Feb 27, 2025

Atlante Legend and Gun lead cavalry for Kiwi trainer with nice gallops on Feb 26

It is perhaps an understatement to even suggest that trainer Simon Dunderdale is going to have a big day at the races.

Right now, the champion trainer of 2024 is sitting at the top of the table with nine winners to show for the new season – and we are just trotting into March.

Well, on the morning of Feb 26, Dunderdale would have been a busy man at the Selangor Turf Club.

A fair number of his horses entered for the meeting on March 1 were out on the training track. Some were out for slow work while others were asked to raise a sweat – which they did with some fine gallops over the 600m.

Among them were Spieth Heroine, Nimbus Star, Atlante Legend and Gun.

While all looked to be at the top or nearing the peak of their powers, it is unfortunate that Nimbus Star, who ran the 600m in 40.9sec and Spieth Heroine, who covered the same trip in 40.4sec, are down as reserves in races 10 and 11 and may not get to start.

However, Dunderdale will still have a strong team going into the races and leading the cavalry could be Atlante Legend and Gun.

A one-time winner from 14 starts, Gun will see action in Race 3 and he will be in the competent hands of Iskandar Rosman.

Sure, Gun’s last three runs would not have inspired much confidence as he finished way out of the money. However, when he was with Donna Logan at Kranji, he did win a race over the 1,200m and was placed second twice over that same trip.

An expensive import – he went under the hammer for around $700,000 as a yearling. It tells us that he must possess a good ticker.

We also know, for sure, that he possesses good early speed and the sharp 1,150m sprint that he has to cover on March 1 could be just what he needs to open his Malaysian account.

As for Atlante Legend, he does not know that he is getting long in the tooth.

Already an eight-year-old, it was on Jan 31 that he punched home one for the veterans when, under a strong ride from Blaike McDougall, he came home from the wilderness to nose out Storm Pegasus over the Sungai Besi 1,200m.

Already a seven-time winner, there is still loads of racing in that frame of his and, for an old galloper, a race-to-race double will be well deserved.

Outside of Dunderdale’s team, keep a watchful eye on Strong White.

Under the care of Ooi Chin Chin, Strong White would have got the thumbs up from his master after turning in a nice gallop which saw him dispose of the 600m in 40.7sec. That, after loosening up with a strong canter.

A handsome-looking grey, Strong White delivered the goods at his last start on Feb 2. That day, in a race over the 1,400m, he came from near last at the 800m mark to score a slashing win over God’s Gift.

The extra 200m that he has to cover on March 1 should suit him just fine. So, be patient and wait for the last event. Ong has put him through the wringer and Strong White looks to be in a good place right now.

Source : Brian Miller