KUALA LUMPUR:  Feb 13, 2022

XENA, who came from last to beat all but the unbeaten AWESOME STORM over 1200m on this track 11 days ago, hunted down her rivals in the rain to capture the Combined Classes 2 & 3 event over 1300m at Sungei Besi today. 

The Priosir mare was in superb form last year, reeling off a hattrick just before racing took an enforced break due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

After racing resumed, the five-year-old has been racing against the best with two good placings (behind VOLCANIC GENERAL and MOONGATE LIGHT) before winning a Metro A event over 1100m on New Year’s Day.

She clearly struggled to get going early last start when she settled in the rear but flashed home to finish 3 1/4 lengths behind the runaway AWESOME STORM.

“She appreciated the longer trip today compared to her last start,” said jockey Tham Kin Chong who has partnered her in her last two outings.

On her last two efforts, XENA was installed odds-on (RM6) today and her backers must have some anxious moments until well into the straight.

XENA was racing in midfield making the turn into the straight. SUPER HERO raced past the pacemaker LIM’S DASHING at the 250m and kicked away. It was only in the final 100m that XENA collared the leader and drew away to win by one length.

“She’s a big-hearted mare,” said trainer Cheng Han Yong who took over XENA in mid-2020 with the mare having won just one race prior. “Well done to my team and the Club for providing a beautiful track for the trainers. I am also grateful to the owners for their support.”

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