After a well-earned (and rare) week off, racing is back at Kranji with what looks a tough ten race card. 

And while Maidens and Class 5’s dominate the mixed surface meeting, a couple of up-and-coming stars make race 3 well worth the admission price. 

In fact the Graduation event over 1000m on the Polytrack looks a match race between two last start winners in EMERALD HILL and SPEEDY AHEAD. 

EMERALD HILL – who arrived in Singapore with one unplaced run under his belt from the US – won by a lazy six lengths at his Kranji debut as the odds-on favourite and that effort has him stamped as a horse to follow through the grades. 

Likewise SPEEDY AHEAD bolted in at his race debut and the fact he started that day at the super shorts odds of $1.20 suggests the stable think plenty of this promising 3YO. 

On form it looks a race in two and a if you have trouble splitting the pair, an ‘exacta’ might be one of the better bets of the day. 

Some handy 2YO’s go round in race 4 with most looking at securing a start in the Juvenile Championship next month. 

Although five horses will be having their first start in this 2YO only maiden, two horses that ran on strongly in the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe two weeks back should figure heavily in this finish. 

HOGWARTS EXPRESS and GOLDEN PRINCE both showed plenty that day and both can win this and go on with the job on those similar eye-catching efforts.  

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

Best Bets; DECOUPER (race 1, each-way), WHITE COFFEE (race 8, each-way) and EMERALD HILL/SPEEDY AHEAD (race 3, exacta).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (1, 2, 3 and 13) race 8 (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13 and 14), race 9 (7, 8 and 9) and race 10 (1, 3, 13 and 14).

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 5 - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A couple of significant Class droppers - DECOUPER and CARNIVAL STAR - make this race interesting and both can play a part although drawing badly. DECOUPER in particular showed more than enough last start to think he is ready to show his best and can win with the experienced Greg Cheyne on board definitely in his favour. The trip and track suits - his two wins were over 1000m and 1100m on the Poly - and given a positive ride he goes mighty close at hopefully each-way value. CARNIVAL STAR was competitive in Class 4 but the drop in grade in obviously what he needs to get back into the winners circle and a big run is also expected. But the two Class droppers will need to show their best as the Class 5 field is competitive with the likes of SPEEDY PHIL, WONDER GENERAL and WINNING DAN ensuring an honest race with the maiden, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, also one to watch on his good form from last campaign coupled with a slick recent trial - watch the tote."

RACE 2: RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2&3YO) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) (1) - 1400M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "A very even maiden with many of the main hopes having their first crack at 1400m. And while KTRONIC, PIED PIPER and SHIN GOONG - to name just three - are in form and should more than handle the trip, I like the fact COUP DA VINCI has experience over the journey and certainly showed enough last start when blinkers added to win this. He has drawn wide but expect an aggressive ride early from Barend Vorster and the Mark Walker trained 3YO looks a very solid winning hope. But as mentioned there are plenty of others with form that suggests they can win this. KTRONIC is certainly due, PIED PIPER will very much appreciate the 1400m, SHIN GOONG is ready to win and THE GREAT GREY just needs luck to show his best (and being by BRADBURY'S LUCK he might just get that). "

RACE 3: GRADUATION (SET WEIGHTS) - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "A race in two with EMERALD HILL and SPEEDY AHEAD the only horses to consider. Both won with a proverbial 'leg in the air' at their respective Singapore race debuts and both had heavy support on good trial form. EMERALD HILL - an American bred 3YO - won by six lengths in 'open' maiden company and while he didn't beat much his good time suggests he has plenty to offer in this company. But the same can be said for SPEEDY AHEAD - a dominate win in Restricted Maiden company - and the fact he went off as the $1.20 favourite suggests the stable rates him highly and a horse to follow. Expect heavy support for both horses again with a forecast or exacta bet looking a very solid option."

RACE 4: OPEN (2YO) (CONDITION WEIGHT) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1200M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "HOGWARTS EXPRESS flew home in the Golden Horseshoe and was unlucky not to win, she had good form including a Group placing in New Zealand, and if she has backed up from her first Singapore run and can cope with the weight rise she should be the hardest to beat. GOLDEN PRINCE also ran a nice race in the Golden Horseshoe, his previous form was sound and he is relatively well in at the weights vis-à-vis the filly. KEEPING THE FAITH has plenty of toe, and was well supported at its initial outing, the tongue tie goes on and he could improve sharply as could OASIS SPUR who raced very wide at his only start but has Oscar Chavez and a good barrier this time. CHINA ROULETTE has some speed and SAMURAI BRIGHT, SPACEMAN and ARMADILLO have done enough at the trials to warrant consideration in the exotics at least."

