Value Of Justice defied rating and experience to win Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup 2018 - Penang Turf Club
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2018 Penang Turf Club Magazine
PP 8450/08/2013 (032945) www.penangturfclub.com
Value Of Justice
defied rating and
experience to win
Yang di-Pertua
Negeri Gold Cup
Views expressed in Front Runner are Advertisement enquiries:
solely those of individual writers and not
necessarily endorsed by the Penang Turf Club Goh Su Yen
Assistant Club Secretary
Design and Layout Penang Turf Club,
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PENANG TURF CLUB
THE COMMITTEE EDITORIAL BOARD EXECUTIVES
President Editor General Manager & Secretary
Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan Teoh Mei Shean Leow Khin Ming
Committee Members Members Financial Controller
Dato’ Dr Chong Keat Foong Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan Lim Lai See
Jeffrey Lee Chin Wah Dato’ Saw Lip Khai
Lee Kean Teong Leow Khin Ming Operations Adviser
Dato’ Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim Lim Lai See Dr Tan Swee Hock
Dato’ Saw Lip Khai Goh Su Yen
Dato’ Seri Teh Choon Beng Assistant Club Secretary
Teoh Mei Shean Editorial Consultant Goh Su Yen
Charles Wong
Election Committee Members Racing Officer
Chan Hong Saik Photographers Ooi Jean Lee
Dato’ Lawrence Cheah Seong Paik Lim Teow Heng
Dato’ Choo Beng Kai Booi Kok Ming Head of Veterinary Department
Rudy Lee Beng Liang Charles Wong Dr Khor Li Li, D.V.M.
Ian Lim Eu Keong
Andy Ng Kok Min
Saw Lip Thong
Teoh Ming Liang
Victor Yeap Leong Peng
contents
4 R ich H istory of the G old C u p 27 R ising to the O ccasion
Favourite Rising Hope bagged Penang
8 Colou r f u l a n d E xciti ng Spri n t Turf Club Trophy at Morphettville
T rophy
28 DET TOR I M A K E S H I STORY
12 Valu e -able C u p V ictory Italian jockey notched fifth Prix de L’Arc
Value Of Justice defied rating and experience to win
de Triomphe win on Enable
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup
29 R ight on Target
14 Penang Sprint T rophy Strike Force scored thrilling win in
Penang Turf Club Trophy at Moonee
16 Great E xcitemen t Valley
Dr Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy saw thrilling win
by Great Scott 30 J u ven ile Sta r
Two-year-old Relau Star beat older rivals
17 Star Performance in Mitavite Cup
Triple One D’Great trashed rivals in Japan Racing
Association Trophy 32 M embers visit M acau &
Hong Kong
19 NAT U RE’S F I ERY Penang delegation attended Penang Turf
Unfancied Nature Is Nature captured Tattersalls Goodwill Cup at Taipa and Hong Kong
Trophy International Race Day
20 En d of Long L a n e 34 T U R F GALLERY
Our Friendly Diva ended long drought in Royal Turf
Meet the VIPs and guests who were at
Club of Thailand Trophy the Club recently
21 T hird T ime Lucky 42 W I NN ER S’ C I RC LE
Apprentice Zaimuddin bagged Penang Turf Cub We salute some of the recent winners in
Trophy in Kuala Lumpur Penang
22 Dance to V ictory 48 C H RONOLO G Y OF EV EN T S
Dance In The Wind blew away rivals in PNTC
Traces the milestone of racing
Trophy at Kranji in the region
23 POPU L A R W I NN ER 50 C LU B I NFO
Favourite Riasc triumphed in Penang Turf Club 2YO Brief history of the Club
Plate at Ascot
53 C LU B FAC I LI T I E S
24 Polo Boy on Ta rget The PTC Golf Section
Denman gelding scored upset win in Lorenzo
Jewellery Trophy 54 Penang Hill Bungalow
26 S ound of SUCCE S S 56 VIP Boxes & Corporate Boxes
President cut Derby cake on eve of Piano Sonata’s
Turkish Derby win 57 Horseshoe Bistro & Museum
SNAPSHOTS
Penang Turf Club Committee Member
Dato’ Seri Teh Choon Beng with jockey
Ryan Moore at Salisbury Racecourse
Three senior figures at Salisbury Racecourse
EDITOR’S NOTE
T
he beginning of a new year is a time number of races in the MRA circuit declined further
for reflection on things that have been in tandem with the number of horses in training
and to start anew, to change the racing in spite of the club doing everything possible to
industry’s fortunes. It is in this spirit of keep racing afloat over the years as many things are
the new year, Front Runner extends New beyond the control of the turf clubs. Our pleas to the
Year greetings to all its readers. This year marks the authorities for assistance, reliefs on taxation, policing
25th anniversary of Front Runner’s publication as the and access to the media have unfortunately fallen on
newsletter to chronicle events and happenings on the deaf ears. We have to somehow arrest this decline and
turf for our members. In a twinkle of an eye, a quarter reinvent ourselves if we are to continue the business of
of a century has gone by to see our newsletter evolved horseracing. We must be able to market our product of
into the Club’s authorative magazine. horseracing which is costing tens of millions to stage in
That the club, a creation of the British in 1864 is an effective way. There is a revolution going on in the
still around today, speaks for itself that we are indeed conduct of businesses the world over where more and
a remarkable institution when many entities and more transactions are now carried out on the internet
organisations have since disappeared into the sands of and online. We must tap into this revolution if we are
time and in oblivion. We have survived many crises, to continue to survive and compete with the illegal
two World Wars, separation from Singapore and many bookmakers who have already gone online. We must
other ups and downs but racing has remained intact be ready for the day when attendance at the racecourse
under the umbrella of the Malayan Racing Association is no longer necessary to put on a bet on our antiquated
till this day. We have thus shown we have the resilience totalisator machines. We have no choice but to adapt
and the will to survive in spite of the odds stacked and adopt to be in tune with new technology. This
against us from the day we were born. We began life is the harsh reality. Alibaba and the cyber world are
as a social afternoon tea recreation to become a billion staring at us in the face, so we must harness this lifeline
ringgit industry, not so long ago. Alas, we have fallen for us to stay relevant in the 21st century!
on hard times. Next year the Club will reach another milestone
For 2018, we expect to face even more challenges. when we commemorate the 155th anniversary of its
Last year’s turnover was marginally higher on the foundation. We hope to celebrate this anniversary
totalisator compared to 2016 which had been the befitting our heritage as Penang’s premier institution.
lowest on record. Attendances at race meetings and the
Rich History of the
Gold Cup
Yastrzemski scores his first big win in the Gold Cup in 2014
T
he Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup was first run as Cup in successive years with Couag (Cagire - Ugas by Buen
the Penang Gold Cup in 1921 when Haud won over Ojo) in 1958, Prince Of Lalita (Prince Chavalier - Lalita by Owen
“one mile and distance” at the old racecourse in Jalan Tudor) in 1959 and Automation (Pink Flower - Perio by Historic)
Macalister. in 1960, making it five wins in the space of seven years.
Due to some inexplicable reasons, it was not until 1934 Three Rings also won the Singapore Gold Cup thrice in
that the Gold Cup was run again, when Star Player was 1954, 1956 and 1957.
successful. Knight’s Eye became the first horse to win the race Moonbeam, the 1968 Singapore Gold Cup winner, won
twice, in 1937 and 1938. the Penang version the following year. There have been
In 1939, the Penang Turf Club moved to its new “home” numerous other Singapore Gold Cup winners who also won
in Batu Gantong and that year’s Gold Cup was won by Royal in Penang.
Worlington over 11 furlongs (about 2,212m) after which racing However, Ouzo (Oregon - Halloween by War Hawk II),
was halted because of World War II. arguably one of the best horses ever seen on our shores,
The Gold Cup series resumed in 1948 and Predominance never won the Singapore Gold Cup but captured the Gold
became the first post-war winner. The distance was 10 Cup in Penang in 1997, prior to the cross-border ban on the
furlongs (about 2,011m) as was the 1969 Gold Cup won by movement of horses. Ouzo went on to win the inaugural
Madasari. running of the Singapore Airlines International Cup in 2000.
