Meeting Preview

RACE 5: OPEN MAIDEN (WEIGHT FOR AGE) - 1700M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 14:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "An ordinary group of Maidens contest over 1700m. PEACH BOWL placed at his only poly run and has not been far away at all four Singapore outings; pacifiers and winkers go back on as he steps up in distance and he should be handy throughout for Glen Boss. SPUR ME ON had excuses last start and that effort coupled with the run prior has him under notice. KEY ON KODIAC only battled when resuming but gets Michael Rodd and ran 4th at his only UK run on the all-weather; he placed over this distance before arrival and may be value. GALILEO'S APPROACH improved last start and his recent trial was solid. He should appreciate the poly and the extra distance and has less convictions than most of the others so gets his chance. Some of these have been trying for a while, none more so than ORION who has found it very hard to win placing at 11 of 16 starts and running 5th at his only poly outing; he gets a 2kg claim and another chance to break through. There are numerous other chances with SPEEDY WARRIOR, NINEPINS and CHAIRMAN WIND all having credentials."

RACE 6: INITIATION (4 YEAR OLD AND BELOW) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) (HORSES NOT WON A RACE IN 2YRS PRIOR TO NOMINATION DATE & NOT HAD > 8 STARTS IN SIN / MSIA) - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 15:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "Most of these are unraced or lightly raced so the market will be a good guide. NOVA MISSILE showed speed and fought on well at his debut in good Novice company. Manoel Nunes stays on and from his good alley should be hard to beat on that run. AUTUMN RUSH put a good effort at his Singapore debut and has trialled well since; he gets winkers and from the inside gate should be handy throughout. SNIP had support and put in a good effort last start; he has had a quiet trial since and should be prominent throughout. Of the others THE GOLDEN GOAT had support but was fractious and well back at debut. His trials had been sound and with earmuffs added he could improve. WAR STORY is well related and could show up; watch the market."

RACE 7: KRANJI STAKES A (SET WEIGHTS) - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 15:55 PRIZE MONEY: S$125000

Larry says, "A KSA highlighted by the return of the top poly sprinter, SUPER WINNER. The gelding has to give them all weight but has won 10 from 13 on the poly and is unbeaten at three tries at the trip; the 5YO should be handy throughout and prove hard to beat. The stablemate SEBAS is also resuming and he too has a great poly record but his best trip is 1000m; he will give a strong sight but could be run down late. Pat Shaw also has a pair of runners who should be the main dangers. ROYAL RULER has been freshened by recent trials; he drops 2kg on his last outing in this company and should be handy throughout. The stablemate THE GENERAL hasn't won for a while but rarely runs a bad race in this company and should be prominent. ITALIAN JOB goes well over this distance on the poly and GOOD NEWS will appreciate the strong speed and can close late."

RACE 8: CLASS 5 (2) - 1700M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 16:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "When you consider that only one horse in this weak Class 5 (division 2) field has finished better than fourth at their last start, NOVA POWER picks himself. Yes, it's never that easy but his last start win was full of merit coming from the rear of the field and given his wide draw in this, he may do the same again. He can also race forward so Harry Kassim does have options. Who improves to beat him? ZENZERO could be one to watch on the back of a good last start fourth. More importantly he backed that up with a good trial and gets to jump from gate 1 so he could win. Of the rest that could step up, DRAGON always looks some hope in races like this and QUETZAL is always in the mix but his maiden status is a big concern. LIM'S BATTLE had support last start and had excuses so keep him safe with Duric from gate 5."

RACE 9: COLONIAL CHIEF STAKES (SINGAPORE GROUP 3) (3 YEAR OLD AND UPWARDS) (CONDITION WEIGHT) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1700M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$175000

Larry says, "The last feature of the season and it looks an intriguing race given some bang-in-form horses coupled with a few unknowns. What we do know is INFANTRY went to Korea and was beaten by 38 lengths. He returned to Singapore with his tail between his legs but that didn't stop him winning first-up. That effort stamped him as a horse to be reckoned with and he looks extremely well placed in this with that run under his belt and just 52.5kg. The other last start winner is BEST TOTHELIGN who also won this race last year. It's hard to fault that form and while he has been asked to carry 58kg, he looks up to the task with J Powell to ride from gate 2. The interesting runner is PERFECT P. The Pat Shaw-trained 5YO is resuming but has looked good at the trials and more importantly, won at his only run on the Poly (at Group level). Blanket over the rest with a long look at DANIEL having a rare Poly run."

RACE 10: KRANJI STAKES D (1) (SET WEIGHTS) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$38000

Larry says, "Not a great field and most have poor recent form, so the market might be a handy guide. Of those that have recent form to their name, WHITE COFFEE looks the most solid option. His last win was in Class 5 over 1100m on the Poly and given what he has shown in KSD and more importantly Class 4 Company since that win, he must go very close to winning here with Oscar Chavez up. Nothing jumps off the page to beat him although SWINGLOWSWEETJACKY very much appreciates his first up run and he will be more than competitive in races like this. Add SUN MIRAGE into the mix given his recent solid form although he will need some luck in running after drawing very wide. EXQUISITELY SWEET will be running on late and can win if the race is run to suit and keep the first emergency, BIMALA, safe as he wins without surprising."

RACE 11: CLASS 4 (1) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:05 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "A solid Class 4 sprint and with no real standout, it may be an out-and-out Poly specialist in THUNDER CAT who gets the job done. It's safe to say that the 5YO doesn't enjoy turf racing (although he did place once) so his recent Poly record of three wins, a place and a fourth from his last five starts is outstanding. So we can put a line through his last start tenth and he should go well with O Placais on-board. A lightly raced 4YO in D'GREAT BULLET may be the danger. The Australian bred gelding placed on debut on the Poly before winning over 1400m on the turf at his next start; from gate 1 with E Aslam up, he can win. Two horses that keep them honest are LAKE HUKA and ELUSIVE EMPEROR. Both are in form and both should figure throughout. The second emergency, SIAM SAPPHIRE, wins without surprising if he gets a start and ROCK EAGLE resuming is well worth a market watch."

RACE 12: CLASS 4 - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "The last race of the season and the connections of EFFORTLESS must be kicking themselves to have found such a weak Class 4 field to give them a Christmas bonus. The 4YO has done little wrong in 2016 when winning twice and placing another five times from just eight starts and he obviously had issues for his only poor run given he had a spell straight after. His first up run behind the smart SUPER WARRIOR was full of merit and he is extremely hard to beat in this. In fact only RAINBOW ROYAL looks to have the recent Poly form to beat him. Obviously we have to put a line through his last start as his form prior was very good and goes close if anywhere near his best. Nothing else appeals but GOLDEN TOMAHAWK is usually and each-way hope and LADY IFFRAJ goes OK on her day."

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