For the first time since 2019, the Penang Gold Cup (Race 6) has been reintroduced to the Malaysian turf calendar with the G1 contest worth RM 200,000 in prizemoney.
Of the current trainers, Selangor based Frank Maynard has had the most success winning this race on four occasions, including the 2019 edition when Sacred Empire was promoted to first following a successful objection.
The first horse across the line that day was BLACK THORN (2), which was demoted the third and now finds himself representing the Maynard stables in this year’s edition as part of a four pronged attack for the camp.
Stable mate, LEOPARD ECLIPSE (7) has been prepared to the minute and has developed into a handy stayer with two minor placings at group level this season. The 7yo finished third at his only start over 2000m in the G1 Piala Emas on December 3 and backs up from his placing over 1300m in KL last Sunday.
GOLDEN PAYOUT (10) is expected to attract market support and has been freshened since his impressive win in the Piala Emas, his first win at group level. The 5yo scored with consummate ease and providing he handles the tighter circuit, he is the one they have to beat again.
The career of CHEVAL BLANC (3) has been resurrected since joining the Maynard yard with two unbeaten performances in the country. The 8yo backs up from a comfortable 1300m win in a Metro A contest last Sunday and he has placed at 2000m previously.
GOLDEN KING (11), runner up in the last two editions of the G1 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor, is due to break the egg at the top level and should provide the value for trifecta players.
AHTIMS KLIS (5) produced her familiar burst of acceleration when finishing a head second behind RAGNAR (9) in KL last Sunday and it seems that she has recaptured her best form at the right time.
Penang Gold Cup Selections: (7) Leopard Eclipse (10) Golden Payout (3) Cheval Blanc (11) Golden King
The 2023 Malaysia Trainers and Jockeys Premierships are still not done and dusted as the seasons concludes in Penang this Saturday.
Sharee Hamilton is making a late surge for her first premiership as she saddles up eleven runners for the Gold Cup Meeting. Formally based in Penang, Hamilton has trained a personal best 72 winners this season and is four behind perennial premiership trainer Richard Lines who sits on 76. Lines will have seven runners engaged as he aims for his twelfth success in the trainers title. Last year’s winner HY Cheng (65 wins) will finish in third position.
The Jockeys premiership will go down to the wire as last year’s leading apprentice, Nuqman Faris is two wins clear of 2018 Champion jockey, Ruzaini Supien. R Nuqman is currently on 56 wins and was dealt a blow at the KL meeting last Sunday when he was dislodged from his mount, Steel Cutter in Race Two. The apprentice sustained minor bruising, eventually forgoing his remaining ten rides for the day but will be fit to ride in Penang this weekend. S Ruzaini won the 2018 title with a tally of 54 winners, which is the exact number of winners he has ridden so far this season. Ruzaini has seven mounts while Nuqman will has six rides on Saturday.