From 1950 to 1952, the distance was reverted to 11 But by far the most successful trainer in the Gold Cup
furlongs. The 1952 winner Col. Whatnot repeated his success series is Dato’ Seri Teh Choon Beng. Crowned champion
the following year when the distance was changed yet again trainer of the Malaysia and Singapore circuit 13 times, Teh
to 10 furlongs. The Gold Cup was run over that distance, and won the classic seven times, a record which still stands
later over 2,000m when racing went metric, until 1984. despite Teh having retired from training in December 1995.
Col. Whatnot’s second consecutive win in 1953 created Teh first made his mark in the Gold Cup in 1974 with
history, for it was the first time a local jockey had won the Shadowfax (Crepello - Martial Air) and he followed up in the
Gold Cup. That honour went to Abdul Mawi, who two years next season with Mallane (Pall Mall - Aunt Florrie by Delirium).
later repeated the success on Zabaglione. Abdul Mawi rode After the race was renamed Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold
at a time when the majority of the riders were expatriates, Cup in 1976, Teh saddled five more winners, the first being
and that he was able to hold his own against the best when Aylmer Road (Nashua - Take A Stand by Amerigo) in 1978.
winning two Penang Gold Cups spoke volumes of his riding History was created in 1980 when the Teh-trained
prowess. Scaramouche II (Selhurst - On Par by Parma) became not only
Three Rings (The Phoenix - Vanity Fair by Fairway) won the first three-year-old to win the Gold Cup, but also the first
his first Penang Gold Cup in 1954 and repeated the feat two of his age to win any classic in the local circuit.
years later. It signalled the start of the “Doc Rodgers era”. Five years later in 1985, Teh won again with Truth (Brigand
The late veterinary surgeon-turned-trainer also won the Gold – Onserene by Oncidium) who was ridden by apprentice
6 |
Turf Event
Ismadi Ismail. That year, the distance of the
Gold Cup was changed to 2,200m and remained
at that for the next 28 years.
A year earlier, Oo Khuang Liang had become
the first apprentice to win the Gold Cup astride
St Gallen (Decies - Aminona by Oakville).
Amazingly, St Gallen won the Gold Cup
a second time after a lapse of four years, in
1988, when ridden by another apprentice
Danny Chee. Oo, Ismail and Chee are the only
apprentices to have won the race.
Maree Lyndon made history in 1987 when
she became the first female jockey to win the
Gold Cup on the Teh-trained Turn Around (Sir Singapore Derby in 1996 but his promising career was cut
Tristram – Cypon by Oncidium). Another Teh’s stable jockey, short by an injury sustained in the Yang di-Pertua Negeri
Kim Clapperton, emulated the feat in 1993 on Jingle Bell V Gold Cup the same year when he pulled up lame).
(Nassipour - Lady In Waiting by Trictrac) and two years later In 1999, Malaysia and Singapore went separate ways
scored again on Courtline Jester (Caerleon - Bottom Line). and the Gold Cup was contested exclusively by Malaysian
In 1994, the Gold Cup achieved a “first” when Piaget, the horses until 2005. It was during this period that we saw
French manufacturer of magnificent timepieces, presented a the emergence of arguably the best mare to grace our turf,
gift horse to the winning owners of the Gold Cup. Confluence (Paris Opera - Tristrams Jewel by Sir Tristram).
The gift horse was made possible by the efforts of The New Zealand mare won the Gold Cup in 2001 and
Patrice Renaudin, the General Manager of French Breeders went on to win the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (then run over
Association and Jean de Chevigny, the Manager of Union 1,600m), the Coronation Cup twice, Selangor Gold Cup (then
Nationale Interprofessionnelle du Cheval (UNIC). Jean 2,000m) and Sprint Trophy in the following two years.
approached the Chairman of Piaget International, Yves G In 2004, Confluence earned an invite to contest the
Piaget, after they learned about the Club’s 130th anniversary Singapore Airlines International Cup but unfortunately
celebrations from then Committee Member (Dato’) Ong Eng broke down during the race, bringing her 12-win career to a
Khuan, when he attended the Goffs France yearling sales at premature end.
Saint-Cloud, Paris, in April that year. After the resumption of cross-border racing in 2005, four
The race with the added incentive was won by Noble horses from across the causeway have emerged triumphant in
Spirits (Light Spirits – Stylish by Noble Bijou), trained by Mohd the Gold Cup with Light Of Success (Military Plume - Scentessa
Yusof. Noble Spirits’ win in the Gold Cup, in part, earned him by Scenic) taking honours that year.
the Pan Malaysian Pools Horse of the Year title. The following year, it was the Laurie Laxon-trained
(The gift horse, named Imperial Gold II (Funambule - Secret Expunge (Gilded Time - Prime Again by Marooned) that denied
Foly by Procida), went on to win six races including the Bukit Light Of Success its second win.
Timah Trophy, a feature race for Class 2 horses over 1,850m. Trainer Steven Burridge was successful with Risky
He also finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Business in 2010 and Hint (Reset - Suggestive by Al Hareb)
easily accounted for his Malaysian rivals in 2012.
Raul (Hideyoshi - Whisper To Me by Beau Sovereign)
created history by becoming the oldest horse to win
the Gold Cup at the ripe old age of ten. The former
Singapore galloper also joined an elite band of horses
to have won both the Singapore Gold Cup and the
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup, having won the
Singapore showpiece in 2004.
For Raul’s trainer Evert van Breukelen, it was
an unforgettable moment in his career as he finally
achieved what his late father Eddie had achieved three
times, with Champion in 1964, Moonbeam in 1969 and
Siapa Rajah in 1972.
Monsili defeats the Malaysian bred Beautiful Choice in 2013
2018 | 7
PENANG GOLD CUP WINNERS
YEAR HORSE OWNER WGT DIST. TIME JOCKEY TRAINER
1921 Haud – 54 1609m 1:57.8 R Hobbs –
1934 Star Player Mr Graham 51 1609m 1:40.6 D McPherson R Billett
1935 Short Suit T H Menzies 52 1609m 2:01.2 F Mayo J Orchard
1936 Miltondale A F Bruce 51.5 1609m 2:03.4 F Mayo J Orchard
1937 Knight’s Eye Lee Soon Aun 54 1609m 1:50.8 D McPherson R Billett
1938 Knight’s Eye Ng Chew Fong 55 1609m 1:53.6 E Donnelly M Breukelen
1939 Royal Worlington Mr Cheah 52 2212m 2:24.8 E Donnelly M Breukelen
1948 Predominance Teng Yin Fooi 53 2011m 2:12.6 J Donnelly M Breukelen
1949 Madasari Prosperous Syndicate 51.5 2011m 2:09.8 D McPherson K Daniels
1950 Four O’Clock II Eu Eng Hock 60.5 2212m 2:19.0 H Charles F E Wadsworth
1951 Treasure Ship Mesdames P H Chuah & 49.5 2212m 2:18.0 J Jones C E Parker
