This Sunday’s Equine Sanctuary Tunku Gold Cup promises an electrifying race with the return of top jockeys Bernardo Pinheiro and Oscar Chavez, along with the debut of Brazilian hoop Ruan Maia to Malaysian racegoers.
Pinheiro is back in action after his remarkable performance in 2019, where he clinched 33 victories, including the prestigious Selangor Gold Cup. Last year, he triumphed again in the Selangor Gold Cup aboard PASIR PINJI. Now, he’s set to ride the top-weighted AWESOME STORM in Sunday’s feature.
Speaking of AWESOME STORM, this exceptional contender is no stranger to the winner’s circle. His breathtaking eight-and-a-half-length victory in the 2022 Tunku Gold Cup is still fresh in memories. With a recent win over 1400m, he enters the race as a formidable force despite carrying a hefty 60kg.
Oscar Chavez, a seasoned jockey with a legacy dating back to the 1970s and who needs no introduction on the MRA circuit, is another name to watch. He’ll be aboard THE MAREEBA MANGO, a horse showing great promise despite limited starts.
Ruan Maia, heralded for his successes in Macau and Singapore, brings his expertise to the Malaysian racing scene. His partnership with SHIMI GO, a smart youngster on the rise, sparks anticipation for an exhilarating showdown.
Adding to the excitement are Singapore-based apprentices Clyde Leck and Jerlyn Seow.
Leck will ride GAMESTONKS for his cousin Leck Kai Jin who was granted his ‘A’ license last week and has taken over the gelding from his uncle Charles Leck, while Seow will ride former Singapore galloper ARC TRIUMPH, a winner of six races at Kranji, the son of Showcasing has also picked up five wins in Malaysia.
GAMESTONKS has been a very exciting galloper in the last two years with four consecutive wins in 2022 and a hat-trick last year.
With contenders like CHINESE TEA and KONG FU PANDA coming off recent victories, and veterans like CHEVAL BLANC and SAN ANDREAS aiming for glory, the competition is sure to be fierce.
