The 2000m G1 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (Race 8) will highlight the eleven race card on Sunday and will feature last start group one winner, PASIR PINJI (3) who is aiming for six wins in a row. The gelding displayed his customary turn of acceleration when successful in the 1600m G1 Selangor Gold Cup on September 17, taking his record to an impressive 9 wins from 11 Malaysian starts. This will be the biggest test for the 7yo as he races over the 2000m for the first time but he still possesses the class to overcome any obstacle. LEOPARD ECLIPSE (6) has the staying pedigree and was well rated when leading before finishing 3rd in the G1 Coronation Cup at Ipoh last month. The 7yo appears to be a genuine stayer in the making and is enjoying his best season to date with five wins. Stable mate, BLACK THORN (2) returned to his best form with a fast finishing 2nd in the Coronation Cup as the veteran searches for his second group success. The ten year old is a proven stayer and was runner up in the Piala Emas four years ago. Last year’s winner, TELLER (10) returns from a seven month break and despite his lack of race fitness, the seven year old looked sharp in a trial win Tuesday week ago. The Johnny Lim trained gelding has won 3 times over the 2000m journey and cannot be left from calculations as his staying prowess has been proven on numerous occasions. GOLDEN PAYOUT (11) is another progressive performer which ran well when finishing just outside the placings in the Coronation Cup last start. The lightly raced 5yo hung out badly in the closing stages and should have finished much closer so he should be competitive at this level.
Race 8 Selections: (3) Pasir Pinji (6) Leopard Eclipse (2) Black Thorn (10) Teller
MISTY SWIFT (1) recorded one of the softest wins you will ever see when taking out a Max Two Stakes event by 11.5 lengths last start and will be hard to beat again in the 1200m Singapore Pools Trophy (Race 6). Unbeaten in two local starts, the former Kiwi performer will prove to be a handy acquisition for trainer Shane Ellis as the gelding aims for the hat trick in his first appearance at Class 3 level. MAGIC TURBO (6) is also establishing a handy Malaysian record with 3 wins from 5 starts and looks to be the main danger. The 4yo finished runner up on the tighter inner track against Class 3 opposition last start and the switch to Course A should work in the gelding’s favour. RONALDO’S DREAM (4) and TORNADO PEGASUS (8) ran the quinella in a 1300m Class 3 race two weeks back and are worthy trifecta chances. STRONG N POWERFUL (7) has been contesting group and listed races lately and should appreciate the drop back to Class 3 company.
Race 6 Selections: (1) Misty Swift (6) Magic Turbo (4) Ronaldo’s Dream (8) Tornado Pegasus
