The 2017 Singapore Sprint Series gets under way with the running of the Merlion Trophy and the Poly Group 2 feature is always a keenly contested affair.

But while connections of THE GENERAL, WIMBLEDON and LINCOLN ROAD would be thinking they can take home the major prize, it may be a case of who runs second to the all-conquering Poly specialist, NOVA SWISS.

As a 3YO, he also gets in with 55kg and given the strength of his five straight wins in Singapore, that does look a luxury and punters will not miss him.

Olivier Placais takes over from regular rider Manny Nunes and the Frenchman will be looking to keep intact NOVA SWISS’ unbeaten run at Kranji with one eye on a Dubai run on the dirt if he is indeed up to WFA Group racing.

Those playing exotics have to consider THE GENERAL who gets the favours from gate 1 while WIMBLEDON is the top-rated horse in the race and will keep NOVA SWISS honest.

If it does get crazy early, GOOD NEWS and CAVALLO could be the swoopers at odds, but again, exotics does look best with NOVA SWISS the standout of the day.

Best Bets: (KNIGHT WAGER race 7, win), (NOVA SWISS race 9, win) and (RED CLAW race 10, value).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 4, 5, 10, 12 and 13), race 9 (12), race 10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 13) and race 11 (1, 2 and 9).

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: TUXEDO MOON 2011 STAKES KRANJI STAKES C (SET WEIGHTS) - 1700M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 14:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$80000

Larry says, "A strong KSC over 1700m with multiple chances. ROBIN HOOD is improving and suited by this distance. He won in BM83 company last start over this trip and rises 6.5 kg for the effort but should be handy throughout. CASING ROYAL was run down late by ROBIN HOOD two starts back and could show up again. GILT COMPLEX is a tough stayer who resumed with a strong win in Class 3 over 1400m; this distance suits but he was unplaced at his only poly run - albeit early in his career. KATE'S KEEPER won in this company on turf last start, he is having a rare poly run but placed at his only start on the surface and should be running on. MIGHTY EMPEROR is racing consistently and suited by this class, surface and distance; he should be handy throughout. Of the others SUPER JOE and MONGOLIAN CHIEF enjoy this trip and surface, they are consistent types who can show up."

RACE 6: MEXICAN ROSE 2010 STAKES KRANJI STAKES D (1) (SET WEIGHTS) - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 15:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$38000

Larry says, "A KSD where a few class droppers will appreciate the easier company. THUNDER CAT drops in grade and is suited by this class and distance; with Olivier Placais to ride he should be handy throughout. CAVATINA gets blinkers and was close up in Class 4 here two starts back over this trip; he is well drawn and should be prominent. Blinkers come off DESERT FOX who has been racing soundly in Class 4 over this distance; he should be running on late. SUPER BRILLIANT placed over this trip in Class 4 two starts back and will find this easier and should be running on. SILENT ARROW drops in grade but his best form is on turf over longer; he could show up with Vlad Duric to ride. Of the others, most are looking to get into Class 5 though AUSPICIOUS ACE won his Maiden at debut but has battled on turf in Novice class subsequently; he may be better suited here from the good gate."

RACE 7: BEAU BRUMMELL 2009 STAKES CLASS 3 - 1200M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 15:55 PRIZE MONEY: S$80000

Larry says, "A strong Class 3 over 1200m. KNIGHT WAGER will find this easier than recent outings and he should be hard to hold off with Michael Rodd to ride. GRAND CROSS was fair when resuming but should be improved; he won in this class before a break and should be prominent throughout with Vlad Duric to ride. ELUSIVE EMPEROR rarely runs a bad race and his recent form is solid in BM67 company; he might like longer but can show up. The interesting runners at the potential improvers - CAORUNN who fought on well on poly when resuming, gets blinkers and can be prominent from the good gate - and LIM'S DASHING who is resuming after showing promise at his first preparation; this class is harder but he could show up fresh, watch the market."

RACE 8: WHY BE 2006, 2007 & 2008 STAKES CLASS 5 - 1600M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 16:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "Dead-set raffle! The only way to describe this Class 5 with most having a winning hope on best form and few that may improve on some poor recent form in Class 5 over the mile. And unfortunately it's the first leg of the jackpot or quaddie for exotic players so good luck! Starting from the top, ASPEN can win. The 6YO has gone close at his last couple in Class 5 over 1400m with heavy support and can get a result over the mile although he will need luck from the wide gate. DESTINY KNIGHT showed the benefit of an experienced jockey when winning last start and can win again with Nunes retaining the ride while PUSONG PINOY will be in this a very long way from gate 3. The blanket goes over most others including AEOLUS, CHEETAH KING, MANMADHAN an the second emergency, DRAGON."

RACE 9: MERLION TROPHY (SINGAPORE GROUP 2) (1ST LEG - SINGAPORE SPRINT SERIES) (3 YEAR OLD AND UPWARDS) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$350000

Larry says, "All thing being equal, NOVA SWISS wins the Merlion. The race - both the track, trip and conditions - is perfect for this undefeated (in Singapore) star 3YO and it may be a case of how far. Interestingly, Manny Nunes has been replaced on more than one Nova horse by Olivier Placais but it would be losing the NOVA SWISSS mount that hurts the Brazilian most. It is a case of swing and roundabouts and Placais will be licking is lips at the prospect of riding an odds-on pop at Group level. Who runs second? It looks a raffle with WIMBLEDON deserving respect on rating points alone and THE GENERAL likely to be prominent throughout from gate 1. LINCOLN ROAD picks himself. The pace will be cracking early so keep a swooper or two in GOOD NEWS and even CAVALLO safe in exotics and blanket over most others."

RACE 10: NINETYFIVE EMPEROR 2004 & 2005 STAKES CLASS 4 - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "A crazy race for form analysts with a couple of newcomers up against a few Class droppers and a plethora of Class 4 horses ready to win. The two newcomers - RED CLAW and THE CAPITAL - both trial like they can win on debut with market support likely. Not much separates them on trial form but you would think RED CLAW is better suited over 1200m and THE CAPITAL should improve over longer. The two horses that come under notice dropping to Class 4 are AL GREEN and BOARD WALK while the like of CACTUS JACK, FLASH ONE, KEEN DRAGON, MONTAIGNE and LIM'S CASINO all win without surprising."

RACE 11: QUE EXPRESION 2003 STAKES CLASS 4 - 1600M COURSE A (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:05 PRIZE MONEY: S$60000

Larry says, "Another race with depth and there should be plenty of good options for value punters. There are four last start winners in the field - LUCKY LINCOLN, LIM'S ARCHER, GOLDEN KINGDOM and LAKE HUKA - and all have to respected with LUCKY LINCOLN likely to race handy and he could look the winner late. But another four placed at their respective last starts including IMPERIAL MARCH, LIM'S BULLET and SMART LAD who all share top weight. All three can win with SMART LAD getting a handy 2kg claim and LIM'S BULLET getting the favours for D Beasley from gate 3. CHAIRMAN the other last start placegetter - and that was at his Singapore debut - so he also wins without surprising with the mile ideal. IKING and GOLDEN PENINSULA just two more that can win."

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