KUALA LUMPUR:  Mar 16, 2024

Rank-outsider LEOPARD ECLIPSE put his rivals into the shade with a huge upset win in the Metro A set-weight event over 1600m at Sungai Besi here today.

The seven-year-old made all the running to win by 1 3/4 lengths ahead of a line of six well-backed horses to pay RM235 for a win.

But your couldn’t say that the win was totally out of the blue. The son of Road To Rock has already eight wins to his name prior to today’s race.

Last November, LEOPARD ECLIPSE finished third in the Coronation Cup (1600m) in Ipoh and went on to run third again in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m).

Placed third in his next start, LEOPARD ECLIPSE failed to show up in three subsequent runs before before his surprise win today.

LEOPARD ECLIPSE jumped well from his inside barrier (1) and found himself in front shortly after that that.

Jockey Aiman Mohd Nazir, who scored once on LEOPARD ECLIPSE early last year, kept his mount on a steady pace though they were three lengths in front of the rest at the halfway stage and into the straight.

LEOPARD ECLIPSE kept up a bright gallop in the home stretch to win comfortably without being seriously threatened.

“He jumped well and had a good lead but I was also saving him for a final effort in the straight,” said Nazir. “No one caught me.”

LEOPARD ECLIPSE has now won nine times in 49 starts since joining trainer Frank Maynard as an unraced import.

“I always have a high opinion of him (LEOPARD ECLIPSE). He has always finished high up with horses like PASIR PINJI so the ability was there,” said Maynard.

“It was a tough race and (1600m is) probably a little bit short for him. When he is left in front he is a very good stayer.

“He is a sound, big strong horse so I am looking forward to the (Perak)Derby. He’s got it all and he’s got very good legs.

“He has really been a good purchase (in June 2022). He has won seven races for the new connections and been a good horse for the stable.”

In collaboration with: