It’s time!

After months of speculation and anticipation, the Singapore International Racing Festival climax’s on Sunday with the 12^th running of the $3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup.

The race – somewhat overshadowed in recent years given the ROCKET MAN phenomena – has stood the test of time and with an honours role that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of International racing, will continue as the pinnacle of Singapore racing for many years to come.

So who will add their name to the list of outstanding winners?

Apart from the mighty OUZO in the inaugural running of the event in 2000, the internationals have dominated and unless a warrior like WAIKATO can pull off a minor miracle on Sunday, 2012 will be heading elsewhere.

Hong Kong has three runners – CALIFORNIA MEMORY, THUMBS UP and ZAIDAN – with all looking like playing a part somewhere late.

CALIFORNIA MEMORY failed in this race last year but connections will be confident a better preparation and game plan sees the flashy grey improve.

Experienced South Africa jockey, Felix Coetzee, takes over from regular hoop, Mark Chadwick, and all eyes will be on where the horse settles and if close enough on turning for home; goes close.

But of the trio, THUMBS UP has received the most attention from track-watchers and analysts alike and the Casper Fownes 7YO is expected to be one of the horses to beat.

Brett Prebble rides and will need luck after drawing gate 11 but the top Aussie/Hong Kong based hoop knows Kranji well – he won the KrisFlyer on Sacred Kingdom three years back and is a regular visitor – and all looks good for a result.

However, ZAZOU from Germany is the Kranjiracing top pick on his effort in the world’s richest race – the US$10 million Dubai World Cup.

His form prior to a credible fifth in that race was probably good enough to be the top pick anyway but when you consider that two of the last three winners have come through the Dubai World Cup, ZAZOU – in the same colours as 2011 champion GITANO HERNANDO – could be a good thing.

Of the others you have to keep a horse like CHINCHON safe.

One of two French representatives – each way hope Dream Peace the other – CHINCHON was unlucky in this race last year and with everyone a year wiser in the Laffon-Parias camp; a win would not surprise.

CITY STYLE, for the mighty Godolphin outfit, rounds out the international contenders and is certainly worth consideration on his excellent form from Dubai in 2012 including placing at Group level at his last two outings.

Of the locals, WAIKATO has raced above himself for the last four years – including a dead-heat for third in this race last year – leads the pack but the wise money would be leaving most, if not all, out of calculations.

In the 2012 KrisFlyer Sprint there has been only one story this week.

‘ROCKET MAN Out!’

When news broke on Tuesday that the champ would not run, the race changed complexion dramatically.

KRYPTON FACTOR – whose connections were hoping for a double knock-out of the Singapore champ after beating him in Dubai – were both disappointed and relieved that a tough race had been made a hell of a lot easier.

The ‘Bahrain bullet’ easily has the best form leading into this and the fact he is the only horse that has beaten ROCKET MAN – none of the local hopes have gone close – he should win.

Obviously travel is the biggest issue but KRYPTON FACTOR might not need to be at 100% to beat most in this field.

Only two other internationals are in the race – SECRET ASSET and INVINCIBLE ASH – and both have solid without being classed spectacular form leading into this.

Both would need to have travelled very well – and indications are they have - but you would think they are each-way hopes and more on a par with the local’s chances than KRYPTON FACTOR at his best.

The locals are led by BETTER BE THE ONE and with Joao Moreira on top he looks ready to show his best and a podium finish is likely.

The Michael Freedman-trained 5YO has international form on his resume as well and that will hold him in every good stead in a race with little depth for an International Group 1.

Of the other Kranji-based horses, MR BIG has a slight weight pull as a 3YO his fighting qualities suggest he keep a few honest and ATO always races well and is also in the mix.

It is a mixed track meeting with race 1to 7 on the Long Course (A), Turf and races 8-11 on the Short Course (A), Turf.

Best Bets; HOT GOLD (race 3, win), KRYPTON FACTOR (race 9, win) and RECYCLE WORLD (race 1, each way).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 10), race 9 (1 and 3), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6) and race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9).

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: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 SYDNEY STAKES CLASS 4 - 1400M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 15:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "A trickier race than it first looked on paper and plenty of chances with some improvers making finding the winner tough. SPEED DEMON looked as good as place to start as any winning two from two and his last effort was very strong. 1400m looks no issue but Mark Ewe will need to be having a good day in the saddle as there are some experienced jocks and horses sure to keep him honest. Although a youngster himself, James McDonald is an international jockey of high regard and he might make the difference on RECYCLE WORLD. The lightly raced 5YO looks to have been set for this race and a big run and win would not surprise. Of the rest I think IMACRUISER and ASPEN HEIGHTS are the improvers in this grade and keep an eye on the newcomer JERAM CLIPPER as he has looked very good at the track and might just run a big race at his Singapore debut."

