International Racing: Kranji Best Bets – Sunday 6 October 2019

Eleven races are carded for this Sunday meeting at Kranji. It appears to be a nice punting card and although there aren’t any features races, there are plenty of exciting races to get involved in. The pick of the bets, comes in the last race where the South African owned STREET PARTY will be looking to make amends for that excusable last run. 

The value on the card arrives in the 8th race, where PAKATAN WARRIOR lines up in a competitive Class 5 event. He has the form to go close and should be worth following at a decent price. With plenty of other betting opportunities available, the guide below should be of some assistance to punters.

Best Bet: STREET PARTY (Race 11)
Value Bet: PAKATAN WARRIOR (Race 8)

Race 1 – 06:40
Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 7 – 6
A Class 5 event over the 1000m Poly gets us underway in what appears to be a relatively straight forward event, with two horses who appear to stand out. The selection for first prize is the top-weighted AABIR. The son of O’Reilly gave a good account of himself, in that comeback run last time. That was when returning to the course after a 3,5-month absence and the outing would’ve bought him on nicely. He finished 2.10 lengths behind ASIA SPIRIT in that run, when overcoming gate 12 and showing plenty of resolve to box on for a third-placed finish. He lands a much better draw over the same course and distance now and with the 3kg claimer up, he’ll look to take advantage of a 5kg favourable turnaround at the weights with the latter. That should be enough and he looks tough to beat this time. ASIA SPIRIT, as mentioned above, finished ahead of the top selection last time. That was when winning his 9th start and it was certainly due, having dropped 10 points in the ratings. He has been penalised 6 points for that latest win, but lands another good draw and still has scope. He’s far more competitive in this class and looks the main danger to the top selection. PAPERBACK TROOPER retains the services of Woodworth, after a win and a third in his last two respectively. With that credible latest effort in mind, it may suggest that he hasn’t been caught by the handicapper yet and another positive effort can be expected. From a useful draw, he will be chased into a relatively handy position and looks a threat if things fall apart for the top two. LEO finished behind the latter in his penultimate start, when having a tough draw to negotiate. He followed that up with a solid effort from a good draw last time, when dropping to this trip and another bold showing can be expected here. He has a 6kg turn around with the latter on their last meeting and that brings this son of Bullbars into the equation for the minor places.

Race 2 – 07:10
Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 7 – 5
PINDUS was just touched off on his Singapore debut, in Class 4 company and he drops into the maiden ranks for his second outing here. From pole position, he will be looking to take up the early running or slot in one position behind the leader and that will create a useful launching pad for his late challenge. He gets the blinkers removed and the visor fitted for this run, with Michael Rodd in the irons and should be too hard to beat this time. GAMELY has been an ultra-consistent sort of late, having finished just off them in his last few under Azzopardi. He gets the services of Vlad Duric, for his return to the course after a short absence and from another useful draw he rates a threat. Yet to win in 17 starts, he should have a decent chance here and deserves to be respected. COLOUR PAINT was just touched off in his last start, in Class 5 company. The son of Zizou has only had the six starts, with three 2nds to his name. He drops 3.5kg’s for this run and gets the services of a senior rider for this return to the maiden ranks. With plenty of scope for more improvement, he could be hard to shake off in the latter stages and he should be staying on for the minor places. MAKE U FAMOUS was also just touched off in slightly stronger company last time and that effort was all the more impressive, considering he cast a shoe in running. Back in maiden company, he is reunited with apprentice Kok who claims the 2kg’s off his back and he too should be a threat for the minor places.

