One of the most iconic feature races on the Malaysian racing calendar, the RM200,000 Group 1 Meru Valley Resort Perak Derby (2000m), is set to attract an exciting field of 10 contenders at Perak Turf Club this Sunday afternoon. Here is the preview from iRace:
No. 1 GOOD FIGHT: A seasoned campaigner, this evergreen galloper continues to impress at the highest level. His second-place finish in the Group 1 Penang Gold Cup four starts ago shows his class, and he has maintained consistent form in high-level handicap races since. Under the Set Weights conditions this week, he is well placed to be a formidable contender.
No. 2 SHANGHAI NIGHTS: Once a highly promising horse, SHANGHAI NIGHTS has struggled to regain his former glory in recent years, with his last victory dating back to 27 August 2022—over 900 days ago. Given his recent form and the challenging 59kg weight on his back, it would be a significant surprise to see him finish in the Top 3 this time.
No. 3 SMART STAR: He made a statement last October with an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m), defeating a top-class field. On his local debut 30 days ago, he finished a strong seventh while resuming, demonstrating his capability to close well in the final stages. With the rise in distance highly suited to his racing style, he’s poised to peak at the right time. If he can replicate the form that saw him win the Singapore Gold Cup, he will be extremely tough to beat.
No. 4 BIG HEARTED: The 2020 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup winner, BIG HEARTED has shown mixed form since, making him a hard horse to predict. However, he still possesses the ability to perform at a high level. Despite being overlooked in the market in recent starts in Malaysia, BIG HEARTED could surprise on his day, particularly if a fast pace develops, which would suit his preferred style of getting back and charging home late.
No. 5 LUCKY MAGIC: A consistent performer since day one, LUCKY MAGIC has been in outstanding form, winning four of his last five starts. His biggest achievement came two starts ago when he defied a massive rise in class to claim his first Group 1 victory in the Penang Gold Cup (2000m). He followed up with back-to-back wins in Class 3 company, and he is likely to be the favourite in this week’s feature race.
No. 6 AHTIMS KLIS: This nine-year-old mare is in good form, though she has largely faced weaker opposition in Class 4, raising concerns about her ability to handle this step up in class. In addition, there are questions about her ability to handle the 2000m trip, as she has yet to place in two starts over this distance.
No. 7 BLACK THORN: A veteran of Group 1 competition, his most recent notable performance was a fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Penang Gold Cup two starts ago. However, he followed that with a disappointing run in Class 3 company. At 11 years old, it is clear that his best years may be behind him, but the fact that he can still compete at this level is a testament to his enduring ability.
No. 8 FOUNTAIN OF FAME: Once struggling in Class 5 in Singapore, he has made an impressive transformation since moving to Malaysia, winning his last four starts by a combined margin of 12 lengths. Although these victories came over distances ranging from 1300m to 1600m, his remarkable progress suggests that, if he can handle the 2000m trip, he may follow in the footsteps of LUCKY MAGIC, who won a Group 1 feature after rising straight from Class 4.
No. 9 SO WE FIGHT: Seven days ago, he finished fifth in a Class 4 race, but now he finds himself in a Group 1 event. The massive rise in class raises concerns, as his rating of 60 suggests he is more suited to Class 4 competition. However, he does possess tactical speed – one of the most powerful weapons in Malaysian racing – and could potentially sneak into the placings at long odds.
No. 10 PACIFIC BAO BEI: A former Singapore galloper, he secured his first local win at Class 4 level four starts ago. However, his form has since dipped, despite receiving heavy market support on a couple of occasions. On the plus side, he is a three-time winner over 2000m, which stands as a significant positive. If those with higher ratings underperform, he could cause an upset.
As the racing conditions suggest, horses with higher ratings hold an advantage over those with lower ratings, which makes both GOOD FIGHT and SMART STAR strong contenders in this classic feature. LUCKY MAGIC, currently on an upward trajectory, is targeting his second Group 1 victory and is likely to be a leading contender. BIG HEARTED, FOUNTAIN OF FAME, and PACIFIC BAO BEI all have the ability to figure in the placings, making them horses to watch.
