Mar 19, 2025

Cinnamon Blaze, Groovy also show their intentions at Sungai Besi trials

Fresh from that win with Noah Khan in the Group 1 Tunku Gold Cup (1,200m) on March 16, trainer Siva Kumar and his team could be looking to pop open another bottle of bubbly one week later.

From what transpired at the trials on the morning of March 19, the affable trainer could be pinning his hopes on RS Dream delivering the goods from his small team of five runners for the action coming up on March 23.

Sure, the Toronado eight-year-old did not record the fastest time of the morning. But the manner in which he went about securing that victory would have excited his connections.

Taken out by Tunku Gold Cup-winning jockey Andre da Silva, RS Dream did the 1,000m on grass in 1min 2.10sec.

On a good track, RS Dream ran the final 600m in 37.5sec in a polished performance that was done with plenty of swagger.

RS Dream’s last three runs will do little to inspire confidence, even with a record of five wins. But there was some optimism on the day he made light of a hefty 58.5kg on Dec 8.

Indeed, under a forceful ride from da Silva, RS Dream beat a talented lot of Class 4 (A) rivals for a masterful all-the-way 2¼ length-victory over the 1,100m.

Among those who finished in his wake were nice sorts like newcomer Pacific Warlord, Top Gun and seven-time winner Thunder.

Owned by the RS Diago Stable, RS Dream tackles the sharper 1,020m on March 23 and if allowed to dictate proceedings, he could transform the race into a procession – with him being allowed to call the shots.

Another good performance came from Cinnamon Blaze. He won the fifth trial which was run on the sand track.

Ridden by Nuqman Rozi and starting from the innermost gate, Cinnamon Blaze beat Surfie Boy (AkmazaniMazuki) by 1½ lengths with Xena dropping in for third, another half-length away.

It was in the third race on March 16 that Charles Leck and Nuqman joined forces to land a good-priced winner in Tangesh ($107).

Come March 23 and should Nuqman partner Cinnamon Blaze in that Novice sprint (1,300m), the combination might be looking at pulling off another victory.

Groovy will not see action in the race meeting coming up. But when he does come under starter’s orders, you might want to have something riding on him.

The son of Swiss Ace took the second trial of the morning in impressive fashion, clocking 1:01.63 for the 1,000m – the fastest time of the morning.

Still under the care of Richard Lim, Groovy was a five-time winner at Kranji.

Yet to show up in a race at Sungai Besi, he ran his third trial at his new home on March 19 and it brought up his first win.

Yes, Lim has been patient with his five-year-old galloper. While he is not a big horse – he normally tips the scales in the mid-400kg bracket – he has a tremendous engine in that frame of his.

Watch for him when he does make his Malaysian debut. It could well be a winning one.

Another good winner on the day was Terms Of Reference, who certainly punched one home for the old timers.

Already 12 years old and one of the “elder statesmen” at Sungai Besi, the son of Per Incanto won the third trial of the morning, clocking 1:02.21 for the 1,000m.

Prepared by Sharee Hamilton, the veteran who began his racing under Patrick Shaw in Singapore 10 years ago, showed good action when taking the trial by half a length.

Incidentally, Terms Of Reference was at the trials by order of the racing stewards, after he was found to be lame in a race on March 1. Not only did he pass that test, but he did it in style.

It is hard to say if the horse can notch a 16th career win, but he deserves a round of applause for beating gallopers half his age on March 19.

Source : Brian Miller