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International Racing: Kranji Best Bets – Friday 20 September 2019

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An exciting weekend of racing awaits us in Singapore this weekend and while the highlight is the Raffles Cup Gr1 on Sunday, the El Dorado Classic Gr3 is not to be missed here. First race is off at 12:20 SA time. 


Although we have sided with WHISTLE GRAND as our Best Bet on the card, there are few confident picks on the night and we suggest that I’M INCREDIBLE (Race 8 – El Dorado Classic) and YAYA PAPAYA (Race 9) are also worth following with interest. O’REILLY STAR is a versatile sort and he looks well weighted to present punters with a bit of value in the 7th and as such he’s flagged as a Value Bet.

Best Bet: WHISTLE GRAND (Race 4)
Value Bet: O’REILLY STAR (Race 7)

Race 1 – 12:20
Selections: 3 – 4 – 12 – 1 – 2
A relatively straight forward event to kick off the meeting and we have sided with the 4-year-old mare KO OLINA to beat the boys. She has put in two solid efforts since stepping into this class and that may be as a result of her returning fresh after a three-month absence. She has only had the five starts so far and may have gone closer last time out, had it not been for a bout of lameness she picked up in-running. She will be fitted with the blinkers this time and with the 3kg claimer up, should be hard to run down again. TSURIAN has started to drop a little quicker in the ratings and he will be buoyed by that latest performance when dropping into this Class from a wide draw. He showed a tremendous amount of resolve in that run, having been caught out wide for most of the way and he managed to box on well for fourth. He gets a much-improved draw today and having placed at Class 3 level, he should feature prominently this time. SUN ELIZABETH has shown some fair form in her last few starts and the wide draw may have been her undoing last time out. She finished just behind the top selection in her penultimate start and from a good draw today, she appears to have good place potential at a fair price. AABIR returns from a three-month absence having bled in his last start. That was a fair effort under the circumstances, having finished within 1.30 lengths of the winner. Not only did he bleed in that run, but it was reported that he “laid inwards behind the heels of QIJI COMMANDER, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and shift his mount outwards.” He wasn’t tested in his subsequent trial, but with only 5 starts under his belt, he should have plenty of scope if overcoming the draw.

Race 2 – 12:50
Selection: 1 – 4 – 2 – 3 – 6
This looks a two-horse race between the 1 and 4, but we have opted to tip SPIRIT OF BIG BANG to go one better today. That was an encouraging local debut run, considering he was woefully slow away and compounded by the fact that he was unable to improve his position through the 550m mark. That was due to him being held up for a clear run, prior to entering the home straight. Regardless of the above, he grew wings to flash home late for a 0.30 length beating in 2nd and one gets the impression that he is going to relish the extra furlong this time. With plenty more scope, he looks the right one here. ST ALWYN was not disgraced in his last start, when making his handicap debut in Class 4 company and finishing a respectable 6th. He has a tough draw to overcome this time, but he will enjoy the slight drop in class and in trip. With Duric taking the mount, he looks a big runner on his Restricted Maiden form and must be included. ATTENTION had absolutely no luck in running last time out, in Novice company and did well to finish where he did. The stipes report states that he jumped awkwardly and was forced to sit further back in the field than he would’ve liked. Thereafter, having travelled well he was “momentarily held up on straightening and once clear in the straight, his mount ran on well.” He will enjoy the extra furlong here and with Rodd in the irons, he should feature prominently. REMARKABLE EMPIRE is back on the Turf after a decent effort behind LIM’S RAY on the Poly last time out. He has only had the three starts so far and looks to be progressing in the right direction. With further improvement expected, he must be included.

Race 3 – 13:20
Selections: 4 – 2 – 7 – 1 – 8 
SUN CONQUEROR has only had the three starts so far and was just caught late by the well-handicapped YULONG MEDAL, last time out. He was just held up for a few strides before turning for home in that run and will be hoping or a more forgiving trip this time. He has shown good improvement in his last two starts, since stepping up in trip and looks distance suited once again. From another useful draw, he will still have plenty of scope for further improvement and looks a likely winner here. WIND TRAIL has some good consistent form so far, with 2 wins and 2 places from his 7 starts. The Japanese bred son of Screen Hero has experienced some in-and-out luck with the draws in his last few starts, but he lands a good one today and he will be looking to find a mid-field position out the gates. He should be flashing home late and looks a very likely challenger to the top selection. BEAR WITNESS has been dropping in the ratings and he appears to be holding a fairly consistent run of form. He has been finishing just off them, but his chances will be even more buoyed this time having landed a much more forgiving draw. Having dropped 7 points in his last 5 starts, he looks rather well handicapped here and with Woodworth up, he must be considered. The top weight MAGNIFICENT GOLD appears to have a preference for the Turf track and he’s shown that in his last two starts, when also dropping into Class 4 opposition. He has won in this Class before and will be looking to continue the trajectory he has displayed in his last two starts. He does have a tricky draw to overcome, but Rodd retains the ride and he should go well.

