven Gray has gone for the blinkers on DRUMSARA, often a positive signal from that stable. SPINNING SUCCESS has also been competitive recently in similar events, and GRIGORA can run on strongly with the booking of John Powell a pointer to his chances."

RACE 3: TD SECURITIES CUP CLASS 4 - 1600M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "The Freedman stable has done little wrong lately and MARANELLO is a smart 3YO racing in great form. The TESTA ROSSA gelding has Moreira and gate two - he should be able to get a nice run just off the pace and could easily bring up the hat-trick of wins. Laurie Laxon has a good hand with FORGIVEN - an honest performer who always runs on strongly and had excuses last start - and FOREIGN EXCHANGE who should get a good run from the inside gate and be handy enough to be some hope late. VOLPISTA doesn’t win often but is never far away, and both DEEP POCKETS and STREET LEGAL run on strongly. If you have the budget for exotics or want some fun, keep RAW COURAGE in your thoughts at long, long odds - his last run was a lot better than the result. But MARANELLO very hard to beat and one to follow to the Guineas in May."

RACE 4: RBC CUP 2012 OPEN BENCHMARK 70 (FILLIES ONLY) - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "An interesting race for fillies and mares. SULMONA likes these, she won the Ladies’ Tiara with Moreira steering, and this could be a repeat. DOLLHOUSE is a speedy mare, well drawn, who put up a good performance at her first Singapore start, and if she has taken no harm from the run should be right in the finish. ALWAYS HAPPY is a good mare who will appreciate the weaker company and the claim for Zawari but dropping in distance not in her favour. LADY TRIO hasn’t shown much for a while but she can run on strongly and is suited by this type of race and MARY’S SUCCESS, the stable-mate of SULMONA, has good recent form in weaker class so she should race well."

RACE 5: MANULIFE CUP RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2&3YO) (WFA) - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "SEBASTIEN, who went for a princely sum as a yearling, looks set to start paying back his owners on debut in Singapore. The 3YO son of O'REILLY has been trialling well and with Joao Moreira on board he will be supported and can win. It is a nice Restricted Maiden though and a horse like the aptly named Leslie Khoo runner, BRING MORE MONEY, is worth a serious look on what we saw on his debut. EMBLESSED is one of the few with real experience in this maiden, and his form is good enough, just missing out last time, to suggest he can win. GUSHA had strong wraps last start and while disappointing she should improve for the experience. POSITIVE THINKING did little wrong at his first start and despite an awkward draw could make an impression with winkers added and both HOOPER and FULL SITE should benefit from recent racing."

RACE 6: BLACKBERRY CUP CLASS 3 - 1400M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "The Pat Shaw Argentinean 3YO band wagon looks set to keep on rolling on in this Class 3 event with the LODE gelding, DAMO, the one to beat. With a Group 1 win (Argentina) on his CV, DAMO, always looked well placed in Class 3 and showed that by backing up a solid placing at his Singapore debut with a very nice win over 1400m. And although this field has depth and plenty of horses that can win, DAMO is the one to be on and certainly worth following through the grades. HAMMER DOWN put in what was his best performance back on the turf at his last start behind DAVIDE and that run suggests he wins in Singapore soon. As you would expect, Opie Bosson retains the ride for Bruce Marsh and he should find the extra 200m right up his alley. And while it's hard to leave a horse like METEOR MIKE out of calculations, I have found a couple down in the weights with the up-and-coming SICHUAN RULER and TARANKALI both looking to have good chances with the latter probably the best value option in what is a very nice field."

RACE 7: CANADA CUP 2012 OPEN - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$125000

Larry says, "With the highly rated WAIKATO compressing the weights in this Open Handicap, the race looks a beauty with a smart type in ATO carrying 51.5kg up against the likes of MR BIG and EXCAVATOR (to name just two) on the minimum. Of the three, I think ATO has been fighting in the best company of late - he was beaten by SUPER EASY last start - and that should count for plenty at the weights today. In fact, although not winning at his last six starts, the South African-bred entire has been in the mix with horses of the calibre of CAPTAIN OBVIOUS, BETTER BE THE ONE. But with those two horses in Dubai and SUPER EASY having Group duties on Sunday, ATO should appreciate the relatively 'weaker' Open field and can win. Of course he will have to be at his very best with the 2011 Champion Juvenile, MR BIG, also well placed to run well with just 50kg. The ELUSIVE QUALITY 3YO has a career record of five wins and three second placings from just eight starts so obviously smart and a big show here for the Baster/Freedman combination. EXCAVATOR, who has had more hoops than most of us have had hot dinners, will appreciate Joao Moreira on-board and no reason to think he is not in the mix with MERCHANT and FINDERSKEEPERS also likely to play a part in what should be a great race."

RACE 8: HJM ASIA CUP CLASS 5 (2) - 1400M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:55 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Not much good form in this race with 12 of the runners finishing eighth or worse at their last starts. The fact that most of those haven't finished higher than eighth for quite some time is also a concern but that lack of depth should make finding the top few a bit easier. SCARED PRINCE, although way down in the ratings, brings in the best recent form that includes a win and silly not to have him on top. The experienced Barend Vorster should ensure he gets a nice run (hopefully handy) and should be right in this finish. Unlike SCARED PRINCE, LIGHTNING ACE has been in woeful form at his last couple but should be doing much better than he has. He is becoming costly to follow - we had him on top last start - but certainly worth another chance at his first go over 1400m. Of the rest, TRIPLE GOALS goes well for Joao Moreira and should show his best which has him figuring somewhere with SUPER KNIGHT - one of the more consistent runners in this field - also some hope. WIN LOT'S and ZINLY can be considered for exotics."

RACE 9: CANADIAN CHAMBER STAKES CLASS 4 - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 22:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "While the newcomer, EXCEL N STRIKE, looks a likely type and set to run a big race at his Singapore debut, this race does have a few horses ready to win in Class 4 and happy to stick with exposed form. In saying that the EXCEED AND EXCEL 3YO could come in for stable support given his trail form (pushed to win his most recent) and obviously it will pay to keep and eye on the tote. However, ZAC VELOCITY showed last start he is ready to win over this trip and with blinkers added first time, he goes close. But like ZAC VELOCITY, MR GEE showed plenty dropping to 1200m with blinkers added last start and a repeat of that run has him in the mix as well. But it does look an even affair with BLACK RAIN some hope resuming if anywhere near his best first up and BIG GALLANT showed more than enough last start to be a winning chance if he 'shows up' on the day. It was hard to leave out last start winner, CALIFORNIA GIRL and obviously EXCEL N STRIKE with GUSTORIKO the long-shot hope in what is a very tricky race."

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