Clare Chan
1952 Col. Whatnot Mr & Mrs Yeo Hock Seng 55.5 2212m 2:19.2 R Percival M Breukelen
1953 Col. Whatnot Mr & Mrs Yeo Hock Seng 49 2011m 2:05.2 A Mawi M Breukelen
1954 Three Rings E J Tan 50 2011m 2:07.2 H McCloud J R Rodgers
1955 Zabaglione T H Menzies 54 2011m 2:09.8 A Mawi M Sullivan
1956 Three Rings E J Tan 53 2011m 2:17.2 S Geyer J R Rodgers
1957 Nazakat Min Stable 54 2011m 2:05.4 K Mitchell K Daniels
1958 Couag Newlands Stable 49 2011m 2:06.6 J Forte J R Rodgers
1959 Prince Of Lalita Dr Lee Tiang Keng & 61.5 2011m 2:12.0 A Ward J R Rodgers
C M Hashim
1960 Automation Chens’ Stable 52 2011m 2:05.6 M Lee J R Rodgers
1961 Repulse Bay Giam Stable 51 2011m 2:18.0 K Mitchell J E Martin
1962 Cash Inn E L Chan 49.5 2011m 2:05.0 M Lee Teh Say Leong
1963 Dark Romance II Winning Stable 52 2011m 2:05.6 J Wilson M Sullivan
1964 Champion Veni Vici Stable 55 2011m 2:05.2 A Trevena ET Breukelen
1965 Malapin Triangle Stable 49.5 2011m 2:06.8 L Harbridge RW Breukelen
1966 Parakee Pengteng Stable 47.5 2011m 2:05.6 R G Kingston J Donnelly
1967 Top Power O W Wong 57 2011m 2:06.0 G Bougoure RW Breukelen
1968 Chai Kian Chefs’ Stable 54 2011m 2:11.6 D Coleman C Tulloh
1969 Moonbeam MML Stable 48.5 2011m 2:07.0 M Lee ET Breukelen
1970 Datin’s Choice Dato Amar & Datin Amar 53.5 2011m 2:22.4 D Coleman J Spencer
Wee Hood Teck
1971 Royal Mark Chukell Stable 50 2011m 2:04.4 L Harbridge C Tulloh
1972 Siapa Rajah Dato Amar & Datin Amar 49 2011m 2:05.6 D Coleman ET Breukelen
Wee Hood Teck
1973 Firebrand TBL Stable 55.5 2011m 2:06.2 D Coleman I W Allan
1974 Shadowfax Auric Stable 51.5 2011m 2:05.2 M Thomas Teh Choon Beng
1975 Mallane Goodman Stable 54 2011m 2:04.8 J Murray Teh Choon Beng
8 |
YANG DI-PERTUA NEGERI GOLD CUP WINNERS
Turf News
YEAR HORSE OWNER WGT DIST. TIME JOCKEY TRAINER
1976 Sentimental Dato Amar & Datin Amar 56.5 2000m 2:12.2 C Gwilliam I W Allan
Journey Wee Hood Teck
1977 Super Level Ng’s Stable 51.5 2000m 2:03.4 L Khoo K Leong
1978 Aylmer Road Inderapura Stable 53 2000m 2:03.6 B Compton Teh Choon Beng
1979 Valaisan Equus Stable 50 2000m 2:03.2 G Podmore I W Allan
1980 Scaramouche II Auric Stable 50.5 2000m 2:05.6 C Gwilliam Teh Choon Beng
1981 Persian Sapphire Agasam Stable 61 2000m 2:04.0 A K Cheam G Bougoure
1982 Betsy’s Pet II A & C Stable 52 2000m 2:02.6 T S Chiam P Jaafar
1983 Full House II Virgo Stable 57.5 2200m 2:15.9 A Tweedie G West
1984 St Gallen Equus Stable 55.5 2200m 2:12.9 App K L Oo I W Allan
1985 Truth Chens’ Stable 54 2200m 2:14.1 App I Ismadi Teh Choon Beng
1986 Sheikh II NTT Stable 50 2200m 2:15.3 K C Ow Yang S H Lee
1987 Turn Around Auric Stable 48 2200m 2:14.1 M Lyndon Teh Choon Beng
1988 St Gallen Equus Stable 54 2200m 2:19.9 App D Chee I W Allan
1989 Pacific Basin Gold Stable 53.5 2200m 2:22.1 R Dominguez Dr K C Yeoh
1990 Classic Account Easy Stable 51 2200m 2:13.7 M Sng Y F Lee
1991 Hard Rock Kuo Stable 48 2200m 2:16.7 M Sng Dr K C Yeoh
1992 Village Kid Village Kid Stable 55.5 2200m 2:15.3 T Asogan H B Lim
1993 Jingle Bell V Auric Stable 56.5 2200m 2:17.0 K Clapperton Teh Choon Beng
1994 Noble Spirits Goh & Goh Stable 55 2200m 2:12.4 S Price M Yusof
1995 Courtline Jester Auric Stable 58.5 2200m 2:14.1 K Clapperton Dr S H Tan
1996 Confidence V Confidence Stable 57 2200m 2:13.5 L Sofhan F Nathan
1997 Ouzo Eres Tu No 2 Stable 49 2200m 2:13.5 S Sam M P Thwaites
1998 Great Machine Sungei Besi Stable 50.5 2200m 2:26.7 A John M Ismail
1999 Centroview Jonathan Sargent 53.5 2200m 2:13.8 K L Oo J Sargent
2000 Ballistic Index Link Stable 51.5 2200m 2:17.9 J Saimee S B Tan
2001 Confluence Confidence Stable 51 2200m 2:15.1 O Chavez F Nathan
2002 Xtherest BMWW Racing Stable 50.5 2200m 2:16.7 R Woodworth K Velu
2003 Louis Thirteen SB Stable 51 2200m 2:13.1 L Sofhan S B Tan
2004 Baby Star Han Emperor Stable 50.5 2200m 2:16.7 M Wepner M Zafir
2005 Light Of Success Lucky Stable 55 2200m 2:14.5 A Spiteri L Treloar
2006 Expunge Mr John D Kilgour 51 2200m 2:12.5 A Spiteri L Laxon
2007 New Kuala Dipang Gold Plus Stable 50.5 2200m 2:12.9 S Salee F Maynard
2008 Professional Man Golden Knight Stable 50.5 2200m 2:15.5 I Azhar K Coetzee
2009 Raul Perfectum Stable 51 2200m 2:15.7 App L Ho E Breukelen
2010 Risky Business Results Stable 56.5 2200m 2:16.2 N Callow S Burridge
2011 Tears To Diamonds Tivic Stable 50 2200m 2:17.2 J Low R Lines
2012 Hint Arexeven Racing Stable 50.5 2200m 2:12.55 J De Souza S Burridge
2013 Monsili Millennium Stable 50 2200m 2:01.30 HS Gill S Edwards
2014 Yastrzemski Aussie Stable 50.5 2000m 2:10.91 L Sofhan F Maynard
2015 Bright Life Tivic Stable 54 2000m 2:07.40 J De Souza R Lines
2016 Appeal pending
2017 Value of Justice Lucky Stable 51 2000m 2:00.90 S Ruzaini F Maynard
2018 | 9
Colourful and Exciting
Sprint Trophy
W
hen the Penang Turf Club decided to add a big American horse by Blade - Good Tee Shot by Advocator) in 1986.
sprint race to their calendar in 1981, they decided Teetoy had raced in the United Kingdom before coming over
to call it simply The Sprint Trophy. to Malaysia.
Although the Sprint Trophy has the shortest history of the Batman (grey New Zealand gelding by Godswalk - Orchid
major sprints in Malaysia, it quickly became the richest, the Vale by Gallant Man), one of the best horses Teh ever trained,
most eagerly awaited sprint each season. romped to victory in 1989, making Maree Lyndon the first-
It is interesting to note that sixteen years after retiring from ever woman jockey to win the series. Batman was to repeat
training, Dato’ Seri Teh Choon Beng still holds the record for the success two years later, this time with Kim Clapperton
the most number of victories in the Sprint Trophy series. on board.
After the success of Sovereign Escort II (chestnut Irish Clapperton became the first jockey to win the Sprint
horse by St Chad - Alynda), trained by the late Lee Seng Hap, Trophy twice, the second time was in 1993, on the Teh-trained
in the inaugural running, Teh quickly made his mark in the Beta Ray Bill (brown New Zealand gelding by Sound Reason -
series with Ten Hugs (grey English gelding by Comedy Star - Dentine by Noble Bijou).
Maid Of Honour) the following year. That was the only two The next most successful trainer was Malcolm Thwaites
years the Sprint Trophy was run as a handicap. The Sprint whose initial success came in 1988 when He’s Dawan (chestnut
Trophy was then staged as a weight-for-age until 2009 when American gelding by Coulee Man - Stroll by Walkers) literally
it became a set-weights event. frightened away his potential rivals. Only five horses took on
After his initial success with Ten Hugs, Teh chalked up the champion sprinter who coasted home by six-and-a-half
his second win in the series with Teetoy (dark bay/brown lengths without being extended.
