The two combatants which quinellaed the Selangor Mile in July are set for a return clash in the 1400m Supreme A contest (Race 5) at the Selangor Turb Club meeting on Sunday.
AQUITAINE was able to hold off FORTUNE TREE in the one-million-ringgit feature with a head separating the pair. However, FORTUNE TREE levelled the ledger at their next encounter when taking out the 1600m G1 Selangor Gold Cup on September 26 with AQUITAINE finishing an unlucky 4th, beaten 1.25L after a slow beginning. Both gallopers will meet on similar terms so far as the weights are concerned so another enthralling clash is expected from these talented individuals who both possess a stunning burst of acceleration. Both gallopers will more than likely clash in the 2000m G1 Piala Emas Sultan Selangor to be contested in December where FORTUNE TREE will be targeting a clean sweep of the Triple Crown Series this year. COME ON BANKER’S has done little wrong in four local appearances and the recent Class 2 winner is expected to be competitive. TRIDENT RISING remains unbeaten locally following successive Class 3 wins and looks well weighted with 54kg on the upgrade.
Australian-bred colt, LOYALTY BANKER’S looks the one to beat on exposed form in the 1250m Restricted Maiden (Race 6). Heavily backed into second favorite on debut, the Johnny Lim-trained three-year-old was far from disgraced finishing runner up to Navarre Crown here three weeks ago and should go one better come Sunday. MEGA UNIVERSE ran 5th in the same race but has shown ability in his two runs so far to suggest he will improve with race experience. PACIFIC SPLASH has been trialing well in recent weeks and is one to watch on debut for the Jason Ong camp.
Four-year-old mare ALL THE WAY NORTH justified her impressive trial form when breaking her maiden tag against Class 4 company over 1020m on September 27. Cruising to an effortless 3.5L victory, the Ooi Chin Chin-trained performer never seemed to change from second gear in what turned out to be a dominant display. She will face stiffer opposition this Sunday in the 1100m Class 3 (Race 7) and goes down 2kg in the weights with Jimmy Wong retaining the mount. NIMBUS STAR and DEFEATER are both honest campaigners and will be partnered by Y Aify and Randy Tan respectively for the first time. Like ALL THE WAY NORTH, both gallopers are looking to break through in this grade.
Three-year-old gelding STRATEGISE looks a promising type judging by his two recent victories and wil prove hard to beat again in the 1300m Max Two Stakes (Race 8). STRATEGISE was completely unwanted in the market when defeating subsequent winner Navarre Crown in a 1200m Restricted Maiden on debut and showed that win was no fluke by accounting for a Class 4 lineup over 1275m two weeks later. Oddly enough this will be Jimmy Wong’s first ride for successful owner KK Yee and it could be a winning one of STRATEGISE can achieve the winning hat trick. CONGRATULATEBANKER, placed four times from five runs in the country is overdue for a win and is coming off a last start 2nd behind SECTION EIGHTEEN, which scored from the seven-day backup at huge odds.
