A Lion City Cup without the Singapore champ ROCKET MAN is like Easter without chocolate, Christmas without presents, a BBQ without cold beer.
The show goes on but something is definitely missing.
More than just a niggling injury has kept the best sprinter that has graced the turf at Kranji from what would have been five-straight wins in the Group 1 Sprint.
But the race - the most prestigious sprint on the domestic calendar - is bigger than just one horse and nine of the best sprinters Singapore will be hoping to join ROCKET MAN and other champs on Lion City Cup honour roll on Sunday.
SUPER EASY - already in the record books for an amazing streak of 12 straight wins in Singapore - heads the ratings and looks the horse to beat.
This time last year, the Darci Brahma 4YO was going about his business clean-sweeping the 3YO series and steps up to fry some bigger fish in 2013.
A solid if un-spectacular first-run back after his Hong Kong sojourn suggests he needed the outing and improves lengths with blinkers added with an eye-catching recent trial under his belt a good sign.
Add Moreira from gate two and anything but a win would be deemed unacceptable by his lofty standards.
MR BIG looks the only serious danger.
The 4YO was placed behind ROCKET MAN in this race last year and showed that run was no fluke by only finding only one better (ATO) in the KrisFlyer Sprint at his next start.
A very good run of domestic form was followed by a successful trip to Malaysia before a very impressive fifth in Dubai, suggesting he can travel and looks a big show first up back in Singapore.
The two stars should dominate both betting and the finish with perhaps only SPEEDY CAT, GHOZI and EL MILAGRO some hope if on song.
Best Bets; DRAGON (race 8, win), SUPER EASY/MR BIG (race 9, forecast/swinger) and TOM (race 11, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8), race 9 (1 and 2), race 10 (5, 8, 9 and 10), race 11 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 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 8: WHY BE 2007 STAKES CLASS 4 - 1600M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 16:25 PRIZE MONEY: S$55000
Larry says, "'Horses for Courses' could literally be a ‘profound’ saying in this Class 4 mile. And while we don't like to pot favourites, PROFOUND, has no turf form to go on and could be very short in the betting. In 16 career starts he has raced six times on the turf and finished well out of the placings on all occasions (best effort beaten three lengths). In saying that he has grown a leg of late – albeit exclusively on the Poly - so he is an improved horse but still a risk in our book. So a horse like DRAGON who is coming back to his favourite surface after a poor Poly run definitely makes more sense. Also in his favour is that his win two starts back was in a similar affair to this and the effort good enough to follow. Likewise YASTRZEMSKI loves the turf and is the type of form that has him a big show back on his winning surface. Alan Munro from gate two looks a good combination and in a race with depth might just sneak out to good each-way value. Plenty of other hopes; KIM DIVINE will be finishing all over the top of them and conversely FLANEUR could be hard to run down if given any leeway out front. KNIGHT'S COMMAND (value) and MY NEW BOSS back over the mile the other two hopes."