Mr Armstrong scores a thrilling win in 2016
10 |Turf Event
In 2002, Opposing Force (chestnut New
Zealand gelding by Jetball - Delia’s Choice by
Sir Tristram), winner of two Perak Derby over
2,400m, stormed home on the extreme outside of
the track to score an emphatic win.
Champion mare Confluence (bay/brown New
Zealand mare by Paris Opera - Tristrams Jewel by
Sir Tristram) outshone everyone else to win in
2003 after having won the Selangor Gold Cup
over 2,000m.
The Sprint Trophy became the richest sprint
and the second richest race in Malaysia with
prizemoney of RM700,000 in 2000. That year,
Seaside Bank (chestnut Australian gelding by
Sikorsky - Casper Lady by Christmas Tree) emerged
victorious after a thrilling duel with Endanger
(brown Australian gelding by Danehill - Hyeres
by Gay Mecene).
Prizemoney for the Sprint Trophy was raised
to RM750,000 in 2002 and the Penang Turf Club
In 1995 and 1996, Thwaites scored back-to-back wins
created history with the sponsorship of Astro Wah Lai Toi in
with Fischer (chestnut Australian gelding by Al Khawaaneeg –
2003 when they were able to push the total prizemoney to
Wayette Coghlin by Youth) and the gelding triumphed again in
RM1 million. That year, Confluence (bay/brown New Zealand
1998 and is the only three-time winner of the Sprint Trophy.
mare by Paris Opera - Tristrams Jewel by Sir Tristram), ridden
The early years of the Sprint Trophy produced some
by Oscar Chavez, scored a memorable win.
surprising results.
Chavez, who rode Confluence to victory in 2003, was
When the Sprint Trophy was switched from a handicap
back in the winner’s circle in 2005 when he partnered Hunii
to a weight-for-age event, the “stayers” immediately began
(black/brown Australian gelding by Clay Hero - Arvada Miss
to have their say as well. That year, proven stayer Andermatt
by Osmunda) to victory, stealing a run on Flying Diamond
(bay New Zealand gelding by Amalgam - Aminona by Oakville)
(brown Australian gelding by Telesto - Innocente by Centaine)
upset the champion sprinter Added Advantage II (bay Irish
who flashed home too late to catch the winner.
horse by Welsh Saint - Shade by Gratitude).
After the retirement of Teh, Richard Lines became the
The next great stayer to triumph was St Gallen (bay
first Penang based trainer to win the Sprint Trophy when
New Zealand gelding by Decies - Aminona by Oakville), a
Opposing Force triumphed in 2002 and Frank Maynard
half-brother to Andermatt and twice winner of the Yang
captured his first classic on the local turf when he saddled
di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup (2,200m) and a Singapore Gold
Jeram New Village to victory in 2005. Maynard repeated the
Cup (2,200m) winner, who won by eight-and-a-half lengths
success with Cheyenne Dancer in 2008 when he was based at
in 1987!
Sungei Besi. Incidentally, Opposing Force was purchased by
Then there was Colonial Chief (bay New Zealand gelding
Teh for NZ$70,000 as a yearling.
by Vice Regal - Gold Seine by Gold Sovereign), winner of the
In 2009, the Sprint Trophy was run at set-weights for the
MRA Cup over 2,000m in 1988 and the Singapore Gold Cup
first time, in line with most other classic races in Malaysia.
the following year, who romped home by seven lengths in
History was created in 2011 when the locally trained Eagle
1990.
(Clangalang - Unbeatable by Casual Lies) and Blue Tosca (Canny
Confidence V (chestnut Australian gelding by Serheed -
Lad - Desert Bride by Desert King) battled to a deadheat in the
Cherie Avion by Captain’s Wings) is another stayer who made
Sprint Trophy, a first in the history of the event which was
his mark in 1997 and for three years running from 2001, the
first run in 1981.
“stayers” also made the race their own.
It was a sensational start to a new chapter in the history
Smooth Sailing (bay New Zealand gelding by Kinjite
of the race as it was run on the re-surfaced track for the first
- Quiescent by Gleam Machine), who has been placed in the
time.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup (2,200m) and Tunku Gold
Cup (2,000m), out-sprinted the rest to win in 2001.
2018 | 11From 1999, the Sprint
Trophy was dogged by three
cancellations due to adverse
weather and the consequent
unsafe track conditions, the first
occasion in 1999 and the second
time in 2007.
In 2008, the Sprint Trophy
weekend was called off and the
big race was re-scheduled to
be held during the Gold Cup
meeting in December. Cheyenne
Dancer (brown Australian
gelding by Indian Danehill -
Daylight Hour by Brief Truce),
then trained in Kuala Lumpur
and had captured a cross-border
race at Kranji that year, proved
his class once again to lead all Joe Czarina gives trainer Dr Tan Swee Hock his first win in the Sprint Trophy in 2014
the way for a convincing win.
One of the major highlights in the series was when Captain (chestnut Australian gelding Falvelon - Czarina by Royal
Obvious (grey Australian gelding by Verglas - Shathor by Tirol) Academy) romped to victory, providing trainer Dr Tan Swee
scored the biggest win seen in any classic on the local turf Hock with his first success in the Sprint Trophy.
when he trounced the opposition by 12 lengths in the Sprint In 2013, the Sprint Trophy provided a watershed moment
Trophy in 2010. Captain Obvious won 10 races in Malaysia for seven-time Malaysian champion jockey Azhar Ismail. For
before conquering Singapore and Dubai. all his successes in the saddle, Azhar had — until last year
After the running of the Sprint Trophy that year, Penang — won every big race in Malaysia except the Sprint Trophy.
Turf Club undertook to re-lay the main track at the Batu It was not surprising, therefore, that Azhar was grinning
Gantong racecourse immediately after the Sprint Trophy from ear to ear when he returned to the winning enclosure
meeting and for 10 months Penang meetings were either held astride Good Baby (bay Australian gelding by Hussonet - Secret
in Ipoh or Kuala Lumpur. Haze by Danehill) in the 1,400m classic.
Four years after Astro ended their sponsorship of the 2012 also saw another ‘first’ when Mr Raffles (brown
Sprint Trophy, Penang Turf Club secured a new sponsor New Zealand gelding by Storm Creek - Force Fillee by Foxbay)
in 2014 when Swettenham Stud, one of Australia’s premier scored a runaway win to become the first Singapore trained
establishments, lent their support to the 1,400m sprint. runner to win the Sprint Trophy since the resumption of
As it turned out, Penang Turf Club had double the reason cross-border racing in 2005.
