Six races from Singapore on Sunday and in good news for race-goers, a cracker of a feature with the running of the SGD $300,000 Chairman’s Trophy.
The Group 2 weight-for-age event over 1800m sees some of Singapore’s best stayers take part, headed by the Laurie Laxon-trained warrior, WAIKATO.
The rising 9YO is one of the most popular champions of the local racing scene with deeds that include 19 wins from 69 starts over most distances and representing Singapore with great heart in no less than five consecutive International meetings.
And at the WFA conditions and coming off a solid run in the Paititi Gold Trophy, WAIKATO might just add win number 20 but will have his work cut-out up against some formidable opponents including the 2012 Emirates Singapore Derby winner, CHASE ME.
The Desmond Koh-trained 4YO blew away a strong Derby field two weeks ago and while this is tougher in open age company, he does look one of the main hopes and another Group win would not surprise.
Throw in FLYING FULTON – the benchmark in these types of races in 2012 – and some promising types in 3YO SUPER GURU and the improved MITRE PEAK and the race looks a beauty.
But it may just be an old ‘handicapper’ that takes home the biggest slice of the $300,000 pie.
EL DORADO – winner of a record three Singapore Gold Cups – looked in great form in the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May and a big run fresh over 1800m is definitely on the cards.
The Japanese-bred 8YO’s days of carrying little or no weight in the Gold Cup are over and his astute trainer, Hideyuki Takaoka, will be looking at WFA Group races like these to continue what has been a marvelous career with rain about on the day in his favour.
Elsewhere on the card, WORLD WAR looks a horse to follow in race 8 after winning by a lazy seven lengths on debut.
The LONHRO 3YO is up against a solid Novice field but looked all class winning over 1200m and should easily handle the step up in grade and 1400m not an issue.
Best Bets; WORLD WAR (race 8, win), BLACK RAIN (race 12, win) and EL DORADO (race 9, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 9 (1, 2,3,5,9 and 13), race 10 (1, 2, 4, 6 and 9), race 11 (5 and 9) and race 12 (1 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.
Selections; 2 DEVONSHIRE – 6 THE RUDE WARRIOR – 11 TOUCH THE LINE – 1 CHINESE CULTURE
This race looks a beauty with plenty of runners coming into this with very good form including two last start winners in CHINESE CULTURE and JACK BAUER. And while both can win again they will need to be at their best from awkward draws with horses like DEVONSHIRE and THE RUDE WARRIOR jumping from inside gates. DEVONSHIRE (gate 3) has Moreira on board so will be supported but should be hard to beat with his foot well and truly on the till of late. He just missed out on a berth in the Derby and his subsequent run in a BM 89 mile on the same day was good enough to win this. THE RUDE WARRIOR was very unlucky not to win last start and looks a horse to follow. Jose Verenzuela from gate one appeals and while a lot of his recent runs and his only win have been on the Polytrack, he is a leading hope here and a win would not surprise. Both should come in for plenty of support and given the race has depth, it may pay to look at a horse like TOUCH THE LINE at value who looks a super each-way option at odds. You can also make a case for the two last start winners (CHINESE CULTURE and JACK BAUER) with SURPRISE SURPRISE, DO IT RIGHT, WAR SPIRIT, GUIDED LIGHT and GOLD RUN also winning hopes. Tough race and obviously go wide in exotics.
