Three divisions of the 1100m Cosmo C for horses rated from 44-74 points will headline the ten-race program at Perak Turf Club this Sunday. With the broad class range and compressed weights, the higher rated performers gain a big advantage on those languishing near the bottom rung of Class 4 territory.
One of those gallopers which should take advantage of the handicapping conditions is the inform NO MORE DELAY (2) engaged in Race 9. The six-year-old has recorded four wins and three minor placings from eight starts since making his Malaysian debut in October last year. The Wayne Lim trained gelding missed a place for the first time last start after being trapped wide but can make amends with a forward showing come Saturday. STORM EIGHTY-THREE (1) is a perennial competitor in these high graded races in Ipoh and has performed admirably in recent runs. The eight-year-old has finished close up behind the inform Vincent’s Star in three of his past four runs and Saturday’s assignment looks much easier despite not winning for ten months. Even though he was denied victory by a nose at his local debut, GROOVY (6) has been a beaten favourite in his two Malaysian performances but will strike soon. Three-year-old PEAKY BLINDER (4) has been placed at Class 3 level previously and looks a chance despite the outside barrier.
Race 9 Selections: (2) ONE MORE DELAY (1) STORM EIGHTY-THREE (6) GROOVY (4) PEAKY BLINDER
ROCKET BOY (2) and WAR FRONTIER (3) finished first and second respectively in an Enrich Stakes A contest on February 22 and the pair should be major players in Race 8. Resuming from a seven-month spell, ROCKET BOY (2) proved too strong winning by a half length. However, WAR FRONTIER (3) was slow to begin that day and may have been a shade unlucky not to win and judging by his fast finishing third in a Class 4 contest a fortnight ago, he could easily reverse the result. HEART OF FIRE (1) is an enigmatic type who can be hard to follow at times but on best form, is capable of winning. The five-year-old scored at his local debut on this track last year but suffered heat stress at his only other visit to Ipoh which was in the race taken out by ROCKET BOY (2). The gelding has drawn well and can be hard to run down if he finds the front. BIONICS (6) will be facing his toughest assignment but does possess an impressive record on the Ipoh circuit with three wins from four starts, including successive victories in February.
Race 8 Selections: (2) ROCKET BOY (3) WAR FRONTIER (1) HEART OF FIRE (6) BIONICS
The final division of the Cosmo C, Race 10 is the most open with local trainer, Kevin Coetzee saddling up five of the twelve runners. One of the stable representatives, MAN OF ACTION (5) has a chance of returning to winning form following a couple of encouraging performances since a Class 4 win on February 22. FOUNTAIN OF FAME (6) won four in succession and was far from disgraced in the G1 Perak Derby last start. The eight-year-old has been freshened and a quick return to the winner’s stall is not out of the question. Since posting two wins in a row back in January, ONG MARI (2) has struggled against strong Class 3 company in KL but can improve on its first Ipoh visit while SALAAM NAMASTEY (3) is aiming for the hat trick and is capable of measuring up against the stronger lineup.
Race 10 Selections: (5) MAN OF ACTION (6) FOUNTAIN OF FAME (2) ONG MARI (3) SALAAM NAMASTEY
