The inaugural running of the 3YO Mile Championship (Race 9) will headline the twelve-card program at the Selangor Turf Club this Sunday.
The form coming out of the 1200m sprint version of the series contested on June 1 should be a reliable barometer despite the absence of race winner Elite Prince. The minor place getters in the 3YO Sprint Championship, YES MAN (1) and DUMA (2) head the ratings in the twelve-horse lineup for which the majority will be racing over the metric mile for the first time.
Arguably the Frank Maynard trained DUMA (2) is the best performed runner with three wins from seven starts and is one of four candidates representing the RC Stable.
Stable companion TREES OF VALINOR (8) has furnished into a nice type since finishing runner up to DUMA (2) back in April and is striking form at the right time with two impressive victories, especially his Class 4 win when trapped wide throughout. He is not an overly quick beginner but he does possess a sharp burst of acceleration and will have no trouble stepping up to the mile.
YES MAN (1) will enter calculations following his effortless victory by 5.25L when leading throughout to defeat Elite Prince here last Sunday against Class 4 company. The gelding has recorded four wins in his career so far, three of those when leading all the way so whether he can sustain the effort up to the longer trip remains the big question but is racing in scintillating form by the same token.
New Zealand based sire Reliable Man has two representatives and are both greys which have raced over the mile or beyond previously.
EVER RELIABLE (9) recorded wins over 1700m and 1800m earlier this year and being a dour type is best suited if the pace is genuine throughout. Not blessed with early gate speed the gelding cannot be left out of calculations.
STRONG WHITE (11), also by Reliable Man, can be a wayward customer at times and is still learning the racing caper but displays huge potential as indicated when breaking his maiden tag over 1400m in February. ROCKY BHAI (6) won a Class 4 contest over 1500m in May and is another galloper who races best off a quick tempo.
3YO Mile Championship Selections: (2) DUMA (1) YES MAN (8) TREES OF VALINOR (9) EVER RELIABLE
The semi feature is the 1200m UK Stable (Thailand) Trophy (Race7) attracting a small but select field of quality sprinters. Speedy five-year-old PACIFIC VAMPIRE (3) returns to home turf and will be seeking redemption following his defeat in the Penang farewell Trophy last month. Unable to secure the early lead after dipping at the start, he was posted outside the leader throughout and would have lost no admirers in finishing 2nd behind Super Salute. The gelding will be pitted against HONESTY (6) which has struck career best form for the Joseph Leck team and is coming off an unlucky 2nd in the 4YO Sprint Championship here a fortnight ago. With three wins from five Malaysian starts, the gelding’s effort was huge from barrier thirteen and another win would not surprise. WITNESSIMPACT (5) would derive plenty of benefit from his first up performance two weeks back and steps up to the distance he has won at four times previously. Speaking of career best form, FILIAL DRAGON (7) can fit into that same category following wins at Class 3 and Class 2 recently.
UK Stable (Thailand) Trophy Selections: (3) PACIFIC VAMPIRE (6) HONESTY (5) WITNESSIMPACT (7) FILIAL DRAGON
