A significant chapter of Malaysian racing will draw to a conclusion this Saturday with the final race meeting to be conducted at the Penang Turf Club this Saturday. The RM250,000 PNTC Farewell Trophy (Race 6) will headline the historic seven event program and features fourteen starters, all Selangor based performers with many visiting the northern circuit for the first time.
Malaysia’s top six rated runners will be contesting the 1300m listed feature including last season’s top performer, ANTIPODEAN (5) who resumes from a short break. The winner of ten from fourteen starts hasn’t raced since winning a 1400m Supreme A contest on April 5 but his recent impressive trial win in KL suggests he is still the horse to beat. The gelding’s first up record is good and his class may see him chalk up another victory.
At the weights, FAITHFUL LEADER (12) also comes into consideration following his authoritative display when beating NOAH KHAN (11) in the 1200m Listed PRTC Community Shield run at Ipoh three weeks ago. FAITHFUL LEADER (12) is a fast beginner and may have to withstand some early pressure for the lead as pole drawn PACIFIC VAMPIRE (7) can also spring the lids and has led in each of his six Malaysian starts so far.
PACIFIC VAMPIRE (7) took a while to recapture his best form but his last two wins were dominant over 1200m and 1100m and with the likelihood of him dictating the pace, the hat trick would not surprise over the longer trip.
ENERGY BABY (10) has been coming along nicely and also deserves a feature win having scored twice from five outings in the high-grade events in KL this year. The six-year-old did fade late when finishing 5th behind PACIFIC VAMPIRE (7) last start but will be suited with the distance rise.
This year’s Tunku Gold Cup (G1) winner NOAH KHAN (11) has maintained solid form since defeating ANTIPODEAN (5) on that day back in March. The six-year-old received every opportunity when runner up to FAITHFUL LEADER (12) at Ipoh but a result reversal is still possible.
Stable mates CIRCUIT MISSION (6) and CHEVAL BLANC (8) are both group one winners on the Penang circuit and are worth adding to the exotics as well in what should turn out to be a keenly contested affair.
PNTC FAREWELL CUP SELECTIONS: (5) ANTIPODEAN (12) FAITHFUL LEADER (7) PACIFIC VAMPIRE (10) ENERGY BABY
Talented four-year-old, LUCKY MAGIC returns to the scene of his first group one victory and is a chance to bounce back in the final race to be contested at the Batu Gantong racecourse, the 1300m Class 4 (Race 7). The G1 Penang Gold Cup and Perak Derby winner has not raced since April 12 when finishing 4th behind the inform Pacific Victory where he started the RM6 odds on favourite. The gelding had the tendency to hang inwards over the concluding stages and was only 1.75L from the winner.
PACIFIC PADRINO ran 2nd in that same race prior to his impressive 2.5L win in the 1600m Listed Chairman’s Trophy in early May and is set for the rematch. PACIFIC PADRINO had to come from behind when finishing 2nd over the mile last start but will be a worthy adversary for LUCKY MAGIC in the closing race on Saturday’s program.
