The annual Canada Cup might not have Group status but it’s a feature in it’s own right and the 2017 edition is a beauty with the return to racing of 2016 Singapore Horse of the Year, DEBT COLLECTOR.

After breaking his maiden status in November 2015, the 4YO New Zealand-bred gelding took all before in 2016 when he strung together six straight wins which included five at Group level.

He is the best horse in Singapore with an International campaign on his short-term agenda and it would be foolish to think anyone beats him first-up over 1400m at Kranji Stakes A conditions.

Who runs second?

That’s probably a tad harsh given the quality of the field but connections of LAUGHING GRAVY - fresh after a solid Gold Cup campaign - would be more than happy with an eye-catching placing as would the teams associated with the progressive MAGNUM and the honest KIRKS RYKER.

QUECHUA deserves a mention - he has the same rating as DEBT COLLECTOR – but it will be all eye’s on the reigning Horse of the Year and where to from here.

Dubai perhaps?

Best Bets: (LIM’S ARCHER race 6 win), (DEBT COLLECTOR race 7, win) and (FOREVER YOUNG race 8, each-way).

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

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: SINGAPORE-CANADA FRIENDSHIP STAKES CLASS 5 (1) - 1400M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Truth be told there are plenty of winning chances in this race but only because nothing looks like winning. Confused? So are we but given nothing comes off a "get on me next time" run or even a minor placing, it is a raffle. So much so a maiden who has yet to place in some seven starts could figure heavily in this Company. KEY ON KODIAC has shown fleeting glimpses in maiden races and may grow a leg at his first start in Class 5. Q NINE MAGIC was disappointing last start in a similar affair but his form previously over 1400m in Class 5 has him under notice. The experienced G Mosse looks a good booking and he should race well. Of the rest, an 11YO in COOL CAT looks as good as chance as any while PERFECT CHALLENGER is the type of horse who would win this without surprising if having a good day. SILVER KING. DOMINY and BRAHMS AND LISZT just three others to include somewhere."

RACE 2: CANADIAN 5-PILLARS CUP MAIDEN - 1200M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Not much separated LIBECCIO and THE GOLDEN GOAT last start in a similar affair to this and no reason to think the pair aren't fighting out the finish again. And you could make a strong case for both although LIBECCIO probably starts favourite given he looked the winner late on that occasion and should be in front when the whips are cracking in this. However, THE GOLDEN GOAT could be ridden in a more forward position from gate 2 and may have the edge if handy to LIBECCIO when it counts. Others that keep the pair honest include WHAT IFF who improves with blinkers and tongue-tie back off and CHANGBAI MOUNTAIN who is tough to follow but wins one of these sooner than later. Market best guide on the rest."

RACE 3: MANULIFE CUP CLASS 4 (2) - 1200M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "With some honest each-way types in BE BOLD and ZIPPY GENERAL in the winning mix in this Class 4 1200m event, KNIGHT JUDGE could be hard to beat on what he showed at his Singapore debut. The 4YO former Australian - who won at his only start before arriving - came in for heavy support after a good local trial and just missed. He has again drawn well in gate 2 and with that run under his belt, he should be very hard to beat. Nothing else jumps off the page to beat him although BE BOLD is always in the mix and LIM'S ARCHER showed enough improvement last start to think he could be ready to show his best from gate 1. ELITE DIAMOND at her Singapore debut is worth consideration while ELISE could show up at very long odds, as she is better than he showed on the turf last start."

RACE 4: SCOTIABANK CUP KRANJI STAKES C (SET WEIGHTS) - 1800M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$80000

Larry says, "Although a small field, the danger bells are ringing loudly for punters in this KSC 1800m event so play with extreme care. KATE'S KEEPER seems the obvious pick, or at least the safest, given recent form and the type of race. The Stephen Gray-trained gelding is more than honest and versatile enough to think Vlad Duric may have him handy in running over a trip that suits. The horse he may have to run down is GLORIOUS PROSPECT. The 5YO has been in winning form of late and while up in Class, the track may suit front-runners and he could pinch this with no weight. Nothing else fills you with confidence but RIDE OF VALKYRIES could be handy enough throughout to play a part as will his stablemate SUPER JOE and include the honest PENTAGON."

