Aiming for the unbeaten record in Malaysia is six-year-old Australian bred LUCKY EIGHT ONE (4), which is a chance of picking up another Class 4B contest in the 1200m SOGO Kuala Lumpur Stakes (Race 2) on Saturday. Prepared by HY Cheng, LUCKY EIGHT ONE (4) treated his rivals with contempt with a sharp burst of acceleration to win decisively over the 1200m trip here three weeks ago. The galloper was coming from an unsuccessful stint in Hong Kong where he finished unplaced in eleven outings, but it seems he has already found his niche in Malaysia and is a genuine hope of going back-to-back. BULL FIGHT (7) has returned to racing in fine fettle with two wins from three runs this campaign and is also coming off a win in the same grade last start. BUURAQ SIXTY-ONE (1) also looks well placed to finish in the money dropping back to the “B” division while RELEASE THE SPIRIT (6) will strip a lot fitter second up from a spell.
Race 2 Selections: 4 – 7 – 1 – 6
The Banker’s Stable has made a huge impact on the local scene with their team of multiple runners and will have several chances lined up again this weekend over the two days of racing. Even though the stable has been represented by more than one runner in the same race on numerous occasions, the win strike rate of 15.4% is commendable with 25 winners so far this season. It has been well over a decade since Selangor trainer Johnny Lim won the premiership but is currently enjoying his beat season for some time as he returns to the top of the ladder with 26 winners (15.6%). The affable conditioner will combine with the Banker’s Stable in Race 3 as three-year-old BANKER’S WARRIOR (1) will be aiming for successive wins on the upgrade. The Australian bred only goes up 3kg after the apprentice claim from his 1300m Restricted Maiden win a fortnight ago and from pole position, he has struck a winnable Class 4B contest. IMPERIAL GENIE (7) and DEFEATER (2) finished 1st and 2nd respectively in a Class 4B event here at the same meeting and are both major chances. Proven performers at this level, they both will be hard to hold out on current form. PANTONG (3) has only scored once from ten starts in the country and that win was recorded over Saturday’s track and distance in September last year. The six-year-old is only a moderate beginner but is suited dropping to the “B” division.
Race 3 Selections: 1 – 2 – 7 – 3
Speaking of commendable strike rates with the current crop of leading owners, the Mega Captain Stable is striking at 18.0% with seven winners during the 2026 season. MEGA CRUSADER (8) represents the outfit in the 1400m Alamanda Putrajaya Stakes (Race 6) and is coming off a credible 4th when resuming in a competitive NZB Ready To Run Graduate Cup on April 5. The three-year-old was spelled following successive wins on Track Two back in January and will be hard to beat back in Class 4 grade. The Frank Maynard stable mates TREES OF VALINOR (5) and CAMPIONESSA (4) are progressive four-year-olds with more race experience and are expected to feature also. ARTOIS (1) has not been blessed with decent barrier draws since scoring at his local debut in February and from barrier nine, he may require luck in running again.
Race 6 Selections: 8 – 5 – 4 – 1
MEGA ACE (2), another three-year-old representing the Mega Captain Stable, can immediately atone for his recent failure in the G1 Tunku Gold Cup and bounce back in the 1020m Sunway Pyramid Mall Stakes (Race 8). With an abundance of early speed and a local record of four wins from seven starts, MEGA ACE (2) is unbeaten in two starts at the track and distance. BANKER’S EMPEROR (3), a winner over the 1020m journey here in December, resumed with an eye-catching 2nd behind progressive type Fortune Rising on March 29 and is well drawn to be prominent throughout. FRIGHT (1) was outclassed in the G1 Tunku Gold Cup last start and is expected to improve despite the 6kg rise and WITNESSIMPACT (7) returned to winning from at Ipoh last month and is a definite trifecta chance.
Race 8 Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 7
