THE arena is set for the Royal Sabah Turf Club (RSTC) 2011 Merdeka Cup with the top-form Bongawan Prince II tipped as hot favourite for the race this Sunday, at Tambalang Race Course in Tuaran.
Highlighting this was RSTC Treasurer cum Information Chief, Aven Lim who noted that Bongawan Prince II had been impressive as it was placed in almost all the Class III races so far this year and is expected to give the other ponies a good race.
However, he acknowledged that the quality of the rest of the ponies for this year’s Merdeka Cup that has been slotted for Race Nine on Sunday was also equally impressive.
“We should not write off defending champion, Babaero and Sky Girl as well as up and coming youngster Brazil Star to spring an upset,” he said in a statement issued here today.
Other ponies in the 2011 Merdeka Cup Class III over 1,800m are Bariomanchello, Pearl of Orient, Borneo Dancer and Crystal Beauty.
Just before the Merdeka Cup race, the Class 7 Division 2 (1,800m) Cup Race is also set to become a hot match involving 16 ponies that comprise Firefly, Black China Man, Sirolepanam, Golden Dancer, Great Success II, True Love, Heskey, Old Man (ex-Jagung Manis III), Much Money, Cocorrico, Butterfly, Second Chance, Ding Dong, Good Girl II, Na O May and Bongawan Solo IV.
“On the surface, Cocorrico looks fit to win this race but there will be Good Girl, Great Success II, Second Chance and Ding Dong whom will not easily give up without a fight. Look out for the result as it may upset the odds and gives bumper payout,” he tipped.
Also on Sunday, horse racing enthusiasts would be given a treat as the thoroughbreds are racing over 1,800m in Race 10.
Lim said 10 horses had been entered for the race namely Lucky Ocean, Be Brave, Kilkenny, Gift of Power, Speedy Clouds, Triple Gems, Honey Goal, Xaar’s Honour, Drummond and Ivana.
“The Thoroughbred Race over this distance is very exciting because it is unpredictable since on record there is no clear winner,” he said, adding that the race over the distance of 1,800m had been held twice in Tambalang so far and each time a different horse won.
“The first time winner was Lucky Ocean and the second one was Be Brave. We can expect another upset here with good payout,” he pointed out.
He noted that the favourite pick for this race are Lucky Ocean, Honey Goal, Be Brave and Xaar’s Honour.
A total of 11 races had been scheduled for Sunday and apart from the Class III Merdeka Cup race, Thoroughbred Race and Class 7 Division 2 the others are Class 7 Division 3 and 4 as well as Class 6B.
On Saturday, there are eight races on the card for Class 7 Division 5, Class 6B and Class 6A.
“The RSTC chairman and management committee also wishes all our members and friends a happy Malaysia Day,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment