The 1020m Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale Cup (Race 9) will headline the twelve-race card at Selangor Turf Club this Sunday.
The high graded Metro A contest will feature talented sprinter PACIFIC VAMPIRE (1) heading the weights with a top rating of 107 points, 18 pts more than his nearest rivals in FILIAL DRAGON (2) and PLATINUM FORT (3). In fact these three gallopers filled the trifecta in a Supreme B contest on August 17 with PACIFIC VAMPIRE (1) leading throughout on that occasion scoring easily by 3.25 lengths over the 1020m trip. It may be a case of déjà vu come Sunday if PACIFIC VAMPIRE (1) replicates that form despite his last start defeat. It took a horse the calibre of Antipodean to run him down at his prior run in the 1400m Trinity Cup on August 31 and from barrier ten, he will take some catching.
PLATINUM FORT (3) appeared to be disappointing on face value last start but he did cast an off-fore plate in the run when finishing unplaced over 1200m. He looks much better suited dropping back to this distance range and is a chance to break his Malaysian duck.
STOP THE WATER (10) resumes since finishing unplaced in the 4YO Selangor Mile in July but enjoyed a fruitful campaign during his first Malaysian preparation posting three wins from seven starts. The five-year-old remains unbeaten in three starts over the 1020m on Track Two and looked sharp in his trial win here Wednesday week ago.
BRANSOM (6) is rarely far off the mark and should be primed third up. The six-year-old received every chance last time but is honest and his two Malaysian victories were recorded over this track and distance,
FILAIL DRAGON (2) may have peaked since winning the G1 Ipoh Gold Vase two months ago but remains competitive at this level. The six-year-old failed to run the trip in the 1600m G1 Selangor Gold Cup a fortnight ago and strikes an easier assignment.
RACE 9 SELECTIONS: (1) PACIFIC VAMPIRE (3) PLATINUM FORT (10) STOP THE WATER (6) BRANSOM
DUMA returns from a short break and will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the 1200m Class 3 (Race 8). The Frank Maynard trained gelding had been racing well against his own age group in the 3YO features earlier this year but struck at his first foray into Class 3 company on August 9 with a resounding victory. Sprinting home from midfield in rainy conditions, DUMA announced his arrival against the top graders when scoring by 1.5 lengths and appears likely to continue his ascendency through the grades. HURRICANE finished 4th in that race and has shown potential in the past despite only winning once in nine starts in the country. He is a watch for trifectas while KONG FU PANDA has not won since taking out the G1 Ipoh Gold Vase in June last year but his good first up record keeps him under notice despite the big weight.
