Trainer Simon Dunderdale has a good record when it comes to producing former Australian gallopers first up in Malaysia and four-year-old Exceed And Excel gelding ANJOU CROWN (1) fits the bill when he makes his local debut in the 1200m Open Maiden (Race 6) on Sunday.
Formerly prepared by Australiaās leading trainer Chris Waller, ANJOU CROWN (1) arrives with a record of seven minor placings from ten starts during three preparations and looks the horse more likely to open its winning account on exposed form. MEGA BLAZE (7) received no luck when caught wide throughout last Sunday but was placed in three of four efforts prior to that and has improved with race experience. Former Irish galloper LIMITLESS DRAGON (4) was only beaten 4.5L when placed in a Class 4B contest last month, his first run in nearly nine months and will strip fitter. AI PHANTOM (2) is another former Aussie debuting for the HY Cheng yard and arrives with only the four starts to its credit for the one placing. The four-year-old wasnāt overly taxed in a trial on Tuesday morning and is a definite watch for trifecta players. AIR MOBILTY (3) has done little wrong in two outings so far and returns after pulling up with a lameness issue last start.
Race 6 Selections: 1 ā 7 ā 4 ā 2
The 1400m Max Two Stakes (Race 8) has attracted a lineup of progressive performers but judging on recent form, it is hard to go past NAVARRE (1) and BANKERāS WARRIOR (2) who appear to be the major players. Both horses are fast beginners and from barrier seven and nine respectively, they should provide the speed influence in the 1400m contest. NAVARRE (1) has scored twice in three starts locally and absolutely obliterated his rivals when leading throughout to win by 7.25L in this grade on March 28. BANKERāS WARRIOR (2) is unbeaten in two Malaysian runs following his Restricted Maiden victory on April 11 followed by an even more impressive display when taking out a Class 4B contest by 4.25L a fortnight later. The three-year-old led all the way on both occasions and will be a force to be reckoned with again as he attempts to keep his unbeaten Malaysian record intact. AQUITAINE (5) was never in danger when sent out as the RM7 favorite last start and duly saluted in a 1300m Open Maiden here on April 26, scoring by 4.25L. This may be a harder contest but is hard to leave out of calculations with visiting Australian jockey Liam Riordan in the saddle. Along with NAVARRE (1) and AQUITAINE (5), ARTOIS (6) will also be representing the Buffalo Stable and has performed well in three runs at Class 4 level since winning his maiden on local debut back in February. He normally liked to settle on the pace and with luck from the wide draw, he could provide the value. With only a New Zealand maiden win to its credit back in February last year, CHOICE IS MINE (7) debuts for the Lawson Moy stable and looked sharp in its trial win last Tuesday week. Coming off a long break, that maiden win was recorded in soft going so may be one to watch if a wet track prevails this Sunday.
Race 8 Selections: 1 ā 2 ā 5 ā 6
The Irace best bet is BANKERāS GLORY (2), engaged in the 1400m Class 4A contest (Race 10) for the leading owner / trainer combination ofĀ Bankerās Stable and Johnny Lim. BANKERāS GLORY (2) looks ideally placed to break his Malaysian duck at start number nine in the country and benefits from the 3kg claim for apprentice G Farhan. With five minor placings from eight starts locally, the four-year-old has scored up to 1373m in Australia so is looking for this journey now and is a chance to break through on the seven-day backup. EASTERN BARRACKS (11) closed off well when finishing fourth here last Sunday and was a winner at this track / distance three starts ago. Bernardo Pinheiro retains the mounts and will carry 3kg less from that run seven days ago. CAMPIONESSA (3) has furnished into a nice four-year-old and also looks a winning chance despite the wide barrier. Going down by a short head behind his promising stable mate TREES OF VALINOR last start, CAMPIONESSA (3) looks a progressive type in the making for the Frank Maynard stable. ANIKI (6) is a fast beginner but is yet to break through in eighteen Malaysian starts. The six-year-old showed a return to form when placed third behind RED SUN (8) over 1400m three weeks ago and may be one to throw in at the minor end of the exotics.
Race 10 Selections: 2 ā 11 ā 3 ā 6Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