RACE 2: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 LONDON STAKES RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2&3YO) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) - 1200M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 15:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "SMART IDEA and SELECT GATHERING are both coming off last start second placings and both can win this. Interestingly Opie Bosson has ridden both exclusively so his leaning toward SELECT GATHERING could be seen as a pointer. However, that choice would have been made prior to his horse drawing gate 13 and with Moreira a fair replacement on SMART IDEA jumping from 8; he gets my final nod. And in fact given it looks a good race and plenty of pace expected early, I have MAGICAL SUNSET splitting the two as he will be doing best work late and Oscar Chavez might just weave some magic from the nice gate (4). Of the newcomers I like CHRISTMAS with one eye on RADIANT ROI and BULLET FLY some hope if any luck in running from a wide alley. "

RACE 3: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 TOKYO STAKES NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS) - 1600M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 16:10 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "At the Novice weight conditions, HOT GOLD looks one of the better bets on the day. The Cliff Brown-trained Irish-bred 3YO is getting up to 6kg off some of his dangers on paper and that weight advantage - and obviously his very strong form - has him the only horse to be on. But he will need to be on his game as a horse like the BIG DEE is in fine form and is sure to keep them all honest. Baster rides for Burridge and that combination is going along nicely and the horse is certainly one to follow. COLD SECRET and SEBASTIEN also appeal and should be in the thick of things late."

RACE 4: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 PARIS STAKES CLASS 4 - 1800M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 16:45 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "An even Class 4 affair where SACRED EMBLEM should turn a string of placings into a win. The very consistent horse with Stephen Baster aboard has also drawn a nice gate and should get a nice run in transit. He should get his main competition from the likes of STEADFAST WARRIOR, URBAN DANCER and GREEN JACKET. STEADFAST WARRIOR drops to Class 4 with some reasonable form in the higher classes while URBAN DANCER and GREEN JACKET are both last start winners and obviously in form. Other to consider to consider for the placings are JUST DASHING and PADDY O'REILLY who are both always thereabouts in this class."

RACE 5: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 HONG KONG STAKES NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS) - 1200M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 17:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "Looks like a good betting race with many chances but THE HUSTLER stands out as a good prospect with winning form. Showed much improvement at second start and will be hard to beat with Moreira on board again and jumping from barrier 5. The main danger appears to be THE HUSTLER who has been disappointing since winning his first start. He wasn't too far away last start and a switch to the turf this start may make the winning difference. LUCKY XUAN raced first up and led throughout from barrier 11. Should be fitter for the run and will be figuring in the finish. Others to consider would be the last start winners in SUPER AHEAD and TOUGH RULER."

RACE 6: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 MELBOURNE STAKES CLASS 3 - 1600M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 17:55 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "The proverbial blanket gets a dusting off in this Class 3 mile with any number of horses going well enough and placed well enough to win. In fact the market on the day might tell us a bit more but at this stage a horse like SPECIAL ENCORE is worth a serious look with Joao Moreira up. He has drawn badly in gate 12 but given any luck (he had none whatsoever last start), the Mark Walker-trained gelding can get back into his recent winning ways. But as mentioned most others look as good as winning chance as SPECIAL ENCORE and it might pay to see how the track is playing before looking for value as there should be plenty of that on the day. MARTINCHO CAT went round in Open Company last start so obviously he comes into serious contention back in Class 3 with MATTERHORN every chance to continue his winning ways. Of the rest you can consider TARANKALI is swoopers are having an OK day and JOHN OF ARCH might again sneak out to ridiculous each-way value!"

RACE 7: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 ZURICH STAKES CLASS 2 - 1400M COURSE A (LC) TIME: 18:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$95000

Larry says, "A couple of smart youngsters in MASTHEAD and SPEEDY CAT look ready to show that they have what it takes to go through the grades at Kranji in this Class 2 1400m event. And while both 3YO's are coming off slightly disappointing runs, both can make amends in what looks a very suitable race. SPEEDY CAT - as a $1.20 favourite - probably should have won his last start and all concerned will be hoping the step up to 1400m is what he needs to get back to his winning ways. And although equaling the course record over 1000m on debut, the indications were that the SCARDEE CAT gelding would appreciate more ground and he gets his chance today to stamp himself a genuine open class horse. MASTHEAD came to Singapore with big wraps from Australia and quickly showed he was the real deal with two strong wins. His placing behind MR BIG at start three was probably better than it looked on a rain affected track and I think we can ignore last start in what was a big ask in the Lion City Cup. 1400m also looks a good move and a win would not surprise. But the two 3YO's have plenty of nice horses to beat and you could make a case for most (with special mention to DAVIDE and METEOR MIKE)."

RACE 8: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 LOS ANGELES STAKES OPEN - 1600M COURSE A (SC) TIME: 19:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$125000

Larry says, "Some of these horses would have had one eye on a tilt at the $3 million race later in the card but a winnable race for the likes of THE COMEDIAN seems a very smart move by connections. The top weight has been in very good form - two domestic wins bookmarking a solid Dubai tilt - and looks every chance to continue that excellent run here. But with 59kg I suggest he might struggle late to reel in a horse like FLYING WEST who also comes into this mile with winning form. His last start win was super (to say the least) and with just 53kg in what is a suitable race he might just lead all the way again. His stable mate, JAMAL MALIK, is in solid form and should keep the two honest with 'each-way all the way' the punting mantra for this Shaw runner. There are plenty of others to like - SILVERON WINGS and BLACK ICE to name just two - but for value I will be keeping MITRE PEAK heavily involved in all exotic combinations as his form is better than it reads and might be flying home late at very long odds. "

