There will be five previous Group one winners contesting this year’s edition of the Selangor Gold Cup. However, two new faces racing at the peak of their powers will be searching for their first group success this Sunday.
ANTIPODEAN (5) and GOLDEN PEGASUS (8) both dominated the recent SLTC 3YO and 4YO Series winning both heats in comfortable fashion and will enter Sunday’s contest in career best form.
Following a string of seven consecutive wins, ANTIPODEAN (5) suffered defeat for the first time at the hands of talented sprinter Gamestonks a fortnight ago but closed off well over the 1300m. This will be the four-year-old’s first trip over the mile, but he does possess high acceleration and certainly won’t lack the class of taking out a major feature.
GOLDEN PEGASUS (8) since joining the stables of Wayne Lim earlier this year has stepped up to another level winning three from four, culminating with a decisive three-length victory over group winner, Golden Payout on August 10. The five-year-old has scored two from two over the 1600m trip and has done a terrific job considering he won his maiden on debut just over twelve months ago.
STREETS OF FIRE (4) failed at Ipoh last start as a heavily backed favourite in the Charity Cup finishing midfield behind TRIGGER PEGASUS (12) two weeks back, but the nine-year-old mare does possess a good third up record (3 wins from 5 starts) and should improve back on home turf.
WECANDO (11) has been a model of consistency for trainer Frank Maynard and lowered the colours of MILITARY FLAG (13) in a Class 3 on August 11 over 1250m. The ten-year-old is yet to win beyond 1400m but at the weights, he could provide the value.
TRIGGER PEGASUS (12) (ex-Trident) bounced back to his best form at his second Malaysian start when flashing home from a rearward position to win the Ipoh Charity Cup. With 53kg, the six-year-old is capable of causing a minor upset.
Duel group one winner, CHEVAL BLANC (3) may be racing a fraction below his best but the versatile performer still has the class to notch another group victory.
MILITARY FLAG (13) is another handy four-year-old with five wins from eleven starts and will also step up to the mile for the first time following his 1400m Class 3 victory last start.
SELANGOR GOLD CUP SELECTIONS:
(5) ANTIPODEAN
(8) GOLDEN PEGASUS
(4) STREETS OF FIRE
(11) WECANDO