1 CHINESE CULTURE *** Good win in nice company last start and goes close again with handy 2kg claim. 7.00
2 DEVONSHIRE *** Promising type and good work late last start suggests hard to beat back in this company. 3.50
3 RIMSKY ** Form starting to read badly but won over this trip and expect improvement. 33
4 SURPRISE SURPRISE *** Excuses not to finish close last start and step up to the mile looks a good move as does 2kg claim – keep safe. 20
5 JACK BAUER *** Won similar race last start and have to follow although will need some luck from the wide gate. 6.00
6 THE RUDE WARRIOR *** Excuses not to win last start and looks a big show today from gate one. 4.50
7 RECYCLE WORLD ** Form looks just fair but will be value and will be running on from wide gate. 33
8 DO IT RIGHT *** Has been doing more than enough last couple at long odds to follow and a must for exotics in this. 33
9 GUIDED LIGHT *** Wide gate always a concern but can race handy and in-form. Keep safe. 8.00
10 LADY TRIO ** Best run for a long time was last start and might pay to follow in exotic bets. 33
11 TOUCH THE LINE *** Honest and plenty of excuses not to be right in the finish last start – each way all the way. 12
12 WARSPIRIT *** Never in the hunt last start from wide gate but comes right into this jumping from barrier two. 20
13 GOLD RUN *** Last start just fair but won two starts back this trip so pay to respect. 20
14 DIVINE POWER * Struggled since maiden win. 100
15 MONEY BEE ** Not the worst at odds with light weight suitable race if he gets a start. 33
Selections; 4 WORLD WAR – 3 JERAM CLIPPER – 7 TAVAN BOGD – 12 TOUGH RULER
WORLD WAR won by seven lengths on debut and given he was worked-up prior to the start that day and has since trailed well; he improves for the run and can win again. And while the race has depth, the fact he won by so far on debut, has Moreira staying on-board from a fair gate with a fair weight, don’t expect anything over even money. But he certainly can win and a horse to follow. But again, given the short odds expected in a race with plenty of nice types to take it up him (and the fact he didn’t beat a lot at debut by the looks), we may want to looks elsewhere and a horse like JERAM CLIPPER looks well placed to win. He was supported last start and while disappointing to be run over after leading, the stable and hoop would have learnt from that and from gate one expect Beasley to take a sit and have last crack at them. I like TAVAN BOGD with blinkers added first time and will be watching him closely on the night with John Powell in the saddle and at the race conditions you may want to keep TOUGH RULER safe at likely value. BINGO, OK OK and AFTERNOON DELIGHT should also run well.
1 ABASTOR ** Won too well last start not to be some hope but not sure the form holds up and wide gate an issue. 12
2 OK OK *** Can lead and showing more than enough of late to think he is hard to run down. 12
3 JERAM CLIPPER *** Over-run last start but expect more patient ride from gate one and can win. 6.00
4 WORLD WAR *** Didn’t beat a lot at debut on paper but beat them with the proverbial leg in the air so expect support and have to follow. 2.20
5 DEFENCE ADVISER ** Never on the track last start and happy to think he has more to offer so can include in exotics at value. 33
6 PENSAMIENTO ** Won when blinkers added last start but wide gate makes this tough. 12
7 TAVAN BOGD *** Happy to ignore last start where he did it tough and worth a serious look on best form with blinkers on first time today. Keep safe. 5.50
8 BINGO *** Showed late last start why 1400m should be ideal and can follow at odds. 33
9 DIAMOND SITARA * Will improve with racing but longer looks better. 200
10 AFTERNOON DELIGHT *** In form and showed last start she looks up to a race like this. 20
11 MOEROCK ** Maiden but shown enough to think he could win a race like this without surprising. 20
12 TOUGH RULER *** Backing up after battling away in the wet last start for a placing and in well enough at the race conditions to give some hope here. 12
13 MOOVA CASH * Reassess in easier company. 200
Selections; 2 EL DORADO – 5 CHASE ME – 3 FLYING FULTON – 1 WAIKATO
While CHASE ME, fresh from a resounding victory in the Emirates Singapore Derby and the in-form FLYING FULTON are likely to get most support and be hard to beat, this race has much more to offer and the finish could be a beauty. Obviously coming off an emphatic 8 length Group 1 win is good form and CHASE ME is certainly the one the others will be gunning for – but that was as set weight in 4YO company and this is tougher. He has shown previously he is up to it – beaten two lengths in the QEII CUP behind WAIKATO – but he would need to be at his best and this will be a test. FLYING FULTON picks himself. The Mark Walker-trained 5YO has raced eight times in 2012 for three wins and three seconds and looks the benchmark again. Likewise the old warrior, WAIKATO. Always a hope and in good enough form to give this a shake at WFA conditions. But a horse that could trump them all is EL DORADO. The record breaking three time winner of the Singapore Gold Cup is no slouch at WFA company and given his days of carrying near the minimum in November (the Gold Cup is a handicap) this is the type of race he can win. He is fresh after a big run in the International Cup and that points to a big showing today. Throw in his stablemate, MITRE PEAK (what odds this horse for the Gold Cup on 50kg?) and it could be a nice payday for the Takaoka stabled horses.
