3 minute read
The dessert menu tonight at Kranji does sound appealing for bettors and the sweet and wine combo for the feature race can recoup costs.
Éclair Flyer with his best draw this year looks the cream that bettors cannot get enough of and a 2kg claim is sheer icing on the cake.
Chateauneuf Dupape too has a handy gate plus back on the all weather just makes him a vintage chance.
The seventh race on the card is the S$75K Open Benchmark 74 over 1200m on the poly track and many of the runners are in form or have some form on display in recent starts.
It should make for an intriguing contest and the pace battle early is perhaps where punters will want to map out their combination plans first and foremost.
Éclair Flyer can do work in or near the lead and keep kicking so from gate two and 56kg after a claim the Desmond Koh prepared sprinter does look an appetizing play for bettors.
He has had just eight starts since coming to Singapore from Australia with his one win coming first up over 1000m in a Kranji Stakes C in March last year.
The next start saw him finish fifth and run into Mr Big and Ato, which would also quinella the G1 Krisflyer last year though around the other way.
In fact Eclair Flyer has run into several big winners along the way but tonight I see him in the right race to dine out deluxe on.
Three runs this time in for as many placings and notably at the last two outings he has come out of gates nine and twelve.
He drew three when resuming and went a game race for second behind Ronnie Brown, so the formlines are all good.
Éclair Flyer cost $300K as a yearling and had his debut for Greg Eurell before thereafter running for Robert Smerdon and winning three races.
One of those wins came over Lone Rock, which has since won the G1 Goodwood Handicap and the mare does also have a G1 fourth and fifth behind the unparalleled Black Caviar.
I see this well-bred sprinter disputing the pace and running them into submission with a first success at 1200m thoroughly deserved.
Chateauneuf Dupape is a favoured wine for those that like to savour success so is not really in the afford range for many bettors.
However a nice result can do wonders for what gets served up at the table and this Michael Freedman trained looks a bill payer for bettors tonight.
You can dismiss his last start flop being a turf failure plus the son of Darci Brahma is known to run absolute shockers.
His fourteen starts in Singapore have yielded three wins and four placings plus a couple of fourths.
On the poly he has from seven outings won and placed three times apiece with just the one miss coming atop the all weather.
The wins have come from 1000m to 1200m and a Kranji Stakes C under 55kg is his highest salute to date.
He has been twice placed at Class Three and once in a Benchmark 74 so will relish the rivals this evening.
Corey Brown rides at 53.5kg from gate five and will want to uncork a result for the owning Mummify Stable.
The natural early speed of the four-year-old I do see as allowing him to race in or near the lead on settling with only Éclair Flyer and Country Club drawn inside him having as much initial acceleration.
Some heat will come over eventually as too many others in the field like to go forward and press their case.
There will be serious gas from Lamborghini Flame out of gate eight and Pioneer Seven from the six stall will also likely burn from the outset.
I do have Country Club as accepting a sit as the mare is a chance for the multiples for sure but does not want to drag race over 1200m plus has not won since June of last year.
The one that could try and head them off or at least force a torrid tempo is Lamborghini Flame and after a 3kg claim this is a former fast car.
He has not won a race since July of 2010 but that was an Open Handicap.
The last start third by the Leslie Khoo trained sprinter came at 1400m on the turf and this is the only racetrack he likes to spin his tyres on.
Three runs on the all weather for a sixth, seventh and eighth show poly is not for a Lamborghini but do not doubt his class, as a G3 placing showed behind Ntini in a 1:09.26 run race albeit back in 2010.
This leaves the up and comer Pioneer Seven as the on pacer that has a chance due to his racing style.
Manoel Nunes stays with the three-year-old and why wouldn’t he after a second and a win in as many rides atop the Z L Mok prepared runner.
He has trialled it three times over a month since last racing with one them a required starting stall test by order of the stewards.
I see placings behind the likes of Cavallo and Touch Of Gold showing this grade will not be above his station.
Whenever you get a field with the distinct possibility that multiple attacks for the pace both early and across the top is likely then find a sit and surge runner as insurance.
Solitaire is the only game in town that fits the bill and this Shane Baertschiger trained and John Powell ridden runner was unlucky last start.
He drifted back and was steered an inside path only to spurt home the fence and miss winning narrowly.
The four-year-old by Fusiachi Pegasus is very consistent with only once missing paying a dividend in twelve starts in Singapore.
His miss came at 1700m when settled down in the rear trio and the tactic that time failed with the race pattern and tempo not helping him one iota.
Solitaire has come back much more furnished and his fresh up win was strong after being ridden cold.
He used to be an on pacer so can go forward and keep going deep on the track, so I see this two-dimensional ability as only a plus as he works through the grades.
Barrier draws do not really affect him and a second to Great Light (since has won three more times) from gate twelve showed this just over a year ago.
In fact he placed second and won in that period all from double-digit draws.
Éclair Flyer is the most likely winner and even after unwanted attention early and across the top to the home turn he can still deliver.
Chateauneuf Dupape gets the papal seal of approval here in terms of weight, track texture and suitability of event contested.
Solitaire is the lone off pacer that can win by itself and after all the United Kingdom name for this game is patience.
Enjoy the blessed feast on offer in the feature tonight.
