KUALA LUMPUR: April 2, 2025

Despite beating just one home in his last start four weeks ago, Duma looks the one beat and takes pride of place in the RM150,000 NZB Ready To Run 2023 Graduate Cup over 1400m at Sungai Besi this Sunday.

His most recent run was a shocker. Starting as second favourite, the Too Darn Hot gelding was never in the hunt and finished 11th in a Class 4A race over 1300m won by Cheval Pegasus.

But that result should best be ignored.

Duma made a winning debut in the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trophy (1200m) last Sep 22, backed up by another success in the TBC Gamefi Club Trophy (1300m) a month later which earned him high praise from his trainer Frank Maynard.

Duma returned to racing after a short break and found one to beat twice over 1400m back in January, beaten a neck on both occasions in a Max Two race and a Class 4A contest.

The results of his first four outings were too good to be overlooked in his quest for another trophy this Sunday.

Rocky Pegasus, Storm Pegasus and Ever Reliable were all unplaced behind Duma last year before they started winning races.

Rocky Pegasus shed his maiden tag in a Special Maiden event over 1250m and after two more starts, bounced back to win a Open Novice race over 1400m last time out.

After finishing down the field in the two races won by Duma, Storm Pegasus broke through with back-to-back wins in Open Maiden company and Class 4B before finding one to beat in a Class 4A sprint over 1200m last Jan 1.

But the son of Belardo has not been tested over 1400m but the way he came from midfield to win drawing away over 1200m three starts back indicated that he will have no problem with the trip.

Ever Reliable has taken his time to find his form. After a run of four unplaced runs, the Reliable Man gelding found one to beat last Jan 19 before reeling off back-to-back wins in Class 5.

Given that he won over 1700m and 1800m, Sunday’s trip might seem too short for the gelding. But if there were genuine pace on early coming Sunday, it will play into his game.

Ananthen Kuppen, who trains Storm Pegasus and Ever Reliable, will have a third runner in Bold Runner.

After winning his debut last Sep 22, the Contributer gelding subsequently finished third and second followed by an unplaced run on Dec 22. He has not raced again since and needs to match-fit if he were to stand a chance.

Rocky Bhai’s only success coming in a Special Maiden race over 1400m last Dec 1 but has been a model of consistency with a win and five placings in seven starts.

His last run was full of merits and one which makes him one to watch this Sunday.

Drawn barrier 13, the son of Microphone stumbled shortly the jump and was slow into stride. His rider then Yudanyl Aify had no choice but to switch his mount right across the track behind the runners in front to the inside.

But his path forward was blocked by horses in front and Aify had to sit patiently in second last place passing the 800m before he could switch out making the turn into the straight.

Rocky Bhai charged home on the outside of the field but it was too late. Odds-on favourite Platinum Glory was home and dry.

Rocky Bhai will be Nick Nelvan’s only runner in the Cup which is restricted to graduates of the 2023 Ready To Run Sale where the Selangor Turf Club delegation bought a total of 28 horses.

Wayne Lim, who trains Rocky Pegasus, will also be represented by Achilles Pegasus.

After finishing on board in all his initial five runs, including finishing third thrice, the Per Incanto gelding managed to break through in a Restricted Maiden race three weeks ago.

Maynard’s second runner in the Cup is Trees Of Valinor.

After finishing second to Duma in his debut, beaten a short head by Rocky Pegasus in his next start, the Telperion gelding has struggled in his subsequent four races.

Joyee Go, Dream Ma, Hullet and Campionessa make up the 12-horse field who will contesting the first of two races sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock this year. The other race is the RM300,000 NZB Ready To Run Open Championship on Nov 2 which will be open all graduates of the New Zealand Bloodstock sales.

Joyee Go, trained by Lim Shung You, finished on board in the last three of his four starts.

The Winson Cheng Han Yong-trained Dream Ma has had the benefit two runs but only trailed home fourth to Achilles Pegasus in his last outing.

Champion trainer Simon Dunderdale will be represnted by Hullet, unplaced in four runs thus far, and newcomer Campionessa.

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