3 minute read
The feature events at Kranji today sees a Michael Freedman trained sprinter drawn well stand out in a good betting race.
Texan Takeover from gate two in the eighth race on the card does not look to have any form weakness or query about him so therefore picks himself.
At first glance the S$95K Open Benchmark 89 over 1100m on the poly looks to have a plethora of chances but the on top tip has to be Texan Takeover with Manoel Nunes to ride.
Freedman has not had that many starters compared to the names above him in the premiership but has quietly made his way into sixth and is sure to make more inroads this weekend.
After a very cruel and narrowest defeat possible last year (almost like a penalty shoot out where the opposition has one shot left to win and does) he will feel his time is 2013.
Do not mention the word countback to Michael as it will trigger a shiver in the spine.
Texan Takeover resuming ran a ripper third in the same grade as he meets today behind the improved Martincho Cat and then unbeaten Emerald Hill.
He carried 54kg and was wide for three quarters of the race in a fast run race so to keep coming was impressive and the field overall had more depth than what he meets here hence the rise to 57kg.
The four-year-old is strongly built and the weight is not an issue plus has won second up before.
That last start resumption third was the first time he has been beaten on the all weather in four starts so poly suits the son of Stravinsky.
Nunes after one ride on him will now know just how good the horse is and that he has early pace so from a good gate can be put in the race early.
Stalking a hot speed would be ideal to then takeover the run home and dish out a Texan thrashing.
Texan Takeover is also unbeaten at 1100m in three goes so you cannot fault the young sprinter anywhere and therefore it stands to reason he is the one to beat.
There is plenty of early pace in the race so the opening quarter should be rather entertaining and another four-year-drawn well that can rediscover his best form is Dragon Spirit.
This gelding on the poly racked has up four wins and as many placings from ten starts on the all weather and run impressive times too with 1000m being his most lethal strike zone.
He finished fifth in his first two ever starts then never missed paying a dividend at his next ten races in a row before the two ninth failures last August and September.
Dragon Spirit has clearly enjoyed the spell as his two trials wins over January separated by a fortnight have seen a more furnished gelding and I like he ran substantially quicker in the second barrier outing.
Danny Beasley rode him in both impressive trials and knows how good this natural leader is having won three times on him from seven starts.
Gate four at 54.5kg makes Dragon Spirit a serious chance today.
Rapido Star is a logical chance having such a good poly record and two starts ago was third in an Open Handicap behind Valevole and Ghozi so can rumble at this level today given half a decent trip.
Joyful Melody goes quick early and loves the poly so at 54kg will come out smartly for rider Alan Munro.
He has won on the speedster before but it has been a regular recent ride for Beasley, who notably is going elsewhere in the race today to Dragon Spirit.
Bettors only look for one name in a Kranji field and it is what does Joao Moreira ride, so you will have to go deep to find him atop Great Light for Michael Clements.
A tricky draw may not be a problem as in a likely mass attack race early something sitting back and relaxed could come over the top of the multitude of weakeners in the run home.
Great Light has won three races in Singapore and all have come on the poly plus when you see his scalps of Davide and Ronnie Brown it makes his ability come into focus and at 53kg here you need to include him in the multiples.
Moreira rides for the first time but that is not an issue as he does the form and knows the good race threads having ridden most topliners at Kranji.
Interestingly it was a fellow Brazilian in Nunes that rode Great Light to win well last start but he goes with Texan Takeover today so Moreira can show whose judgement is better.
Two sprinters out of form that are very capable of causing an upset here are Birthday Gift and Niceone, with the former drawn the ace importantly and the latter has a key riding change.
Birthday Gift has won all his six races in Singapore on the poly and cannot go as poorly as his last couple of starts again surely.
You can excuse two runs ago as the turf is not his go but last time only a wide draw and a real overlander could be used as possibly a drawing a longbow reason.
Four runs ago Birthday Gift beat the grade he meets today easily under 54kg and the runner up was Masthead (he has since finished second twice in last three starts behind Huka Falls and Emerald Hill).
The rise to 57.5kg will not hamper the big gelding and the inside gate should ensure a soft trip throughout.
Niceone was prior to the last two starts prepared by Leslie Khoo (fifth in premiership as of starting this weekend), the man that will line up Birthday Gift, and it has won all five races on the poly from his ten outings for that stable.
Since running for Team Freedman it has not shown his true ability in two outings but after a wee freshen up he trialled okay last month and is weighted and drawn to be an overs chance today.
I like the booking of Barend Vorster as he can get them out smartly from the gates and with this rather large sprinter it is all about momentum from the outset.
A hot clip can suit him down to the ground and always beware the stablemate of the top tip!
In a race of torrid early pace the better barriers should get the benefits over the closing stages if even able to hold position to the home turn as some stopping in numbers will be taking place turning in.
Texan Takeover may well be just too good for these and gap them at the post.
Respect for a Dragon Spirit resuming that looks refreshed and more like himself too my eye after a break and Moreira atop Great Light is a calculated choice.
The value is likely Birthday Gift and Niceone that if able to get anywhere near their peak would be must includes.
Enjoy the feature race.