Race 3 – 07:40
Selections: 2 – 3 – 9 – 5 – 7
LIM’S PASSION steps back up in trip here and returns to the Turf course, after two good Poly efforts over shorter. Both of those runs were in this class of opposition and he did well to be competitive from two tough draws. He jumps from gate 8 this time and it’s no surprise to see Woodworth retain the ride, for a great chance at finding the winners’ box at his 10th time of asking. He went close over the mile, four starts back and that effort was against this class of opposition. That run came after winning his maiden over this course and distance and both of the above-mentioned efforts should confirm his ability over this sort of trip. He looks tough to beat. For second, SUN FORMATION gets the nod and the son of Mossman will be looking to add to those three good efforts over this course and distance. He backed up his recent maiden win with a solid effort in this class last time and from another fair draw, Ewe retains the ride. He seems better off racing handy and that will more than likely be his tactics again. He could be tough to shake off in the closing stages and should feature prominently. BEAR WITNESS has been dropping in the ratings for some time now and the son of Star Witness made good use of that much-improved draw last time, to stay on strongly late. Having raced well off the speed in that run, he was forced to rally wide late and will be looking for a much smoother passage to unwind his challenge this time. He’s in good form, drawn well and looks well handicapped to make his presence felt. BLITZ POWER has another tricky draw to overcome, but that shouldn’t concern his followers too much as he likes to race from off the pace where he can utilise his good turn of foot late on. He has been doing just that in recent times, highlighted by his penultimate start when finishing in front of the former. That was over this course and distance and a repeat of that run should bring him right into the equation. 

Race 4 – 08:10
Selections: 8 – 9 – 4 – 1 – 5
CAI POH WANG has shown good improvement with the recent drop in ratings. He had a tough draw to overcome last time and showed plenty of cheek to box on well in the closing stages, having been caught deep throughout. He has a slightly improved draw this time and lands the services of Benny Woodworth. Off his current rating he looks competitive and has the form the win this modest Class 5 event. YULONG HOLY FLYING has also dropped significantly in the ratings and predictably – his form has improved. He drops slightly in trip for this run, but that should suit the fact that he likes to race handy. Back on Turf this time, he has the blinkers fitted and the son of Frozen Power has the form to feature prominently here and must be considered. SILVER JOY finished behind the top selection last time, but that was an improved effort and a continuation of his positive trajectory since dropping in the ratings and entering this class. He has another tough draw to overcome, but will be running on late and should be worth including. INVISIBLE improved last time out, in maiden company and he will enjoy the slight step up in trip here. He has had three very tough draws to overcome in his last three starts and his chances will be buoyed by the much-improved barrier here.  The three-year-old son of Mission Impazible still has scope for improvement and must be respected.

Race 5 – 08:40
Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 6 – 4
SACRED CROIX showed his desire for more ground in that smart showing last time out in this class, over a trip short of his best. That was after a solid showing in the Gr1 Derby, in his penultimate start and a great effort in the Gr2 Stewards Cup over this course and distance, prior to that. Benny Woodworth retains the ride from an improved draw and he has the class, form and ability to be tough to beat here. GOLD STRIKE has had very little luck with draws of late, yet he has managed to rise through the divisions regardless. Although finishing 10th in his penultimate start in the Stewards Cup Gr2, he was only 3.50 lengths behind the winner and 2.3 lengths behind the top selection here. That was despite being drawn in barrier gate 15 and he will be even more competitive from gate 2 today. Rodd jumps back up and he looks the biggest threat to the top selection. The top weight, LOYALTY MAN, has been in useful form having finished just off them in recent times. He went very close to winning in this class, over the same course and distance three runs back and a repeat of that effort should bring him right into the equation here. He has a tricky draw to overcome, but his useful gate speed should go some way to negating that and he must be considered. For the minor placings, WECANDO appears to have good enough form to feature. The son of Per Incanto has landed 4 wins from his 10 starts in Singapore, with three of those victories coming in his last five starts. Although that form was in Class 3 and 4 company, he has risen through the divisions and looks capable of stepping up to this plate, over the extra furlong. He does have gate 9 to overcome, but he likes to lead and should have the gate speed to find a handy position early on. If so, he’ll be right there at the business end.

