With a number of runners making their Malaysia debuts this Saturday, the card of racing should prove to be one of the most challenging for punters with many betting opportunities provided on the marathon thirteen race program.
Saturday’s meeting will be highlighted by the RM 80,000 Bunga Raya Vase – Visit Malaysia Handicap (Race 9) to be contested over 1100m. PACIFIC VAMPIRE is the top-rated performer in the field however has to contend with the outside barrier in what appears to be a wide-open contest.
FRIGHT, from the Simon Dunderdale stable is well weighted on the 52.5kg but also draws deep. The four-year-old created an immediate impression scoring at his first three runs in the country and has finished close up in both versions of the Singapore Pools Trophy at Ipoh and Selangor recently.
YES MAN rapidly progressed through the grades posting six wins for the 2025 season and could easily add to that impressive tally come Saturday. The KC Tiang prepared four-year-old is a fast beginner who will try and lead throughout from barrier two but he does need to back off the speed mid-section in order to produce his sharp burst of acceleration over the concluding stages.
BRANSOM is an honest customer who is always competitive at this level and finished runner up to YES MAN in a Class 2 contest in November. The six year old normally races on pace but he got further back than anticipated last start before closing off to finish 5th in the Singapore Pools Trophy a month ago.
BIG UNION has only scored once in Malaysia but it was a memorable one for trainer Jerome Tan and the Cat Racing team. Sprinting from last at the 400m, the five-year-old unleashed a paralyzing turn of foot to win the Singapore Pools Trophy by three lengths over the 1200m trip.
The horse he beat that day was HASTEN, which has been in sparkling form for the Richard Lines stable chalking up a season best five wins and is well weighted with 52.5kg. Jose De Souza returns to the jockey’s roster following a long absence and picks up the ride on the progressive five-year-old.
The outside chance and one for the exotics is former Australian galloper, ANEGO who will strip fitter following his third placing in a 1200m Class 3 on December 7. STOP THE WATER returned to winning form by six lengths a fortnight ago and will also be marching forward from the start.
The 1300m Discover Malaysia Stakes (Race 7) should provide an enthralling clash between three gallopers which have put their stamp on the local competition, especially in the latter half of the racing year.
ELITE PRINCE announced himself as one of the premier juveniles in the country following his impressive victory in the 3YO Sprint Championship back in June. The Richard Lim trained gelding resumed with a Class 4 win on November 30 and was far from disgraced when finishing second in Class 3 company last start.
SECRET WONDER is one galloper who should make further inroads into the new season coming off a successful campaign containing two wins, including a feature victory in the Singapore Pools Trophy (Perak) in November. The four-year-old was checked slightly late in a Class 3 contest last time but with luck in running from the wide draw, he could provide the value.
IRISH GOODBYE had no trouble accounting for his opposition at his first three Malaysian runs before failing over 1500m in a Supreme B contest on December 21. The Brazilian bred should receive all the favours from pole position and can easily bounce back without surprising.