RACE 9: KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT 2012 GROUP 1 (3+YO) (SET WEIGHTS) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1200M COURSE A (SC) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$1000000

Larry says, "There is no doubt the biggest news heading into this race was on Tuesday when word got out that ROCKET MAN was not going to race. Form guides were revisited with the chance of another local winner very much the topic of the day. BETTER BE THE ONE was the talk at the track - International form, Singapore's pin-up jockey Joao Moreira to ride, second to ROCKET MAN in the domestic Group 1 lead up race - but the widest gate has since rained on that parade. In his favour is local knowledge and the fact that the horse he has to beat, KRYPTON FACTOR, drew to his inside in gate 8. But in KRYPTON FACTOR's favour is his rating - a massive 124 courtesy of some super Dubai form before sensationally beating ROCKET MAN in the Golden Shaheen at his last start. And it might just be a case of 'no Rocket - no worries' for this world class sprinter. Travel is the obvious concern but hard to beat if anywhere near his Dubai best. With travel in mind the other two International may struggle although SECRET ASSET - from the stables of Chapple-Hyam - has drawn gate one and that counts for plenty. INVINCIBLE ASH did well enough in the Al Quox Sprint in Dubai to think he is in OK form but again, travel does cost a yard or two as seen last year when Singapore locals finished in the first five places in this race. Apart from BETTER BE THE ONE the locals that can figure in the finish are the ATO - who will now carry the number one silks for ROCKET MAN's owner, Fred Crabbia, and the 3YO, MR BIG, who has drawn beautifully in gate two and has shown he can be hard to pass with a 1.5kg weight pull in his favour. Oddly, without ROCKET MAN, the race has turned into a very interesting punting affair but KRYPTON FACTOR the one to beat. "

RACE 10: SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP 2012 GROUP 1 (3+YO) (SET WEIGHTS) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 2000M COURSE A (SC) TIME: 20:40 PRIZE MONEY: S$3000000

Larry says, "The $3 million show-piece is upon us and while you could argue it isn't the strongest field ever assembled for the race, it is wide open and that makes for a super interesting Cup. Once again, the warrior WAIKATO leads the local charge in what is his fifth year of competing at this level. The PINS 8YO has been the stalwart of the successful Laurie Laxon stable and when you consider he was placed fourth in the KrisFlyer Sprint in 2008/09 and fourth and equal third in the Singapore Airlines International Cup in 2010 and 2011, a win here would bring the grand-stand down! But while he comes into this with a 2000m win under his belt (his first!); he is up against a very solid group of Internationals who will again make up the majority of the top four placings. And the well-travelled ZAZOU looks the best of them. The 5YO entire comes into this race with some terrific form under his belt that includes two recent wins but more importantly a solid fifth at his last start in the Dubai World Cup. We know that form holds up - GITANO HERNANDO and GLORIA DE CAMPO - and no reason to think that trainer Waldemar Hickst isn't celebrating another Group 1 victory on Sunday night. The Hong Kong runners always put on a good show and THUMBS UP from the Casper Fownes stable looks the pick of the bunch. His form is obviously good but more importantly he has caught the eye at early morning track-work since arriving and if he gets any luck from gate 11, goes very close. CHINCHON is no stranger to Singapore having finished an unlucky fifth in this race last year. The horse and trainer would have learnt plenty from that experience and he looks to have travelled well and a big run would not surprise. Like CHINCHON, the connections of CALIFORNIA MEMORY would have learned from last years run in this race and with the experienced Felix Coetzee taking the ride, he is every chance. Of the other internationals, the filly DREAM PEACE has been working well with stable confidence noted, CITY STYLE looks some hope given his excellent Dubai form and ZAIDAN - the third of the runners from Hong Kong - is in solid form and certainly holds his own. In short it is a very even race, however the locals - bar WAIKATO, may find it too tough with ZAZOU a nice punting option. Good luck."

RACE 11: SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 NEW YORK STAKES CLASS 3 - 1200M COURSE A (SC) TIME: 21:30 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "The lucky last and hopefully the International races have treated us well and we can have a good go at one of the Pat Shaw runners in this. Both DAMO and RUNNING TALL appeal and both can win back in Class 3 company. The toss of the coin went with RUNNING TALL given he had looked very good at his first two Singapore starts before finding it a bit tough last time out in the second leg of the 3YO series. He had a big reputation before arriving from Australia and certainly wins at this level you would think. His stable mate DAMO has blinkers on for the first time and has drawn the paint so he must be respected. He is slightly back in distance but the headgear suggests 1200m is ideal and he should have every chance. Of the rest I think ECLAIR FLYER is the interesting runner given his last two starts have been in better company as well and he was an impressive winner at his Singapore debut prior to that. He has drawn badly but look for market support and a bold run. Plenty of others with super form to pick from - FREEZEMASTER, BRING MORE MONEY, NO RESPITE and SHAOLIN SOLDIER to name just a few with KING EMPIRE the roughie. "

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