Large field numbers will be the order of the day for the Perak Turf Club meeting this Saturday, with a big contingent emanating from Selangor.
Previous premiership-winning trainers Richard Lines and HY Cheng will be represented by numerous runners, while the current leader Simon Dunderdale has four genuine chances engaged on the nine-race card.
One of Dunderdale’s main hopes appears to be the ultra-consistent 6yo OLYMPIA (4) in the 1200m Heritage Trail Handicap (Race 7). Despite not winning since October last year, OLYMPIA (4) is coming off a last start 3rd (2L) behind his highly regarded stablemate Antipodean a fortnight ago and looks the one to beat at his first appearance on the Ipoh circuit.
Another Selangor-trained performer, MYSTERIOUS CAPTAIN (6), which hasn’t won since August, is due to pick up a Class 4 contest also and will benefit from the apprentice claim.
FIRE AWAY (9) has been freshened after a descent in the ratings, while LIMITLESS VENTURE (7) was placed at huge odds recently and is one to watch third up.
SILENT BOSS (1) and KRUGER (2) are resuming, and both have been handy performers in the past, so they are worth considering for the exotics.
Race 7 Selections: (4) OLYMPIA (6) MYSTERIOUS CAPTAIN (9) FIRE AWAY (2) KRUGER
Another division of Class 4, the Ipoh War Memorial Handicap (Race 4), is a more open contest with several winning chances.
NORTHERN STAR (5) should be primed following three starts this preparation and did score at this track/distance back in November. The 5yo has started favourite in his past two runs and is on the verge of a return victory.
RS DIAGO (9), a Class 4 winner in Kuala Lumpur last month, continues to race well and can bounce back after receiving no luck when a beaten favorite over 1400m a fortnight ago. The 5yo will be reunited with S Ruzaini and drops 3.5kg from his last start.
Apprentice R Nuqman rode SUSPICIOUS MIND (3) to its last win back in December, and the pair will be reacquainted this Saturday. The 6yo is also due for a winning return following two seconds in a row.
THAILAND CAPTAIN (4) is a definite chance for notching the hat-trick now that he has recaptured his best form.
SEMANTAN PRINCE (1) drops in class but has the outside draw to overcome while MANDRAKE (6) ran well first-up when placed at big odds behind stablemate THAILAND CAPTAIN (4) here at the last meeting.
Race 4 Selections: (5) NORTHERN STAR (9) RS DIAGO (3) SUSPICIOUS MIND (1) SEMANTAN PRINCE
