Three horses with already three wins to their names are among a small field of seven nominated for the first heat of the Malaysia 4YO Challenge in Ipoh this Sunday.

The introduction of the Challenge series is a direct result of the cancellation of the 3YO Championship series last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent cancellation of races and restrictions.

The southern hemisphere horses bought with the 3YO Championship in mind turned four last August 1 and some of the them have already done well for themselves, with Trinity General, Symbol Of Courage and Ragnar picking up three wins each.

Trinity General (My Admiration – Double Fun by Dubleo) began racing as a two-year-old in 2019. He notched his first win in February last year before completing a hattrick after turning four later in the year.

The Australian entire, trainer by Lim Shung You, was also placed four times in nine starts to date but has not raced since September.

Symbol of Courage (Warhorse – Jivochka by Ustinov) was unplaced in two runs in Singapore before moving to Malaysia where he has won 3 races and has been placed in all his other 5 starts.

The Australian gelding, trained by Richard Lines, is gunning for a hattrick having won his last two starts in Novice company and Class 4 respectively.

Ragnar -No 7(Shocking – Barbara Jennie by Bahhare) won his racing debut in 2019 before adding another victory last year. The New Zealand gelding was narrowly beaten by a head in his first appearance of 2021 two weeks ago.Two other winners will join the line-up this Sunday.

Xena (Proisir – Lady Illicit by Sir Percy) gets her chance after scoring her second win in 12 starts at Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

Myo (Sweet Orange – Kalevala by Falkirk) started his career in brilliant fashion, winning both his two runs in 2019. But he had to be sidelined for more than a year after that and resumed late last year for two unplaced runs.

The New Zealand gelding showed a return to form four weeks ago when he finished third to Symbol Of Courage and will be eager to turn the tables on the latter.

It may be small line-up to kick start the 4YO Challenge but expect fierce contest to pick up the first points.

The winner in each heat will be awarded five points, with two points for second and one for the third-placed horse.

There will not be a Final race. The horse with the highest points tally will be named Champion 4YO Horse and earned an extra RM50,000.

All races will be run under weight-for-age condition and the field will be limited to 12 runners plus three emergency acceptors.

Perak Turf Club will stage two more heats on May 23 and June 27. Penang Turf Club will hold theirs on May 9, June 5 and 20. Selangor Turf Club has scheduled April 11, May 30 and July 4 for their three heats.