23 September, Kuala Lumpur

After a fantastic weekend of racing, the curtain was closed on Sunday with the two sponsored races by New Zealand Bloodstock; a Ruzaini feature double; a Pinheiro treble as well as a career best of five races won by the leading Premiership trainer S DUNDERDALE. On four occasions prior to Sunday, he has had four winners on a race card but the fiver milestone was finally achieved in the final race of Sunday’s racemeeting when the newcomer, LIMITLESS ROAR went start to finish under the apprentice I FIKRI who had also had a stellar weekend in the saddle with five winners across the two racemeetings. The rest of the fantastic five was compiled by INFINITY GLORY in Race 2 under CK Khaw; COMMANDER in Race 3 under B Pinheiro; WITNESSIMPACT in Race 6 under Pinheiro and MILITARY FLAG in the penultimate of the afternoon in Race 8 with Pinheiro who completed his treble. 

The two sponsored races on Sunday were the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trophy as well as the NZB Airfreight Trophy which were both won in the silks of the RC Stable connections. The NZB Ready To Run Sale Trophy was taken out by DUMA – Too Darn Hot (GB) x Podravina (NZ) – who made it a winning debut in the most impressive manner for trainer F MAYNARD. Despite jumping on speed, Ruzaini allowed So We Fight and Trees Of Valinor to work overtime and push forward to set a good pace around the turn. He was able to bide his time and settle back four lengths at the top of the straight and showed and impressive turn of foot when he was asked to fetch the leaders. Despite being his first start, he won like a seasoned campaigner and the connections can certainly be excited about his future.

The second of the feature races was won by BOLD RUNNER – Contributer (IRE) x McPhoebe (NZ) – for the K ANANTHEN stable which made it a feature double for jockey S RUZAINI. It was almost a rinse and repeat tactics wise from Ruzaini who once again jumped with the pace but allowed others to come around him to set the fractions. Yes Man was the long time leader and kicked clear at the top of the straight but patience was virtuous for Ruzaini who stalked him the whole way and encouraged a late finish where Bold Runner came flying home on the outside to beat Yes Man on the line. 

The remainder of the card was won by ONE ABRACADABRA in the first with I Fikri for the V SIVAN stable and probably one of the upsets of the weekend; BERRY BLISS triumphed over Golden Pegasus in Race 4 over 1700m under CLYDE LECK who went start to finish for the J LECK stable and turning the form around of the Selangor Gold Cup from two weeks ago. A weekend with plenty of highs which leaves a lot to look forward to as we return back to the STC on the 6th of October.