Race 6 – 09:15
Selections: 2 – 9 – 1 – 8 – 11
MY WIN put up a decent effort last time, when returning from a 3,5-month lay-off and he could’ve finished a lot closer with better luck in running. That was his second effort off that mark of 42, since winning prior to that. That victory came over this course and distance, in this class and he now jumps from a much more beneficial gate this time. From gate 5, the son of Casino Prince will be looking to race up there with the early speed and he should get there with minimal effort. That comeback run would’ve sharpened him up for this run and he will be cherry ripe this time and looks the one they all have to beat. INVINCIBLE MAN is another contender who found traffic in his last start, despite finishing in 2nd place, just 3 lengths off the winner (ALARANCH).  He has a wide draw to overcome this time, but he does have a useful turn of foot and will be running on from off the speed. He is 3kg’s better off with ALARANCH, for that 3-length defeat and with that favourable weight turn around, he should finish even closer. The top weight, ALWAYS INNOCENT, was an eye-catching winner last time when stepping onto the Poly. Not only did he enjoy the change of surface, but the reduced trip clearly helped too. He lands another good drawn and a repeat of that latest effort over this course and distance should be good enough to bring him into the frame and he deserves plenty of respect with Powell retaining the ride. ALARANCH, as mentioned above, was a smart winner last time out. That was over this course and distance when dictating matters from the front. He’ll find a repeat of those tactics tougher to achieve from gate 9, but he does have the gate speed and the 3kg claim will certainly boost his chances of following up. He’ll be right there at the finish and must be included. 

Race 7 – 09:45
Selections: 2 – 1 – 7 – 3 – 6 
This looks an intriguing race, full of speed and on close inspection there can be cases made for a few. With that said, KISS YOUR SONG has been knocking on the door for long enough now and he looks best placed to find the winners enclosure. A consistent sort, he has finished within a length of the winner in his last four starts – his latest in Class 2 company no less. He has found a perfect draw here and he should be too hard to catch late. INVINCIBLE RYKER finished behind the top selection last time, when overcoming a wide draw. That doesn’t seem to concern him, considering his blistering turn of foot he possesses on his day. From just off the pace, he has the ability to turn it on and he should be flashing home late once again. The son of Invincible Spirit has dropped a few points in the ratings of late and with Woodworth up, he should be right there. LONHRO GOLD on the other hand, looks likely to take up the early running. He’s drawn wide, and with his good early speed he’ll be expected to lead the field through the half-way mark. He can be excused for that poor last effort, when taking a bump at the start. He continued to race wide without cover and subsequently pulled up lame in his near fore. If finding his prior form, he’ll make his presence felt in the latter stages. LORD O’REILLY returns after a 3-month break and his connections will be watching his performance closely, with his recent ‘corrective surgery’ in mind. That was in relation to the respiratory noises he made in that latest effort. A three-time winner in eight starts here, the son of O’Reilly clearly has an affinity for this surface, if his two prior runs are anything to go by. If finding his best form, he’s a major contender here.

Race 8 – 10:15
Selections: 6 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 1 
PAKATAN WARRIOR has been in smashing form of late, having gone close against stronger last time after two good wins in this class and that was from a wide draw. He drops in trip for this run, but that should suit his running style and he’ll be relatively handy from gate 4. Off the same rating as last time, in this slightly weaker company, he looks very competitive and could be the value bet on the day. I AM INVISIBLE went close last time, when dropping into this class over the course and distance. He has a slightly wider draw to negotiate this time and that may suit, as he likes to come from off the pace. Duric takes the mount this time and if finding a smooth passage late, he’ll go very close. SUPER SPEED has dropped in the ratings and finished in front of I AM INVISIBLE last time out – an impressive effort considering that wide draw he had to negate. He jumps from gate 11 again and will be forced to bolt off to the front, as he has done in his last few. He’s improved with the apprentice claim, in his last three efforts and the step up to this course and distance may also be a contributing factor. Another bold effort can be expected and he deserves inclusion. MINGS MAN has been dropping in the ratings and the old campaigner may still have a few more big runs left in the tank. He has a wide draw to overcome, but he put in a fair effort when dropping to this class last time and should be right there at the finish once again.