RACE 5: RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2&3YO) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) (2) - 1400M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "The second of the Restricted Maiden events over 1400m and again a field with many strong winning hopes head to the starter. And while there doesn't look much between the top four or five chances, I like the fact that GOLDEN DOMINATOR has drawn a good gate and that could be the winning difference. The HANDSOME RANSOM 3YO has done it tough of late from awkward draws and Jose Verenzuela will be hoping he can he handier from gate 3 and he will certainly be doing best work late with 1400m looking ideal. Conversely MUSKETEER, has gate 13 to contend with but has certainly shown more than enough in his short career to think he wins sooner than later. The Japanese-bred 3YO has only found one better at his last three starts and Greg Cheyne will know he will have plenty left in the tank late and with luck in running has strong winning claims. Of the others, SELECT GATHERING and FLYING AHEAD both have the form on the board to think they play a big part in this race with RED RIVER ROCK - significantly the only 2YO in this race and thus only 48.5kg to carry - a serious threat. "

RACE 6: CLASS 5 (1) - 1400M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "The usual Class 5 with plenty of chances. PERFECT KID is a Leslie Khoo class dropper who has form on turf over this trip and has been racing competitively in higher class. He should be able to get a sit off the pace and run home strongly. SECARA is an on-speed horse, well drawn who just missed out last time - with KB Soo steering he should be prominent all the way. ENZO also likes to get on the pace but he is drawn wide, if he can get across he is a consistent type who fights on well. ROMAN EMPIRE has not been far way at recent starts and will be running on, as will SILENT POWER who was badly held up last start and that run can be forgotten. DANNY BOY has been racing consistently, and whilst 1400m looks too short for the very honest ALVITO, he could surprise whilst fresh."

RACE 7: MAIDEN - 1200M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "An ordinary Maiden. Apart from the top three the rest are either disappointing or have little in the way of revealed form. DESTINY ACTION showed promise as a younger horse, and although disappointing at his last outing, this field is not strong and he gets his chance to make amends. FLY NOW has run two reasonable races at his only starts, with the blinkers on he should be ready to show his wares. TENUPONTEN is resuming but has been running competitively in much better class – despite his bad draw he should be right in it. Of the remainder, FIRTH and ALL FORUS fall into the heavily supported and deeply disappointing class, but as the say, “where there is smoke there is fire”, and both AFTERNOON DELIGHT and SPANISH TRAIN have run decent races in the not too distant past which would give them some chance in what is a weak race. "

RACE 8: OPEN BENCHMARK 74 - 1400M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "A very tough affair with plenty of strong form to follow including four last start winners - DEEP POCKETS, TOM, RAVOUX and ALWAYS HAPPY. Of the four I think TOM has enough upside as a 3YO to think he more than handles the tougher company and a horse worth following. TH Koh's 2kg claim and gate two are in his favour and another win would not surprise. But the race is very open and I think a horse like WHITE COFFEE might be each-way value and every chance in what looks a suitable race. John Powell takes the ride for Michael Freedman and considering the LONHRO 4YO didn't appreciate the going last start, his effort was very good and a big run here is on the cards. GREAT LIGHT is in terrific form and picks himself in the top three chances and DEEP POCKETS will keep them all honest late in what could be a very busy finish."

RACE 9: CLASS 5 (2) - 1400M COURSE B (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 22:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "The Class 5 Division 2 races are always a challenge and this is no exception. GOOD DAY has never won on the turf but gets his best chance in this weak field. His form suggests he is due to add to his five career win tally and he will certainly be doing his best work late. TRIPLE GOALS is a very average conveyance who has been backed and beaten on numerous occasions but he is well drawn and suited by the surface and distance. MONGOLIAN STAR is drawn out wide but if Danny Beasley can get him across or find cover he could be very strong in the run home. NOBLE KNIGHT has a lot of “duck eggs” next to his name but he changed stables recently and his last run was over an unsuitable distance, the 1400m is much more up his alley, and with John Powell to ride he could be running on strongly. WAR CRUSADER is a Maiden but his best efforts have been on turf over 1400m, he is awkwardly drawn and will need some luck but has enough ability to figure in the placings. CHAN’S ELECTRA has early speed and if he can get a soft lead could be hard to run down with TIEN CHAI some hope."

RACE 10: CLASS 4 - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 22:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "A bunch of Class 4 speedsters over 1100m to finish up the night on the Poly. A lot depends on whether the emergencies ANAVILA and BM WIN get a start, both are consistent performers who always race well over this distance on this surface. Of the guaranteed starters both IRISH LIGHTNING and DANZIG ROCKET possess a ton of speed but their preference is for 1000m, not 1100m. Others that will be charging forward are GERMAN ROULETTE and the maiden SCHOLAR. This could well set it up for WILLIAMS and BRIAN who should get nice sits at the back of the pace. Others who could figure in that scenario are STANZOUT and PROBO CHANDROSO. SHEN KIM is up in Class but has won his last two and winning form cannot be discounted. "

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