With a tally of 15 winners striking at 17% for the 2026 season so far, the Banker’s Stable once again will be represented with some genuine winning chances on the twelve-race program at the Selangor Turf Club on Sunday.
Arguably the best performed galloper from their numerous contingent is BANKER’S TWO SIX, a progressive type on the rise locally with 3 wins from 6 Malaysian starts and is on target of striking the hat trick in the 1800m Johor Recreational Park Taman Merdeka Stakes (Race 9). The five-year-old former Australian came under notice when nearly causing an upset in the 2000m G1 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor, finishing a neck second at his fourth run in the country. Since then he has improved further with successive wins by margins of 8.25L and 4.75L respectively over the mile, including his latest victory in the Listed CNY Prosperity Trophy on February 18 defeating BIG HEARTED. Under the handicapping conditions after the apprentice claim, BANKER’S TWO SIX appears ideally placed to continue his rise through the grades. IRISH GOODBYE is building a handy record locally with 4 wins from 7 starts and the gelding didn’t have much luck finishing unplaced in the CNY feature last start. The Brazilian bred four-year-old finished 9.25L behind BANKER’S TWO SIX on that occasion but should not be left out of calculations judging on previous form.
The Nick Selvan-trained WRITTEN TOWIN is ready to break through to give punters a flying start in the 1275m Johor Kota Tinggi Firefly Park Stakes (Race 1). Having his fourth run back in the grade, the five-year-old will be on the quick backup following his 3rd over 1300m as a beaten favourite here last Saturday. The gelding is not blessed with early speed but his only Malaysian win was recorded over this distance back in August last year. JOYEE GO does possess the early pace to take up a forward position and is coming off a credible 4th at big odds in Class 4 company. His only previous appearance at Class 5 level yielded a win in May last year and looks a threat on the downgrade while GENRICH seldom wins but usually races on the pace and is definite trifecta chance.
Promising four-year-old, TREES OF VALINOR makes his racetrack return in the 1020m Johor Pulai Hill Stakes (Race 6) for trainer Frank Maynard. The 3YO Selangor Mile Championship winner is first up since his excellent performance when finishing 5th in the RM 300,000 NZB Ready To Run Open Championship in October. The gelding is versatile with a quick turn of speed and despite resuming over the sprint journey, he has the class and ability to score first up. BANKER’S NATURAL looked impressive leading throughout over the track/distance on February 8 but goes up 3.5kg while BILLY ELLIOT should be primed third up this preparation.
From the Selangor trials in recent weeks, one horse to watch first up is FORTUNE RISING, engaged in the 1200m Max Two Stakes (Race 8). The four-year-old arrives from Australia with 2 wins from 10 starts but has been contesting some high graded listed and group races on the Metropolitan circuit in New South Wales and Queensland. If he carries that form to Malaysia, it should prove to be a lucrative acquisition for the Richard Lim stable. However, he will clash with a couple of runners who posted impressive wins on their respective Malaysian debuts. NAVARRE proved dominant in a 1200m Open Maiden scoring by 4.75L while BANKER’S DREAM franked his good trial form with an all the way victory by 7L over 1150m. Overall it provides an enthralling clash between three relative newcomers on the local circuit capable of taking it to the next level. STRONG WIN, which won at big odds for the inform Ooi Chin Chin camp recently, cannot be left out either in what should turn out to be an interesting contest.
