First and foremost, let’s hope young Nathan Berry has a swift recovery from what has been diagnosed as a nasty case of viral encephalitis.
But while the gun hoop would be happy to be in good hands at the Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore, he might just be watching on with some regret as two of his mounts - TROPAIOS at Kranji and UNENCUMBERED at Rosehill - win Group races this weekend.
While our Sydney form is scratchy at best, in Singapore on Sunday, TROPAIOS looks a good thing in the Marsiling Classic Stakes - a Group 3 event over 1800m on the Polytrack (race 9).
The Gold Cup winner - when ridden by Nathan’s brother, Tommy - showed first-up over the mile that he has plenty more to offer in 2014 and given the race conditions, he looks perfectly placed to win with 58kg.
Two horses that also look well-placed at the race conditions and have shown in the Derby and the Gold Cup they can more than match it with TROPAIOS at the elite level are WILD GEESE and MUSKETEER.
WILD GEESE doesn’t win as often as he probably should but certainly plays a part with some good recent Poly form a bonus as is the 54kg.
Both horses will be thereabouts come the business end with DON PLATENSE also looking sharp on the training track so worth a look at odds as is GOLIATH, who easily has the best polytrack record in the field.
Elsewhere on the card, HOLY EMPIRE looks to found a very winnable race (10) to continue his terrific start to what should be a profitable career in Singapore with WONDERFUL PRINCE - who arrived as a raced maiden from country Victoria - also looking very hard to beat in the lucky last.
Best Bets; TROPAIOS (race 10, win), HOLY WARRIOR (race 10, win) and WONDERFUL PRINCE (race 11, win).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (Field), race 9 (1, 3, 5, 6 and 7), race 10 (1), race 11 (12).
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 8: CLASS 5 (2) (CLAIMING RIDERS ONLY) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 16:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000
Larry says, "The Class 5 Division 2 raffle got even harder for punters after being declared a "claimers only" affair. So while there are many hopes, the only last start winner - ZAC DESTROYER - looks as good as place to start as any. A four-time winner, ZAC DESTROYER just got the chocolates under Harry Kassim over 1100m at his last start but no reason to think Zuriman can't get the best out of him and 1200m is ideal. You could make a case for plenty of others though and BUZET showed last start he is versatile enough to consider over this trip in a weak field and likewise QUALITASE who, while also better over longer, gets Harry Kassim. The interesting runner is WONDER GENERAL who has been disappointing of late but whose last win was over this trip with this jockey when blinkers were removed so the moons have aligned for the Poly specialist. HELLOLO and MR BEAN the other two that could win without surprising."
No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
Selections - 9, 1, 4 |
1 |
***4* |
Buzet |
|
|
App Lq Kek-4 |
D Hill |
1 |
34 |
57.0 |
8.00 |
Finished close enough start to seriously consider in this field. |
2 |
9570* |
Diamond Flyer |
|
|
App P Dellorto-4 |
B Dean |
2 |
34 |
57.0 |
33 |
Struggles as a rule. |
3 |
07000 |
Double S |
|
|
M Ewe-1 |
S Chua |
4 |
32 |
56.0 |
33 |
Has been struggling of late but the type that can surprise. |
4 |
88854 |
Qualitase |
|
|
App K A'isisuhairi-1 |
S Chua |
8 |
31 |
55.5 |
3.50 |
Went close last start in similar affair and looks a leading hope. |
5 |
6*299 |
Mr Bean |
|
|
App T See-3 |
M Walker |
3 |
29 |
54.5 |
5.00 |
Excuses last couple and worth thought on good effort similar affair three starts back. |
6 |
*64*4 |
Hellolo |
|
|
App R Shafiq-1 |
M Walker |
10 |
28 |
54.0 |
6.00 |
Will be in this for a very long way. |
7 |
87796 |
Triple A Plus |
|
|
Th Koh-2 |
H Takaoka |
11 |
27 |
53.5 |
33 |
Not a mile away last couple but still needs to improve. |
8 |
46*96 |
Wonder General |
|
|
M Zaki-1 |
D Kok |
9 |
27 |
53.5 |
16 |
Blinkers off and while form just fair but last win was this type of race with same hoop and head-gear removed. |
9 |
0*951 |
Zac Star Destroyer |
|
|
App Z Zuriman-2 |
M Walker |
5 |
27 |
53.5 |
3.00 |
Hard to fault winning form at this level and pay to follow. |
10 |
9088* |
Urban Legend |
|
|
M Suhaimi-1 |
Rb Marsh |
7 |
23 |
51.5 |
50 |
Struggles but this does look an easier race. |
11 |
07079 |
Chinese Tycoon |
|
|
App J See-3 |
S Chua |
6 |
22 |
51.0 |
50 |
No. |
RACE 9: MARSILING CLASSIC STAKES (SG3) (3+YO) (CONDITION WEIGHT) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1800M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$150000
Larry says, "TROPAIOS showed no Gold Cup hangover whatsoever with a slashing placing over a mile in February. The 5YO will be aiming for bigger and better things in 2014 and a tilt at the Singapore Airlines Cup in May is certainly on his agenda. But his rating of 96 looks low given he also placed in the Derby in July and he will have to win a race or two to guarantee a spot in the international field. And one of those wins should be in this race. He looks a monty at the race conditions and while never racing on the Polytrack before, he should handle the surface with heavy support likely. His main threats at the weights looks to be WILD GEESE who looks well placed with just 54kg and MUSKETEER who also looks well placed with 55kg as he more than handles the company. Of the rest, DON PLATENSE and the Poly specialist GOLIATH, both trialed very well recently and they should both keep the top few picks honest."
No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
Selections - 1, 7, 6 |
1 |
32213 |
Tropaios |
|
|
D Flores |
M Freedman |
4 |
96 |
58.0 |
2.50 |
First race start on the Poly but returned to racing in fine-form over the mile and hard to beat. |
2 |
50956 |
Cannon Hill |
|
|
D Beasley |
P Shaw |
3 |
75 |
57.0 |
50 |
Not at his best of late and should struggle at the race conditions. |
3 |
05213 |
Don Platense |
|
|
M Nunes |
M Clements |
1 |
74 |
57.0 |
8.00 |
Tough ask at the weights but backed up good first-up run with a strong trial so should be competitive. |
4 |
41651 |
Bowie Knife |
|
|
App R Shafiq |
H Takaoka |
8 |
65 |
57.0 |
50 |
Outclassed. |
5 |
2715* |
Goliath |
|
|
Cw Brown |
S Burridge |
2 |
86 |
56.0 |
4.00 |
Has an excellent Poly record and recent trial strong. Keep them honest. |
6 |
11034 |
Musketeer |
|
|
A Munro |
H Takaoka |
5 |
83 |
55.0 |
4.00 |
Not seen often on the Poly but certainly good enough to play a part in this finish. |
7 |
51515 |
Wild Geese |
|
|
App K A'isisuhairi |
S Burridge |
7 |
96 |
54.0 |
5.00 |
In best at the race conditions and handles the surface so must be a shout. |
8 |
21618 |
Silver And Gold |
|
|
I Santana |
L Dragon |
6 |
63 |
53.0 |
50 |
Outclassed. |
RACE 10: OPEN BENCHMARK 83 - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$95000
Larry says, "HOLY WARRIOR has certainly made an impression at two starts in Singapore and while finding DAMO was having a good day when beaten last start over the mile, this looks perfect to knock in another early win in his Singapore career. The Holy Roman Emperor 4YO surprised a few by winning first-up over 1200m as he will improve over more ground with connections obviously having the Emirates Derby in July over 2000m as his main aim. So while a bit disappointing not to have wound-in DAMO over the mile at start two, this Poly mile looks perfect and no excuses in a race he should really win on ability. Two that will keep him honest - and are winning chances in their own right - are FUJIN BRIGHT and LISTEN. FUJIN BRGHT is gunning for five wins straight - that's no mean feat - and while he will need to be on his toes dropping back to the mile, he has won over the trip and surface. LISTEN always gives a good account of himself and will be forward throughout."