to celebrate the occasion when locally trained Joe Czarina
Good Baby coasting to a runaway win in 2013 Singapore entry Mr Raffles triumphs in 2012
12 |S P R I N T T R O P HY W I N N E R S
(Race known as Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy from 2003-2010)
YEAR HORSE OWNER WGT DIST. TIME JOCKEY TRAINER
1981 Sovereign Escort II (IRE) Ng’s Stable 49.5 1400m 1:24.8 L Khoo S H Lee
1982 Ten Hugs (GB) Auric Stable 51 1400m 1:25.1 R Rajoo Teh Choon Beng
1983 Andermatt (NZ) Equus Stable 57 1400m 1:22.9 T Lucas I W Allan
1984 Our Saint (NZ) Agasam Stable 57 1400m 1:23.2 T S Chiam G Bougoure
1985 Happiness II (GB) Triomphe Stable 58.5 1400m 1:28.2 M Johnston K Leong
1986 Teetoy (USA) Goodman Stable 56 1400m 1:24.3 P Johnson Teh Choon Beng
1987 St Gallen (NZ) Equus Stable 58.5 1400m 1:29.2 L Danis C Read
1988 He’s Dawan (USA) He’s Dawan Stable 58.5 1400m 1:25.7 T Lucas M Thwaites
1989 Batman (NZ) Auric & Olympia Stable 56 1400m 1:29.7 M Lyndon Teh Choon Beng
1990 Colonial Chief (NZ) Promise Stable 58.5 1400m 1:26.1 K L Oo I W Allan
1991 Batman (NZ) Auric & Olympia Stable 57 1400m 1:22.4 K Clapperton Teh Choon Beng
1992 The Kingfighter (AUS) Selangor Stable 58.5 1400m 1:27.9 S Y Leong J Ho
1993 Beta Ray Bill (NZ) Auric Stable 57.5 1400m 1:23.1 K Clapperton Teh Choon Beng
1994 Kim Kim II (NZ) Kimmui’s Stable 58.5 1400m 1:22.8 I Albuino J Brink
1995 Fischer (AUS) Eres Tu Stable 57 1400m 1:26.9 R Woodworth M Thwaites
1996 Fischer (AUS) Eres Tu Stable 58.5 1400m 1:26.9 S Y Leong M Thwaites
1997 Confidence V (AUS) Confidence Stable 58.5 1400m 1:28.8 S Price F Nathan
1998 Fischer (AUS) Eres Tu Stable 58.5 1400m 1:22.5 J Saimee M Thwaites
1999 Race cancelled due to adverse track conditions
2000 Seaside Bank (AUS) Winning Stable 58 1400m 1:24.6 D O’Heare K C Tiang
2001 Smooth Sailing (NZ) Resourceful Stable 58 1400m 1:23.8 K K Loh B Chua
2002 Opposing Force (NZ) Revenge Stable 58 1400m 1:30.1 S H Lee R Lines
2003 Confluence (NZ) Confidence Stable 56.5 1400m 1:30.1 O Chavez F Nathan
2004 Hunii (AUS) Jackpot Stable 58 1400m 1:22.5 O Chavez M Breukelen
2005 Jeram New Village (NZ) Gold Plus Stable 58 1400m 1:23.7 L Sofhan F Maynard
2006 Triple Happy (AUS) Mdm Kong Sau Leng 57.5 1400m 1:24.6 C Segeon S Liew
2007 Race cancelled due to adverse track conditions
2008 Cheyenne Dancer (AUS) Cheyenne Stable 58 1400m 1:23.2 R Burnett F Maynard
2009 Triple Luck (AUS) Mdm Kong Sau Leng 56 1400m 1:33.6 K Eirwan S Liew
2010 Captain Obvious (AUS) Milton Stable 54 1400m 1:24.11 R Woodworth K L Chong
2011 Blue Tosca (AUS) Blue Grass Stable 52 1400m 1:22.21 M Wepner S Cook
Eagle (AUS) Mdm Tey Pei Geok 53 J Low T Gillespie
2012 Mr Raffles (NZ) Raffles Racing Stable 55.5 1400m 1:24.18 G Cheyne M Freedman
2013 Good Baby (AUS) Golden Knight Stable 57 1400m 1:26.25 I Azhar K Coetzee
2014 Joe Czarina (AUS) Czarina Stable 54 1400m 1:22.90 W K Yan S H Tan
2015 Good Baby (AUS) Golden Knight Stable 59 1400m 1:28.00 J De Souza CC Ooi
2016 Mr Armstrong (AUS) Raffles Racing Stable 53 1400m 1:21.10 App AM Aizat F Maynard
2017 Volcanic General (AUS) Fated To Win Stable 55 1400m 1:26.10 S Ruzaini C Leck
2018 | 13Value-able Cup Victory
Value Of Justice defied rating and experience to win
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup
Value Of Justice wins the Gold Cup in a packed finish
Value of Justice (Daliapour - Amatila by Redoute’s Choice) made Street Tease (Street Boss - Flowerette by Victory Gallop) who hit
a mockery of the ratings when he battled to victory in the the front 200m out.
RM350,000 Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup (2,000m) in Value Of Justice stormed to the front close home to win by
Penang on December 31, 2017. half a length from Street Tease. Justice World (Iffraaj - Dazzling
The Australian gelding, who had not won anything Walk by Zabeel) was a head away third, with Mr Armstrong
significant prior to the Malaysian Group 1 event, was one of (Dylan Thomas - Miss Mahal by Canny Lad) another head away
two runners with the lowest rating of 68. fourth, giving trainer Frank Maynard a 1-3-4 finish.
Just a month ago, Value Of Justice at his first crack at a big Value Of Justice had a win and a second in four starts
race ran 15th in the Coronation Cup (1,600m) in Ipoh. at three in Australia but made no showing in five runs in
Two weeks prior to the Gold Cup, the five-year-old gave Singapore before his owner Lucky Stable shipped him to
no indication of what was to come when it came eighth in a Malaysia.
set-weight 1,800m event at Sungei Besi. Under Maynard, the gelding won four times and was
Value Of Justice took advantage of his light weight (51kg) placed five times in 13 starts with the Gold Cup win.
to snatch victory in the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Gold Cup race Lucky Stable first won the Gold Cup when it was a cross-
when it mattered most. border race with Light Of Success, trained by Len Treloar, in
The Gold Cup was keenly contested with not more than 2005.
eight lengths separating the first and last of the 16 runners at Maynard had won the Cup twice before, with New Kuala
the home turn. Dipang (2007) and Yastrzemski (2014).
Value Of Justice was always racing midfield and boxed in Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
on the inside of horses. But jockey Ruzaini Supien managed presented the trophies to the winning connections.
to find a gap between runners at the 300m and went after
14 |Turf Event
YANG DI-PERTUA NEGERI GOLD CUP
Malaysia Group 1 – 2,000m
VALUE OF JUSTICE (AUS) 5G F Maynard 51 S Ruzaini 1
STREET TEASE (IRE) 7M E Breukelen 52 S Saddam 2
JUSTICE WORLD (NZ) 8G F Maynard 53 L Sofhan 3
MR ARMSTRONG (AUS) 8G F Maynard 53 J Mallyon 4
EN LAUDER (NZ) 7G R Lines 51 CK Khaw 5
REMEMBER ME (NZ) 6G WC Lim 51.5 AK Lim 6
Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan presenting the trophy to
Lucky Stable’s representative Richard See TRUSON (AUS) 6G S Cook 59 F Yap 7
LITTLEBITOFJOY (USA) 9G I Ismadi 53.5 S John 8
STAR QUALITY (AUS) 7G KL Chong 59 KC Wong 9
ASTRO FAME (AUS) 5G S Hamilton 52 S Anandan 10
SEA WORLD (AUS) 7G R Lines 55 J De Souza 11
DARCI GLITTER (NZ) 6G HS Lim 51.5 I Saifudin 12
TILSWORTH FREDDIE (GB) 7G P Lee 56 WK Yan 13
WINDCHASER (AUS) 5G C Robert 54 HK Cheng 14
TRUDEAU (AUS) 10 G LN Danis 52.5 Z Kharil 15
ILUMINADO (ARG) 10 G M Thwaites 51 J Chuah 16
Trainer Frank Maynard receiving his trophy Going : Good Winning Time : 2min. 0.9sec.
from Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
Margins : ½ length, neck, neck
Jockey Ruzaini Supien after smiles after A group photo after the prize presentation
receiving his trophy from Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
2018 | 15Volcanic General storms home wide out to beat D’Great Conqueror
Penang Sprint Trophy
Classy import Volcanic General (Magnus - Silverbeat by Distant Volcanic General was back to his best when he lined up in
Music) lived up to his awesome reputation by becoming the the RM300,000 Penang Sprint Trophy on July 30, 2017 and
dominant force in the big sprint races in Malaysia last year. demonstrated his class with an emphatic win.
Winner of five races in Australia including three at Drawn wide in the capacity field, jockey Ruzaini Supien
Caulfield, the Australian gelding made a winning debut had to be patient on the Australian gelding, bidding for his
in Malaysia by taking out the Tunku Gold Cup (1,200m) in time in midfield early.
January. D’Great Conqueror collared the early front-runner Kerauno
He then finished second to Listen in the Selangor Gold making the turn into the straight and by this time, Volcanic
Cup (1,600m) and second again to Indian Jade in the Perak General, trained by Charles Leck, was in a handy position.
Gold Vase (1,100m) in early July.
The jubilant winning connections leading in their winner
16 |Turf Event
D’Great Conqueror kicked away at
the 200m with Kerauno fighting on in PENANG SPRINT TROPHY
second place. Volcanic General, taken to Malaysia Group 1 (Set Weight) – 1400m
the centre of the track for his run, had July 30, 2017
yet to get going on the soft track at this
VOLCANIC GENERAL (AUS) 5G C Leck 55 S Ruzaini 1
stage.
