Meeting Preview

It’s safe to say that NOVA SWISS “goes OK”.

After showing plenty of promise in New Zealand as a 2YO - which included a couple of cracks at Group level - NOVA SWISS arrived with some hype but it is what he has shown at his four starts in Singapore as a 3YO that has him earmarked for very big things.

Nothing has come within three lengths of beating him at those four victories, including trouncing his rivals over 1200m on the Poly in BM83 Company last start.

The son of Swiss Ace drops back in trip today (race 5) but given he has been freshened with a very nice trial and his three previous wins were all over 1000m, it does look a case of who runs second.

In saying that, SEBAS has pace to burn and has a very strong record over the 1000m where he has knocked in seven of his eight wins.

And the wildcard is SPEEDY DRAGON who resumes after blitzing is rivals by more than six lengths back in June last year.

That was the American-bred geldings sixth win from only 13 career starts suggesting he has plenty more to offer in feature races later in the year.

A terrific Poly sprint but you have a feeling NOVA SWISS might be better than them all.

Best Bets: (NOVA SWISS race 5, win), (MONTAIGNE race 10, each-way) and (SPIRIT SEVEN race 7, value).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 4, 5, 6 and 7), race 9 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 11) and race 11 (1, 3, 4 and 5).

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 5: OPEN BENCHMARK 97 - 1000M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 14:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$100000

Larry says, "A strong BM97 sees NOVA SWISS try to maintain his unbeaten run in Singapore. The 3YO's recent trial was very good and whilst up in grade he looks a high quality sprinter and will be prominent from the good gate. The benchmark may be SEBAS who has a great record at this trip having won seven times and will again be hard to run down. If they go too hard in front, SPEEDY DRAGON bolted in last start. He had a spell after that race but has trialled very well recently and, while this is harder, with only 52.5kg he should be running on late. Of the others, THE GENERAL would prefer 1200m but rarely runs a bad race and will be prominent. VIVVIANO is similar; he too would prefer 1200m but won a BM89 last start and should be running on."

RACE 6: CLASS 5 (2) - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 15:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A battlers Class 5 where most find it very difficult to win. THINK PRETTY is still a Maiden but she has placed at her past two outings and should be prominent throughout. MR BLOSSOM improved at his most recent trial after pulling up not striding freely when resuming. He has won twice in this grade and can improve with a shadow roll added. I-SCREAM NOW has only won once in 40 starts but was not far away at recent outings and can improve for Michael Rodd. Most of the others are long-term losers but LION WAVE has some speed and could show up for Manoel Nunes while SECONDWAVE's only win was on turf but his recent trial was sound and he battled away over this trip at most recent start, he could run on. GOOD BET placed two starts back when he led, he could give a sight."

RACE 7: CLASS 5 - 1700M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 15:55 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Yet another Class 5, but this one with much more depth over 1700m. SPIRIT SEVEN's only win was this class, surface and distance and he will find this much easier than recent outings in Class 4 and higher. MR CONNERY's only wins have been at a mile but is rarely far away on poly; he should be prominent throughout. CLUTHA LAD has won three times at this trip up to Class 3 and placed last start; he should be handy throughout. HAPPY SAGA is suited in this class; he steps up to 1700m but should get a good run throughout. MONEY KING is a Class 5 journeyman suited this class surface and distance, he will be running on. CARNELIAN and SPEEDY WARRIOR fought out a Maiden over this trip two starts back with CARNELIAN victorious; they can show up again. In a race with plenty of chances, GREAT WARRIOR steps back up to a suitable distance after two sprint outings, he can show up."

RACE 8: CLASS 5 - 1200M COURSE D (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 16:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "An ugly affair and it will pay to play with care and go very wide in any exotics bets. Nothing jumps off the page to win although a couple of maidens in JOY AND HAPPY and TURQUOISE SON get their chance. JOY AND HAPPY in particular had excuses last start (saddle slipped) and has looked due on some recent form. TURQUOISE SUN has also looked due and happy to think this race is weak enough to get a result with Munro up. Of the rest, ROSEGOLD is back in trip but is fresh and could be better than most here. In fact he probably gets the support from punters and could be the one to beat. FAST JET is hard to follow but goes well enough on his day to consider while GENIUS looks hopeless on form but a recent trial suggests he can improve at long odds with blinkers added."

RACE 9: CLASS 4 - 1800M COURSE D (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 17:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "What a race. While it might be only Class 4, you would imagine the form from this race will hold up in some staying features later this year including the Singapore Derby for at least four - PENTAGON, CERTAINLY, BILLY MOJO and ARR FLAIR - of the 4YO's in the field. But as it stands they are up against a some good older horses in form and LIM'S ELUSIVE could be hardest to beat. The NZ-bred gelding had all sorts of excuses last start and wins this with any luck in running. Likewise, DUKE OF NORMANDY had plenty of excuses last start and very much appreciates the step up to 1800m and who knows, he may race handier from the wide gate. GLORIOUS PROSPECT and CITY OF KIRKWALL (who also had excuses last start) both win without surprising and keep a couple of others safe as well. Tough race!"

RACE 10: CLASS 4 - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "Plenty of winning hopes in this Poly sprint but happy to think MONTAIGNE can back up a very good Singapore debut and win. The former Kiwi had big support on the back on a very strong trial on that occasion and had excuses not to win. Obviously the Poly is not a problem on his trial form and he can win this. But as mentioned there are many horses that can win this including LIM'S BULLET at the top of the ratings. The 5YO gets a very handy 3kg claim and his form suggests he wins one of these sooner than later. Last start winners RED ANT and MISS WAIMATAITAI are right in this on form and RUSTY BROWN and RICH FORTUNE are always a show on the Poly."

RACE 11: CLASS 4 (2) - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:05 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "Tactics and luck in running will play a big part in the lucky last and while LOUEY VELOCE looks the benchmark, a promising 3YO in MACARTHUR might be the one to beat. Yes, he has drawn wide but he does find himself in the right grade and should find the Poly to his liking. In his favour - and this is where the luck becomes a factor - is the that the likes of EFFORTLESS and FINE CHOICE have also drawn wide so hopefully the trio will press forward early to find a position and Michael Rodd on MACARTHUR can get a nice sit. But as mentioned, LOUEY VELOCE from gate 2 looks the benchmark. The 6YO is honest as well but doesn't win out of turn - he has only won once from 17 starts in Singapore - which is a concern. Plenty of value about in the lower rated horses so go wide in 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