Daylight dawning on former Macau galloper
November 7, 2024
After the historic success of Mega Gems in the Coronation Cup (1600m) in Ipoh last Sunday, all eyes will be on the five former Macau gallopers – Daylight, Silver Samurai, Desi Master, Mochi and Nozi Cyclone – who will be in action at Sungai Besi this Sunday.
Gold Samurai, who cost A$180,000 as a yearling, won five races in Macau then made a winning debut in the local circuit in a Class 4B 1300m at Sungai Besi on Oct 26.
Mega Gems topped that when he came with a sustained run to win the Coronation Cup in his third start in the country. Both horses are six-year-olds and will have a lot more to offer in the months and years ahead.
Daylight, who landed together with Mega Gems (and several others) last Jun 18, has already three starts under his belt and will start in the Class 3 – 1200m handicap.
A winner over 2000m in Australia before heading to Macau, the son of Pierro raced with distinction at Taipa racecourse with four wins including the Macau Derby Trial (1500m). He also ran second in the Macau Guineas (1500m) and came third in the 2022 Macau Derby (1800m) – a race Mega Gems won in 2023.
No doubt the 1200m trip may seem a little short for Daylight this Sunday but if there is genuine pace on in the race, the seven-year-old could be spring a surprise.
The Simon Dunderdale-trained pair of Infinity Glory (two wins two placings in four starts) and Infinity Warrior (two wins in two) are probably the two who will command attention in that race.
Daylight finished third to Infinity Glory in the Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Trophy (1200m) two starts back, beaten 2-3/4 lengths. But he will be meeting Infinity Glory on 4kg better terms this time.
Silver Samurai ran an eye-catching third to Surfie Boy in a 1100m sprint in his debut two weeks ago and will be one to watch in one of the two Class 4B 1200m handicap.
The Hellbent gelding finished on board in six of seven starts in Australia, winning once at 1000m and was placed thrice. He had just 10 starts in Macau, finishing third twice, before relocating to Malaysia. He is raced by the same connections as Gold Samurai.
Desi Master will line up in the Class 5A 1400m handicap after he finished unplaced in his debut over 1200m four weeks ago. The Vadmos gelding was well-backed in that race but failed to settle after starting from a wide barrier (11) and trailed home sixth.
Unplaced in three runs as a juvenile in Australia, Desi Master campaigned for three seasons in Macau, winning thrice at 1050m and 1200m.
Mochi and Nozi Cylone are both making their local debut and it will interesting to see how they handle the anti-clockwise racing (opposite of Macau).
Mochi, by a Dissident six-year0old, won four races from 1050m to 1350m in Macau.
Nozi Cyclone, a seven-year-old by Madaglia D’Oro, had a win in New Zealand before heading to Macau where he picked up three wins at 1050m and 1200m.
Todate, 41 horses from Macau have been registered for racing in Malaysia. However, two – White Dragon and Yayee – have been deregistered without having a start.
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