| No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
| Selections - 2, 4, 5 |
| 1 |
11122 |
Profound |
|
|
App K A'isisuhairi-3 |
L Laxon |
3 |
61 |
58.5 |
3.00 |
| In form and claim looks a bonus but was beaten as even money fave last start and a big query on this surface; take on trust. |
| 2 |
32817 |
Dragon |
|
|
D Beasley |
M Yusof |
8 |
57 |
56.5 |
4.00 |
| Polar opposite to PROFOUND as he will grow a leg back on the turf and hard to beat. |
| 3 |
93595 |
Knight's Command |
|
|
B Vorster |
Rb Marsh |
6 |
57 |
56.5 |
20 |
| Form better than it reads and gives this a shake at each-way value; follow. |
| 4 |
15253 |
Yastrzemski |
|
|
A Munro |
S Burridge |
2 |
57 |
56.5 |
6.00 |
| Honest form and the fact his two career wins on this surface in his favour. |
| 5 |
04953 |
Kim Divine |
|
|
App R Shafiq-2 |
M Walker |
10 |
56 |
56.0 |
8.00 |
| Did well to place last start - albeit beaten a long way - and right in this late. |
| 6 |
*3375 |
Flaneur |
|
|
G Cheyne |
L Laxon |
7 |
55 |
55.5 |
8.00 |
| Will lead and could prove very hard to pass late in what is a suitable race. |
| 7 |
92451 |
Breaking Vaults |
|
|
Cw Brown |
S Burridge |
5 |
53 |
54.5 |
10 |
| Scored a nice enough Restricted Maiden win to think he plays a part in Class 4; market a good guide. |
| 8 |
*1523 |
My New Boss |
|
|
J Moreira |
B Dean |
9 |
52 |
54.0 |
6.00 |
| In solid enough form to think step up to the mile could be a winning move; watch. |
| 9 |
00290 |
Iro Otoko |
|
|
App Th Koh-2 |
M Yusof |
4 |
49 |
52.5 |
33 |
| Last two average but blinkers on suggests a cheeky run on the cards at odds. |
| 10 |
80700 |
Idealistic Moment |
|
|
D Bonilla |
S Burridge |
1 |
44 |
50.0 |
200 |
| No. |
RACE 9: LION CITY CUP (SG1) (3RD LEG SINGAPORE SPRINT SERIES) (3+YO) (WEIGHT FOR AGE) (RIDER ALLOWANCES NOT PERMITTED) - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 17:05 PRIZE MONEY: S$500000
Larry says, "Some serious horses head the rating in this show-case of the best sprinters Singapore have to offer and no reason to look much further than SUPER EASY and MR BIG at the WFA conditions. Both horses have super domestic records, both trained by Michael Freedman and both have been on recent International trips to test themselves against the world’s best. SUPER EASY struggled in Hong Kong but that environment plus a bad gate on International night put paid to any Rocket Man-like heroics. But with twelve wins and a placing to his name in Singapore prior to that trip and a good first up run in the Merlion Trophy under his belt, the champ can bounce back. Winkers have been upgraded to blinkers and his recent trial suggests he is ready to win again. MR BIG doesn't know how to run a bad race. His form prior to his Dubai trip was excellent and the fifth placing behind SHEA SHEA nothing to be sneezed at form wise. He travels well so no reason to think he isn't right in this. Hard to go past these two on the grass at this level but SPEEDY CAT is in winning form (albeit Poly), EL MILAGRO continues to impress at any level and his stablemate GHOZI refuses to run a bad race."
| No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
| Selections - 1, 2, 3 |
| 1 |
12603 |
Super Easy |
|
|
J Moreira |
M Freedman |
2 |
118 |
57.5 |
2.00 |
| Beaten first up after HK sojourn but blinkers added and the run under his belt makes him hard to beat. |
| 2 |
11215 |
Mr Big |
|
|
Cw Brown |
M Freedman |
1 |
114 |
57.5 |
2.50 |
| First run back after very good - albeit unplaced - showing on Dubai World Cup night; right in this finish. |
| 3 |
31441 |
Speedy Cat |
|
|
M Nunes |
Hw Tan |
9 |
108 |
57.5 |
6.00 |
| Showed he was more than up to this level winning the Merlion Trophy (Poly) and have to respect. |
| 4 |
32225 |
Ghozi |
|
|
D Beasley |
S Baertschiger |
5 |
106 |
57.5 |
25 |
| Has done everything bar win since since moving stables last October; exotics. |
| 5 |
12411 |
El Milagro |
|
|
J Powell |
S Baertschiger |
4 |
95 |
57.5 |
10 |
| In super form and hard to leave out although this is his biggest test at WFA Group company. |
| 6 |
1*225 |
Emerald Hill |
|
|
O Chavez |
J O'hara |
6 |
95 |
57.5 |
20 |
| Solid at first turf run in Singapore in the Kranji Sprint but place does look very best here. |
| 7 |
82315 |
Meteor Mike |
|
|
J Verenzuela |
D Hill |
3 |
90 |
57.5 |
50 |
| Honest but tough ask at the race conditions. |
| 8 |
