The 1200m G1 Equine Sanctuary Tunku Gold Cup (Race 9) headlines a marathon card of 12 races at Selangor Turf Club this Sunday as racing returns to the Course A (Rail true position) circuit. The 2023 edition of the feature contains seven horses which contested this event last year, including the first five place getters. AWESOME STORM (3) returns to defend his title when he absolutely dominated to lead throughout by 8.5 lengths but since then, the gelding has suffered a few defeats at the hands of some of his opposition. One of those is the talented mare STREETS OF FIRE (7), who lowered the colours of AWESOME STORM (3) three weeks ago and has peaked following three runs from an 11 month break. The 7yo mare looked impressive and is currently in the best form of her career. LONELY BOY (2) (4th last year) is a smart sit sprinter coming off a personal best season in 2022 which included two group placings. He will be suited trailing the guaranteed pace from the start and will be charging home at the business end. GINGERELLA (5) (7th last year) has an excellent record first up and looks primed following her trial win here on Tuesday. VIOLET (4) (3rd last year) is a reliable beginner ideally drawn to sit on the pace and has the services of inform apprentice R Nuqman. WHITE HOOF BIRD (6) has only had four runs since finishing 5th in the race last year and will be first up since November. He might need the run but he does boast a good record when resuming. Some of the other chances include smart 4yo KONG FU PANDA (14), XENA (10) (2nd last year) and CHINESE TEA (12) but they may have their work cut out from the wide barriers.
The 1200m Horse City Stake (Race 10) is virtually a consolation of the Tunku Gold Cup and WATCH THE THRONE (5), which is first emergency for the G1 feature, looks hard to beat on recent performances. The 7yo possesses a sharp burst of acceleration and it appears he has recaptured the form he displayed when he chalked up six successive victories just over two years ago. BERRY BLISS (6) started favourite when unplaced in the 2000m G1 Piala Emas last December but is a versatile type who remains unbeaten second up. PERFECT (11) missed the place for the first time in 11 local starts here recently after being slow into stride but he can bounce back with 3kg less to carry. MOONGATE LIGHT (2) resumes from a three month spell but is proven at this level and is a winner first up previously.
