Promising four-year-old STORM TITAN can quickly bounce back from his recent defeat when he lines up in the 1100m Class 3 contest at Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
The New Zealand-bred gelding entered his latest outing on the back of four consecutive victories, including three in Class 4 company, and lost little in defeat when stepping up to Class 3 for the first time. Tackling 1500m for the first time, STORM TITAN showed plenty of grit to stick on for second, beaten only a neck, and may have finished even closer had he not shifted out under pressure in the closing stages.
The drop back to 1100m looks likely to suit, and while he does face a competitive field, STORM TITAN still profiles as a progressive type with further upside. The booking of Dubai-based jockey Bernardo Pinheiro adds further intrigue as he partners the gelding for the first time.Former Hong Kong galloper LUCKY EIGHT ONE will be out to make amends when he lines up in the 1200m Class 4B at Kuala Lumpur this Sunday.
Sent out as a short-priced favourite on his Malaysian debut, LUCKY EIGHT ONE overcame a slow start to score impressively over 1200m on March 28, highlighting his class. The six-year-old was again heavily backed at skinny odds (RM6) in the same grade a fortnight ago and performed creditably despite not enjoying the smoothest of runs. After shifting outwards in the closing stages, he stuck on gamely to finish third.
Drawn favourably this weekend, LUCKY EIGHT ONE looks well placed to bounce back. With the in-form Bernardo Pinheiro taking the ride, he should prove highly competitive once again.
