Joao Moreira is possibly the most in-form jockey in the world as we speak. 

And while that’s terrific for Joao and his faithful followers, it can - and does - interfere with good old-fashioned form-lines as the Brazilian marvel could ride a broomstick and get the chocolates on a good day. 

His 2012 strike rate is a shade over 32%. 

He has ridden 114 winners this year, 70 more than his nearest rival, Danny Beasley. 

Last weekend he rode 10 winners from 19 rides including the two features. 

To put that weekend haul in perspective, Greg Cheyne is having a good first year riding in Singapore and has 21 winners in total with Barend Vorster fourth on the premiership table with 29 winners. 

So we all agree; the man they call ‘Magic’ is having a good run. 

Not surprising he has a full-book of rides on Friday and all but a couple look strong winning chances (and who would bet against the ‘couple’?). 

Case in point to Moreira defying form is RIO FORTUNE in the lucky last. 

Since May last year, the CAPTAIN RIO 5YO has had 12 or so starts with an average losing margin of some 10 lengths. Moreira rode him once in those twelve starts; beaten under a length in Class 3 Company. 

Back in Class 4 last start he was beaten by some 15 lengths, albeit from a bad barrier. 

Moreira goes back on and he is a winning hope today – same Class, same gate.

 It defies logic and oddly, makes our job picking winners tougher than it should be! 

In saying that – and apologies to other hoops who are all giving their best - a Moreira horse that is in-form and should win on merit is NATURAL NICE (race 5). 

The Laurie Laxon-trained 3YO is as honest as the day is long and looks the horse to beat in the Class 4 SHIN MIN CUP over 1400m.

But Joao will have his work cut out to win both ‘features’ on Friday’s card with EL MILAGRO looking a very good thing in the Class 3 NEW PAPER TROPHY (race 7) . 

The 3YO was unlucky not to win in a similar affair last start and with the combination of blinkers on, John Powell on-board and gate one, should prove hard to beat. 

Best Bets; EL MILAGRO (race 7, win), NATURAL NICE (race 5, win), POSITIVE THINKING/NOTIPNOTIPS (race 4, swinger/exacta). 

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 7 (1), race 8 (1, 2, 3 and 13), race 9 (1, 4 and 5) and race 10 (1, 2, 3 and 7). 

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 (1) - 1200M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A Class 5 over 1200m on turf starts proceedings. Recent Class dropper, FUKU ICHIBAN, is drawn awkwardly but if the Malaysian rider HS Gill can get him across he should give plenty of cheek. If he leads early - which he can - he is hard to beat. KAMAR DANCER has been supported and just missed out on his last two attempts, Joao Moreira should give him every chance on the speed and as a winner at Te Rapa on turf, the surface should hold no fears. HELLOLO has put in improved effort at his past two starts, with Shafiq’s claim he should get a nice sit just off the speed and make his presence felt in the straight. SIR RUMBLE is a seven time winner on turf and while best efforts over 1400m of late, he has drawn the ace with Jackie Low’s claim. He goes best in blinkers and when ridden on the speed, he should get that and may well be the value conveyance. HIS MY IDOL is usually thereabouts, CHEVY is a proven performer in this Class though he may like it longer and JERAM ROSE WOOD and ANIWA could show up."

RACE 2: RESTRICTED MAIDEN (2&3YO) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) - 1400M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 18:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "Another maiden without a great deal of depth or strong form lines. CHINESE TYCOON has had 15 starts without breaking through, but two of his three turf runs have been good including a two- length second to BETTER LIFE. The 1400m should suit, his last run doing it tough was good and with Opie Bosson to steer, he should race well. Michael Clements has 3 runners, the best of which looks to be TIGER TZAR for whom he has engaged Joao Moreira. The horse raced very greenly at his first start and the blinkers have been removed. DARCISTAR was placed over a mile on turf during his last preparation and his first-up run on the Polytrack was meritorious; he should get a nice sit off the speed and run home well. The tongue-tie has been applied to SASSANID and like CHRISTMAS he has done enough at his only two starts to merit respect. YASTRZEMSKI is better than his first run suggested and of the unraced brigade, SUPER VICTORY has trialled well enough to suggest a chance in what is not a strong field and WILKINSON is worth some thought - market good guide on both of those runners. "

