With the first two months of the 2026 racing season nearing completion, the Banker’s Stable have created a huge presence on the local scene with numerous newcomers, especially from Australia. With 14 winners so far this year striking at 17.5%, Malaysia’s current leading owners could add to the tally with one-time winner, BANKER’S PAIR FOUR engaged in the opening race at the Selangor Turf Club on Saturday.
The four-year-old will be looking to reverse the result on WINS EIGHT, which took out a 1020m contest on February 7 finishing two lengths in front of BANKER’S PAIR FOUR, which ran third. Both gallopers failed at their most recent starts since but they look better suited on the descent to the “B” division. One to watch is PACIFIC SOLDIER, a track and distance winner previously and drops 6kg after the apprentice claim.
Seven-year-old performer TANGESH is starting to attract the bridesmaid tag after finishing runner up at his past three outings but is ready to land a victory. Engaged in the 1275m Rebound Stakes (Race 2), he has scored twice over the track/distance and strikes a winnable contest from pole position. DREAM KING has only scored once in twenty-seven local runs but was well supported in Ipoh two weeks back and is a chance to double that win tally while JAZZ BAND can improve on the six-day backup.
Former Australian galloper, PACIFIC ENERGY is on the verge of contesting group races in the near future and goes into the 1020m Class 3 (Race 5) as the one they have to beat. With three wins from seven starts this year, the four year old seems to thrive with race experience and his last start win with 58kg was arguably his most impressive. HASTEN, which was placed behind PACIFIC ENERGY in January, was far from disgraced in the Listed Wilyah Silver Bowl on February 15 and is a four-time winner on Track Two, including three times at the journey. BANKER’S EMPEROR was successful over the trip in January and is one to watch on the freshen up while three-year-old, MEGA ACE is capable of picking up a race at this level. SECRET WONDER came within a neck of defeating PACIFIC ENERGY earlier this year but hasn’t been blessed with decent barrier draws recently. With luck in running, he can provide the value for the exotics.
The old adage of “where there’s smoke there’s fire” may come into play following the local debut of SUPERIOR SIXTY-ONE here a fortnight ago. The former UK galloper attracted massive support in the local markets to start favourite and appeared to receive every chance when placed third over the 1150m trip on Track Two. Despite the wider draw, the five-year-old may be better suited on the more spacious main course and will derive a lot of benefit from that first up performance. With Oscar Chavez to retain the mount, the gelding is a big chance of breaking the Malaysian duck in the 1200m Class 4A contest (Race 7). BANKER’S GLORY has recently been placed behind progressive types in Singha Bay and Strong Dragon, and is one for the trifectas. KOONDAKAARA has been ultra consistent of late and is on the six-day backup. The outside gate is the concern but his early pace could negate that problem. TAU KEH SOH closed off when finishing third, beaten 1.5L, behind Kim Empire and is due to strike back at this level.
