KUALA LUMPUR:  Sep 9, 2023

LEOPARD ECLIPSE has a knack for scoring back-to-back wins. In fact, the New Zealand has done it three times.

Just two weeks after winning a Supreme C event over 1400m at Sungei Besi, the son of Road To Rock repeated the feat with an all-the-way win in a similar race over the same distance here today. 

Ridden by Cheah Wei Wen who replaced the indisposed Hafis Saari, LEOPARD ECLIPSE, who started second favourite, won by three quarters of a length. It was his eighth win in 39 starts.

Next week, the seven-year-old will attempt to bring off a career-first hattrick when he takes on the best in the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m).

“He is a much improved horse,” said trainer Frank Maynard who also owned the gelding. “Will run him in the Cup next week but it’s probably a little short (in distance for him) at that level. I am really looking forward to the Piala Emas (Sultan Selangor) and the Penang Gold Cup.”

Both Piala Emas Sultan Selangor and Penang Gold Cup will be run over 2000m later in the year. LEOPARD ECLIPSE has won up to 1775m.

The gelding, who landed unraced in the country, broke through for his first win in Open Maiden company in October 2020 and brought up his first double a month later.

Earlier this year in March, LEOPARD ECLIPSE also won back-to-back races in Stayers Stakes C and Class 4.

“He jumped neatly and went to the front. He does everything well and was too good for the field,” said Cheah who was riding him for the first time today. Earlier in he also scored on SPEEDY DEMON.

The favourite EMPEROR TAIZONG was given every chance by Jose De Souza, racing handy throughout, but could only managed a tame fourth.

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