RACE 3: OPEN BENCHMARK 61 - 2000M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "These 2000m races with small fields are always very tricky, particularly when trying to predict the way the race will be run. IRO OTOKO has been placed at each of his three attempts at 2000m, Moreira rides him for the first time and is certain to give him every chance. TERRA FIRMA took a fair while to win his maiden but he looks an improving type and the journey should suit. Stephen Baster has ridden him twice for two placings and should have him bowling along near the lead most of the way. While asked to carry the top impost of 58kg, I think the front-running style of MARAETI will hold him in good stead. The company suits and the experience of Danny Beasley will ensure he is well rated out front. GLIMMERING is another who races as if 2000m will suit and Barend Vorster should have him right on the pace. SOLID WOOD is also on trial at the trip but is racing well enough to deserve consideration. THINK AHEAD ran his best race in Singapore last start, as did CARTAGO and IRISH FLASH is a pretty honest one-pacer. "

RACE 4: INITIATION (HORSES THAT HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2 YEARS PRIOR TO NOMINATION DATE & HAVE < 9 STARTS IN SIN/M'SIA) (4YO&BELOW) (WFA) - 1600M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "An extremely ordinary group of horses contest this 1600m Initiation. When Leslie Khoo engages Joao Moreira they rarely miss out and on this occasion NOTIPNOTIPS, with the blinkers applied, looks a strong chance from the good alley. The only issue could be the mile as he weakened over 1400m last start. With this in mind I'm happy to put POSITIVE THINKING on top. The Pat Shaw-trained 3YO battles away well and whilst being a bit one-paced, will have no trouble with the mile and could easily get away with this weak affair. NORTHERN CAT is up to a more suitable distance, he ran a good third two starts back over the mile on the Poly, and he was unplaced at his only run on turf. DESTINY ACTION has been a very disappointing conveyance, he has run his best races when KB Soo has been on top, and that will be the case here. Opie Bosson has hopped on AL-HAMID and he may well improve enough to be competitive. HELLO GOOD BUY had three starts in New Zealand, none at less than a mile, he has had numerous barrier trials and this field is weak enough for him to show up."

RACE 5: SHIN MIN CUP CLASS 4 - 1400M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 20:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "NATURAL NICE is a very consistent 3YO who looks well placed here from the good barrier with Moreira to steer for Laurie Laxon and very hard to beat. No value but a no-brainer. In saying that there are plenty of nice types that keep this interesting. SPYDER is an Argentinean-bred who was well supported last start, he should be improved by the run and the 1400m looks ideal. RAVOUX missed the kick last start and lost all chance, from the good draw Opie Bosson should have him on the pace and he can run a strong 1400m. The lightly raced 4YO, TOP PRIORITY, also looks ready to show his best. His last run was good and is a horse to follow. Likewise PIED PIPER. He remains a maiden but a smart move to Class 4 where he carries no weight almost paid dividends last start. IRISH COFFEE will find 1400m a stretch but usually puts in an honest effort. COLD SECRET’s only win was over 1400m on turf, he has been running over longer distances and this is more suitable. "

RACE 6: CLASS 5 (2) - 1200M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 20:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "This race looks a tricky affair - most Class 5's do these days - and while a couple of last start winners in SACRED PRINCE and JACK THE BULL are obviously in form, a few on the improve are worth following. One of those is SPIDER KING who has had excuses at his last couple and did win three starts back. His saddle slipping has been issue of late (twice) but his runs good enough to think he can win again with blinkers back on. APACHE JUNCTION is another who should improve with a run under his belt this campaign. He is usually seen on the Polytrack but has turf form and from gate three could give a very good account of himself at value. As mentioned, SACRED PRINCE picks himself winning two out of his last three starts over this trip/surface with the only concern being the work he may have to early from the wide gate. Of the rest, LUCKY SUN continues to show form and some rain about on the day would give him a good show at start 114 with PERFECT KID and ZAC COMMAND also in the mix."