Ruzaini then took him further out D’GREAT CONQUEROR (AUS) 5G F Maynard 53 Y Aify 2
for better ground and Volcanic General
eventually responded in the final 100m TRUSON (AUS) 5G S Cook 55 F Yap 3
to hit the front and cleared away to win
IMPEL (NZ) 7G F Maynard 59 L Sofhan 4
by two and three-quarter lengths.
D’Great Conqueror (More Than Ready KERAUNO (AUS) 4G S Hamilton 51 AK Lim 5
- Aragonce by Lake Coniston) held on for
second with Truson (Al Maher - Ajaweed INDIAN JADE (GB) 7G F Maynard 57 S Muniandy 6
by Hennessy) taking third placing.
Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan, President STAR QUALITY (AUS) 6G KL Chong 56 KC Wong 7
of Penang Turf Club, presented the
CAPTAIN JAZZ (AUS) 4G F Maynard 54 HS Gill 8
trophies to the winning connections.
SHOWBOY (NZ) 4G S Hamilton 52 S Anandan 9
BLACK AND WHITE (AUS) 6G KF Wong 56 S Sandana 10
BIG BOSS (AUS) 6G P Lee 50 CK Tan 11
WORLD HARMONY (NZ) 6G C Robert 55 Z Khairil 12
WINDCHASER (AUS) 4G R Robert 54.5 C Goon 13
GADAWON (AUS) 6G S Hamilton 50 S Saddam 14
ARAGORN (AUS) 3G C Robert 51 R Woodworth 15
JUSTICE WORLD (NZ) 7G F Maynard 52.5 AM Aizat 16
Trainer Cecil Robert receiving the trophy on Going : Good Winning Time : 1min 26.1secs
behalf of Charles Leck from Penang Turf Club Margins : 2 ¾ lengths, 2 ¼ lengths, 1 length
President Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan presenting the trophy to The winning connections pose for a photo
jockey Ruzaini Supien
2018 | 17Great Excitement
Dr Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy saw thrilling win by Great Scott
The 2017 Dr Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy was one of the strides to win by a nose. Slew Of Lode (Lode - Slew Of Reality
most exciting races of the season, considering that the lead by Political Ambition) came in third.
changed several times in the final 200m and only a nose Great Scott was purchased by trainer Chong Keng Leong
separated the first two horses past the post in the Cosmo B as a yearling. After winning two starts from two, he was
set-weight event over 1,400m on July 30, 2017. shipped to Singapore. Although he had a win and three
Probably set a brisk pace and tried to make all the running. second placings in seven outings at Kranji, he was quickly
But he folded up at the 200m and Slew Of Lode was the first brought back to Malaysia.
to pounce wide out. Alexandra Palace then charged home near He has added four more wins on his return with the Dr
the rails. In between them, Great Scott was also staking his Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy success.
claim. Lim Ah Chuan, brother of the late Dr Lim Ah Soo who
Alexandra Palace (Jet Master - Alexandra Bi by Darshaan) hit was a Committee Member of the Penang Turf Club, presented
the front momentarily close to the line but Great Scott (Face the trophies to the winning connections.
Value - Private Star by Ladoni) got up in the last couple of
Great Scott just edges out Alexandra Palace to win the Dr Lim Ah Soo Memorial Trophy Apprentice Wong Kam Chong receiving his trophy
from Lim Ah Chuan
Lim Ah Chuan with the memento he received from The family members of the late Dr. Lim Ah Soo posing for a photo with the winning connections
Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
18 |Turf Event
Triple One D’Great coasts home an easy winner in the Japan Racing Association Trophy
Star Performance
It was Penang Turf Club’s turn to host
the Japan Racing Association Trophy in
2017 and the Club decided to restrict the
reciprocal race to two and three-year-
olds held on July 30, 2017.
Triple One D’Great trashed rivals in Japan Racing
As a result, the RM80,000 weight-
Association Trophy for-age event held on July 30 drew a
capacity field of 16 runners, led by
Yendor who had finished fourth in the
Malaysia 3YO Championship final just
two weeks ago. But it was a two-year-
old who showed the way home in the
1,300m contest.
Triple One D’Great (Beautiful Crown -
Fresh Tracks by Bianconi), who finished
third in his racing debut in Restricted
Maiden company early in the month,
stepped it up in style.
Hiroyuki Koezuka presenting the trophy to Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong
winning apprentice jockey S Saddam Eng Khuan presenting a memento to
First to break, the Australian gelding
Hiroyuki Koezuka never gave his rivals a chance, leading
from start to finish to win by three lengths.
Auspicious Star (Blackfriars - Ortessa
by Oratorio (AUS)) finished strongly to
beat Always D’Great (Iffraaj- Sundown
by Generous) for second, making a 1-2-3
finish for two-year-olds.
Owner Yee Kin Kong, who has a
knack for spotting a bargain, brought
Triple One D’Great for A$20,000 at the
Horses In Training sale.
Hiroyuki Koezuka, Chief Repre-
sentative of Japan Racing Association at
the Hong Kong Representative Office,
presented the trophies to the winning
connections.
A group photo after the prize presentation
2018 | 19Turf Event
Nature Is Nature proves too good in Tattersalls Trophy
NATURE’S FIERY
Unfancied Nature Is Nature captured Tattersalls Trophy
Veteran galloper Nature Is Nature (Lago Delight - Archways Fast Rich (Iffraaj- Miss Downey by Colonel Collins) flashed
Greatest by Archway) returned to the winner’s circle after home to pip Sing Energy for second placing.
15 months to create a big upset in the RM60,000 Tattersalls Nature Is Nature reeled off a hattrick at Kranji in 2013 but
Trophy in Penang on July 29, 2017. he failed to regain that form and was winless in 2014.
Despite showing a return to form earlier that month Sent over to Leong Poh Keong in Ipoh, the gelding again
when finishing third over 1,600m, the eight-year-old was struggled to score in 2015 but was back at his best when he
overlooked in the betting in the Class 4 - 1,600m handicap. picked up three wins in the space of four starts in 2016. Then
Jockey Harmeet Singh Gill settled Nature Is Nature just came another lapse before the Tattersalls Trophy success.
behind the pacemaker Sing Energy (Lucky Unicorn - Lady Penang Turf Club Committee Member Dato’ Saw Lip
Danzero by Danzero) before challenging for the lead at the Khai presented the trophies to the winning connections of
home bend. The Australian gelding cleared away in the final the Tattersalls Trophy race.
200m to win by two and three-quarter lengths.
Jockey Harmeet Singh Gill receiving his trophy from A group photo after the prize presentation
Dato’ Saw Lip Khai
2018 | 21Our Friendly Diva leads the way home in the Royal Turf Of Thailand Trophy
End of Long Lane
Our Friendly Diva ended long drought in Royal Turf Club of Thailand Trophy
Nine-year-old Our Friendly Diva (Danroad- Pearly Gates by Kashani) returned to the
winner’s circle for the first time since November 2015 to record her eighth win in 63
starts in the Royal Turf Club of Thailand Trophy in Penang on July 29, 2017.
It was a truly rags-to-riches story for a mare who was passed in as a weanling at
a stud farm dispersal sale when bidding fell short of her reserved price of NZ$2,000.
Brought over to Singapore, the mare won three races at Kranji. And in Malaysia,
she has continued to earn her keep, although last year she found one to beat on four
occasions.
Ridden by Sofhan Latif, Our Friendly Diva was well off the pace early and the
veteran jockey expertly took a run on the inside of horses in the home stretch to
claim victory by half a length.
Oriental Spirit (Host - Alicia Rose by Last Tycoon), who looked the winner 200m
out, held on for second with Get The Lotski (Bernardini - Seismic Lady by Distant View)
third in the Cosmo D set-weight event over 1,300m.
Dato’ Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim presenting the Dato’ Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim, Committee Member of Penang Turf Club,
trophy to trainer Bonny Ng presented the trophies to the winning connections on behalf of the Royal Turf Club
of Thailand.
