One of Malaysia best performed gallopers over the past couple of seasons, SHANGHAI NIGHTS makes his race track return in the 1400m Rapid Stakes A contest (Race 6) at the northern circuit this Saturday. The seven year old made a rapid rise through the grades from September 2020 to May 2021 where he won eight in succession before the enforced covid break put an end to his lucrative preparation. SHANGHAI NIGHTS was first up for nearly a year and was far from disgraced when placed 2nd over 1400m here in May and was diagnosed with heat stress after the run.
AHTIMS KLIS has been one of the most improved mares over the past twelve months and has risen to a new level this year posting five wins from 8 starts for the season. The seven year old was responsible for a huge run last start when she let down from a rearward position with a sharp burst of acceleration to win the Mornington Racecourse Trophy here at the end of last month. With race fitness on her side, she is going to prove hard to beat.
CHINA CAPTAIN backs up from his impressive winning performance here last Sunday where he was able recover from a moderate beginning. The six year old took 15 starts before breaking his maiden tag in November and has now chalked up 6 wins since then. This will be a tougher assignment for CHINA CAPTAIN but is capable of the minor upset.
The value runner for the meeting could be SHA NA NA in the 1700m Class 5 event (Race 7). The six year old cost himself any chance at barrier rise when he was slow to begin before powering home for an eye catching 3rd here on July 31. He is set for a rematch with BACK TO FUTURE, who actually led and received every chance in that same race recently. BACK TO THE FUTURE will meet SHA NA NA worse at the weights when the apprentice claim comes into play but is still capable of winning with the 59kg. HAPPY BIRTHDAY always seems to find one or two better on the day but is racing consistently while SUCCESS STREET gets in with a huge weight advantage and is a track/distance winner.
