An all-Polytrack 10 race card from Singapore on Friday and while the battlers have their usually say at a meeting like this, a Progress and Class 3 sprint make for some very interesting racing in races five and eight respectively.

MASTHEAD – who heads the ratings in the Progress event over 1200m - arrived in Singapore with big wraps after matching with some quality young horses in Australia and showed the hype was justified winning his first two starts at Kranji.

A run against ROCKET MAN put paid to his unbeaten streak in Singapore and while finding the smart SPEEDY CAT too good at his next outing, the effort was good enough to think he wins this given the race conditions see him some 8.5kg better off than his nearest rival.

And while a few keep him honest – VALEVOLE for Pat Shaw, NO RESPITE for Shane Baertschiger and IRISH COFFEE for Steve Burridge – anything but a win would be disappointing for connections.

In the Class 3 sprint over 1200m, CASH DOT COM looks ideally placed to make it back-to-back wins.

His last start win was in a similar Kranji Stakes C affair and the fact that Jose Verenzuela stays on board and he gets to jump from the same gate – one – suggests he can dictate terms and is the one to beat.

But there are a few horses that look perfectly set to show their best today including the Pat Shaw-trained DAMO and the in-form and improving EMBLESSED who is shooting for win number four from his last five starts!

Elsewhere on the card a tricky Restricted Maiden (race 2) is worth a look with some seven newcomers – most of whom have shown something at the trials – taking part.

GOODPACK and SPICY CAT look the best of those having their first run but with just 49.5kg to carry at the WFA conditions, the only 2YO in the race, DRAGON LUCK, is certainly worth a ticket or two.

Best Bets; MASTHEAD (race 5, win), AGENIAS (race 7, win) and ANAVILA (race 3, each-way).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (3) race 8 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9), race 9 (1, 4, 11, 12 and 13) and race 10 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 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 5 - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "An event featuring a large number of speedy horses who have difficulty finishing off their races. If CARNIVAL STAR gets a start he is lengths better than these at his best and can run a strong 1200m, not just struggle over the 1000m like most of the runners. Likewise the other emergency, the gallant LUCKY SUN from his ace draw will be sure to be cutting them down late as fast as his old legs will carry him. Amongst the guaranteed starters, SILVER LEGEND - who took an age to break his maiden status - is in form the 1000m suits and can win again with Barend Vorster on board. LUCKY BANKER is a proven performer running into form and with the advantage of the claim for HK Cheng he should be able to get a sit on the speedsters and be strong in the run home. VANQUISH is another who gets back, but this type of race suits him and with the speed likely to be on from the outset, he will be powering home. Of the speedsters RAPID REWARDS is still a maiden, and regularly gets run down late, once again he is well drawn and with Alan Munro steering should be in the firing line for a very long way. SWITCH DOUBLEMISTY is another maiden with plenty of speed who cannot be discounted. WHYDOYOUASK is well down in the weights and this distance suits, he can go forward or take a sit, and with the in-form Ivaldo Santana on top could find himself in the finish. As with all Class 5’s very few can be ruled out and for the exotics both MIDLIFE CRISIS which can run on and the enigmatic mare JEWEL PRINCESS deserve some consideration."

RACE 2: RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2&3YO) (WFA) - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "The race becomes a lottery with so many first starters up against a few that have shown little. GOODPACK is from the powerful Leslie Khoo stable, he is well bred, has trialed well and Jose Verenzuela has been engaged to ride. The stable is not frightened to back them when they think they have a winning chance so the market should be a good guide. The 2YO DRAGON LUCK has also trialed well, has no weight and is well drawn – it is about this time that the WFA scale starts to tilt in favour of the 2YO's against the older horses. AMERICAN GLADIATOR got caught wide on the turf last start, his previous run on the Poly was sound and if he can get near the lead he should race well. There was plenty of support for SCARLET STAR last start when Moreira rode him, he finished a fair way back but was not disgraced and has trialed subsequently. With KB Soo to steer and the experience under his belt he should race well. Of the others, apart from BREATH OF SUCCESS who has been trying for a while, little is known though SPICY CAT and SECOND WAVE have done enough to elicit some interest on debut."

RACE 3: CLASS 4 - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "Some very consistent Class 4 performers do battle here over the 1000m on the Poly. ANAVILA is not getting any younger but he never runs a bad race in this Class, on the Poly, and over this distance. ZAC HEAVEN smashed them two starts back with Barend Vorster on top and was not disgraced last start with a claiming apprentice. Reverting to Vorster will ensure greater strength in the finish and that may be what is required. PERWIRA is another consistent performer in this Class, his two runs since resuming from a bleeding attack have been sound and he should be ready to show his best. BM WIN is a model of consistency in this Class on the Polytrack; he just cannot seem to win. Opie Bosson and barrier one can change his luck. WHIRLRUNNER is down in the weights, he has been caught wide at his last two starts, from the good barrier he should be able to get cover just behind the speed and run on strongly. Two crocks on the way back, TOP PRIORITY and THAT’S GOLD are just getting back into it after long lay-offs but both have considerable ability when right. All of ACE ARMANDO’s recent form is on turf, but he did win his very first start on the Polytrack and he could surprise."

RACE 4: CLASS 5 (1) - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "The usual tough Class 5 over a mile on the Polytrack with some important gear changes playing a big part in our selections. HIS MY IDOL rocketed home over 1000m last start - his first dropping back to Class 5 - 1600m is much more his caper and he should race very well with blinkers removed for this. His Class 4 form in similar affairs should see him hard to beat. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN is way down in the weights, the blinkers go back on and his only two wins come with the headgear. Shafiq will claim, he is third run up from a spell, likes the distance and surface – he could be the value runner. TERRA FIRMA is a Maiden who has been racing well in this Class, and with Stephen Baster on top from a good alley he should be right in the finish with blinkers on a big move. WINNING SUCCESS raced well over a shorter journey last start and this is much more suitable - Sam Chua is a master in these Class 5’s and with the under-rated and in-form Matt Kellady to steer he should have every chance. The pacifiers go on REDDY TO ROCK, he was trapped wide last start and not disgraced, his previous Polytrack form was very good and he goes well for Jacky Low. As always with Class 5s there are others that could bob up such as DOUBLE DOSE if the pace is very solid and he can run home, ZAC GENERATION who will also run on from a mile back, and MESTI BOLEH who struggles to win but can often be the wild card in the exotics."

RACE 5: PROGRESS (SET WEIGHTS) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 20:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "If ratings mean anything MASTHEAD should win this. He is rated 17 points higher than VALEVOLE the second highest rated horse in the field and meets him at level weights and all the others not much worse. MASTHEAD has been racing against better horses such as SPEEDY CAT and he should be too good, though there is that niggling doubt about him finishing off his races. Pat Shaw has got a strong hand with three runners and if MASTHEAD is vulnerable VALEVOLE is a very good horse with plenty of speed who has won twice on the Polytrack over 1200m. And whilst THE TUDOR is resuming after a long break, HARD STUFF with the blinkers removed is a dangerous performer though 1200m may test him. With likely carnage going on in front early, this could set it up for IRISH COFFEE, who has been running in Group company, but could get a nice sit here and run on strongly. Likewise NO RESPITE will be lurking at the rear and he too has a strong finish - watch at value."

RACE 6: CLASS 5 - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 20:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "We gave a couple of recent Class droppers - SAVILHRO and MAGIC DIVA - winning chances at their respective first runs back in this company but both let us down. In saying that both had tardy starts which looked costly so happy to follow again in what looks a fair Class 5 Poly sprint. SAVILRHO in particular blew his chances at the start from gate one but got home well enough to think he has plenty more to offer. R Shafiq claims 2kg and I expect a positive ride from gate 8 with a podium finish likely. MAGIC DIVA jumped from gate 12 last start and an awkward jump put paid to his hopes on that occasion. Connections will be hoping he gets away better today from the ace draw and if within striking distance come the business end he must be considered a big winning show. Of the rest I think CONQUEROR also appreciates the better gate today and can continue his terrific run of form with KUKAI and SUN ENTERPRISE also major players in what is an interesting Class 5 affair. Keep both emergencies very safe - both can win - if they get a start."

RACE 7: OPEN BENCHMARK 61 - 1800M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 21:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "A small but competitive field but while you can make a winning case for more than a few, AGENAIS looks the one to be on. The David Hill-trained 4YO has been in terrific form in similar affairs and jockey Jose Verenzuela will ride him like a good thing in the small field and a strong win would not surprise. But these small fields can provide some oddly run races and one horse who may benefit is DARING FIGHTER. The NZ-bred 4YO has had issues with tardy starts but might just find himself close enough in the eight horse field to be a winning hope with best work always expected late. Obviously last start winner BAY OF ISLAND has to be respected with Laurie Laxon also having a say with two solid each-way types in THE CINDERELLA MAN and CHIEF SECRETARY."

RACE 8: CLASS 3 - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 21:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "A tricky affair with no real-standouts and most looking some hope for a top three finish. But while I had a second look at a few for the top pick, an easy option is CASH DOT COM who won last start in a similar affair to this. The fact he jumped from gate one on that occasion and has the same luxury in this race suggests Jose Verenzuela will be confident he can led, led well and win. DAMO also appeals with his run when blinkers added last start better than the result. He has won in this grade previously and looks ready to show his best with Greg Cheyne on board. Plenty of others to consider; EMBLESSED has been too impressive winning three of his last four starts not to be included somewhere and while he steps up in Class he does love this surface and has to be respected. FUKU KITARU, MACAU and RUN FOR THE HILLS are also in the winning mix. "

RACE 9: CLASS 5 (2) - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 22:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Unless the emergencies get a run there is not much to get excited about in this race and MERLIN looks the obvious choice. Although disappointing last time out - his first run dropping to Class 5 - his form in better company prior has him winning soon and won't get a better chance than this. The race suits, the field is weak and all things being equal... Of the rest SILENT FAITH ensures a nice pace in the race and could be hard to catch if left to his own devices out front, REVERSE TAKEOVER is in form and goes close with any luck from the bad gate and MY WAY certainly has more to offer than he showed last Friday. As mentioned the two emergencies - OBLIVION and BERT - are serious winning threats if they get a start with OBLIVION likely to give favouritism a push if he runs."

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

Larry says, "Another race with no real stand-out and bar a couple of the lower rated horses, most have an each-way hope. GOOD TOWKAY looks a solid chance with a few things in his favour and and happy to have him on top. Stephen Baster - who won on him four starts back - is back on-board and from a good alley he should be right in this from 'go to whoa'. And with some of the other dangers - AFREIND, KINGTRAP and PERFECT TIME - drawing awkwardly, the nice gate for GOOD TOWKAY looks a winning factor. SUPER AHEAD has blinkers added for the first time and that could count for plenty with Barend Vorster taking the ride. The diminutive South African hoop should ride aggressively from a middle gate and the form suggests he plays a part late. As mentioned AFRIEND has drawn badly but certainly a horse that wins with luck on his day with PERFECT TIME and last start winner, KINGTRAP, also some hope. For the exotics, INDULGE appreciates gate one, FONG SU’s last run a beauty and the emergency, MAN OF SUBSTANCE, not the worst if he gets a start. "

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