Race 4 – 13:50
Selections: 9 – 3 – 4 – 2 – 1
Race 4 on the card brings us our best bet for the day, in the form of WHISTLE GRAND. The Australian son of Coats Choice has had just the two starts under his belt and he was beaten under a length in both of those attempts. His latest effort came back in July this year and he may have needed this run, had it not been for the three promising barriers he has had since then. He does have a tricky draw to overcome, but also gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and with the claimer up today, he looks very tough to beat in a modest Open Maiden. WHAKAARIA MAI had a tough return last time out, after a 7-month absence from the course. Not only was he slow into stride on that occasion, but he proceeded to race wide around the home turn and was held up until just before the 300m marker. With that said, it was a solid effort to run 2nd. He returns to his favoured surface today and will be relishing the extra furlong. On his penultimate start over this course and distance, he looks a threat but does have another tough draw to negate and that may present a few problems. THE ICEMAN also returned after a break last time, although he was only absent for just over three months. That was on the Poly and he had a wide draw to negate in that run, which resulted in him racing wide without cover. Post-race, his jockey stated that he didn’t appear to take to the surface and that may have been a contributing factor to his poor performance. Back on Turf from gate 4, conditions look far more favourable for this son of Darci Brahma and he could potentially improve by many lengths. He must be included, with Duric back in the irons. LORD JUSTICE brings back-to-back placings into this race and the son of Showcasing looks well weighted again, to put in a big claim for first prize. He enjoyed stepping up to this course and distance last time out and lands a slightly improved draw here. With leading apprentice Simon Kok Wei Hoong up, he must have a realistic chance at fighting this out.

Race 5 – 14:20
Selections: 6 – 4 – 7 – 1 – 3
A modest Class 5 event over 1600m awaits us in the fifth race on the Poly and we have tentatively sided with the Stephen Gray trained YULONG HOLY FLYING. Still a maiden after 19 starts so far, he has been consistent in his performances and his latest effort may indicate that he could be ready to win here. That was over the course and distance, beaten by 2.80 lengths on that occasion and from another useful draw today, he looks a major contender. The apprentice will claim the 3kg’s off his back and that should be enough. RIVER HAPPINESS may have finished a bit closer last time, had it not been for late interference. The stipes reported that “after improving onto the heels of SILENT BOSS, he had to be steadied and shifted inwards.” Only beaten by 4 lengths thereafter, he retains the services of apprentice Yusoff and finds another decent draw.  He has only had the 9 runs and steps up to the mile today, but on his pedigree that will be of little concern and he looks an interesting runner having gone close on this surface before. If seeing out the trip, he looks a big danger. IRON FIST was a little disappointing last time out, but on his previous form he looks more appealing than most in this race. He has been dropping in the ratings of late and is reunited with jockey Wong, who has gone close on him in two of his last three runs. He has another tough draw to negate today, if finding that prior form he should be right there at the finish. The top weight, SUMMER GLITTER, has only had the 7 starts to his name and he has dropped 8 points in the ratings in his last four. Back in Class 5 company after a few modest performances in Open and Restricted Maidens, he ran a good second in his most recent trial and that was with the Cross-Nose-Band which he wears today. He has plenty of scope to improve and he must be considered.

Race 6 – 14:50
Selections: 6 – 8 – 11 – 4 – 2
ALARANCH has been dropping in the ratings for some time now and she now lands on a career-low mark of 31. Her form of late hasn’t been too bad either and it appears as if she has enjoyed the recent drop to the minimum trip. Her chances will be buoyed by the fact that Duric takes the mount this time around and he enjoys a 50% strike rate for trainer Kuah Cheng Tee, over the past 12 months. From gate two, she’ll be expected to dart off to the front and is likely to settle in first or second. With the above in mind, she looks very hard to beat. MONT CHOISY put in a solid effort last time out, when dropping to this course and distance and that was after dropping to this low rating of 27. He is only just getting going in his career, with the 13 starts to his name and he appears to be on an upward trajectory right now. JP van der Merwe retains the ride and from another useful draw, he looks the main danger to the top selection. TOP BANANA has had the 26 starts and is yet to pick up that first victory, but he has been thereabouts in his last three starts and showed enough speed when dropping to this trip last time. Apprentice Krisna takes the mount this time and claims a further 3kg off that bottom weight and from a relatively handy position, he should mount a big challenge. FEROCIOUS looks to be the best of the rest and he’s a consistent performer in these race conditions. He has been sliding in the ratings and that should result in him going closer and closer, without the obvious external factors in-running. From gate 10, he may have a few to negotiate and he’ll need a bit of luck in running. With that said, his late dash should suit and if not outpaced early on due to the drop in trip, he’ll be worth including.

