THE RETURN OF COMMANDO II

FAVOURITES......A file photo of Commando II hot favourites for the 2012 Chairman’s Cup.

THE ROYAL Sabah Turf Club (RSTC) is holding its Chinese New Year Chairman’s Cup for Class I and open to Class II ponies over 1,200 metres at Tambalang Race Course in Tuaran on this coming Tuesday (Jan 24).

Sixteen entries are going for this year’s Chairman’s Cup slated for Race 9 at 4pm among them Honey Queen III, Young Star, Zenyatta, Commando II, Bariomanchello, Tamparuli Star, Crystal Lady III, Choisir, Fast N Furious, Vitality II, Super Chip, Royal Chip, Pegalan Princess, Paquaio, Bow Shadow and Brutus.

According to RSTC Treasurer, Aven Lim, this weekend races would be held on Saturday (Jan 21) and resumed on Jan 24, after a two-day Chinese New Year break.

"On paper, last year’s Champion Pony, Commando II is the hot favourite for this race,” he noted in a statement issued here today.

Commando II is also a three-time winner of the Chairman’s Cup winning it back-to-back since 2009.

Lim nonetheless cautioned that ponies such as Zenyatta, Crystal Lady III, Young Star and Bow Shadow are capable of upsetting all calculations, adding that another good show and payout is expected for the race that offers a total stake money of RM20,000.

"Also on the card is the Cup Race for Class 7 Division 4 ponies over 1,800metres, offering a total stake money of RM8,000 which is scheduled before the Chairman’s Cup race,” he highlighted.

Twelve ponies are entering the race namely Silent King, Major, Rugading Hero II, Rocket VI, Tunas Bestari, Jejaka Idaman, Winbo Girl, Recoba, Japo III, Rugading Express, Christie and Jogo Jogo III.

"This race is very unpredictable as all runners are quite balanced … don’t rule out upsets and good payouts,” said Lim who is also RSTC Publicity Officer.

He said on Jan 24, there would be 10 cup races with the highlight being the Chairman’s Cup. Other interesting races on the cards are for the Class 6B, 6A, Class 7 Division 5 and 3.

Lim further noted that there would also be 30 hampers and other gifts for the lucky draw to be given out to lucky punters who bought RSTC Racing Guide booklet.

As for this Saturday (Jan 21), he said there would be eight races among them for Class 6B, Class 7 Division 5 and 3.

"The Chairman and Management Committees wish all our members and friends a very prosperous New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai,” he said.