SELANGOR RACE PREVIEW SUN 17 MARCH
The RM 80,000 Chairman’s Trophy (Race 5) headlines the Sunday program, and the Listed Wilyah Silver Bowl contested on February 11 should provide a reliable form guide, with three of the top four place-getters set to clash again.
Winner of the “Bowl”, the smart 3yo MILITARY FLAG (7) looks like the horse to beat again as he aims for win number four in a row. With a sharp burst of speed and a touch of class that belies his race experience, MILITARY FLAG (7) should continue his rapid progression through the grades as he steps up to the 1400m for the first time.
MISTY SWIFT (1), who finished 3rd in the feature, has also progressed nicely since arriving in the country, with the former Kiwi posting 3 wins from 6 starts. The 5yo has had to endure big weights but is racing in top form and is capable of reversing the result.
ANSU (4) was first-up for two and a half months when placed 4th in the “Bowl” and will be one of the major players in the 1400m contest. A Class 3 winner in September and placed in the Perak Charity Cup last November, ANSU (4) will strip fitter and is capable of scoring at good odds.
Another ex-Kiwi runner, HEART OF FIRE (5), bolted in by just under eight lengths on local debut at Ipoh prior to overracing last start when unplaced in KL on December 10. The 4yo appears to have returned in fine fettle judging by his 3L trial win over ANSU (4) a week ago.
KONG FU PANDA (3) travelled strongly in a trial here during the week and should improve second-up, while QUICKEN AWAY (2) lowered the colors of MISTY SWIFT (1) and PASIR PINJI as part of his winning hat trick but goes up 3kg from his 4th last start.
Race 5 Selections: (7) Military Flag (1) Misty Swift (4) Ansu (5) Heart Of Fire
Malaysia’s highest-rated galloper AWESOME STORM (1) returns from a three and a half month break and is set to clash with the inform 7yo THE MAREEBA MANGO (3) in the 1200m Metro A contest (Race 8).
AWESOME STORM (1), a winner of 10 from 21 locally, trialled well here a week ago and will prove hard to beat if he’s able to recapture his best form. However, he runs into a galloper at the top of his game currently in THE MAREEBA MANGO (3), who targets the hat trick and can add another victory to his Malaysia tally of 5 wins from 9 starts.
WAR DRAGON (8) wasn’t suited by the pedestrian pace in a four-horse contest at Ipoh last run where he pulled hard throughout. The 9yo was beaten a short head by THE MAREEBA MANGO (3) at his start prior and can easily reverse the result without surprising.
STREETS OF FIRE (2) is a handy mare worth watching first up while CHINESE TEA (4) was heavily supported into favorite last run before finishing unplaced. The 8yo is best suited when settling off a fast pace and is capable of winning on best form.
Race 8 Selections: (3) The Mareeba Mango (1) Awesome Storm (8) War Dragon (2) Streets Of Fire
