The RM 300,000 NZB Open Championship (1400m) (Race 9) will take centre stage at the Selangor Turf Club Meeting this Saturday and winner of the race last year, the talented ANTIPODEAN will be attempting to retain the title. The two place getters in last year’s edition, DUMA and MEGA POWER are also returning in their attempts to reverse the result for their respective connections. However, ANTIPODEAN will be clashing with the country’s top-rated performer in PLATINUM EMPEROR and multiple group one winner LUCKY MAGIC, who remains unbeaten in two runs this campaign. Fresh from his fourth Group One victory in the G1 Ipoh Gold Vase two weeks ago, LUCKY MAGIC will be one of the popular elects and hopefully receives more luck in this year’s edition compared to last year when he was trapped wide throughout in finishing 6th. ANTIPODEAN does thrive at the trip as his record indicates (9:6-1-2) and B Pinheiro has a good record aboard the six-year-old. The gelding has the class to win as he heads towards another Selangor Gold Cup campaign at the end of this month. PLATINUM EMPEROR has amassed a similar bankroll to LUCKY MAGIC following multiple feature victories in Macau and Malaysia, culminating in his first up win in the KRA Trophy on June 14. The seven-year-old’s runs have been well spaced and has been freshened since his recent 2nd behind LUCKY MAGIC, beaten a neck on July 19.
It is still debatable whether PACIFIC ENERGY is a true miler following a couple of unlucky efforts over that trip recently and despite not winning beyond 1200m, the gelding appears ideally placed back to the 1400m journey. The recent 4YO Sprint Championship winner has been highly competitive in the top grades chalking up 5 wins from 15 starts locally and a return to winning form would not surprise. Seven-time winner and talented four-year-old MEGA ACE resumes following a successful first preparation which included a resounding win in the 3YO Sprint Championship on June 14. The gelding performed well at this level also and he did lower the colours of PACIFIC ENERGY in a Supreme A contest back in May.
DUMA, runner up in this race last year, has finished top two in all five starts at the trip and could provide the value. MEGA POWER, placed 3rd in the race last year when formerly known as Rocky Bhai, looked sharp in a recent trial following his last start 1500m win in a Class 4 event on July 26.
NZB OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: (3) LUCKY MAGIC (2) ANTIPODEAN (1) PLATINUM EMPEROR (5) PACIFIC ENERGY
Progressive four-year-old YES BOSS YES is building a picket fence of wins and is aiming for his fourth in succession when he lines up in the 1200m Class 2 contest (Race 8). The Jason Ong trained performer has rapidly progressed through the grades and arguably his most recent victory was the most impressive from an eight-start career so far. Scoring by 2.25L after racing on speed, the gelding was found to be lame after the event, hence will be coming off the 34-day break. The danger could be former Australian galloper PACIFIC WAVE, which scored narrowly on local debut last month from a wide barrier. The gelding produced a sharp burst and hit the line well so could be another horse to watch on the upgrade. COOL SIXTY-ONE has chalked up four wins for the year, including his last start 3.5L Class 3 victory on August 22. It will be the grey gelding’s first run in this class but he does retain form and cannot be dismissed.
The recent trial sessions at SLTC have produced a few winners lately and some local debutants with good trial form are expected to feature first up. The Pacific Stable will have PACIFIC HAWK resuming from a five-month break in the 1020m Class 3 (Race 5) and his ten-length trial win suggests a forward showing is expected. The Simon Dunderdale trained RAIL TRAIL has been off the scene for thirteen months but trialed well behind group winner FORTUNE TREE in quick time last Tuesday week. He looks a worthy prospect with Jimmy Wong in the saddle.
The Pacific Stable will also be represented by PACIFIC ALPHA in the 1200m Class 4 (Race 7) and looks to be a speedy type in the making judging by his 59.22s trial win at the August 26 session. The four-year-old arrives from Australia as a three-start maiden and will carry top weight of 59kg. He will be lining up against LEGEND SIXTY-THREE , a narrow first up winner here last month which has raced competitively in this grade before. HURRICANE is well served at the weights and will be seeking immediate atonement after finishing runner up as a beaten favourite here a fortnight ago.
