The start to the much anticipated International Weekend in Singapore gets underway on Friday night with a mixed-track meeting that includes the Group 1 Singapore Guineas. 

The third leg of the Three-Year-Old series, the Guineas is worth a whopping SGD $500,000 and if the race goes according to script, the connections of the odds-on pop - SUPER EASY - can add the $150,000 bonus to their growing prizemoney total. 

And while the field shapes as one of the best assembled in recent years for the feature 3YO mile, SUPER EASY – unbeaten in nine starts in Singapore – is the only horse to have on top and it does look a case of ‘who runs second’? 

The filly BETTER LIFE and the Northern Hemisphere-bred SHUTTLE man – with 55.5kg and 53kg respectively at the WFA conditions – will have admirers for exotics and both looks set for big races. 

BETTER LIFE in particular should benefit from what was a solid run behind SUPER EASY over 1400m in the second leg of the series and a big run is expected. 

A horse that might provide value in exotics is MICHAEL. 

With form at Weight-for-Age level over 2000m around the likes of WAIKATO to his name, the Laurie Laxon-trained stayer might just have last crack; especially if things get interesting early. 

The other feature of the day, the $325,000 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe, is more wide open with many unknowns making the 2YO Group 2 affair very difficult.  

Local trainer Leslie Khoo has two newcomers entered – EASY MAN and HOGWARTS EXPRESS – both with winning chances. 

HOGWARTS EXPRESS has the benefit of race experience form New Zealand to her name and if she runs up to that form might prove hard to beat at her Singapore debut. 

But a couple of horses with early wins to their names - SUPER GOOD and RISING EMPIRE - do look the benchmark. 

SUPER GOOD has Joao Moreira on top – always a good pointer to a horse’s winning hopes – and he does look every chance for a ‘Super’ day for the Joy N Happiness stable. 

Best Bets; BIRTHDAY GIFT (race 8, win), AMERICAN VISION (race 9, win) and KOBE TOP GUN (race 3, each-way).

Bankers for Jackpots: Race 6 (1, 2 and 10) race 7 (1), race 8 (2 and 3) and race 9 (1, 2, 4 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 1: BIG EASY 2005 HANDICAP CLASS 4 (2) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "A good Class 4 with the top four in the weights holding the key as they are all in top form and racing extremely consistently. The 3YO EMBLESSED is probably the one with the most upside, he has won twice at the trip and never missed a place on the Polytrack. He will sit on the pace and should run on well. Moreira’s mount DREAMCATCHER is another 3YO who from his draw has enough speed to lead or at worst sit just back off the lead; he too is suited by the 1200m and will run on well. SEIZE THE DAY will also be up on the pace, and whilst he has only won twice from 16 starts he is generally in the placings. BOUNDLESS GLORY has been over 1400m recently and is likely to get back, but with speed expected in the race he should be running on strongly late. CHARLY B scored a long overdue win last start and whilst being drawn out is a disadvantage as he could well be caught wide, he cannot be dismissed. ARAPUNI is another who will be suited by a hot pace and will finish on strongly. The blinkers go back on GOOD TOWKAY, he found the mile too far two starts back, and somehow managed to get caught wide last start, his previous form was good and he could surprise. CAN BE BETTER have had a number of trials and with Barend Vorster taking the mount could show up whilst fresh. If the emergency HUMOUR TOWN gets a run, from his rails draw, he should be able to sit back off the pace and finish off strongly."

RACE 2: KELANTAN 2006 STAKES INITIATION (4YO) (HORSES NOT WON A RACE IN 2YRS PRIOR TO NOMINATION DATE & NOT HAD > 8 STARTS IN SIN / MSIA) (WFA) - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 18:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000

Larry says, "A collection of the usual 4YO suspects put together to race over a mile, where the depth falls away after the top five chances. FULL TOSS gets back in his races and is always running on; from the ace draw Moreira may well be able to have him more handy (with blinkers a factor) than in recent starts - expect a big run. Pat Shaw has two good hopes both of whom are drawn wide and had excuses in recent starts. POSITIVE THINKING was stripped on his hind legs at his only start over a mile, and subsequently raced well over 1400m. PRIZE FIGHTER was well beaten by COLD SECRET last start but raced very greenly, and should go a lot better for Felix Coetzee. Both horses should get nice runs on the speed and with no natural leader in the race may well be able to dictate if they can get across. ABASTOR is racing well but needs to be taken on trust at the mile, being by Viscount he may or may not get the trip. YUM CHA is bred to stay, his last run was better and he steps up to a suitable distance. ROCKETY CAT is also first time over the mile and has always raced as though the trip will suit, he should be running on late. QUE SERA SERA looks like the journey will suit and if FIRST EXPRESS gets a start, he gets on the speed and will battle away over the mile."

