The Selangor card of racing this Sunday on class alone has been regarded as one of the best programs seen in Malaysia for a long time with the high graded sprinters well catered for in the Pacific Cup (1200m) and Supreme B contest (1600m). Added to the mix is the UPBH Platinum Club Trophy for Class 3 performers.
However, Sunday’s program will be the showcase for the country’s best four-year-olds featuring the RM 1,000,000 Selangor Mile (Race 9) plus the RM 100,00 A Plus Selangor Silver over 1400m (Race 10).
There are two previous Group One winners engaged in the feature and both are likely to head the markets for the Selangor Mile. ANTIPODEAN (Br 11) and LUCKY MAGIC (Br 5), due to their records at this level and over the distance, have excellent chances of winning in a race where only seven of the sixteen runners have won over the mile previously.
Jockey Bernardo Pinheiro will be reacquainted with ANTIPODEAN for the first time since they combined to win the G1 Selangor Gold Cup last year. The pairing of Pinheiro and ANTIPODEAN has been a formidable combination with Pinheiro riding the gelding to four wins from four mounts. The gelding has returned to his original trainer Simon Dunderdale and he does possess the class factor to strike back despite the 59kg impost.
Not only is duel G1 winner LUCKY MAGIC a classy performer but is versatile as well scoring from 1200 up to his two group victories over the 2000m trip. The gelding hasn’t started since winning the last race ever contested at the Penang Turf Club on May 31 but the gelding does seem to thrive when his runs are well spaced. LUCKY MAGIC is relatively lightly raced with only the twelve career starts so far amassing seven wins, including two at G1 level and is unbeaten in two starts over the track and distance.
PACIFIC VICTORY (Br 13) has been dealt a blow with the barrier draw, however he has the early speed to overcome that obstacle and could provide the value. The 4YO Sprint Championship winner is in career best form with six wins from ten local starts and apprentice Jerlyn Seow has ridden the gelding to seven wins from eleven rides.
If there is an outsider to upset the higher rated opposition, the two former Australian gallopers in GOOD STAR and SHINJUKU have shown potential and may be worth contemplating for the trifectas.
The 1300m A Plus Selangor Silver is virtually the consolation to the main event and the Joseph Leck trained HONESTY should appreciate the drop in class back to his own age group. After successive wins in Class 3 company, he has performed well against quality opposition in two subsequent efforts. Forced to work hard from a wide draw he lost no admirers when finishing runner up to PACIFIC VICTORY in the 4YO Sprint Championship on June 15 prior to finishing 3rd behind Gold Vase winner, Filial Dragon in the UK Stable (Thailand) Trophy three weeks ago.
The clash between talented sprinters SUPER SALUTE and PACIFIC VAMPIRE should provide another highlight in the 1200m Pacific Cup (Race 6). PACIFIC VAMPIRE took some time to adapt to his new environment after crossing the causeway but his last four runs suggest the penny has finally dropped and is back to his best form. A noted fast beginner, he will be vying for early supremacy with the nimble SUPER SALUTE, setting up an enthralling clash over the sprint journey. SUPER SALUTE will be coming off the seven-day backup following his second placing in the G1 Perak Gold Vase when he flashed home late.
