This year’s Hygain Horse City G1 Selangor Gold Cup (Race 10) has raised many questions following the barrier draw, as numerous runners have genuine winning chances.
Not favored by the draw is the country’s premier sprinter, AWESOME STORM (1), who will start from barrier 14 after scratchings. The 2022 G1 Tunku Gold Cup winner will need to work hard initially. However, despite racing over the mile for the first time with 60kg to carry, there is a long run into the first turn on the long course.
Penang Sprint Trophy winner, BERRY BLISS (2), has fared much better with the draw and has been freshened since his Group One victory. The 5-year-old is a fast and reliable beginner who can create his own luck, as he did when winning last time from gate 13.
Despite a disappointing performance in his most recent run, SAN ANDREAS (8) cannot be discounted based on his prior form, including a memorable victory in the G1 Tunku Gold Cup followed by a 3rd placing in the G1 Penang Sprint Trophy in July. The 7-year-old is only a moderate beginner with a sharp burst of acceleration and can bounce back without surprising.
KONG FU PANDA (11), which finished 2nd in this race last year, looks ideally placed to break into Group One contention following his runner-up performance behind BERRY BLISS (2) in the G1 Penang Sprint Trophy recently.
Among the lightweights, the progressive galloper PASIR PINJI (13) is the best-performing with 8 wins from 10 Malaysian starts and is coming off four successive victories. The 7-year-old possesses a quick turn of foot, and there is a likelihood of a generous pace generated, which places the gelding in good stead for a forward showing. One to watch for value is SINCERELY (7), which has been competitive in high-graded events and has attracted market support in previous meetings with some of his rivals in recent contests.
Former Singapore galloper, STRONG N BEST (5), will be much fitter from his encouraging run in Penang on July 30 and can break his Malaysian duck in the Cup Consolation, the 1700m Tan Sri Nelson Tan Celebrities Trophy (Race 7). Finishing 4th first up behind the talented Gamestonks, STRONG N BEST (5) has won second up previously and will be hard to beat from pole position. SHOW HAND (7) has also been freshened up following four minor placings in a row and deserves a win. Handy mare, XENA (3), has been racing slightly below her best form but showed a glimpse last time out that she may bounce back following an encouraging effort in a Metro A contest on the inner track last month.
KHAN PEGASUS (10) lowered the colors of SHOW HAND (7) over the mile two runs back before finishing runner-up over the unsuitable sprint trip last time out. EYE GUY (2) pulled up lame last time, so there were genuine excuses, and he wasn’t overly taxed in a trial win here a week ago. RESURGENCE (4) has won three races this season and is a handy sit-sprinter likely to cause an upset on his best form.
