Malaysia’s highest rated galloper, GRAND CROSS will need to carry 60kg against a tough line up when he returns to the race track in Saturday’s feature, the 1300m Mornington Racecourse Trophy.
GRAND CROSS, a winner of 13 races in Malaysia, has not started since leading throughout at Ipoh over 1000m on June 11. The 1300m trip may be the maximum distance he favours at this stage of his career but his class can see him through in his attempt to post his 20th career win in total.
KERAUNO finished 2nd to GRAND CROSS that day and followed it up with a win at the same track on July 2. Also a nine year old, this galloper has been a model of consistency this season and returns to home territory following some impressive outstation performances, including a last start 3rd to top liner, Awesome Storm in KL.
MOONGATE LIGHT was beaten a short head by KERAUNO in that July 2 contest and has won two from three on the Penang circuit which brings him into serious calculations. AHTIMS KLIS has won four times this year and was never likely from the wide draw last start when unplaced here last Saturday and a big improvement will not surprise.
Former Singapore galloper OUD WOOD is yet to miss a place in five outings locally, including two wins, and appears well weighted to score in the 1100m Class 4 contest. Trainer K Ananthen has extracted the best from the Irish bred gelding considering the gelding placed only once in fourteen starts during his Singapore career. Also in career best form is GENERAL NIX who will carry top weight of 59kg less the apprentice claim and is a two time winner in the grade. The five year old is a genuine danger while DESIRE SKY was successful at his last visit to Penang and is one for the exotics.
