The 1200m Class 3 contest (Race 5) will headline the eight race card at Penang on Sunday and will provide an enthralling clash with proven high graders CHINA CAPTAIN and GOLD SKY BILLION pitted up against the progressive and locally unbeaten VALENCIA.
Both CHINA CAPTAIN and GOLD SKY BILLION have finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the fast class races at the past two Penang meetings and a return win from either would not surprise. CHINA CAPTAIN took 13 starts before breaking through in November last year and has continued his rise through the ranks this season posting 5 wins in total so far in his short career. GOLD SKY BILLION will be third up from a short break and caught the eye with a fast finishing burst when placed in the 1300m Mornington Racecourse Trophy here at the end of last month.
VALENCIA is the new kid on the block with an overall record of 3 wins, all in succession, from 8 starts including 2 from 2 in Malaysia. This will be the seven year old’s toughest test on the upgrade but is capable of measuring up to the task following his 1200m hat trick win here in soft going last start. EXDREAM posted a winning hat trick earlier this season and can improve on recent form while LEGEND WAR dead heated for first at the last meeting and has previously scored in Class 3 grade.
Progressive four year old HAZARD strikes a weaker race on Sunday where he will contest the 1400m Class 4 event (Race 4). The Lim Hoon Seng trained galloper is forging a handy record locally with 2 wins from 6 starts and despite being outclassed in the Mornington Racecourse Trophy last start, he looks better suited back in Class 4 company. The promising KANTHAKA struck a purple patch of form last preparation with 4 wins from 8 starts and will be first up since May. The five year old was placed when resuming last campaign and visits the northern circuit for the first time.