71114 |
Martincho Cat |
|
|
B Vorster |
P Shaw |
8 |
85 |
57.5 |
50 |
| Another who should struggle at WFA Group level but work late last start in Kranji Spirit very good; odds. |
| 9 |
3936 |
Secret Mission |
|
|
A Munro |
M Clements |
7 |
75 |
57.5 |
200 |
| Not a million miles away in the Kranji Sprint but needs to lift again. |
RACE 10: ROCKET MAN 2009 2010 2011 & 2012 STAKES CAPABLANCA 2008 STAKES NOVICE (SET WEIGHTS) - 1200M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 17:40 PRIZE MONEY: S$65000
Larry says, "Don't mention the war! Two 3YO's - one from Germany and one from America - look well placed here to continue their respective winning runs. WINNER'S SMILE - an American colt - won well on debut over 1200m on the Poly and given he did it tough with support that day, he appreciates gate two and can win. Likewise TAKE IT HOME - zee German gelding - won very well last start and given he had excuses for a solid enough debut run, he is a horse to follow. Both are in well at the race conditions and both go very close. YIN JIE is a Southern Hemisphere-bred 3YO resuming but has ability, blinkers added and goes super first up; big show. ALL MY WAY is a maiden but suited at the race conditions and is in form; keep safe. GOLD DANCER is another maiden from the UK who is making his Singapore debut; market best guide."
| No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
| Selections - 10, 9, 5 |
| 1 |
187 |
Asclepius |
|
|
R Lim |
Zl Mok |
6 |
56 |
58.0 |
20 |
| Resuming sans head-gear after issues at last couple; take on trust. |
| 2 |
23155 |
Yam Cha |
|
|
App T Rehaizat-2 |
Zl Mok |
3 |
44 |
58.0 |
33 |
| Form good but not in well at the conditions and like to see in easier company. |
| 3 |
10 |
My Shine |
|
|
M Nunes |
D Koh |
10 |
54 |
56.0 |
20 |
| Didnt show a lot last start but worth another look this company as should be competitive. |
| 4 |
9166* |
Potluck |
|
|
Cw Brown |
B Dean |
9 |
53 |
56.0 |
12 |
| Good work late last start has him under notice with tongue-tie back on. |
| 5 |
13926 |
Yin Jie |
|
|
D Beasley |
T Kieser |
11 |
52 |
56.0 |
5.00 |
| Smart enough youngster resuming with blinkers on first time and a good trial under his belt; goes super first up and can win. |
| 6 |
*8074 |
Dragon Commander |
|
|
Kt Cheng |
Hk Tan |
1 |
49 |
56.0 |
33 |
| Big run last start and while Class 5 would be nice and he has had issues at starts, he has to be respected on that effort. |
| 7 |
86768 |
Oasis Spur |
|
|
J Moreira |
Hw Tan |
5 |
47 |
56.0 |
20 |
| Struggling of late so will test Moreira. |
| 8 |
32 |
All My Way |
|
|
O Chavez |
Hw Tan |
7 |
0 |
55.0 |
6.00 |
| Maiden so in well with 55kg and form suggests he is up to this. |
| 9 |
61 |
Take It Home |
|
|
A Munro |
M Freedman |
8 |
53 |
53.0 |
4.00 |
| Excuses on debut and won well at second career start (at odds); well placed at the weights to win again. |
| 10 |
1 |
Winner's Smile |
|
|
S John |
S Chua |
2 |
51 |
53.0 |
3.00 |
| Did it tough at debut so effort to win (with support) was very good; in well at the conditions and goes close. |
| 11 |
|
Gold Dancer |
|
|
B Vorster |
C Brown |
4 |
53 |
50.0 |
18 |
| Maiden from UK who is in very well at the weights; market best guide. |
RACE 11: OPEN OPEN BENCHMARK 74 - 1400M COURSE C (SC) (TURF TRACK) TIME: 18:10 PRIZE MONEY: S$75000
Larry says, "This race has depth and quality and expect a cracker of a finish. Obviously there has to value to be found and a horse like TOM could be one of the better each-way bets of the day. The succinctly named Oscar-stable owned 4YO ran into traffic issues last start in a similar affair and while he wasn't going to beat the record breaking SUPER NINETYSEVEN, he would have been in the mix late. The race and C Course should suit and hopefully he provides some value. But HOT GOLD stands out as the horse the others have to beat. The relatively lightly raced 4YO has a very good record of three wins and four placings from 11 starts but when you consider three of his unplaced (but good) runs were in recent Group company, he will be hard to beat at the handicap conditions. Expect a solid clip early (and late) so ENCOSTA DIABLO to have some say late at value with DAMO also worth a serious each-way look first up. Plenty of others to consider; FEISTY LEO, NATURAL NICE, WHITE COFFEE, WAR SPIRIT and KINGRACER just to name another five."