1 WAIKATO *** WFA appeals as does nice work late last start over 1200m. Always a hope. 10
2 EL DORADO *** Fresh from a good run in the International Cup (May) and gives this a shake with rain about a bonus. 10
3 FLYING FULTON *** In form and just going too well not to think he is the one to beat again. 3.00
4 THE COMEDIAN ** Query at the trip but gate one a bonus and have to respect. 6.00
5 CHASE ME *** Coming off massive Derby win and that effort has him the one to beat again with form in this company at WFA previously a good pointer. 3.00
6 JAMAL MALIK ** Hasn’t won since November last year but always looks a show and comes into his own a rain-effected track with winkers removed for this. 20
7 BLACK ICE ** In form and showed last start he can carry weight at a good level and be in the mix so pay to keep safe. 10
8 FATKID ** Last couple disappointing but goes good enough on his day to include in exotics. 20
9 MITRE PEAK *** Keeps racing above his rating so while it looks tough at the WFA conditions he must be respected. 20
10 SILVERON WINGS ** Honest and while WFA is a tough ask he will give his best late with winkers on today. 33
11 MAURICE UTRILLO * Last start OK but prefer at handicap conditions. 50
12 JUST DASHING * In form but just too big a jump in Class to consider. 50
13 SUPER GURU ** Very progressive type and happy to follow at this level. 20
Selections; 4 SURGESS – 1 CAN BE BETTER – 9 WOLFSBANE – 6 SANTA ANITA
Not confident about this race at all! But from gate one with Moreira on board and coming of a couple of nice runs under apprentice Troy See, SURGESS looks the obvious pick. He will be short though and is no good thing so it may pay to look elsewhere for some value. In fact I would have been tempted to put CAN BE BETTER on top had the Stephen Gray-trained 4YO drawn a gate. The widest alley is the concern but look for improvement in Class 5 as his recent Class 4 run was good and he did show plenty of ability early in what looked a promising career. His stable-mate, WOLFSBANE, has drawn better in gate two and with ‘smiling’ Stephen Baster on-board, he should also improve and worth serious thought. SANTA ANITA a hope on his good recent form and EL PATRON the other Class dropper that comes under notice in what should be a very suitable grade.
1 CAN BE BETTER *** Huge drop in Class for what looked a very promising type – last run OK and can overcome bad gate and win. 5.00
2 EL PATRON *** Another who looks out of form but a significant drop in Class has him under notice. 5.00
3 PARAGON ANGEL ** Change of stable after being disappointing with support last start – keep safe. 12
4 SURGESS *** Two runs this campaign have been good and switch to senior top hoop and gate one obviously points to a big run. 2.70
5 CARRY THE FLAME * Couldn’t even carry the jockey last start. 100
6 SANTA ANITA *** Form is good enough to win a race like this with 1kg claimer pointing to value – watch. 6.00
7 CALIFORNIA KID * Has speed but usually fades. 20
8 SOLID IMPACT * Goes OK on occasions but wide gate makes this tough. 33
9 WOLFSBANE *** Never in the hunt last start from bad gate but drop back in distance, senior hoop and nice gate suggests improved run. 12
10 VEINTE UN ** Resuming after a poor run of form and unplaced from 10 starts but recent trials good and pay to keep an eye on the market. 33
11 BLUEBERRY POWER ** Has speed but wide gate and poor form obviously a concern. 33
12 ONEPLUSZERO ONE ** Also has plenty of speed and could run a cheeky race with no weight. 20
13 GOLDEN JAMBHALA * Reassess over longer. 100
14 ABYSS *** Resuming after jockey queried (and suspended) over ride back in April – always some show and pay to follow when he gets a start similar affair. 8.00
Selections; 9 FREEZEMASTER – 5 METEOR MIKE – 8 LET’S SEE ACTION – 3 HEAD START
A virtual toss of coin between METEOR MIKE and FREEZEMASTER with the latter getting the nod after drawing better in gate three. Both horses won handsomely in similar affairs last start and both look ready to go on with the job in what is a very suitable race. FREEZEMASTER was super impressive leading all the way last start with credit for the form turn-around given to the tongue-tie being added. His three length win suggests he has plenty more to offer and with just 50kg on his back today, the three-time winner can certainly salute again. But METEOR MIKE showed his best last start winning comfortably carrying a massive 59kg and given he was eased to line by Jose Verenzuela, the margin could have been closer to three lengths than two. Like FREEZEMASTER, he carries less than he had to winning at his last start and the 5kg drop is definitely in his favour. Of the rest you have to respect LET’S SEE ACTION – rarely runs a bad race and certainly up to winning a race like this on the minimum – with improvement likely from HEAD START with blinkers added and the experienced KEEP WAY to keep them all honest.
