Thursday, 5 April 2018: preview and selections for Kranji Friday April 6

Olympian Eager

RACE 1

GOLDEN SPARK (4) – Runner-up when he was last seen, ran on well enough to be considered again as a genuine chance with Vlad Duric up, not a combination we see often.

D’DON (2) – He has been to more trials than a high court judge but has a good distance record (21 starts, 5 wins, 6 placings).

MASTERMIND (1) – Another in this field who loves Class 5/1000m races. Went forward but was pressured in front last start, wide gate is far from ideal.

GOOD BET (2) – Indeed was a good bet last start in this grade, goes from 27 to 31 rating points and up 4kgs for this run.


RACE 2

GOOD CATCH (2) – In superb form. After three seconds from as many starts, he is overdue for his maiden win.

AMANZOE (4) – Showed a nice turn of speed late in the piece last start. Will appreciate extra 100m. Definite chance.

CROWN GIFT (1) – Had every chance at his last run. Has the foot on the till. Will be right in the mix again.

GOLD STRIKE (8) – Scored two barrier trial wins. May need the run but is not without a place chance on debut.


RACE 3

PRINCE ALEXANDER (7) – Continues to run well with placings in his last four starts. Tough run being caught wide last start.

THE GOLDEN GOAT (3) – Raced handy last start and boxed on OK for third. Never looked a winning hope but worthy of consideration in this.

LUCKY SIX (1) – Well beaten last start when specked in the market. Slow from the start and returned a roarer. Good distance form could be worth having another go.

ROYAL DIWAN (5) – A horse that has talent but issues also. Second run with the new trainer, watch for improvement


RACE 4

DYNAMIC EAGLE (7) – Was a good enough third last start in a race that doesn’t bat overly deep and is worth a look here with Glen Boss in the saddle.

BELT AND ROAD (3) – Has been trying to break the Maiden tag for a while and backs up from last weekend. Raced a little keen in the run but starting to run out of patience.

ENHANCEMENT (2) – Had the leader’s back last start but was the first looking for the oxygen mask at the turn. Placed in a trial since with the blinkers on.

D’GREAT PRIDE (4) – Led them up last time but in the end could only manage 4th at the finish when he looked to be struggling late.


RACE 5

IMPERIAL FALLS (3) – Ran home well enough last start behind Trigamy and looks to win a race sooner rather than later.

MY HORSE (2) – Always ultra-competitive in races like these which are his bread and butter, hard to fault his recent form.

KATAGAS (4) – Didn’t really run up to expectation last time with 4kg-claiming rider, cast a plate but worth a look again on prior form with the senior jockey back on.

SUPER DENMAN (6) – Ended up being handy three wide with cover and gave a sight in the straight, worth following again.


RACE 6

TARGET (3) – He is a last-start winner over this distance in a Class 4 race, had been building to that and should be considered again in this assignment.

MIGHTY EMPEROR (1) – Should always be respected in races like this. Carries the top weight but is always competitive.

GOLD FAITH (5) – Has only had a handful of runs in 2018 and hasn’t been far away, won at this distance back in September.

TURQUOISE KING (4) – He has landed the ace draw with Vlad Duric up. Has gone well over course/distance in the past.


RACE 7

OLYMPIAN EAGER (1) – Now with in-form stable. This monster of a horse won a trial (61.50) very well indeed and given how lightly-raced he is on the Polytrack, there could still be more to come from him having just got touched off by the useful Golden Sword in November.

YULONG FAST STEED (5) – An impressive recent trial winner, this James Peters-trained galloper has been very good in two since the blinkers have been added and last time out, he finished off very well in 23.63 to claim third, the extra distance can help and is a big threat to the top pick.

STAR GENIUS (2) – Just 1L behind 3YO Sprint 4th Augustano when last seen early last month. A repeat of that effort over the C/D will see her finish in the money here.

FIRST CHOICE (9) – Absolutely bolted up in a trial on 20/3 (blinkers on) by over 5 lengths, his race record in the head gear is 1-1 and with both wins on the Polytrack he is worthy of plenty of respect in this.


RACE 8

COUSTEAU (1) – First-up in Singapore and has trialled OK. Handy enough record in NZ and is worth following first-up with Vlad Duric but barrier 10 makes it tricky.

LIM’S HUNTER (2) – Ended up being caught wide last time but was a brave third. Drawn better than the top weight so looks dangerous.

FUSION POWER (6) – Ended up beyond midfield last time and never looked like winning but was seen doing his best work late.

WHY NOT (3) – Hasn’t been far away in recent runs apart from a failure three runs back. Good barrier to run from.