KUALA LUMPUR:  Jan 20, 2024

After taking some time to find his feet in the country, QUICKEN AWAY is starting to live up to her name in the past couple of months.

After being unplaced in her first five starts, the Australian mare found one to beat last November. The five-year-old quickly stepped it up to win her next start in the Starprint PLC Thailand Trophy (Class 4 – 1200m) last month.

Three weeks later, QUICKEN AWAY defied a promotion to beat the promising MISTY SWIFT over 1300m.

Trainer Ismadi Ismail then took a bold step to nominate her in the Supreme B set-weight event over 1500m at Sungai Besi today, competing against the likes of PASIR PINJI (winner of the 2023 Selangor Gold Cup) and GOLDEN KING (runner-up in both the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor and Penang Gold Cup at the tailend of last year) amongst others.

But QUICKEN AWAY, who started at generous odds (RM52), lowered their colours with a gutsy performance.

Jockey Hafis Saari settled QUICKEN AWAY in second spot behind the pacemaker TORNADO PEGASUS. The field were well bunched up making the turn into the straight and QUICKEN AWAY were level with the leader coming to the 400m.

QUICKEN AWAY took a clear lead at the 200m with PASIR PINJI and GOLDEN KING not far behind. PASIR PINJI made a desperate effort in the final 100m to catch the leader but QUICKEN AWAY held on gamely to win by a head. Odds-on favourite GOLDEN KING finished third. 

QUICKEN AWAY raced for three seasons in Australia, winning thrice (including twice at Morphettville) and was placed four times in 18 starts. She was sold for just A$7,500 in an online sale in April last year and landed in Malaysia a month later.

“From her last two wins, I knew that she could settle down nicely in a race and take on a longer distance,” said Ismadi. “The field is quite strong today but she delivered as I expected.”

“She has been training well,” said Hafis who won on her two starts back. “She has a lot of potential and should pick up more wins.” 

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