The RM50,000 Horse Owner Trophy (Race 5) will highlight the eleven-race program at the Perak Turf Club on Saturday.
The 1300m Class 4A contest from the last meeting here a fortnight ago should provide a reliable form line when it comes to assessing the main chances in Saturday’s feature. WAR FRONTIER (7), PEAKY BLINDER (2) and WECANDO (3) finished second, third and fourth respectively in the race won by Superya.
WAR FRONTIER (7) recaptured the form he displayed earlier this year when chalking up a winning hat trick when finishing runner up at big odds, beaten 1.75 lengths. The nine-year-old has recorded three minor placings from three runs over the track and distance and a return to winning form would not surprise.
GROOVY (1) has placed four from five without winning on the Ipoh circuit and is coming off a couple of serviceable runs against the stronger grades in Selangor recently. Finishing 3rd in a Class 3 event two starts back, it may pay to forget his unplaced effort last start where he was trapped wide throughout over the mile. Despite the 59kg impost, he will take some beating from the pole.
WECANDO (3) has scored twice at big odds on the track this year, including his last victory over GROOVY (1) over 1300m back in July. The eleven-year-old led and was overhauled when racing on the downgrade but is a chance to break through for the Kevin Coetzee stable.
PEAKY BLINDER (2) started favourite in the race previously mentioned but remains a competitive figure at this level. The consistent four-year-old has been ridden by apprentice AR Aiman at his past three runs. However, connections have decided to utilise senior hoop Z Khairil for Saturday’s contest and will have to in top form to win from the wide barrier with 58.5kg to carry.
BLACK THORN (6) ran 5th in that same race won by Superya and despite racing in his twilight years, the former G1 Selangor Gold Cup winner continues to be competitive judging by his drought breaking victory three starts back on August 10.
RACE 5 SELECTIONS: (7) WAR FRONTIER (1) GROOVY (3) WECANDO (2) PEAKY BLINDER
The 1200m Enrich Stakes A (Race 9) is the high-grade race on the card and SHIRVO (1) is a chance of going back-to-back. Given a rails hugging ride to win here two weeks ago, he received all the favours and will expect the same from pole position in the small field.
FAITHFUL LEADER (3) received no luck when trapped wide initially before weakening in the race won by SHIRVO (1). The PRTC Community Shield winner in May should be primed following four runs this preparation and a big improvement is expected.
SALAAM NAMASTEY (5) has been knocking on the door with eye catching performances to finish 2nd in the Listed Charity Cup followed by his fast-finishing 3rd to SHIRVO last start. The six-year-old is poised to strike anytime with his familiar burst of acceleration.
LEONG MA BISCUIT (6) is coming off a short break and performed respectfully in the recent G1 Ipoh Gold Vase.
TOM’S LIGHTNING (2) is the interesting runner coming off an eleven-month spell due to injury. Winning at his first three starts in the country just over twelve months ago, he failed to fire at his next two runs after a stable change. Now with Brian Dean, the six-year-old may require a run or two to strike peak fitness but his good first up record keeps him under notice.
RACE 9 SELECTIONS: (1) SHIRVO (3) FAITHFUL LEADER (5) SALAAM NAMASTEY (6) LEONG MA BISCUIT