No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
Selections - 1, 2, 5 |
1 |
12 |
Holy Warrior |
|
|
M Nunes |
M Freedman |
1 |
77 |
57.0 |
2.00 |
Certainly lost no friends when finishing second over this trip last start and hard to toss from the ace. |
2 |
81111 |
Fujin Bright |
|
|
A Munro |
H Takaoka |
5 |
75 |
56.0 |
4.00 |
Drops back to the distance and track where he started his winning streak. Respect. |
3 |
53578 |
Greenstone |
|
|
D Beasley |
P Shaw |
3 |
73 |
55.0 |
20 |
Not at his very best of late but trip suits. |
4 |
*1133 |
Coronet Peak |
|
|
Cw Brown |
D Hill |
4 |
71 |
54.0 |
6.00 |
Continues to race in top form and step up to mile no problem. Keep safe. |
5 |
43823 |
Listen |
|
|
I Santana |
D Kok |
2 |
69 |
53.0 |
6.00 |
Blinkers removed and races like the mile will suit. |
6 |
24139 |
Smart Idea |
|
|
App Z Zuriman-2 |
Rb Marsh |
6 |
63 |
50.0 |
6.00 |
Never looked comfortable last start but worth another look back to the mile. |
RACE 11: CLASS 4 - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:05 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000
Larry says, "WONDERFUL PRINCE arrived in Singapore as a raced maiden but rest assured, he leaves with what should be a very good career under his belt. Unplaced but not disgraced at two starts in Geelong (Victoria, Australia), WONDERFUL PRINCE bolted-in in KSD company at his Singapore debut and after putting in a super gallop at a recent trial, he could be very hard to beat. This is tougher but he could be one out-of-the-proverbial-box. If you want to risk the likely short-priced favourite, there looks to be plenty of each-way options with SMART SAMURAI showing plenty late at his most recent run and SUPER SPUR having excuses last start (saddle slipped) with his previous form more than up to this type of race. The two last start winners - FAT BOBO and XIN TREASURE - have to be considered and GOLDEN MISSION did look due."
No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
Selections - 12, 9, 3 |
1 |
8523 |
Taffetas |
|
|
App Z Zuriman-2 |
Rb Marsh |
12 |
61 |
57.0 |
12 |
Former Malaysian who has trailed OK since relocating and should show something late. |
2 |
17004 |
Select Gathering |
|
|
Cw Brown |
M Walker |
10 |
60 |
56.5 |
20 |
Battled on OK last start this grade and worth thought in exotics. |
3 |
13228 |
Super Spur |
|
|
R Lim |
D Kok |
5 |
60 |
56.5 |
13 |
Saddle slipped last start and worth a serious look in form prior. |
4 |
01693 |
Don Inaki |
|
|
V Leal |
P Shaw |
8 |
59 |
56.0 |
10 |
Always some hope in races like this. Each way. |
5 |
*3379 |
Gilt Lad |
|
|
App K A'isisuhairi-1 |
S Burridge |
11 |
59 |
56.0 |
20 |
Has issues but goes good enough to win if right. |
6 |
22269 |
Golden Mission |
|
|
I Santana |
M Clements |
6 |
59 |
56.0 |
6.00 |
Disappointing with support last start but did look due prior. |
7 |
32651 |
Xin Treasure |
|
|
I Saifudin |
D Koh |
1 |
59 |
56.0 |
6.00 |
Turned some solid form into a nice win and pay to follow although this is tougher. |
8 |
07871 |
Fat Bobo |
|
|
J Powell |
L Dragon |
9 |
58 |
55.5 |
12 |
Backed up surprise last start win with a strong trial and pay to follow. |
9 |
52585 |
Smart Samurai |
|
|
App R Shafiq-1 |
C Brown |
3 |
58 |
55.5 |
10 |
Eye-catching effort late last start and plays a part in this finish. |
10 |
11539 |
Spinning Success |
|
|
D Flores |
M Clements |
7 |
57 |
55.0 |
33 |
Form OK but better over longer. |
11 |
68475 |
To Be Remembered |
|
|
D Beasley |
L Laxon |
13 |
57 |
55.0 |
30 |
Worked home nicely yet again last start and could pinch one at odds. |
12 |
1 |
Wonderful Prince |
|
|
M Nunes |
D Koh |
4 |
57 |
55.0 |
3.00 |
Won too well at Singapore debut not to be a huge show here with strong recent trial a factor. |
13 |
48007 |
Pacino |
E1 |
|
App R Rueven-3 |
L Laxon |
2 |
55 |
54.0 |
33 |
Last start better but still needs to lift. |
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
|