STC Friday Kranji Preview

The following analysis is provided by the Singapore Turf Club for tonight's racing:

RACE 1

Tough race to call with no standout candidates. Irish-bred Weowna Flyer (3) showed tremendous determination to dig deep and scrap for a third-place finish three weeks ago and will need to rely once again on those fighting qualities if he is to succeed here. Barrier No 1 helps, though. Two placings last month suggests Silent Power (8) is on the brink of a return to form and the seasoned galloper must be respected despite the wide alley. Honkytonk Man (11) has the postage stamp weight and the way he flew home in July to snatch third bodes well and could be the spark he needs to see an upturn in his fortunes. Winless for two years and 26 starts suggest Double Hock (12) is unlikely to pick up the winning habit but the US-bred gelding is a battler and never fails to put in an honest shift. Place claims.

RACE 2

US-bred Super Joy (8) has been steadily improving since debuting in March and it is only a matter of time before the Desmond Koh-trained galloper earns his breakthrough. Expect a bold bid here. Jubilation (5) has been narrowly edged out at his two outings here and the extra furlong should favour the late-charging bay gelding. Bob's (3) rustiness after a five-month break showed as he ran out of steam three weeks ago to finish fourth but he should strip fitter for this assignment and is worth consideration even if horror gate is a query. Super Joe (9) might be light-framed but showed tremendous spirit to snatch second at his last start and with barely anything on his back should run a forward race again.

RACE 3

Hard to look past Ruapehu (3) who has looked bright since his debut in April, posting two wins and four seconds from six outings and has an excellent chance of extending his imposing record. Backed-up Smart Idea (1) finished fifth in his Class 3 battle 12 days ago and should find this an easier task. The gelding is more accustomed to longer trips but cannot be discounted and expect a forward showing this time around. Panama City (2) is another galloper who is more comfortable past the mile and while the Singapore Derby runner failed at his last start, he has won three times this year and should excel against this lot. This is a big step-up for Majestic Moments (10) who has two wins from three starts though the light load and marble one should aid his chances of proving he belongs in this company.

RACE 4

The sharp rise in weights for this contest will make it difficult for last-start winner Wimbledon (2) to build on that success but the brown three-year-old colt has bags of ability and should still make a bold bid. Also carrying the top weight of 58kg is Amazealot (1) and the gelding usually reserves his best work for the five-furlong dash. Nice low draw. Bold frontrunner Infermo (5) responded to being outfitted with blinkers for the first time with a solid win and will hope the headgear does the trick once more. Place claims. Blue Lagoon (11) may have only one win on the board in 20 attempts but the Japanese-bred gelding is always thereabouts and will go close again here.

RACE 5

The way A La Victory (1) stormed home to win on his debut three weeks ago was impressive though the Alamosa three-year-old will find this harder with the rise in weights. If he can repeat that dominant front-running display he will be hard to beat. Questions about his durability will be posed by Retrospect (10) who has won twice since the pacifiers came off and should put himself into contention again from the nice alley. Black Snow (2) was narrowly edged out last month and will be keen to make amends. The gelding has placed at his last five outings. Nothing wrong with the three runs put together so far by Branksome (8) and the gelding could sneak into the minors once more.

RACE 6

Last-start winner Gato Negro (1) has produced a string of inconsistent results so far this year but has also won four times, the latest in Class 3 company. The brown gelding is clearly talented and if on song, will be hard to beat, especially from the good gate. Class-dropper Coronet Peak (2) should find this more to his liking and the South African-bred galloper's record at this tier is formidable and he must be respected. Fellow seven-year-old Codigo (9) is well weighted for this assignment and has been humming along nicely since his Class 4 win three starts back and rarely gives anything less than 100 per cent. Bold frontrunner Honest Truth (3) has had a stop-start year but has plenty of raw speed and posted two all-the-way victories earlier this year and if he gets away will be hard to catch in a footrace down the straight.

RACE 7

Expect the freshened-up Affleck (1) to continue his winning ways with another bold bid in this contest. The smart gelding has been earmarked as a future star by trainer Laurie Laxon and took out July's Juvenile Championship in impressive fashion. Looks hard to beat. Looking to avenge that defeat is Castor (2) who battled bravely but just did not have that little bit extra to get past his rival in their match-up two months ago. Still remains a threat. A debut victory last month will be a tough act to follow for Super Winner (3) who is up against more talented company this time around while Lucky Giant (4), a winner two starts back, may sneak into the minors despite the sharp rise in weights.

RACE 8

Honest galloper Rusty Brown (1) has been occupied with Class 4 assignments for the majority of his time here and has produced consistent performances. Drops in grade and should have too much quality for this lot. Last-start winner Roma (12) finally earned his breakthrough after years of trying and the brown mare always puts in a tough shift whenever asked by trainer Hideyuki Takaoka. Will be raring to go after a three-month break. Kingsley (10) has been moving in the right direction in recent months and warrants consideration here in spite of awkward alley while it is hard to know what to expect from the inconsistent Zac Heaven (2) who has three placings from his last five starts to go alongside double-digit finishes. Watch betting support.

RACE 9

Two wins on the spin by Twodollarmuppet (7) are promising signs and the gelding gets another chance to shine in his latest assignment. Has shown in the past that he knows how to hang on to a lead and if he gets a chance he will leave his rivals chasing shadows once more. Snitzel Spirit (12) showed plenty of promise earlier this year with a win and a second and was then spelled by trainer Michael Freedman. A barrier trial win last week bodes well ahead of the chestnut's return. Lucky Dapper (2) is rarely far away in the final reckoning and has finished second a startling nine times from 27 starts. A win two starts back suggest he also knows how to get the job done and he cannot be discounted here. Dreamcatcher (1) has been a picture of consistency of late and another paycheque is well within his reach. Nicely drawn. Place claims.