| No. |
Last 5 |
Horse Name |
EA |
Gear |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Bar |
Rtg |
Wt |
Odds |
| Selections - 8, 2, 4 |
| 1 |
12246 |
Feisty Leo |
|
|
J Moreira |
M Walker |
6 |
75 |
57.0 |
5.00 |
| Supported, disappointed with questions from the beak at last two; wins if on his game. |
| 2 |
31355 |
Tom |
|
|
D Beasley |
L Laxon |
3 |
72 |
55.5 |
12 |
| Excuses not to finish closer last start with traffic issues in straight; will be flying late and can win. |
| 3 |
36182 |
Natural Nice |
|
|
J Powell |
L Laxon |
9 |
71 |
55.0 |
10 |
| Super honest and excuses not to finish close last start; each-way all the way. |
| 4 |
73634 |
Encosta Diablo |
|
|
App R Shafiq-2 |
M Walker |
2 |
70 |
54.5 |
12 |
| Continues to show more than enough late to think he breaks Singapore maiden status soon. |
| 5 |
74**1 |
White Coffee |
|
|
Cw Brown |
M Freedman |
7 |
69 |
54.0 |
8.00 |
| Finally got back to the track and duly won for patient connections; follow although this is tougher. |
| 6 |
62715 |
Damo |
|
|
B Vorster |
P Shaw |
10 |
68 |
53.5 |
12 |
| Resuming but always a show and has first up form; keep safe. |
| 7 |
14443 |
Warspirit |
|
|
App Z Zuriman-3 |
M Walker |
8 |
68 |
53.5 |
12 |
| Races on pace and will give a very good account of himself; each-way. |
| 8 |
15871 |
Hot Gold |
|
|
A Munro |
C Brown |
5 |
67 |
53.0 |
3.00 |
| Smart 4YO who showed last start at handicap conditions he is a horse to follow through the grades; can win again. |
| 9 |
*2312 |
Kingracer |
|
|
M Nunes |
L Dragon |
11 |
67 |
53.0 |
12 |
| Fresh and showed last start he more than handles this company; could be value in this field. |
| 10 |
|
Meshmaker |
|
|
M Kellady-1 |
C Brown |
1 |
67 |
53.0 |
33 |
| Former Australian who has a fair race record but has found a strong race for Singapore debut; market only guide. |
| 11 |
67809 |
Farrand |
|
|
S John |
D Kok |
13 |
66 |
52.5 |
100 |
| Prefer others. |
| 12 |
34*13 |
Speed Demon |
|
|
O Chavez |
S Lam |
12 |
66 |
52.5 |
20 |
| Goes OK and placed only turf start this trip; keep safe but this is a strong field. |
| 13 |
66141 |
Xavio |
|
|
App K A'isisuhairi-3 |
S Gray |
4 |
63 |
51.0 |
33 |
| In-form and has now weight but jump up in Class the obvious query. |
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
|