1 INTERCEPT * Smart horse first up after very long break. Market a good guide but might need the outing. 33
2 KEEP AWAY ** Weight and issue but form probably better than it reads and capable of a cheeky race from gate one. 8.00
3 HEAD START *** Plenty of excuses last start but showed improvement and can improve again with blinkers added. Keep safe. 20
4 SAKIMA * Group one winner from Malaysia and prefer to watch. 50
5 METEOR MIKE *** Strong win eased down late last start and in this a long way with 54kg. 3.50
6 UPSALA ** Very much appreciates Singapore debut run and look for improvement in what is an easier assignment. 20
7 WHAT NOW ** Appreciates this company after tough run in Paititi Gold Trophy. Worth some thought. 15
8 LET’S SEE ACTION *** Form around SUPER EASY in the 3YO series will hold up in this company with 5okg – goes close. 4.00
9 FREEZEMASTER *** Coming off a very strong win in Class 3 company and has to be a big show with just 50kg. 2.80
10 COLLECT THE CASH * Better than what he showed last few but this is tough. 100
11 SLITHER ** Two runs this campaign have been very good and have to follow. 20
12 ACE ALPHABET * Not for me. 100
Selections; 1 BLACK JACK – 5 RAVOUX – 12 CHIVE BLOOM – 11 OASIS CHARM
Very, very keen on BLACK JACK in the lucky last. The lightly raced 5YO looks perfectly placed second up from a spell to knock in his third win from just his 11th career start. In fact his preparation this campaign is exactly the same as his last where he put in a great effort first up under John Powell over 1200m before winning (hopefully in this case) for SH low over 1400m. RAVOUX looks his biggest danger and the Stephen Gray-trained 4YO should lead from gate one under Joao Moreira. His form suggests he will be hard to run down and whoever does pass him will be in the thick of the finish. MULAN back in Class also appeals and should figure somewhere given her good form in similar affairs as does DYNAMIC DAN under similar circumstances. Some interesting runners elsewhere; Watch for support for the newcomer MEAISIN, CHIVE BLOOM is going better than the form suggests, DREAMCATCHER has blinkers added and the maiden, OASIS CHARM, is not the worst.
1 BLACK JACK *** Won second up last campaign under very similar circumstances and hard to beat. 4.00
2 MULAN *** Wide gate not an issue as will get back and has to be a big show back in winning grade/trip. 12
3 DYNAMIC DAN *** Ignore last couple as also drops back to winning grade and goes close with 4kg claim a factor. 6.00
4 MEAISIN *** Former Australian who looks well placed in Class 4 and recent trial with blinkers good enough to follow from gate one. Watch for support. 8.00
5 RAVOUX *** Should lead from the ace draw and very hard to run down. 3.00
6 TZAR * Appreciates first run from a break but may need more racing before we seriously consider. 33
7 HOPKINS ** Coming off a win similar affair but not the type to win out of turn and this race has depth. Each-way. 10
8 DREAMCATCHER *** Usually thereabouts and each-way value but comes under notice with blinkers added. 25
9 MARCUSINO * Mixes his form and have to take on trust and need value. 33
10 WO AI NINN * Resuming and no. 100
11 OASIS CHARM *** Maiden but have to respect on terrific first up run with no weight in this Class. 33
12 CHIVE BLOOM *** Excuses not to finish closer last start and that effort has him involved here with luck from wide gate. 12
13 GOLDEN HAWKEYE * Struggling. 100
14 SOCIAL NETWORK * No. 100
15 DARING JOURNEY ** Not beaten far last start and while we would love to see in Class 5 it will pay to include in exotics. 50