RACE 7: THE NEW PAPER TROPHY CLASS 3 - 1200M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 21:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "EL MILAGRO showed last start why he wins sooner than later in this company and its hard not to think it's sooner as this race looks suitable. His runs in the 3YO series behind SUPER EASY were solid to say the least and with four wins from just 10 starts already to his name, the RED DAZZLER 3YO is a horse that should go through the grades. The fact his four wins have been on the Polytrack might have him start at better than even money and that would certainly be a bonus on what we saw last start with blinkers back on for this and gate one in his favour. We might look for value for the placings with FUKU KITARU usually thereabouts at back-able odds and a horse like RUSH likely to be the big improver and not the silliest chance on best form. LUCK XUAN found it tough last start in a similar affair (with heavy support) but all concerned should have learnt from the run and with Moreira on-board, he will come in for some support again. RISING EXPECTATION, COUNTRY CLUB, TEEN ANGEL and the newcomer, OTHELLO also worth some thought in exotics. But EL MILAGRO very hard to beat."

RACE 8: CLASS 5 - 2000M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 21:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "This race could get ugly. Close to half the field, including likely favourite, ATIAMURI, were well beaten behind TERRA FIRMA last start and the question is will that form hold up against some nice enough types at the top of the ratings. The top three rated horses - ALVITO, APRIL'S KNIGHT and MY FIELD also have claimers on-board and happy to think the winner comes from one of those three. ALVITO was in super form last campaign and his first up run good enough to think he is flying late here and hard to hold out for regular hoop, 'Jet' Li. Likewise APRIL'S KNIGHT is in fine form in similar affairs and WX WONG will ride a very positive race on the JOHAR gelding and looks a very solid each-way option. MY FIELD won last time he raced in Class 5 - that's significant - and doesn't have to improve much on recent form in better company against most in this field. Obviously ATIAMURI gets support with Moreira on-board and coming off a placing and I LIKE - second in that same race - also appeals and is certainly racing in honest form of late. It will also pay to keep both emergencies safe if they get a start and URBAN LEGEND the value for the skinny end of the exotics."

RACE 9: CLASS 4 (2) - 1200M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 22:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "Apart from DEN, most of these horses come into this race with question marks on their respective last starts. With this in mind and thinking (hoping) DEN has ‘gone to the well’ too many times this campaign, the newcomer, KINGRACER, can win at his Singapore debut. The former Argentinean trialed very well and when you consider his trainer has already tasted success with another Argentinean-bred in GOOD LOOUKEN, he goes very close. As mentioned most others are coming off relatively poor runs but in saying that, KALLISAN did race in higher company and will appreciate what looks a suitable race and moderate Class 4 field. Opie Bosson takes the ride for Stephen Gray and from the good draw should get a gun run handy and prove hard to beat. Likewise, SCARED EMBLEM is coming off a poor run but that was over 1800m and given the VOLKSRAAD gelding rarely runs a bad race - one win and nine places from 14 starts in Singapore testament to that - he should bounce back and goes close. Throw in DEN and THE BIG DEE fresh for exotics."

RACE 10: CLASS 4 (1) - 1200M COURSE D (SC) TIME: 22:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "Although the form looks ordinary for RIO FORTUNE, the obvious fact that his only decent run of late was with Joao Moreira on-board suggests he can improve and win the lucky last. And this grade does look suitable so while he didn't do a lot in Class 4 last start, his close up placing behind SHAOLIN SOLDIER in a BM74 fours start back easily good enough to win this. And there is question marks over most of these so why not take a punt a on a Moreira mount? Case in point is TOUGH RULER who basically took no part after blowing the start last time out but happy to think that was an anomaly and he is ready to show his best here. And given he scored a gutsy win on debut followed by a good run with excuses at his next start, an improved run here would not surprise. The newcomer ROYAL COFFEE also comes into consideration in what is (like the previous race) just a moderate Class 4 field with the tote a good guide. Throw in last start winner, LUCKY DIAMOND and HOOPER - both should go well with MY PREROGATIVE the long-shot hope for exotics."

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