Race 7 – 15:20
Selections:  4 – 2 – 3 – 11 – 12
O’REILLY STAR has been in good consistent recent form and he has been showing his versatility throughout his career, over different distances. He has featured prominently over the sprints and had no issues stepping up to 1800m last time out, when finishing just over a length off the winner and just behind HENG KINGDOM. That was when utilising front running tactics and he will be looking for another relatively handy position this time around, from gate 3. He is 3.50 lengths better off at the weights with the latter, thanks to his claiming apprentice and that should be good enough to bring this son of O’Reilly into contention for the winner’s box here. LIM’S RHYTHM showed good improvement when overcoming a wide draw last time out, having dropped into this class of opposition. He was forced to race wide without cover on that occasion and did well to box on for 2nd.  From a slightly improved draw this time, he should find an improved early position without much fuss and with Woodworth up, he should be right there. HENG KINGDOM has been mentioned already, having finished in-front of the top selection last time out. That was a solid effort when returning to the Poly and he showed an eye-catching turn of foot to flash up late. From gate 10, he will be forced to do the same, but the pace will be an improved one with the slight drop in trip today and he’ll be involved in the finish once again. HEPHAESTUS seems to be taking the rise in ratings in his stride and that was on display last time when finishing a good third behind HIGH STREET. That was over this course and distance when finishing in front of the 10 and 12 and van der Merwe retains the ride once again. From another decent draw, he should feature prominently.

Race 8 – El Dorado Classic (Gr3) – 15:50
Selections: 5 – 4 – 10 – 2 – 3
An interesting feature awaits us in the 8th race on the card and it’s the first of two major feature races this weekend. For first we have gone with the form horse, I’M INCREDIBLE to land his second Gr3 win on the bounce. He has been a massive improver this year for Shane Baertschiger and as a result, he has risen 28 points in the ratings. Although he is yet to try this trip, he is bred to enjoy the step up to the 10 furlongs and with this being just his 9th official start, he doesn’t look like he is stopping here. He is half a kilo worse off at the weights with the 4, but looks progressive enough to continue his superb run of form and we think he’ll win. For second, we have sided with last year’s winner KING LOUIS. He finished just behind the top selection last time out, but will be tougher to beat this time given the slight rise in trip. Having finished a good 3rd in Gr1 company in his penultimate start, he lands an improved draw and looks a big threat with Pike regaining the ride. He was third in a recent trial and that would’ve left him cherry-ripe for an attempt at a second El Dorado Classic on the bounce. KINGS SPEECH looks an interesting runner, considering that this race has historically produced winners with low weight on their backs. The son of Darci Brahma has exactly that, just 52kg’ to shoulder and he brings some solid form into this race, albeit Class 3 form. He has continued to improve as Stephan Gray has stepped him up in trip and that meant he had no issues over the 2000m last time out, when showing an impressive turn of foot to go down half a length in second. He has since won a trial in very good fashion and looks to have a decent shout here. BAHANA won this race in 2016 and although he hasn’t really shaped in recent times, it would be remiss of us not to mention him.  He went on to win Singapore’s biggest race that year, the Singapore Gold Cup and although he may have lost some of his earlier edge, he can run a big race here. It does look tough from gate 9, but Duric takes the mount and he’ll know him well, having won on him before.

Race 9 – 16:25
Selections: 3 – 5 – 11 – 1 – 7
YAYA PAPAYA looks the obvious selection for punters to finish off the meeting on a high note. It is quite hard to knock him on his last three efforts, since stepping back on to the Turf from wide draws on all three occasions. He has shown a particularly useful turn of foot in his last two and from an improved draw today, Duric retains the mount and he looks very tough to beat under these race conditions. ADIPSON is another obvious inclusion to fight out the finish. The son of So You Think has been in good consistent form so far and he has his fifth career start today, his first over a mile. He was a little disappointing last time out, but that run can be excused based on the lack of a clear run. He was held up for clear running between the 300m and 200m, after taking a bump at the start and was thereafter crowded for room approaching the 200m. He will be fitted with the blinkers this time and he looks an attractive proposition, with Pike up from a good draw. With scope for more improvement, he must go in. MILITARY CHARIMAN has been thereabouts of late and the son of Time Thief will be looking to convert his form into a win soon, off this competitive looking rating. He drops slightly in trip and that will suit his handy running style. From a useful draw, his claiming apprentice takes a further 1kg off his back and he could present good place value for punters, if not going all the way to win it. The top weight, BOY NEXT DOOR didn’t quite shape when stepping up to Class 3 company last time out. He took a bump at the start of that run and possibly didn’t enjoy the surface as much as he enjoys the Turf. From a useful draw, he gets the services of a 2kg apprentice claim and should go close.

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