RACE 5: CANCHAM CUP CLASS 5 (2) - 1400M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A very competitive class 5 field with three horses - JOY AND HAPPY, MAGIC PAINT and ROAN RANGER - all in very good form and all a winning show with support likely. Nothing separates the trio but MAGIC PAINT and last start winner ROAN RANGER both will race on the pace from inside gates and should be hard to run down on the E Course. In saying that, while drawn wide, the maiden JOY AND HAPPY has had excuses not to win of late and will keep the pair honest late - especially if they do go hammer and tong early. Plenty of others have some say if having a good day but it will pay to keep PEREGRINE FALCON safe at long odds as he will appreciate the turf with blinkers back on and a run under his belt."

RACE 6: AIR CANADA CUP CLASS 4 (3) - 1200M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 20:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "We made Golden Horseshoe winner LIM'S RACER a good thing last start and while being disappointing first up with very heavy support, he did enough to be the one to be on in this. He had no excuses when just placing on that occasion but it was his first run in open Company and with a 3kg claim in this field, he will be the one to beat. Last start winner LADRONE will keep him more than honest though. The 5YO led throughout when winning over this trip and expect much the same with Matt Kellady staying onboard. MIGHTY MAN and COURT CASE - who may appreciate being on the turf - two others that win on recent form while most others can be included in exotics."

RACE 7: CANADA CUP 2017 OPEN STAKES (CONDITION WEIGHT) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1400M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$125000

Larry says, "With three Group 1 winners in the field you would imagine it will be a more than competitive betting affair. However, the most recent Group winner in the eight-horse field is also the newly crowned Singapore Horse of the Year and is gunning for eight straight victories. Yes, eight! The horse is none other than DEBT COLLECTOR who resumes after winning the Raffles Cup and all things being equal, he wins again with International duties on his radar. He doesn't need good trial form to race well but his most recent hit out was nice enough to think he could start very short and it's impossible to pick against him. Who keeps him honest? MAGNUM is very progressive and would be in the mix late with no weight and KIRKS RYKER also enjoys the light impost and is honest enough to run in the top three. QUECHUA, LAUGHING GRAVY and RAFAELLO all have to be respected."

RACE 8: HJM ASIA CUP NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS) - 1200M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "As is the norm in Novice events, there is plenty of good form to go on and this race is no exception with no less than five start winners in the 10-horse field. One of those - BRILLIANT ONE - is resuming and may need the run in this good field but nothing separates the other four in COUNTOFMONTECRISTO, SIR ISAAC, AOTEAROA and FOREVER YOUNG. In saying that, FOREVER RUN as a US-bred 3YO gets in best at the race conditions and could also improve on a solid debut win with more race experience under his belt. COUNTOFMONTECRISTO led when winning easily at his debut and he will have supporters while the Kiwi filly AOTEAROA also impressed when winning at her Singapore debut. SIR ISAAC was sensationally backed to break his maiden status last start and to be honest, could very well win again. Tough race."

RACE 9: MAPLE LEAF STAKES CLASS 4 (1) - 1200M COURSE E (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 22:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "A very nice race to finish what should have been a very entertaining nights racing and hopefully a smart 3YO in MAJOR DEVELOPMENT can win. The NZ-bred gelding had traffic excuses on debut before winning well suggesting he is more than up to Class 4 Company with G Boss and gate 5 ideal. The danger could be ROYAL GUARD who showed more than enough at his Singapore debut with support to think he wins one soon. The 4YO raced keenly on that occasion so blinkers and the tongue-tie come off and he will go close. LIM'S SINCERE is the interesting runner. The 4YO has only had one start on the turf where he flopped but that was as a 2YO in Group Company so it may pay to forgive that run. MR FATKID also looks like he wins in Class 4 sooner than later and well worth following with V Duric up."

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