Horse racing in Malaysia has always attracted excellent jockeys and trainers from around the world and Sunday’s feature race, the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor, will be no exception. Some of the leading chances will be partnered by foreign riders, including a couple of recent arrivals who will be hoping to make their breakthrough.
Young Aussie gun Jordan Mallyon, 25, will be handed the plum ride on last year’s winner, Truson. Mallyon is part of a famous racing family which has produced several jockeys and showed great promise as an apprentice in Australia before a series of unlucky injuries stalled his progress: “I found opportunities drying up in Australia and moved here for a change of scene and luck. It’s a different style of racing and I’ve had to adapt and make contacts, but I’m enjoying it so far and very hopeful for the weekend”Akash Aucharuz, 28, hails from the racing-mad island of Mauritius and was champion apprentice of South Africa in the 2013/14 season. Like Mallyon, he suffered bad luck at the wrong time. “It seemed like there was a change of policy after Nelson Mandela’s death, and I couldn’t get a work permit”, he remembers. After several years in South Africa, Aucharuz found it difficult to break through back at home, and quickly moved on to Macau where he had a successful two-year stint. However, as a quiet character he found the bustle of the place not to his liking and moved to Malaysia six months ago. He rides the Selangor Gold Cup winner Stick Seeker for Lawson Moy who is quietly confident: “We had a disaster in Penang with a wide barrier and a very wet track, but his comeback race last week was much better and I think he’s got a good chance”Brazilian ace Jose de Souza keeps the ride on another leading contender, Ready To Rock, who is unproven over the 2000m distance but according to his jockey “will relax and save his energy, so I’m confident that he will stay the trip”.His younger brother Laercio de Souza will partner Sea World, a likely front-runner and a hard horse to pass.Most interesting of all, the superbly stylish Oscar Chavez, originally from Panama but long established as one of Asia’s top jockeys, will take the ride on Tiger Bay who has won four of his last five starts. He has been drawn towards the outside in barrier 12 which may not be ideal, but nothing will come to the race in better form. Any local rider hoping to lift the trophy on Sunday faces some stiff competition.
