As one of the most prestigious races on the Malaysian racing calendar, the RM250,000 Group 1 Kawan ESG Coronation Cup (1600m) attracts an elite field of 10 contenders at Perak Turf Club this Sunday. Here’s the preview from iRace:
No. 1 LADY POH: A former Macau galloper, he is making his local debut in this Group 1 event and boasts an impressive record of nine wins from 30 starts in the former Portuguese colony. Although he has trialed quietly leading up to this first-up assignment, he could make an immediate impact with top jockey S. Ruzaini aboard.
No. 2 BERRY BLISS: This talented performer has demonstrated impressive form this year, securing two victories over distances of 1600m and 1700m on his home turf in Selangor. Notably, the 2023 Penang Sprint Trophy winner finished a close second to Malaysia’s premier galloper, Antipodean, in the Group 3 Sports Toto Challenge Cup just three weeks ago, showcasing his competitive edge.
No. 3 CHEVAL BLANC: Although this multiple Group 1 winner’s form has been tempered, he caught the eye with a fast-finishing third in the Group 3 Sports Toto Challenge Cup last time out, indicating that he is on the right track back to his best. With the added distance, he appears well-positioned to secure another win at the highest level.
No. 4 GOOD FIGHT: As the defending champion, he has consistently demonstrated his competitiveness in black-type races, including a strong third-place finish in the Group 1 Selangor Gold Cup four starts ago. After a powerful surge to finish second in a Metro A event just eight days ago, he comes into this feature in excellent form, ready to defend his title.
No. 5 QUICKEN AWAY: A five-time winner from 19 local starts, this six-year-old mare has been in consistent form, with two victories and two additional placings in her last four races. Although she cannot receive enough weight due to the Set Weights conditions, sneaking into the placings at appealing odds wouldn’t be a surprise.
No. 6 MEGA GEMS: Another galloper who previously raced in Macau, he has struggled to make an impact in both local starts over sprint distances. However, with the step up to the mile trip, he is expected to show improvement, as his best form has come over distances between 1500m and 1800m.
No. 7 SATURNO SPRING: With two local runs under his belt, this Argentine eight-year-old could make an impact with the added distance, especially after a strong fifth-place finish over 1100m last time out. Notably, he finished fifth in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup in 2023, so he is definitely in contention if he finds his best form this Sunday.
No. 8 BLACK THORN: At 11 years old, it’s already a feat that he continues to compete at the highest level. This year, he has shown consistent form, finishing in the placings three times in his last five starts, including a strong third in the Group 1 Perak Derby in April. He could be a valuable selection despite the wide draw.
No. 9 ARTHUR PEGASUS: His form is undoubtedly impressive, with three victories from his last five starts. However, all of these wins have come in Class 4, so it’s fair to say he faces a significant challenge as he rises to Group 1 level, where he has been unplaced in two attempts.
No. 10 RAGNAR: While he typically performs well in Class 3 and Class 4, he boasts an impressive record of five wins from 12 starts over 1600m. Notably, he has been placed once in two attempts in Group 1 features, so he may cause an upset similar to Smart Star’s victory in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup in early October.
While BERRY BLISS is racing in career-best form and looks the likely favorite, head-to-head stats on the iRace website suggest that CHEVAL BLANC, benefiting from a 2kg weight swing since their last meeting, could turn the tables. Additionally, both GOOD FIGHT and SATURNO SPRING appear to be peaking at the right time, offering value for those seeking outsiders in this classic feature.