Jockey Sofhan Latif receiving his trophy from The winning connections pose for a photo
Dato’ Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim
22 |Turf Event
Third Time
Lucky
Apprentice Zaimuddin bagged Penang
Turf Cub Trophy in Kuala Lumpur
It was third time lucky for apprentice Mohd Zaimuddin Aziz Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan (second from left) receiving a memento
with Segar The Best when the pair captured the RM51,000 from Tunku Dato’ Seri Shahabuddin, Committee Member of
Selangor Turf Club, witnessed by Penang Turf Club Committee
Penang Turf Club Trophy at Sungei Besi on August 19, 2017. Members Jeffrey Lee Chin Wah (left) and Dato’ Saw Lip Khai
Zaimuddin had ridden the New Zealand gelding twice
previously for a second placing in December 2016.
Zaimuddin, indentured to trainer Johnny Lim who trains
Segar The Best, made it count this time, bringing the seven-year-
old from midfield to win the Class 4 - 1,200m handicap by one
and a quarter lengths.
Clip The Ticket (Swiss Ace - Gypsy Jewels by Jade Robbery)
finished second, way ahead of More Power (Ruwi - Winter Magic
by Tabkir).
It was the third win in 28 starts in Malaysia for Segar The
Best who had raced for three seasons in New Zealand, winning
twice including one at Avondale as a juvenile.
Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan presenting the trophy to apprentice
Mohd Zaimuddin
presented the trophies to the winning connections.
A group photo after the prize presentation.
2018 | 23Dance In The Wind (Screen Hero - Condor Shot by El Condor
Pasa) completed a hattrick when she easily captured the
Penang Turf Club Trophy at Kranji on June 16, 2017.
Dance to
Despite beating Magstock the previous start, it was
Magstock (Tavistock - Magravine by Last Tycoon) who started
favourite in the Kranji Stakes C - 2,000m event.
But as with her previous two wins, the Japanese mare
Victory
never gave her rivals a chance, leading from start to finish
to win by one and a half lengths with Derrick David astride.
Magstock was again second with Keep Spinning (Keeper -
Seishona by Fusaichi Pegasus), third of nine runners.
Dance In The Wind raced for three seasons in Japan and
managed to break through for her maiden win in her third
Dance In The Wind blew season, as a four-year-old. She won two more races before
heading to Singapore where she was placed in two of three
away rivals in PNTC runs before getting off the mark.
Trophy at Kranji Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan was
on hand to present the trophies to the winning connections.
In attendance were Committee Members Dato’ Saw Lip Khai
and Jeffrey Lee Chin Wah.
Dance In The Wind coasting to victory Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan presenting the trophy to
trainer Hideyuki Takaoka
Jockey Derrick David receiving his trophy A group photo after the prize presentation
from Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
24 |Turf Event
Riasc just edges out Al Di La to win
the Penang Turf Club 2YO Plate
POPULAR WINNER
Favourite Riasc triumphed in Penang Turf Club 2YO Plate at Ascot
Based on his previous two good Riasc just missed out winning his debut (finishing second), then ran a good
performances, Riasc (Rogano - Irish fourth in the Perth Magic Millions. It was based on those two performances that he
Hut by Quest For Fame) was sent out was installed favourite in the Penang Turf Club 2YO Plate.
favourite in the A$60,000 Penang Turf “He wasn’t getting much luck early so then he pushed forward,” said trainer
Club 2YO Plate at Ascot on February Brent Albuino, a former jockey who is the son of Ian Albuino. “He was still three-
25, 2017. deep but he travelled really good into the straight and he fought out really well to
But the gelding did it the hard way, the line.”
just edging outsider Al Di La (Dick
Turpin - Moodometer by Pricelessly) in
a photo finish to win the 2YO Open
event over 1100m.
At the home turn, Al Di La was
leading You Am I (Hard Spun - Miss
Ducati by Speed Week) before jockey
Chris Parnham and Riasc made their
move.
Heading towards the winning post,
it became a battle between Al Di La and
Riasc who managed to put his head in
front at the right moment. Riasc won by
a short half-head. You Am I held on for
third. The happy winning connections
2018 | 25Polo Boy wins the Lorenzo Jewellery Trophy
Polo Boy on Target
Denman gelding scored upset win in Lorenzo Jewellery Trophy
Polo Boy (Denman - Davilora Dane by Danehill) caused an upset when he stormed home
on the outside to win the RM60,000 Lorenzo Jewellery Trophy in Penang on December
31, 2017.
Punters overlooked the Australian gelding in the Class 4 - 1,200m sprint despite
the fact that he had won a similar race two starts previously.
Ridden by apprentice Lim Aun Kean, Polo Boy raced in midfield in a tightly-
bunched field and had to switch out wide at the top of the straight when there was a
wall of horses in front of him.
Polo Boy opened up in fine style once he saw an opening at the 200m and in a
matter of strides was in front. He then cleared away to win by one length.
Eatons Gold (Jet Spur - Road Ranger by Encosta De Lago), who was boxed on the inside
of horses at the top of the straight, managed to get clear late in the race and flashed
home to finish second. Lee Bank (Shirocco - Nuage Irise by Rainbow Quest) finished third.
Polo Boy won his final (11th) outing in Singapore in August 2016 and maintained
Goh Soo Szee presenting the trophy to
his winning form to win his next two starts in Malaysia. He picked up three more wins trainer Bonny Ng
in 2017. His Lorenzo Jewellery Trophy win was his first outing for trainer Bonny Ng.
Ms Goh Soo Szee, Managing Director of Lorenzo Jewellery, presented the trophies
to the winning connections.
The winning connections pose for a photo Apprentice Lim Aun Kean receiving his
trophy from Goh Soo Szee
26 |2018 | 27
Piano Sonata being garlanded on return to scale after winning the Turkish Derby
Sound of SUCCESS
President cut Derby cake on eve of Piano Sonata’s Turkish Derby win
Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong Eng
Khuan was given the honour to cut the Derby
cake at the Derby Cup dinner hosted by the
President of the Jockey Club of Turkey, Yasin
Kadri Ekinci and the Committee Members
of the Jockey Club of Turkey on the evening
before the race.
The 91st running of the Gazi Turkish
Derby, with total prizemoney of 3,187,500
Turkish Lira (approximately USD1 million)
was held at Veliefendi Hippodrome,
Istanbul on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, June Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan with Mr. Okan Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan with Mr. Yasin Kadri Ekinci,
25, 2017. Ozeren, JCT International Affairs Manager President of JCT and his wife, Mrs. Aslı Oymen
Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan was among a
crowd of over 30,000 racing fans to witness
the 2,400m event for three-year-olds on this
auspicious day of the Muslim calendar.
Piano Sonata (Torok – Emma by Shining
Steel), who had finished second to Pershing
(Scarface – Orse Gul by Sri Pekan) in the
Turkish 2000 Guineas, reversed the order
when he romped home by 2½ lengths
ahead of Pershing, who started favourite.
He was ridden by Ahmet Celik and
trained by Metin Acar for owner Oguz
Yalcin.
Piano Sonata had always shown that he
was one of the top three-year-olds of his
generation, with five wins and five seconds
in 11 starts before tackling the Derby.
Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan (centre) cutting the cake with other dignitaries at the Derby dinner
Report by Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
28 |Turf Event
Rising to the Occasion
Favourite Rising Hope bagged Penang Turf Club Trophy at Morphettville
Consistent mare Rising Hope (Encosta De Lago - Passing Hope by Sadler’s Wells) lived up
to her favourite tag to win the A$30,000 Penang Turf Club Trophy at Morphettville on
February 18, 2017.
Jockey Dean Yendall teamed up with his long-time supporter, champion trainer
Darren Weir, to take the Benchmark 70 event over 1,600m.
Rising Hope settled well back early in the 11-horse field as Yendall bidded for his time
on the four-year-old. Still with five horses in front of her at the home bend, the mare
picked them up one by one in the home stretch to win drawing away by three-quarter
of a length from Beau Rivage (Monaco Consul - Swan River by Danehill Dancer) who at one
stage looked the winner.