RACE 3: LIM'S OBJECTIVE 2007 HANDICAP CLASS 4 - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:20 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "A very even race with a lot of tough and proven Class 4 horses to compete over a mile on the Polytrack. At long last, Brian Dean has put a senior rider on PHANTOM KNIGHT and whilst he has to carry the weight he is bound to be finishing off strongly and with any luck in running can win. KOBE TOP GUN's form reads badly but a recent drop in Class coupled with a step up to a suitable distance has him winning soon. The tongue tie goes back on, and with Opie Bosson to steer; sharp improvement is likely today. AGENAIS is racing in tremendous form at present and just went under last start; he is perfectly drawn and should be in the firing line all the way. THE CINDERELLA MAN also has a good draw and likewise should be on the pace all the way. JOYLUCK has won six times over this trip on the Polytrack and after two recent runs over 1200m and 1700m should be ready to pounce. Top Kiwi rider Michael Coleman jumps on DARING FIGHTER and he should be running on late as should John Powell on MONTEREY who gets on a suitable surface and distance at his fourth run back from a let-up. RAFFLES KNIGHT has been disappointing, and this is a strong field, but from his good alley he could get a soft lead and be hard to run down. For the exotics the old fellow BENGAWAN is tough as teak and whilst Class 5 is his forte, he could give a good account. "

RACE 4: THE HORNET 2008 HANDICAP CLASS 5 - 1600M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 19:50 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000

Larry says, "A few solid Class 5 performers compete against a bunch of battlers in this 1600m event. If RICH BORN gets a start with Moreira to ride he may be the one to beat - last start he spanked TORNADO WIN who subsequently won, and his previous form had been sound. MERLIN drops into Class 5 and whilst his best performances are on turf he is a four time winner over 1600m and has been racing very competitively in Class 4. With Greg Cheyne to steer should be able to sit just off the speed and be hard to beat. DISTINCT NICHE’s only win was over a mile, his last run over 1200m was a cracker and with Verenzuela to steer from an inside barrier he should also be able to sit just off the pace and run on strongly. STAR BALLAD’s recent form in this Class has been sound and coming off a tough Maiden win he should be competitive again. BERT is on trial over the mile, but being by Bertolini the trip should be right up his alley, and he has enough speed to sit on the pace, always an advantage in these Class 5 races. KNIGHT SCORPIO is down in Class and his only win was over 1600m on the poly – he gets back and will need luck in running. LEGACY has not won for a long time and is drawn badly, but his last four runs have been sound and in a race with little depth he represents a good place chance. SMARTY SMARTY, EQUIENCE and EXCELLENT BEAUTY make up the usual suspects to be included in the exotics."

RACE 5: AUSHORSE GOLDEN HORSESHOE (FINAL LEG) (SG2) (2YO) (SW) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1200M COURSE C (LC) TIME: 20:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$325000 (S$325000 + S$135000 BONUS TO WINNING QUALIFIED HORSE)

Larry says, "A capacity field of 2YOs - which in itself will be a challenge - as most of the babies’ races so far, have been small fields. Also, this is on turf over 1200m, not a flutter on the poly. SUPER GOOD is well drawn, will be ridden by Moreira, he has the Freedman polish and has had enough experience and education to do most things right. HOGWART’S EXPRESS is the most interesting runner, she ran in the Karaka Millions in NZ and was not disgraced, prior to that she had run 3rd in a Group 2 and won at Te Rapa – she has had one quiet trial, but she has experience and if she can run up to her Kiwi form she will be hard to beat from her barrier draw. RISING EMPIRE looked very good at his last start over 1000m on poly, he is drawn wider this time, but if he doesn’t have to use too much petrol early and can get a sit, he could be hard to hold out. SMART DRAGON is a speedy type and if Michael Coleman can get him across he could lead for a long way. Freedman’s other runner LAST MAN STANDING is by Bradbury’s Luck, he showed plenty on the poly at his first start, he is a question mark on turf but from the gun draw should be able to get in a good position. PITSTOP got back last start and finished strongly, from his good draw he should be able to get on the speed and finish off. It would be a brave man to tip one having its first start but EASY MAN has looked better than average at the trials, and in a race of many unknowns MASTER KING, JACKPOT, G STRATEGIST and GOLDEN PRINCE have to be included in exotic calculations. "

