Following an absence of four years from the Malaysia turf calendar, the RM 200,000 Group One Penang Sprint Trophy (Race 9) returns this Sunday with the country’s best gallopers lining up over the 1400m journey. Due to Covid and other unforeseen circumstances, this edition of the Sprint Trophy will be run for the first time since trainer Frank Maynard and jockey Jackson Low combined to win with the Al-Arabiya owned gelding Hatta back in 2019.
This year’s edition has cast a big question mark on the chances of the more fancied performers since the barrier draw took place on Wednesday.
Local sprinting star, AWESOME STORM (1) has been dealt a blow with his draw of 14 after scratchings and will have consume some energy in order to find a forward spot early in the contest. The 5yo is coming off a comfortable 1200m KL win and will be looking to reverse the result on SAN ANDREAS (7), the horse which denied AWESOME STORM (1) from successive Tunku Gold Cup victories on May 28.
Starting from barrier 16 and sprinting from last at the 400m mark, it was a career best performance from SAN ANDREAS (7) who lost no admirers with an eye-catching 3rd to SINCERELY (8) in KL two weeks ago. The 6yo has been trained to the minute as he targets his second group win for the season.
Since failing from a wide gate in the Tunku Cup, KONG FU PANDA (13) has recaptured his best form finishing runner up to fellow combatants AWESOME STORM (1) and SINCERELY (8) at his past two starts. The promising 4yo looks ideally weighted on the minimum and has drawn well also.
SINCERELY (8) has been progressing nicely with two recent KL victories for the Richard Lines stable and should be settling on the pace from barrier 3 at his first run on the Penang circuit.
The only locally trained runner in the sixteen-horse lineup is BIG DOCTOR (4), which has won four from four in Penang and to maintain his unbeaten record on home turf, he will have to win from the outside barrier. The former Australian’s only defeat in Malaysia was in the Tunku Gold Cup when he finished unplaced but was only 3L from the winner.
PROOF PERFECT (12) has displayed his true potential in two wins from as many starts in the country and capable of the upset while BERRY BLISS (6) is another progressive type which can never be underestimated in this company.
The 1300m Dr Lim Ah Soo Trophy (Race 4) is virtually a consolation of Sunday’s feature and following his resumption to racing a fortnight ago, the Charles Leck trained GAMESTONKS (1) can return to winning form. The 6yo has won at this track previously and will strip fitter following his first start in six months when he finished a close 3rd behind Sprint Trophy aspirant, Proof Perfect over 1100m.
MOONGATE LIGHT (2) and DANCING RAIN (3), both emergency acceptors for the Sprint Trophy, are genuine chances on the handicaps. CHONKY POTATO (6) backs up quickly from his decisive 3.5L win in KL last Sunday while EXDREAM (7) was runner up in a strong Class 3 contest last start. STAR BULLET (8) will be giving away plenty of weight on the handicaps and has claims based on his first up win over 1100m in KL three weeks ago.
