The G1 Penang Sprint Trophy run just over a month ago should provide a reliable form line for the 1500m Metro A contest (Race 7) at Selangor Turf Club this Sunday. Six of the eleven starters competed in the feature and a previous group one winner gets his chance to bounce back into winning form. This year’s Tunku Gold Cup winner SAN ANDREAS (5) continues to race well since his memorable last to first victory in the race from barrier 16 back in May. The 7yo produced his familiar burst of acceleration when placed 3rd in the recent Sprint Trophy and was far from disgraced when finishing 3rd behind talented sprinter Awesome Storm here over 1275m a fortnight ago. However, there are some progressive types coming through the grades including the Richard Lines trained SINCERELY (6), which lowered the colours of SAN ANDREAS (5) over this track and distance on July 16. The 7yo ran a credible 5th in the Sprint Trophy and should not be discounted against this lineup. GOLDEN KING (8) has been a relatively quiet achiever and a touch underrated considering he has placed 4th in two group ones this year. His run in the Sprint Trophy was excellent reeling off the fastest final sectional over the 1400m journey. The New Zealand bred 5yo is ideally placed at the weights and is capable of causing a minor upset. BLACK THORN (4) makes his long-awaited return for the Frank Maynard stable and will be targeting the G1 Selangor Gold Cup in two weeks, the race he was successful in last year. Although he has been off the scene since December, his first up record is good and his class should place him in good stead in this competitive field. TOP KNIGHT (2) was a perennial competitor in the high grades and group races in Singapore last year and despite him better suited over a longer trip, he will strip fitter from his respectable first up performance here on August 19.
The 1250m Supreme B (Race 8) contest also sees the return of another promising galloper, NO FUN NO GAIN (3) which hasn’t raced since sustaining a bleeding attack on February 16. The 8yo has displayed his true potential from only six starts in Malaysia recording three wins since his local debut in June last year. The gelding’s win in the Penang Island Cup last December was arguably his best performance and with an excellent first up record (5/9), he should make an immediate impact on best form. Following his failure in the Penang Sprint Trophy, MOONGATE LIGHT (1) bounced back with a placing in a weaker line up in Ipoh three weeks ago and will benefit from the 4k claim. GOLDEN SARDINE (5) can not be underestimated either coming off a Class 3 victory over 1300m last start. The 6yo has been freshened and is unbeaten in two starts over the 1200m journey. Former Australian galloper QUICKEN AWAY (6) arrived in the country on a tough mark but hasn’t been far away in three local outings. The 5yo mare should improve and may be an outsider chance. SHANG CHI (9) has thrived since crossing the causeway posting two wins from three Malaysian starts and will be competitive again despite the slight rise in class.