RACE 6: GIVEN VISION 2009 STAKES KRANJI STAKES A (SW) - 1200M COURSE C (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$125000

Larry says, "Although carrying 59.5kg, GINGERBREAD MAN looks well placed at the race conditions and happy to think he can bounce back from a disappointing run in Dubai and win. He won the Group 1 Guineas in a clean sweep of the 3YO series on this day last year and this looks a terrific opportunity to get back in the winners circle first up over 1200m. The field lacks depth but the horse that has the Class to beat him is COUP ALIGN. The NZ-bred 6YO hasn't really shown his best since relocating to Singapore with trainer Mark Walker; however, he has looked good enough at two runs in this campaign to think he keeps most Singapore sprinters honest. Down in the weights I think POPI POPI as a 3YO has the most upside and is certainly worth a look in exotics with MY SON and MR TIMELY thereabouts on good recent form."

RACE 7: SINGAPORE GUINEAS (3RD LEG SINGAPORE 3YO CHALLENGE) (SG1) (3YO) (SW) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1600M COURSE C (LC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 21:35 PRIZE MONEY: S$500000

Larry says, "It's hardly surprising that the top rated 3YO at Kranji, SUPER EASY, is the only horse to be on in the Group 1 Singapore Guineas. The DARCI BRAHMA entire is gunning for his tenth straight win in Singapore and like BETTER THAN EVER and GINGERBREAD MAN before him, a clean sweep in the 3YO series is his for the taking. His win in the second leg over 1400m suggests the mile is NOT an issue but when looking for likely place-getters in this $500,000 feature, horses that will be doing their best work late did appeal with MICHAEL perhaps a good forecast option. The Oscar Stable-owned stayer showed he was more than up to Group company at his last start when taking on the big guns in the WFA Queen Elizabeth Cup over 2000m and his effort to finish fourth - beaten under two lengths - behind WAIKATO suggests he gives this a shake late. This field has plenty of depth though with the likes of BETTER LIFE and SHUTTLE MAN both likely to get some support and be running on late with CASH LUCK, SUPER GURU and even BULLDOZER (at long odds) all in the mix."

RACE 8: BETTER THAN EVER 2010 HANDICAP CLASS 3 - 1100M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 22:10 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000

Larry says, "As you would expect in a Class 3 Poly sprint on International weekend, the field is strong and a great race looms. And while BIRTHDAY GIFT looks the obvious on-top choice given his impressive recent winning form, he has the wide gate to contend with and some canny senior hoops will make young 'Freddy' Firdaus earn his keep on the likely favourite. But his last start win was just too good to ignore and the NZ-bred 4YO might just run them off their feet. GETREEL looks a serious danger from gate four with Joao Moreira on-board for Brian Dean. And while his form looks like it is starting to read badly you can make excuses and he showed in a recent slick trial he is ready to show his best. He should get the run of the race as well and that might count for plenty late. Plenty of others to look at and watch for value for the likes of ANDIKO, BOMBAATA, MAPLE STAR and SULMONA - all each way shows in what is a great race."

RACE 9: GINGERBREAD MAN 2011 HANDICAP CLASS 4 (1) - 1200M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 22:40 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000

Larry says, "A tough race to finish with a smart American-bred 3YO looking the one the punters might be pinning their hopes on in the last. AMERICAN VISION showed enough first up on the Poly (with support) to think he was a horse to follow before a poor effort on the turf had analysts re-thinking their optimistic views. But a five-and-a-half length blitzing of his rivals back on the Poly at start three has him the one to beat although meeting some nice Class 4 horses for the first time. So while he will need to be on his game early, he has drawn better in gate seven and Ivaldo Santana should have every confidence in notching back to back wins on the gelding. But there a few horses in this that look well placed to win and this race is far from over. WILLIAMS wins again soon in this company with winkers helping his cause today and the likes of VIDEO CALL, DORAEMON, SACRED SPRING and CAIYAYA all have winning chances. "

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