Beau Rivage just held on to beat Cyclone Thomas (Dylan Thomas - Concluding by Kenny’s
Best Pal) who was flashing home.
It was the fourth win in 13 starts for Victoria-trained Rising Hope who was racing for
only the second time at Morphettville in Adelaide.
Penang Turf Club Committee Member Dato’ Saw Lip Khai presented the trophies to
the winning connections.
Dato’ Saw Lip Khai presenting the trophy to trainer Jockey Dean Yendall receiving his trophy from
Darren Weir’s assistant Dato’ Saw Lip Khai
The winning connections pose for a photo
2018 | 29Enable romps to an easy win in the
Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
DETTORI MAKES HISTORY
Italian jockey notched fifth Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe win on Enable
The 96th running of the Qatar Prix de Enable was trained by Englishman Satono Diamond (Deep Impact– Malpensa
L’Arc de Triomphe took place for the John Gosden for owner/breeder Prince by Orpen) returned home disappointed
second and final time at Chantilly Khalid Abdullah. after finishing nearer the back of the
racecourse with the historic backdrop Dettori said this was his greatest field.
of the renaissance Chateau de Chantilly, achievement after having 29 rides at the For 2018, the Qatar Prix de L’Arc
making it the most stunning racecourse Arc and five wins. de Triomphe will return to a revamped
in the world. Japan had been runner-up five times Longchamp, Paris on an entirely
The Arc race on October 1, 2017 in the Arc and was waiting for a win but remodeled racecourse to give a new
saw a full field of 18 runners vying it was not to be as the Japanese horse racing experience to all.
for the prizemoney of €5million with
thoroughbreds from Japan, England,
Ireland, Germany and France.
The results made Frankie Dettori
the most successful jockey in the race
history when he partnered Enable
(Nathaniel – Concentric by Sadler’s Wells)
to his fifth Arc win, earning a place in
racing’s roll-of-honour of equine greats.
Never out of the first three from the
start, Dettori waited until 400m out to
unleash Enable, leaving seventeen rivals
behind to record a 2 ½-length victory.
Second was Godolphin’s Cloth of
Stars (Sea The Stars – Strawberry Fledge Penang Turf Club President Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan and The logo of the 96th Qatar Prix de
by Kingmambo) and in third place Committee Member Ms Teoh Mei Shean at Chantilly to L’Arc de Triomphe
witness the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
was Ulysses (Galileo – Light Shift by
Kingmambo) at a further length and a
Report by Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan
quarter away.
30 |Turf Event
Right
on
Target
Strike Force scored
thrilling win in Penang
Turf Club Trophy at
Moonee Valley Patrick Moloney returns to scale on Strike Force
Strike Force lived up to his name when The gelding, trained by Michael Moroney, was purchased for A$120,000 as a
he scored a thrilling win in the A$40,000 yearling and the Penang Turf Club Trophy win was his third in 16 starts.
Penang Turf Club Trophy at Moonee A Penang Turf Club delegation, led by Committee Member Dato’ Seri Teh Choon
Valley on February 10, 2017. Beng, was present to witness the event. Dato’ Seri Teh also gave away the trophies
Ridden by Patrick Moloney, Strike to the winning connections.
Force (Lookin At Lucky - Tapanappa by
Giant’s Causeway) settled second in
the Benchmark 70 event over 1,519m
before hitting the front, then held off
the challenge of Don’tbabylon (Reset -
Lectures by Arena) to win in a photo
finish.
Jest For The Road (Choisir - Show Bling
by Flying Spur) was third, 3-3/4 lengths
away, in the 11-horse field.
Dato’ Seri Teh Choon Beng presenting the The winning team
trophy to the winning owner
The Penang Turf Club delegation pose for a photo with the winning connections
2018 | 31Juvenile Star
Two-year-old Relau Star beat older rivals in Mitavite Cup
Relau Star leads Fat Power home in the Mitavite Cup Trainer Wong Kong Fatt receiving his trophy
from Madam Mini Liew, Managing Director
Two-year-old Relau Star (Captain Sonador - behind pacemaker Fat Power early. He of Mitavite Asia Sdn Bhd
Shovella by Shovhog) put his older rivals switched him out to go after the leader
to shame to win the RM60,000 Mitavite at the top of the straight and raced away
Cup in Penang on July 30, 2017. in the final 100m to win by one and a
Despite being the only juvenile half lengths.
in the 12-strong field, the Australian Fat Power (Elusive Quality - Our
gelding was sent out odds-on favourite Sharapova by Fasliyev) held on for
in the Class 4 - 1,200m event. second with Tilsworth Freddie (Clodovil–
Relau Star had made a sensational Silvereine by Bering) third.
racing debut when he scored a five- Relau Star was purchased by trainer
length win in the Restricted Maiden Wong Kong Fatt for A$25,000 at the
company early that month. And punters Horses In Training sale and he looks to
were right on the money. be one of the brightest youngsters to be
Jockey Sandana Kumar Sreetharan imported in the past year.
Madam Mimi Liew presenting the trophy to
tucked the gelding third on the rails jockey Sandana Kumar Sreetharan
A group photo after the prize presentation
32 |2018 | 33
The Penang Turf Club delegation at the Macau Jockey Club
Members visit Macau & Hong Kong
Penang delegation attended Penang Turf Goodwill Cup at Taipa
and Hong Kong International Race Day
Penang Turf Club President Dato’ On Saturday December 9, the Races, also known as the “Turf World
Ong Eng Khuan led a delegation of 75 group attended races at Macau Jockey Championships”, at the Sha Tin
people on a tour of Macau and Hong Club’s Taipa Racecourse and on the Racecourse.
Kong in December 2017 to attend two programme that day was the running Horses from various parts of the
important events. of the HK$200,000 Penang Turf Club world contested the HK$25 million
The Penang Turf Club delegation Goodwill Cup. Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), HK$23
included Committee Members Dato’ Dr Winning Express (Falkirk – Wie million Hong Kong Mile (1,600m),
Henry Ooi Kwee Lim, Dato’ Dr Chong Michelle by Volksraad), trained by K C HK$18.5 million Hong Kong Sprint
Keat Foong, Messrs. Jeffrey Lee Chin Chong and ridden by Ruan Maia, was (1,200m) and HK$18 million Hong
Wah, Lee Kean Teong, Ms. Teoh Mei running in fifth position most of the Kong Vase (2,400m).
Shean and also Financial Controller way in the Class 4 & 5 race over 1,200m. The Longines Hong Kong
Ms. Lim Lai See, Dr. Khor Li Li, Head He then produced a strong finish International Races Days opened with
of Veterinary Dept, and Ms. Chiam Li to win by a nose. Second was Kirin a vibrant acrobatic and lion dance
Li from Accounts Department. Wit (Showcasing – Aspects of Love by performance.
Upon arrival at Hong Kong Famous Star) and third was Dengcheng The Hong Kong Vase was won
International Airport on December One (Publishing – Alpine Lass by Mighty by Highland Reel (Galileo – Hveger by
7, the group proceeded to board the Avalanche). Danehill), ridden by Ryan Moore.
Cotai ferry to Macau. On arrival, the Dato’ Ong Eng Khuan presented the Highland Reel, Europe’s all-time
group checked into Sheraton Grand trophies to the winning connections. leading earner, provided Ireland’s
Macao Hotel and proceeded for dinner Also at the presentation of trophies champion trainer Aidan O’Brien with a
at Glorious Seafood Restaurant at The were Dato’ Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim, second Hong Kong Vase win. The 2017
Venetian. Dato’ Dr Chong Keat Foong, Messrs. Breeders’ Cup 2017 winner Talismanic
The group explored Macau’s Jeffrey Lee Chin Wah, Lee Kean Teong (Medagliad’Oro – Magic Mission by
historic attractions and numerous and Ms. Teoh Mei Shean. Machiavellian), ridden by Maxime
casinos the following day and in the The following day, the group Guyon, ranged up beside Highland
evening, they sampled local Portuguese headed for Hong Kong to attend the Reel in the final stage of the race, after
fare at Cozinha Pinnochio Restaurant. Longines Hong Kong International Japanese stayer Tosen Basil (Harbinger –
34 |You can also read
