derby day
meeting preview for sun jul 25, 2021
Racing lost a good man last week.
Laurie Keith Laxon.
Anyone who has had a passing interest in Singapore racing since the move to Kranji in 2000 would know the name but thankfully for many in the industry, they also knew the man.
Tributes poured in from all over the world for the Melbourne Cup winning trainer - Empire Rose's win was folklore - but it was the memories of his time at Kranji - and more poignantly from the people he influenced directly- that showed his worth as one of nicer blokes you would meet in the industry.
Don't get me wrong. The man often called "Uncle" by those at the track or at the Roo Bar was as tough as they come - you don't get far in the racing game without some mongrel - but it was guaranteed if a man was down, it was Laurie who would pick him up.
Be it down-on-their-luck trainers, out-of-form jockeys, battling track-riders or even wayward grooms looking for another chance - Laurie helped them all - and it's a testament to his legacy that everyone that knew or spent time with the champion trainer, was better for the experience.
Personally, I didn't know Laurie as well as others in the industry but was lucky enough to spend many hours in his company both at the track in a semi-official capacity and socially at numerous bars, restaurants and at the odd NZ inspired BBQ at his humble abode.
Off the track, Laurie was very hard to keep up with but on the track, Laurie was impossible to beat.
His Singapore CV reads so much better than any other trainer of his era that he will be long remembered as not only the best handler Kranji has seen, but also more importantly for "LKL", as the biggest character Singapore racing has ever seen.
Rest in peace Uncle.
Oh, there is a Derby on Sunday - a race Laurie won twice - and fittingly MR MALEK should win for Laurie's biggest and most loyal owners, the Oscar Racing Stable.
Best Bets: (CRYSTAL WARRIOR race 3 win), (GALAXY STAR race 5, value), and (ARARAT LADY race 8, value).
Bankers for Jackpots: Race 8 (1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9), race 9 (1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8), race 10 (1, 2 and 3), race 11 (1, 3, 5, 6, 10 and 12).
Click on the race details for the complete race card and the horse name for its history.
Good luck and see you in the forum!
-Larry
discuss
race 1: top knight 2020 stakes class 5 (1) - 1600m (polytrack) time: 12:00 prize money: s$30000
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1 - CIRCUIT STAR - OK late last start but drops in grade and gets over suitable trip so can win.
11 - TIGER LEAP - Maiden who handles the Poly, race suits and can figure with nay puck from awkward gate.
5 - FORT MUSTANG - Broke maiden status in similar affair last start and honest enough to keep following.
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race 2: sun marshal 2019 stakes restricted maiden (2 and 3 year old) (weight for age) - 1600m (turf track 'b' (lc)) time: 12:30 prize money: s$75000
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4 - IRONPRINCE - Did it tough from wide gate last start and work late to place good enough to win this with barrier 1 a factor.
6 - ACE SOVEREIGN - Excuses (tough run) when unplaced with support last start but wouldn't sack with handy 2kg a bonus here.
1 - HERO - Appreciates first up run in Singapore and work late suggests he has a say over what is a more suitable trip with winkers off.
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race 3: jupiter gold 2018 stakes class 4 (2) - 1100m (polytrack) time: 13:00 prize money: s$50000
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1 - CRYSTAL WARRIOR - Placed on debut on Poly before tough run in the 3YO Sprint but can consider in the on the back of a good trial with blinkers off and tongue-tie on.
4 - BIONICS - Draw some concern but resumed with very good effort and will look the winner at some stage.
7 - BRUTUS - Finds it hard to win and had support at recent runs in similar races to this but worth one more look with blinker/pacifers added.
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race 4: infantry 2017 stakes open maiden (weight for age) - 1200m (polytrack) time: 13:30 prize money: s$20000
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8 - EIGHT BALL - Widest gate some concern but is due, appreciates being back on the Poly and the one to beat.
3 - GLOBAL SPIRIT - Resuming after a bleeding attack and bold run expected on the back of a good trial with visor off and pacifier on.
1 - LAGO DE COMO - Battled last start over the mile but placed two back this trip and gets his chance in this field from gate 1.
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race 5: well done 2016 stakes class 4 (2) - 1200m (turf track 'b' (lc)) time: 14:00 prize money: s$50000
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3 - TOM CAT - Winner too good last start but was well and truly in the mix and won start prior so looks the benchmark.
6 - GALAXY STAR - Excuses (traffic) not to be right in the finish last start in similar affair and can win this with positive ride expected.
7 - MIRACLE - Gets back and runs on very strongly and often value so happy to follow.
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race 6: quechua 2015 stakes class 5 (2) - 1600m (polytrack) time: 14:30 prize money: s$30000
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13 - RETALLICA - Query the trip but can go forward and give a bold sight with support likely.
5 - LIM'S RHYTHM - Freshened with good trial after winning over 1700m on the poly last start. Big show.
1 - BLITZ POWER - Foot on the till, appreciates being back on the Poly and goes very close.
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race 7: spalato 2014 stakes kranji stakes b (set weights) - 1800m (turf track 'b' (lc)) time: 15:00 prize money: s$85000
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2 - OCEAN CROSSING - In form, not a mile away from Mr Malek last start and 1800m in this grade suits. Hard to beat.
4 - SO HI CLASS - Up in Class but hard to fault winning form and looks the benchmark.
1 - GOLD STRIKE - Form reads badly but this race is perfect third up this campaign and can win on the back of a quiet trial.
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race 8: better life 2013 stakes class 4 (1) - 1100m (polytrack) time: 15:30 prize money: s$50000
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1 - ARARAT LADY - Drawn wide but not a mile away in Class 3 last start so the drop in Class coupled with a 2kg claim has her right in this.
2 - KISS YOUR SONG - In the mix last start and should figure again from gate 3.
7 - SUPER SMART - Finding it hard to win but gate 1 helps and will figure late.
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race 9: chase me 2012 stakes class 4 (1) - 1200m (turf track 'b' (lc)) time: 16:00 prize money: s$50000
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1 - VALOROUS - Hasn't won for a long time but recent efforts promising and gets his chance here.
6 - DR KARDO - Disappointing but jockey suggested kickback an issue on the Poly last start and happy to give another chance on the turf with gate 2 a factor.
2 - FIRST CHOICE - Will lead from gate 3 and whoever passes him late wins.
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race 10: singapore derby group 1 (4 year old) (set weights) (rider allowances not permitted) - 1800m (turf track 'b' (lc)) time: 16:30 prize money: s$400000
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1 - MR MALEK - Won the Stewards' Cup over 1400m with authority, gives every indication the Derby trip is no problem and hard to hold out.
3 - BIG HEARTED - Gold Cup winner who will be the biggest beneficiary stepping up in trip and can win on Stewards' Cup form.
2 - ROCKET STAR - Started favourite when pulling up lame in the Stewards' Cup and can win this if right on very good Group 1 form prior.
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race 11: clint 2011 stakes class 4 - 1800m (turf track 'b' (lc)) time: 17:00 prize money: s$50000
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1 - SATURNO SPRING - Drops back to winning Class, had some in hand last start on the turf and should figure in this finish.
3 - LUCK OF MASTER - Overdue to win one of these given support but ran on to keep Split Second honest last start and must go close with handy 2kg claim.
12 - ATLAS - Finds it very hard to win but will appreciate being back on the turf and should figure prominently with blinkers off a factor.
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