Race 9 – 10:50
Selections: 6 – 9 – 2 – 7 – 1
KING ZOUSTAR has dropped to a competitive rating in his last few starts and the predicted improvement has been evident. He comes off the back of two good efforts over shorter and the step up in trip should be what he is looking for now. He finished just behind INHERIT, in his penultimate start and he now meets the latter on a 4kg favourable turn around at the weights. From a very useful draw, he’ll be worth following. BASILISK certainly enjoyed stepping up in trip in his penultimate start, when returning to the Turf. That was after a campaign over the sprints and he followed that up with a smart effort, when rising to this class last time. He steps back up to the Turf 1400m here and with Benny Woodworth in the irons, he looks a major contender. INHERIT was very promising on debut, kicking his Singapore career off on a winning note. The son of PIERRO looks suited to the step-up in trip and from gate 2, he’ll be looking for a seat just off the early pace. If building on that debut run, he’ll be in late scramble for the line. LIM’S RAY won his latest in maiden company and he returns to Class 4 opposition, where he lined up in his penultimate start. He wasn’t disgraced in that run, finishing three lengths off the winner and that was over much shorter. He steps up to the 1400m here and returns to the Turf course, where he has gone close before. Kellady takes the ride and he’ll be flashing home late.

Race 10 – 11:25
Selections: 3 – 1 – 4 – 8 – 5 
FULIFE KING has just had the 10 starts here and he has proved to be a very useful sort over this course and distance. He was beaten just over a length, against Class 2 opposition last time out and a repeat of that effort should be good enough here. His chances will be buoyed by the engagement of the 3kg claimer and that should make him too hard to beat. STAR OF JUPITER brings some solid Australian form to the fore, for his Singapore debut. He has shown plenty of speed in both trials, over this course and distance and Duric will stick with him. If living up to expectations, he’ll be a big runner. FLAK JACKET has been in solid recent form, as he continues to slide in the ratings. He has shown good improvement since reverting to the Poly, albeit having dropped to this Class. Not disgraced from a wide draw last time. He boxed on well in that run, despite being caught out wide for most of the turn. Gifted with the best draw of all this time, Powell takes duty and he’ll be looking to have a bit handier over the slightly shorter trip. With a sustained finish expected, the 9-year-old son of Dane Shadow has a very useful chance. ELISE won start to finish last time and he steps back up to Class 3 company, as a result. He placed against this strength of opposition three runs back and despite the fact that he has a few kg’s more to shoulder, he can be considered a worthy inclusion.

Race 11 – 11:55
Selections: 7 – 2 -12 – 3 – 1 
It’s the final race on the card and it appears to be a good opportunity to finish off on a positive note. STREET PARTY is the pick to do just that. He can be excused for that poor latest on the poly, over this trip. The rider (Rodd) explained that “he was unable to obtain cover from a wide barrier and when runners improved on to his inside, he was obliged to settle at the tail of the field to obtain cover.” He was however, still able to box on late but it’s fair to say he was never in the race. He returns to the Turf course today and lands a prime draw. On his prior form, he’ll be a massive runner here and he could just be the best bet on the card, to notch up his 2nd career win. GOLAZO has been dropping in the ratings and he has found some good consistent form, despite having a few wide draws to overcome. He may just want an extra furlong as he does take a while to unwind, but he has plenty of ability and under these race conditions deserves respect. His next career win is just around the corner and from gate 2 today, he looks a major threat. DREAMER LEGEND beat the top selection last time, but as mentioned above, the finishing positions are expected to be reversed this time. He was well beaten by the top selection in his penultimate start. He gets the winkers fitted for this run and with the continued drop in ratings, is expected to pop up and win any of his next engagements. MATSURIBAYASHI is another with good consistent form of late. He has a very smart turn of foot, which will need to be activated in the closing stages, as a result of that wide draw. He may find the trip a touch on the sharp side, but he is no mug at this level and on ability alone deserves plenty of respect.