Fairway's Turf Online

Skydance Eclipse scores dramatic win

KUALA LUMPUR: May 29, 2022

SKYDANCE ECLIPSE scored a deserving comeback win in the Metro A event over 1700m at Sungei besi here today.

It has been a long road back to fitness and form for the Australian gelding and the occasion could not have been more dramatic.

Ridden by Laercio De Souza, SKYDANCE ECLIPSE settled in second spot together with DANCING RAIN behind the pacemaker TRINITY GRACE who was a clear leader in the early part of the race.

When TRINITY GRACE came under pressure at the top of the straight, DANCING RAIN stole a run on the rails and immediately shot clear. SKYDANCE ECLIPSE was struggling to get going at this stage.

SKYDANCE ECLIPSE eventually opened up and flashed home, but he laid in badly and forcing De Souza to use the whip with his left hand momentarily.

SKYDANCE ECLIPSE caught up with DANCING RAIN and they fought stride-for-stride in the closing stages, flashing past the post together.

SKYDANCE ECLIPSE got the verdict by a nose, then had to survive an objection by the rider of DANCING RAIN for alleged interference.

SKYDANCE ECLIPSE was purchased for racing in Singapore but after four unplaced runs at Kranji, he was sent to trainer Frank Maynard.

He was an instant hit in Malaysia, winning five of his first six starts in late 2018 and 2019. The gelding then went amiss, spending much time on the sidelines before winning again in December 2020.

SKYDANCE ECLIPSE raced just once last year (finishing second) and has found one to beat twice in five starts this year before his comeback win.

"It was a well deserved win," said Maynard. "The horse has been knocking on the door, running second with big weight. He fought off all challengers down the straight."

De Souza rode the horse twice this season and was beaten into second place on both occasion.

"It was a bit of a surprise. He showed so much early pace despite his big weight and I am very happy," said De Souza who enjoyed his best ever afternoon with five winners.

RESULTS AT A GLANCE: Tote No / Horse / Trainer / Jockey / Position

1	CLASS 5 - 1300M
5	OFFICIAL	KC Tiang	J Low	1
	(6 b.a.g The Factor - Japali Bike by Zabeel)
9	Travis	S Dunderdale	S Ruzaini	2
3	Super Line	V Sivan	MM Firdaus	3
11	Trinity Revival	SY Lim	M Ekdihar	4

2	CLASS 5 - 1300M
3	GHOST BAY	BT Lim	R Nuqman	1
	(7 b.nz.h Darci Brahma - Casino Snip by High Rolling)
1	Invisible	R Lines	S Sia	2
2	Havana	S Siva	S Ruzaini	3
4	Smooth Operator	M Sukri	J Low	4

3	CLASS 5 - 2000M
4	O'REILLY BAY	AB Abdullah	Y Aify	1
	(9 b.nz.g O'Reilly - Pinot Gris by Pentire)
5	Golden Craftsman	HY Cheng	S Ruzaini	2
1	Silent Prince	C Leck	Clyde Leck	3
6	Lightning Hero	C Leck	A Suriya	4

4	OPEN NOVICE (SW) - 1500M
6	WAIMEA	L Moy	I Fikri	1
	(4 b.nz.g Coats Choice - Marceline by Montjeu)
4	RS Diago	R Lines	L De Souza	2
2	Rings Of Fire	AB Abdullah	S Ruzaini	3
5	Golden Cup	HY Cheng	J Low	4

5	CLASS 4 - 1800M
10	MICHIKAWA	HY Cheng	L De Souza	1
	(4 b.nz.g Proisir - Lavalliere by Medaglia D'Oro)
2	Shoqeet	AB Abdullah	W Faizal	2
7	Moment Of Justice	MP Thwaites	S Shazmin	3
4	Come And Take All	V Sivan	R Rueven	4

6	METRO A (SW) - 1700M
1	SKYDANCE ECLIPSE	F Maynard	L De Souza	1
	(7 b.a.g Foxwedge - Mothwing by Encosta De Lago)
9	Dancing Rain	K Coetzee	S Ruzaini	2
2	Target	C Leck	A Suriya	3
5	Black Thorn	SY Lim	M Ekdihar	4

7	CLASS 4 - 1250M
9	TIGRESS	R Lines	L De Souza	1
	(6 b/br.a.m Uncle Mo - Fly Me Home by Flying Spur)
2	Top S	BT Lim	R Nuqman	2
8	Gratus	S Dunderdale	J Daniel	2
1	Dahees	AB Abdullah	W Faizal	4
	**Deadheat for 2nd

8	CLASS 4 - 1250M
3	RESOLUTE	S Siva	R Rueven	1
	(5 b.a.g Dissident - Sonota Queen by Commands)
1	Berry Bliss	C Leck	Clyde Leck	2
4	Desire Sky	R Lines	S Sia	3
8	Shine Shine	KC Tiang	J Low	4

9	CLASS 4 - 1250M
6	ICHIKA BACHIKA	S Dunderdale	J Daniel	1
	(6 b.a.g Moshe - Memphis Dawn by Elvstroem)
4	Sacred Tonic	S Siva	S Ruzaini	2
10	Handsome Boy	HY Cheng	J Low	3
5	Joju	R Lines	S Sia	4

10	CLASS 5 - 1300M
9	MEWTWO	S Siva	L De Souza	1
	(8 br.a.m Dick Turpin - Lady Noire by Bletchley Park)
6	Looks Good	MP Thwaites	J Daniel	2
4	Bangalore	C Leck	Clyde Leck	3
10	Selangor Baby	BT Lim	R Nuqman	4

11	CLASS 5 - 1300M
4	MERCURIAL TURN	R Lines	L De Souza	1
	(5 b/br.a.g Written Tycoon - Paris Return by Cozzene)
10	Golden Kingdom	HY Cheng	KC Tham	2
2	Mise En Garde	R Lines	S Sia	3
1	Happy Magic	HY Cheng	J Low	4
5	Stay Sound	C Leck	Clyde Leck	4
	**Deadheat for 4th