Malaysia’s premier three-year-olds will be on show this Sunday at the Selangor Turf Club as they vie for the RM250,000 purse in the 1200m SLTC 3YO Sprint Championship (Race 7) this Sunday.
Top rated performer, DUMA (3) already belongs in the top echelon of his age group but could be the standout if he’s able to chalk up his fourth victory this weekend. The Frank Maynard trained gelding produced a sharp burst of acceleration when winning the 1400m New Zealand Bloodstock Trophy on April 6 by 3.75 lengths. That race has proven to be a reliable form line also with three winners emanating from that 1400m listed feature since.
One horse which was heavily backed to win first up was BANKER’SSIXTYTHREE (14), which finished 2nd in a Class 4 race here a fortnight ago. It was the American bred entire’s first start since his decisive five length win over RELEASE THE SPIRIT (5) on debut back on January 31 and will be one of the major players with 54kg.
YES MAN (2) is a fast and reliable beginner suited by the pole draw and is a chance back to his own age group following two Class 4 wins this season. The gelding received every chance settling off a genuine pace before clinging on to score by a short head over the 1200m trip on May 18.
ROCKY BHAI (6) has improved with race experience and has struck winning form at the right time after breaking through in Class 4 company last start. The gelding possesses a sharp turn of speed also and is a definite trifecta chance.
Following his defeat at the hands of BANKER’SSIXTYTHREE (14) earlier this season, RELEASE THE SPIRIT (5) will be aiming for the hat trick following successive wins prior to going for a short break on April 12. The two horses he beat in those Class 4 contests have won races since indicating the horse has made rapid progress in only four starts to date.
There are six last start winners engaged in the feature including DEFEATER (3) which is also worth considering in a race where there appears to be numerous chances where luck in running will play a big part.
SLTC 3YO SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTIONS: (1) DUMA (14) BANKER’SSIXTYTHREE (2) YES MAN (6) ROCKY BHAI
CINNAMON BLAZE looks well handicapped to return to winning form in the 1300m Max Two Stakes (Race 5). The five-year-old has the potential to rise through the grades and will appreciate the drop in class after performing admirably in the 1600m Chairman’s Trophy on May 4 when finishing 4th. Placed 2nd as a beaten favourite in this grade two starts back, the Charles Leck trained galloper is also a proven weight carrier as senior jockey, SU Lim rides the horse for the first time.
Former Australian galloper THUNDEROUS looks the logical danger after breaking his Malaysian duck in an Open Novice two weeks ago and is also worth mastering in the exotics.
An interesting runner making its Malaysian debut is another former Australian galloper in VALOIS which is engaged in the 1200m Class 3. The Simon Dunderdale trained four-year-old has not raced since November but is a four-time winner with very good form lines in a strong racing jurisdiction back in Australia. The trainer usually strikes early with these imported types and VALOIS is worth considering in Race 6 on Sunday.
