Prominent owner, KK Yee has been enjoying a good run with multiple runners in recent weeks and is a chance of snaring the 1275m Class 5A contest (Race 1) with a couple of genuine contenders. FRIEND OF HONOR and WINNING SYMPHONY are likely to vie for favoritism. WINNING SYMPHONY will gain a weight advantage with the 4kg claim for apprentice M Zulhilmi and does look the one to beat on best form. FRIEND OF HONOR broke the maiden tag over this track and distance in January, and his recent Class 4 form has been solid. Despite the top weight (59kg) he appears to be a major player second run back in the grade. LIM’S SINAI backs up one week following his decisive 5.25L victory last Sunday and looks a likely prospect in this slightly harder lineup.
The Banker’s Stable is currently striking at a respectable 13.8% this season and they will be represented by another debutant in the form of BANKER’S FIRST, engaged in the 1200m Class 3 (Race 6). The former Aussie is a metropolitan winner in Victoria and has been contesting some high benchmark races in his former home country. The five-year-old trialed well without being overtaxed here last month and is one to watch on Malaysian debut. PACIFIC PERY has shown gradual improvement following three starts this preparation and is due to break its Malaysian duck while HASTEN struck a purple patch of form towards the end of last year and is not without claims. BANKERSSWEETHEART has had excuses in two local runs but the mare’s trial during the week indicates a victory is coming in the near future and looks a value selection.
The 2000m Supreme C contest (Race 7) contains two recent Group One winners which are expected to figure prominently over the staying trip. The G1 Perak Derby winner GURU FIGHT will clash with last year’s G1 Piala Emas winner KIM EMPEROR Derby place getter GUM KHOR can be thrown into the mix as well. GURU FIGHT has come a long way in the space of twelve months and produced a sterling effort in the derby when posted outside the leader throughout. The four-year-old responded well when required and looks the logical favorite in Sunday’s contest. KIM EMPEROR was only beaten 2.25L (7th) in the Perak Derby but appeared one-paced and never looked a threat. Apprentice Z Syafifie has not missed in two mounts aboard the gelding and can easily rebound to winning form back in home territory. GUM KHOR has only scored a maiden victory in his short career so far and nearly pulled off an upset in the Derby last month. The Irish bred five-year-old led and fought on gamely to run third after leading for most of the way to finish third, one length behind the winner. He is also bred to stay and is worth considering in future distance events in the country. BANKER’S HONOR can round out the trifectas on the upgrade and has placed over 2000m previously in Australia.
STORM TITAN will be facing his toughest assignment as he aims for five successive wins in the 1500m Tattersall’s Ireland Breeze Up Trophy (Race 8). The four-year-old scored with authority when produced first up over 1100m here on March 15 after racing on speed. His early pace is a valuable asset and possesses the class to continue his progression through the grades as he races over the 1500m for the first time. BANKER’S VICTORY is coming off a short break and should break through at Class 3 level very soon. Stable mate, BANKER’S HAPPY produced a devastating eight length win over handy type Trees Of Valinor in a 1400m Class 4 contest a fortnight ago and looks capable of winning on the upgrade.
