GRAND SUPREME (3) and DIGGING EIGHT (1) finished first and second respectively in a 1020m contest here on October 25 and are set to clash again over the same trip in Race 3 this Sunday. DIGGING EIGHT (1) attempted to lead throughout but was eventually overhauled by GRAND SUPREME (3), which went around as an even money favourite that day with only 0.75L separating the pair. Both gallopers have maintained form with encouraging efforts at the November 8 meeting in separate races since and there’s a strong likelihood the two can fill the quinella spots again. BORNEO STAR (4) showed rapid improvement when opening his winning account on September 21 prior to finishing 5th in that same race won by GRAND SUPREME (3) last month. The three-year-old could easily turn the tables on his older rivals while VOLCANIC (8) has descended in the ratings and is looking to break the winning drought third up this campaign.
Race 3 Selections: 3 – 1 – 4 – 8
Four-year-old, ELITE PRINCE (5) displayed the promising signs of a horse capable of rising through the grades during his first preparation as he makes his racetrack return in the 1200 Class 4A (Race 5). Scoring twice in four outings, the Richard Lim trained performer took out the Listed Malaysia 3YO Sprint back in June prior to finishing runner up behind the progressive Yes Man before spelling. ELITE PRINCE (5) looked sharp in a recent trial win and is on target to score first up from a 161-day break. BATTLE CRY (10) is a former Australian which attracted plenty of market support on local debut three weeks ago and will be breaking his Malaysian duck very soon. The four-year-old finished 2nd after leading and it was discovered the horse pulled up lame so there would be no surprise to see the galloper go one up this weekend. PACIFIC HERO (3) is a fast beginner and is looking to deliver a victory despite going down as race favourite at his past couple of runs. PLATINUM BOSS (6) finally broke through at start number nine in the country defeating subsequent winner Elliot Ness by 2.5L over 1150m last start.
Race 5 Selections: 5 – 10 – 3 – 6
Another former Aussie in BANKER’S PRETTY (6) has been working up to a Malaysian victory and the five-year-old will get her chance in the 1400m Supreme B contest (Race 7). The mare chalked up successive wins in Australia prior to resuming here on October 25 where she finished 3rd at her first run back in nearly five months. She was far from disgraced when chasing subsequent winner Yes Man, going down by four lengths after racing wide throughout. Apprentice G Farhan is striking at a handy 20.8% (5 wins) in his first year of race riding and his 4kg claim is a valuable asset for BANKER’S PRETTY (6), which looks hard to beat. SACRED BUDDY (2) has been contesting a couple of feature races since winning a 1400m Class 2 back in August. The six-year-old finished midfield in the G1 Selangor Gold Cup prior to being a fraction unlucky when beaten three lengths in the G3 Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup on November 2. The galloper received a check at the 900m before recovering to finish on gamely over the concluding stages. FLAMING MIGLIORE (3) is rarely far off the mark and the Brazilian bred normally races well when produced fresh. SMART STAR (1) chalked up one win from nine starts in his first Malaysian campaign, a 1400m Supreme A contest back in June and the 2024 Singapore Gold Cup winner may be one to play with in the exotics for his resumption.
Race 7 Selections: *6* – 2 – 3 – 1
