Seven-year-old galloper, SUPERYA (2) may not be in the form he displayed when placed at Group One level twice towards the end of the 2023 racing season but is a chance of a winning return in the 1600m Class 4A contest (Race 3) at Perak Turf Club’s Saturday Meeting. The gelding was then known as Golden King and he recently broke a 19-month winning drought when successful over 1300m here on September 20 and more recently finished third in the 1400m Royal Sabah Turf Club Goodwill Trophy three weeks back.
He’ll go up against a galloper coming off successive wins over Saturday’s track and distance and despite the 59kg impost, SACRED COMMAND (1) is capable of chalking the winning hat trick. A five-time winner over the distance, the SY Lim prepared runner won by 3.75L and 2.5L respectively scoring with consummate ease on both occasions.
THUNDER SPIRIT (8) was given every chance when finishing runner up to SACRED COMMAND (1) and continues to maintain consistent form despite only one win from nineteen starts in the country. The seven-year-old will meet his nemesis 3kg better at the weights but will be relying on his early pace to overcome the wide barrier.
The Selangor Gold Cup winner from two years ago, BLACK THORN (4) may be in the twilight period of a long career but remains competitive and could provide a minor upset while NORTHERN STAR (10) drops 6kg on the upgrade and is a proven performer at this level.
From the Tuesday trials, BOSS NINE NINE (9) looked very sharp and will be racing for the new stable this weekend. Has the tendency to miss the start but do not underestimate in this grade.
Race 3 Selections: (2) SUPERYA (1) SACRED COMMAND (8) THUNDER SPIRIT (4) BLACK THORN
MAN OF ACTION (3) will appreciate dropping back from group one company and looks a winning chance, second up from a break in the 1400m Enrich Stakes A contest (Race 6). Recording three wins from his first five runs in Malaysia, the six-year-old was far from disgraced when resuming in the G1 Coronation Cup three weeks ago when beaten 3.5L (7th) behind Piala Emas aspirant Good Star over the mile trip. The distance drop and the 3kg apprentice claim for N Shahronnizam places the gelding in good stead for a positive showing.
SALAAM NAMASTEY (2) pulled up with a respiratory problem last start but his form prior was solid with three successive placings at this level. On best form he is capable of winning and rarely misses a trifecta spot.
WILAMARA (5) should strip much fitter second up following his unplaced effort in the Listed Singapore Pools Trophy and also draws similar form lines to that of SALAAM NAMASTEY (2).
LEONG MA BISCUIT (4) is coming off a short break and did finish a length behind MAN OF ACTION (3) in a previous meeting back in June.
Former Australian galloper, LUCKY LYLE (7) was heavily supported but over raced when caught outside the leader before fading over 1000m here at his local debut. If he settles better over the longer trip, he may provide the value.
PEAKY BLINDER (8) hasn’t been far away and drops 5.5kg from his 4th in a Class 4 last start.
Race 6 Selections: (3) MAN OF ACTION (2) SALAAM NAMASTEY (5) WILAMARA (4) LEONG MA BISCUIT
COLONEL SON (4) returned to form with an eye-catching 2nd at big odds in the Singapore Pools Trophy and returns to the scene where he recorded his most recent victory back in August. The six-year-old is a chance of bouncing back in the 1100m Cosmo C event (Race 8) after several encouraging performances at Class 3 level, including a 2nd behind the progressive Yes Man recently. WILSING should benefit from his first up run and is a track/distance winner back in July and also finished runner up to COLONEL SON (4) in a Class 4 contest on August 23. XENA (3) has not won for thirteen months but displayed a return to form when 2nd behind Arigato here four weeks back and will debut for the new stable this weekend. SUPERB LUCK (1) is yet to win locally but his recent 3rd in a strong Metro A race keeps him under notice while former Kiwi galloper, XIANG YU BISCUIT (6) debuts locally and is first up since winning his maiden by seven lengths at Matamata back in May.
Race 8 Selections: *(4) COLONEL SON* (5) WILSING (3) XENA (1) SUPERB LUCK
